Sontham Illai
From Annakili · 1976
- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Annakili1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Sondham illai bandham illai | No relatives, no bonds, |
| Vadudhu oru paravai | A bird comes along, |
| Adhu thedudhu than uravai | It searches for its kin, |
| Anbu kolla aadharavaai | To love and to support. |
| Yarum illai ulagail | There is no one in this world, |
| Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil | It lives in its own shadow. |
| Female | |
| Akkakkoo.. enum geetham | The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...', |
| Adhuthaanae adhan vedham | That alone is its sacred Veda. |
| Female | |
| Sondham illai bandham illai | No relatives, no bonds, |
| Vadudhu oru paravai | A bird comes along, |
| Adhu thedudhu than uravai | It searches for its kin, |
| Anbu kolla aadharavaai | To love and to support. |
| Yarum illai ulagail | There is no one in this world, |
| Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil | It lives in its own shadow. |
| Female | |
| Akkakkoo.. enum geetham | The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...', |
| Adhuthaanae adhan vedham | That alone is its sacred Veda. |
| Female | |
| Kovil undu deepam undu | There is a temple, there is a lamp, |
| Deivam undu malargal undu | There is a deity, there are flowers, |
| Poojai mattum kaana varam illaiyae | Yet there is no boon to witness the worship. |
| Female | |
| Kovil undu deepam undu | There is a temple, there is a lamp, |
| Deivam undu malargal undu | There is a deity, there are flowers, |
| Poojai mattum kaana varam illaiyae | Yet there is no boon to witness the worship. |
| Female | |
| Odam undu nadhiyum undu | There is a boat, there is a river, |
| Nadhiyinilae vellam undu | In that river, there is a flood, |
| Akkaraithaan arugil varavillaiyae | Yet the far shore does not come near, |
| Ikkaraiyil kuruvikkenna velaiyae | What purpose does this bird have on this shore? |
| Akkakkoo.. enum geetham | The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...', |
| Adhuthaanae adhan vedham | That alone is its sacred Veda. |
| Female | |
| Sondham illai bandham illai | No relatives, no bonds, |
| Vadudhu oru paravai | A bird comes along, |
| Adhu thedudhu than uravai | It searches for its kin, |
| Anbu kolla aadharavaai | To love and to support. |
| Yarum illai ulagail | There is no one in this world, |
| Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil | It lives in its own shadow. |
| Female | |
| Poovendraal thaenai vaithu | For a flower, He placed nectar, |
| Pazhathukkullae saarai vaithu | Inside a fruit, He placed sweet juice, |
| Piravikkellaam | For all of life's creations, |
| Perum payanai vaithaanae | He created a grand purpose. |
| Female | |
| Poovendraal thaenai vaithu | For a flower, He placed nectar, |
| Pazhathukkullae saarai vaithu | Inside a fruit, He placed sweet juice, |
| Piravikkellaam | For all of life's creations, |
| Perum payanai vaithaanae | He created a grand purpose. |
| Female | |
| Paazhum andha kuruvi enna | What sin did that wretched little bird commit, |
| Pavangalai seithadhendru | That He gave tears as a gift? |
| Parisaaga kanneerai thandhaanae | He gave tears as a gift, |
| Naal muzhudhum | All day long, |
| Kanneerai thandhaanae | He gave tears. |
| Akkakkoo.. enum geetham | The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...', |
| Adhuthaanae adhan vedham | That alone is its sacred Veda. |
| Female | |
| Sondham illai bandham illai | No relatives, no bonds, |
| Vadudhu oru paravai | A bird comes along, |
| Adhu thedudhu than uravai | It searches for its kin, |
| Anbu kolla aadharavaai | To love and to support. |
| Yarum illai ulagail | There is no one in this world, |
| Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil | It lives in its own shadow. |
சொந்தம் இல்லை பந்தம் இல்லை
வாடுது ஒரு பறவை
அது தேடுது தன் உறவை
அன்பு கொள்ள ஆதரவாய்
யாரும் இல்லை உலகில்
அது வாழுது தன் நிழலில்
No relatives, no bonds,
A bird comes along,
It searches for its kin,
To love and to support.
There is no one in this world,
It lives in its own shadow.
அக்கக்கோ எனும் கீதம்
அதுதானே அதன் வேதம்
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
That alone is its sacred Veda.
சொந்தம் இல்லை பந்தம் இல்லை
வாடுது ஒரு பறவை
அது தேடுது தன் உறவை
அன்பு கொள்ள ஆதரவாய்
யாரும் இல்லை உலகில்
அது வாழுது தன் நிழலில்
No relatives, no bonds,
A bird comes along,
It searches for its kin,
To love and to support.
There is no one in this world,
It lives in its own shadow.
அக்கக்கோ எனும் கீதம்
அதுதானே அதன் வேதம்
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
That alone is its sacred Veda.
கோவில் உண்டு தீபம் உண்டு
தெய்வம் உண்டு மலர்கள் உண்டு
பூஜை மட்டும் காண வரம் இல்லையே
There is a temple, there is a lamp,
There is a deity, there are flowers,
Yet there is no boon to witness the worship.
கோவில் உண்டு தீபம் உண்டு
தெய்வம் உண்டு மலர்கள் உண்டு
பூஜை மட்டும் காண வரம் இல்லையே
There is a temple, there is a lamp,
There is a deity, there are flowers,
Yet there is no boon to witness the worship.
ஓடம் உண்டு நதியும் உண்டு
நதியினிலே வெள்ளம் உண்டு
அக்கரைதான் அருகில் வரவில்லையே
இக்கரையில் குருவிக்கென்ன வேலையே
அக்கக்கோ எனும் கீதம்
அதுதானே அதன் வேதம்
There is a boat, there is a river,
In that river, there is a flood,
Yet the far shore does not come near,
What purpose does this bird have on this shore?
