Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sorgathilirundhu Naragam

From Anandhi · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anandhi1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varaiFrom heaven to hell,
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai muraiA way of life that is understood without being spoken,
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varaiAs long as two social classes exist,
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi muraiWhat true justice can exist on this earth?
Male
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varaiFrom heaven to hell,
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai muraiA way of life that is understood without being spoken,
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varaiAs long as two social classes exist,
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi muraiWhat true justice can exist on this earth?
Male
Vaanai thazhuvum maaligaiyilIn mansions that touch the sky,
Ungal vaazhvum valamum vilaiyaadaWhere your life and prosperity play,
Vaanai thazhuvum maaligaiyilIn mansions that touch the sky,
Ungal vaazhvum valamum vilaiyaadaWhere your life and prosperity play,
Male
Paalum pazhagum unavaagaWith milk and fruits as your food,
Ungal paarvai ovvondrum panamaagaWhere every glance of yours turns into wealth,
Poonai urangum aduppinilOn unlit stoves where cats sleep cold,
Engal poovaiyar kanneer vazhinthodaWhile tears flow from our women,
Poovaiyar kanneer vazhinthodaTears flow from our women,
Male
Aasaiyum ullaadaWith desires wavering inside,
Aaviyum thallaadaAnd the spirit faltering,
Aadugindrom verum silaiyaagaWe dance like mere lifeless statues,
Vaadugindrom ungal vilaiyaagaWe wither away as a plaything for you.
Male
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varaiFrom heaven to hell,
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai muraiA way of life that is understood without being spoken,
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varaiAs long as two social classes exist,
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi muraiWhat true justice can exist on this earth?
Male
Kodi kodi aadaigalil ungalIn millions of lavish clothes,
Konchum ilamai merugerumYour charming youth gains radiance,
Kodi kodi aadaigalil ungalIn millions of lavish clothes,
Konchum ilamai merugerumYour charming youth gains radiance,
Male
Aadippaadi vaazhvathil ungalLiving life singing and dancing,
Aasaiyin vegam suvaiyaagumThe speed of your desire becomes delicious,
Maattri uduththum aadaiyillaamlWithout even a change of clothes,
Yaelaigal maeni veliyaagumThe bodies of the poor are exposed,
Yaelaigal maeni veliyaagumThe bodies of the poor are exposed.
Male
Kaavalum illaamalWithout any protection,
Kalamum vellaamalWithout winning any battle,
Kelviyilae engal uyiraadumOur lives hang in endless questions,
Kelvigal engae bathilaagumWhere will these questions find answers?
Male
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varaiFrom heaven to hell,
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai muraiA way of life that is understood without being spoken,
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varaiAs long as two social classes exist,
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi muraiWhat true justice can exist on this earth?
Female
Sorkkaththilirunthu naragam varaiFrom heaven to hell,
Naan sollaamal puriyum vaazhkkai muraiA way of life that is understood without being spoken,
Varkkaththil irandu vaazhum varaiAs long as two social classes exist,
Intha mannil yaedhu nalla needhi muraiWhat true justice can exist on this earth?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Anandhi