- Lyricist
- Nagai Swaminathan
- Singer
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Movie name
- Ini Oru Sudhanthiram
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 30 Nov 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Sondhangale Bandhangale' is a poignant reflection on the fragile nature of human relationships, sorrow, loneliness, and societal selfishness. It expresses grief over the breakdown of marital and familial bliss, depicting an innocent soul suffering in isolation like a caged bird while tears overflow like a flooded river. Furthermore, the lyrics serve as a sharp philosophical critique of human nature, pointing out how people live entirely self-centered lives, hoarding wealth solely for their immediate family while remaining detached from the broader world, only to die after a meaningless existence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile / Uvamai
“Than kannirandil vellamena Gangai nadhi pongudhu”
Compares the continuous flow of tears from both eyes to the overflowing flood of the Ganges river.
Metaphor / Uvamaani
“Oru konjum kili Thananthani kootukkul yengudhu”
Metaphorically compares a lonely, vulnerable person grieving in isolation to a sweet parrot yearning inside a cage.
Edhukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sondhangale bandhangale”
Rhyming of the second letter ('n') in consecutive lines ('Sondhangale' / 'Bandhangale').
Irony / Paradox
“Gnyaanam vandha podhilum Kelvi mattum ketkkiraan”
Highlights the paradox of human nature where gaining wisdom leads only to perpetual questioning and doubt rather than peace.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ini Oru Sudhanthiram (1987) features deeply philosophical lyrics by Nagai Swaminathan, focusing on social commentary and human relations typical of late 1980s Tamil drama cinema.
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