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
That alone is its sacred Veda.
சொந்தம் இல்லை பந்தம் இல்லை
வாடுது ஒரு பறவை
அது தேடுது தன் உறவை
அன்பு கொள்ள ஆதரவாய்
யாரும் இல்லை உலகில்
அது வாழுது தன் நிழலில்
No relatives, no bonds,
A bird comes along,
It searches for its kin,
To love and to support.
There is no one in this world,
It lives in its own shadow.
பூவென்றால் தேனை வைத்து
பழத்துக்குள்ளே சாறை வைத்து
பிறவிக்கெல்லாம் பெரும்
பயனை வைத்தானே
For a flower, He placed nectar,
Inside a fruit, He placed sweet juice,
For all of life's creations,
He created a grand purpose.
பூவென்றால் தேனை வைத்து
பழத்துக்குள்ளே சாறை வைத்து
பிறவிக்கெல்லாம் பெரும்
பயனை வைத்தானே
For a flower, He placed nectar,
Inside a fruit, He placed sweet juice,
For all of life's creations,
He created a grand purpose.
பாழும் அந்த குருவி என்ன
பாவங்களை செய்ததென்று
பரிசாக கண்ணீரை தந்தானே
நாள் முழுதும் கண்ணீரை தந்தானே
அக்கக்கோ எனும் கீதம்
அதுதானே அதன் வேதம்
What sin did that wretched little bird commit,
That He gave tears as a gift?
He gave tears as a gift,
All day long,
He gave tears.
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
That alone is its sacred Veda.
சொந்தம் இல்லை பந்தம் இல்லை
வாடுது ஒரு பறவை
அது தேடுது தன் உறவை
அன்பு கொள்ள ஆதரவாய்
யாரும் இல்லை உலகில்
அது வாழுது தன் நிழலில்
No relatives, no bonds,
A bird comes along,
It searches for its kin,
To love and to support.
There is no one in this world,
It lives in its own shadow.
Sondham illai bandham illai
No relatives, no bonds,
Vadudhu oru paravai
A bird comes along,
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
It searches for its kin,
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
To love and to support.
Yarum illai ulagail
There is no one in this world,
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
It lives in its own shadow.
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
That alone is its sacred Veda.
Sondham illai bandham illai
No relatives, no bonds,
Vadudhu oru paravai
A bird comes along,
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
It searches for its kin,
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
To love and to support.
Yarum illai ulagail
There is no one in this world,
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
It lives in its own shadow.
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
That alone is its sacred Veda.
Kovil undu deepam undu
There is a temple, there is a lamp,
Deivam undu malargal undu
There is a deity, there are flowers,
Poojai mattum kaana varam illaiyae
Yet there is no boon to witness the worship.
Kovil undu deepam undu
There is a temple, there is a lamp,
Deivam undu malargal undu
There is a deity, there are flowers,
Poojai mattum kaana varam illaiyae
Yet there is no boon to witness the worship.
Odam undu nadhiyum undu
There is a boat, there is a river,
Nadhiyinilae vellam undu
In that river, there is a flood,
Akkaraithaan arugil varavillaiyae
Yet the far shore does not come near,
Ikkaraiyil kuruvikkenna velaiyae
What purpose does this bird have on this shore?
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
That alone is its sacred Veda.
Sondham illai bandham illai
No relatives, no bonds,
Vadudhu oru paravai
A bird comes along,
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
It searches for its kin,
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
To love and to support.
Yarum illai ulagail
There is no one in this world,
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
It lives in its own shadow.
Poovendraal thaenai vaithu
For a flower, He placed nectar,
Pazhathukkullae saarai vaithu
Inside a fruit, He placed sweet juice,
Piravikkellaam
For all of life's creations,
Perum payanai vaithaanae
He created a grand purpose.
Poovendraal thaenai vaithu
For a flower, He placed nectar,
Pazhathukkullae saarai vaithu
Inside a fruit, He placed sweet juice,
Piravikkellaam
For all of life's creations,
Perum payanai vaithaanae
He created a grand purpose.
Paazhum andha kuruvi enna
What sin did that wretched little bird commit,
Pavangalai seithadhendru
That He gave tears as a gift?
Parisaaga kanneerai thandhaanae
He gave tears as a gift,
Naal muzhudhum
All day long,
Kanneerai thandhaanae
He gave tears.
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
The song that cries 'Akkakkoo...',
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
That alone is its sacred Veda.
Sondham illai bandham illai
No relatives, no bonds,
Vadudhu oru paravai
A bird comes along,
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
It searches for its kin,
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
To love and to support.
Yarum illai ulagail
There is no one in this world,
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
It lives in its own shadow.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song uses the metaphor of a lonely bird ('kuruvi') wandering in search of affection to express deep feelings of isolation, sorrow, and existential despair. The protagonist feels orphaned by destiny, living only with her shadow for company while her sorrowful call is her only scripture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Vadudhu oru paravai”
The lonely protagonist compares herself to a solitary bird ('paravai' / 'kuruvi') searching in vain for warmth, love, and a far-off shore.
Internal Rhyme & Monai
“Sondham illai bandham illai”
The words 'Sondham' and 'bandham' utilize internal rhyme to create a musical cadence right at the opening line.
Contrast (Ikkarai - Akkarai)
“Ikkaraiyil kuruvikkenna velaiyae”
Contrasts 'Ikkaraiyil' (on this shore) with 'Akkaraithaan' (the far shore) to symbolize the unattainable distance between her current distress and desired happiness.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic song from 'Annakili' (1976) marked the landmark debut of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, revolutionizing Tamil film music by introducing authentic Tamil folk instrumentation and melodies to mainstream cinema.
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