Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Poottaatha Poottukkal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Soorai Kaatril

From Poottaatha Poottukkal · 1980

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Poottaatha Poottukkal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
10 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Paadhai maari ponaal paedhai
Paava chaetril kalandhaal kodhai
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Thaayaaga vaendum aasai kondaal
Thaenaadum poovai thaedi vandhaal
Adhu paambaaga maarum kolam kandaal
Paazhaana pinnae paadam katraal
Baliyaana pinnae naanam kondaal
Ini panbodu vaazha engae selvaal
Ulagam unnai thootrumae pollaadha vaarthai koorumae
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Kallaana podhum kanavan dheivam
Pullaana podhum purushan dheivam
Adhai unaraadhadhaalae ullam nondhaal
Amaidhi engae kaanbadho anbae illaadha bhoomiyil
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Paadhai maari ponaal paedhai
Paava chaetril kalandhaal kodhai
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Soorai kaatril aadudhae
Dheepathin jothiyae
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
The innocent woman lost her way,
And sank into the mire of sin.
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
She longed to become a mother,
And came searching for a flower full of honey.
Only to see it turn into a snake.
She learned her lesson only after being ruined.
She felt shame only after she became a victim.
Where can she go now to live with dignity?
The world will mock you and speak harsh words.
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
Even if he is like stone, a husband is god,
Even if worthless as grass, a husband is god.
Because she did not realize this, her heart grieves.
Where can peace be found in a world without love?
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
The innocent woman lost her way,
And sank into the mire of sin.
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
Flickering in the stormy wind,
Is the flame of the lamp.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Soorai kaatril aadudhae' from the movie 'Poottaatha Poottukkal' (1980) serves as a tragic commentary on a woman's moral and societal downfall. Lyricist Panchu Arunachalam uses the powerful image of a lamp flickering helplessly in a raging storm to symbolize her precarious existence and vulnerability after straying from societal norms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Soorai kaatril aadudhae Dheepathin jothiyae”

Comparing the protagonist's fragile life and emotional turmoil directly to a lamp flame struggling against a gale.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Paadhai maari ponaal paedhai / Paava chaetril kalandhaal kodhai”

The second letters of words in successive lines match ('dhai' sound), creating melodic harmony.

Allusion / Cultural Metaphor

“Kallaana podhum kanavan dheivam / Pullaana podhum purushan dheivam”

References the well-known Tamil traditional adage emphasizing devotion in marriage despite hardships.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Sooraikatril Aaduthe1980
Poottatha PoottukkalRegretGrief
Sindhaikkinbame1950
Maruthanad ElavaraseeGriefLoss
Odugindral1976
BhadrakaliGriefMelancholic
Thondru Thottu Indru Varai1995
AvatharamGriefFate
Vaazhkai Odam Karai Serum Munne1956
Pennin PerumaiFateMortality
Ennada Pandi2009
ValmikiRegretFate

From the same album

More songs from Poottaatha Poottukkal

View album
Vanna Vanna Poove1980
Poottaatha PoottukkalTender
Nenjukkulla Aasa Vandha1980
Poottaatha PoottukkalAnxious
Andipatti1980
Poottaatha PoottukkalBittersweet
Aanandam Aanandam1980
Poottaatha PoottukkalJoyful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.