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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sorgathilirundhu Naragam

From Anandhi · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Anandhi
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
10 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varai
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai murai
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varai
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi murai
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varai
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai murai
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varai
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi murai
Vaanai thazhuvum maaligaiyil
Ungal vaazhvum valamum vilaiyaada
Vaanai thazhuvum maaligaiyil
Ungal vaazhvum valamum vilaiyaada
Paalum pazhagum unavaaga
Ungal paarvai ovvondrum panamaaga
Poonai urangum aduppinil
Engal poovaiyar kanneer vazhinthoda
Poovaiyar kanneer vazhinthoda
Aasaiyum ullaada
Aaviyum thallaada
Aadugindrom verum silaiyaaga
Vaadugindrom ungal vilaiyaaga
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varai
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai murai
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varai
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi murai
Kodi kodi aadaigalil ungal
Konchum ilamai merugerum
Kodi kodi aadaigalil ungal
Konchum ilamai merugerum
Aadippaadi vaazhvathil ungal
Aasaiyin vegam suvaiyaagum
Maattri uduththum aadaiyillaaml
Yaelaigal maeni veliyaagum
Yaelaigal maeni veliyaagum
Kaavalum illaamal
Kalamum vellaamal
Kelviyilae engal uyiraadum
Kelvigal engae bathilaagum
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varai
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai murai
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varai
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi murai
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varai
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai murai
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varai
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi murai
From heaven all the way to hell,
this way of life is obvious without being told.
As long as two social classes exist,
how can there be true justice on this earth?
From heaven all the way to hell,
this way of life is obvious without being told.
As long as two social classes exist,
how can there be true justice on this earth?
Inside mansions that touch the sky,
your luxury and wealth play around.
Inside mansions that touch the sky,
your luxury and wealth play around.
With milk and fresh fruit as your food,
and every glance of yours turning to money,
While cats sleep inside our cold, unlit stoves,
tears keep streaming from our women's eyes,
tears keep streaming from our women's eyes.
With hidden desires trembling within,
and our spirits swaying in exhaustion,
we dance like lifeless statues,
withering away as the price for your joy.
From heaven all the way to hell,
this way of life is obvious without being told.
As long as two social classes exist,
how can there be true justice on this earth?
Dressed in countless rich clothes,
your charming youth looks even brighter.
Dressed in countless rich clothes,
your charming youth looks even brighter.
In a life spent dancing and singing,
the thrill of your desires tastes sweet.
Without even a change of clothes to wear,
the bodies of the poor are left bare,
the bodies of the poor are left bare.
With no one to protect us,
and unable to overcome our hard times,
our lives hang in constant questions;
where will our questions ever find an answer?
From heaven all the way to hell,
this way of life is obvious without being told.
As long as two social classes exist,
how can there be true justice on this earth?
From heaven all the way to hell,
this way of life is obvious without being told.
As long as two social classes exist,
how can there be true justice on this earth?
Male
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Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from Anandhi (1965), written by Kannadasan, is a powerful critique of socio-economic disparity and class struggle. It contrasts the extravagant life of the wealthy—living in sky-touching mansions, wearing endless outfits, and enjoying luxury—with the painful realities of the poor, whose hearths remain cold and unlit. Through vivid imagery, the lyrics question the existence of social justice in a world divided into two distinct classes, portraying the marginalized as helpless playthings suffering under oppression.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

“Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varai”

Contrasting extreme conditions such as 'Sorkkam' (heaven) and 'Naragam' (hell) to depict social disparity.

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

“Poonai urangum aduppinil”

The image of a cat sleeping in the stove ('poonai urangum aduppu') is a traditional Tamil poetic metaphor representing extreme poverty and an unlit kitchen hearth.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

“Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varai”

Rhyming second letters across lines ('Sorkkaththilirunthu' / 'Varkkaththil').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by M. S. Viswanathan for the film Anandhi (1965), starring Gemini Ganesan and Savitri. The phrase 'poonai urangum aduppu' is an iconic classical Sangam-era metaphorical device adapted by Kannadasan to reflect poverty in modern cinema.

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