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Isaimozhi
Annakili album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sontham Illai

From Annakili · 1976

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Annakili
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
23 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sondham illai bandham illai
Vadudhu oru paravai
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
Yarum illai ulagail
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
Sondham illai bandham illai
Vadudhu oru paravai
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
Yarum illai ulagail
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
Kovil undu deepam undu
Deivam undu malargal undu
Poojai mattum kaana varam illaiyae
Kovil undu deepam undu
Deivam undu malargal undu
Poojai mattum kaana varam illaiyae
Odam undu nadhiyum undu
Nadhiyinilae vellam undu
Akkaraithaan arugil varavillaiyae
Ikkaraiyil kuruvikkenna velaiyae
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
Sondham illai bandham illai
Vadudhu oru paravai
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
Yarum illai ulagail
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
Poovendraal thaenai vaithu
Pazhathukkullae saarai vaithu
Piravikkellaam
Perum payanai vaithaanae
Poovendraal thaenai vaithu
Pazhathukkullae saarai vaithu
Piravikkellaam
Perum payanai vaithaanae
Paazhum andha kuruvi enna
Pavangalai seithadhendru
Parisaaga kanneerai thandhaanae
Naal muzhudhum
Kanneerai thandhaanae
Akkakkoo.. enum geetham
Adhuthaanae adhan vedham
Sondham illai bandham illai
Vadudhu oru paravai
Adhu thedudhu than uravai
Anbu kolla aadharavaai
Yarum illai ulagail
Adhu vazhudhu than nizhalil
With no family and no ties,
A lone bird is withering in sorrow,
It searches for its loved ones,
To show love and give it care,
There is no one in this world,
So it lives in its own shadow.
The cry of grief, "Akkakko...",
Is itself its only scripture.
With no family and no ties,
A lone bird is withering in sorrow,
It searches for its loved ones,
To show love and give it care,
There is no one in this world,
So it lives in its own shadow.
The cry of grief, "Akkakko...",
Is itself its only scripture.
There is a temple, there is a lamp,
There is a deity, there are flowers,
Yet there is no blessing to witness the worship.
There is a temple, there is a lamp,
There is a deity, there are flowers,
Yet there is no blessing to witness the worship.
There is a boat, there is a river,
And in that river flows a flood,
But the other shore does not come near.
What is there for this bird on this shore?
The cry of grief, "Akkakko...",
Is itself its only scripture.
With no family and no ties,
A lone bird is withering in sorrow,
It searches for its loved ones,
To show love and give it care,
There is no one in this world,
So it lives in its own shadow.
Putting honey inside the flower,
Putting sweet juice inside the fruit,
For every life born,
He created a meaningful purpose.
Putting honey inside the flower,
Putting sweet juice inside the fruit,
For every life born,
He created a meaningful purpose.
What sins did that poor bird commit,
That to punish it,
He gave tears as a reward?
All day long,
He gave it only tears.
The cry of grief, "Akkakko...",
Is itself its only scripture.
With no family and no ties,
A lone bird is withering in sorrow,
It searches for its loved ones,
To show love and give it care,
There is no one in this world,
So it lives in its own shadow.
Female
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Female
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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