Sowkiyama Kanne
From Sangamam · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Nithyashree Mahadevan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Sangamam1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………………………………… | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Chorus | |
| Thanathom tha theemtha | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thanathana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thikiru thighu thana thana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thaghu thighu thana thana thom thana thom | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Female | |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae…. | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae…. | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa… | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Female | |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae…. | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae…. | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well... are you well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa…sowkkiyamaa | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Female | |
| Thanathom tha theemtha | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thanathana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thikiru thighu thana thana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thaghu thighu thana thana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Female | |
| Thana thomthomtha theemtheem tha | Syllables echoing as rhythms... |
| Thomthomtha theemtheem ena | You danced in my eyes first, |
| Vizhigalil nadanam ittaai pinbu | And then descended into my heart. |
| Idhayaththil irangi vittaai | Slowly, slowly, you snatched my soul away. |
| Mella mella ennuyirai pariththukondaai | You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart. |
| Female | |
| Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai | You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart. |
| Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai | You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird. |
| Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai | You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird. |
| Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Female | |
| Janutha dheem janutha dheem | Even my anklets are yearning for you... |
| Janutha dheem salangaiyum engudhae.. | Let that be, how about you... |
| Adhu kidakkattum nee… | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Female | |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | When the sun comes and calls it to come, |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………………….. | When the sun comes and calls it to come, |
| Female | |
| Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu | When the sun comes and calls it to come, |
| Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu | What can a drop of dew do? |
| Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu | What can a drop of dew do? |
| Enna seiyum paniy thuli…eeee…… | Plunder me with your ten thousand hands, |
| Enna seiyum paniy thuli | Gather me up in your ten thousand hands. |
| Female | |
| Kodi kaiyil ennai kollaiyidu | Plunder me with your ten thousand hands, |
| Kodi kaiyil ennai alli edu | Gather me up in your ten thousand hands. |
| Kodi kaiyil ennai kollaiyidu | My beloved master, |
| Kodi kaiyil ennai alli edu | The ring worn on your finger, |
| Female | |
| Anbu naadhanae | I have withered away like a straw until it fits me as a bangle, |
| Nee anindha modhiram | Before that ring becomes a waistlet for me, |
| Valaiyalagavae thurumbena ilaiththen | I called out to you, my love. |
| Andha modhiram ottiyaanamaai | There is no breath in the air I inhale... |
| Aagumunnamae anbae azhaiththen | There is no breath in the air I inhale, |
| Female | |
| En kaattril suvaasam illai…eee… | There is no breath in the air I inhale, |
| En kaattril suvaasam illai | There is no breath in the air I inhale. |
| En kaattril suvaasam illai | Let that be, leave it. |
| En kaattril suvaasam illai | What happened to you? |
| Female | |
| Adhu kidakkatum vidu | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Unakkenna aachchu | Are you doing well? |
| Female | |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Sowkkiyamaa | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Chorus | |
| Thanathom tha theemtha | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thanathana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thikiru thighu thana thana thom thana thom | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Thaghu thighu thana thana thom thana thom | Syllables echoing as rhythms... |
| Female | |
| Thana thomthomtha theemtheem tha | You danced in my eyes first, |
| Thomthomtha theemtheem ena | And then descended into my heart. |
| Vizhigalil nadanam ittaai pinbu | Slowly, slowly, you snatched my soul away. |
| Idhayaththil irangi vittaai | You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart. |
| Mella mella ennuyirai pariththukondaai | You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart. |
| Female | |
| Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai | You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird. |
| Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai | You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird. |
| Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai | [Rhythmic dance syllables] |
| Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai | Even my anklets are yearning for you... |
| Female | |
| Janutha dheem janutha dheem | Let that be, how about you... |
| Janutha dheem salangaiyum engudhae.. | Are you doing well, my dear? |
| Adhu kidakkattum nee…………. | Are you doing well... are you doing well? |
| Female | |
| Sowkkiyamaa kannae | Are you doing well.. are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa……sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well.. are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa..sowkkiyamaa | Are you doing well.. are you doing well? |
| Sowkkiyamaa..sowkkiyamaa | |
| Sowkkiyamaa..sowkkiyamaaaa…. | |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………………………………. | |
.............................................
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
தனதோம் த தீம்த
தனதன தோம் தனத்தோம்
திகிருதிகு தனதன தோம்
தனத்தோம் தகு திகு தனதன
தோம் தனத்தோம்
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Are you doing well, my dear?
சௌக்கியமா
கண்ணே சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா கண்ணே
சௌக்கியமா சௌக்கியமா
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well, my dear?
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well, my dear?
சௌக்கியமா
கண்ணே சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா கண்ணே
சௌக்கியமா சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well, my dear?
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well... are you well?
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
தனதோம் த தீம்த
தனதன தோம் தனத்தோம்
திகிருதிகு தனதன தோம்
தனத்தோம் தகு திகு தனதன
தோம் தனத்தோம்
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
தன தோம்தோம்த
தீம்தீம்த தோம்தோம்த
தீம்தீம் என விழிகளில்
நடனமி்ட்டாய் பின்பு
இதயத்தில் இறங்கிவிட்டாய்
மெல்ல மெல்ல என்னுயிரைப்
பறித்துக்கொண்டாய்
Syllables echoing as rhythms...
You danced in my eyes first,
And then descended into my heart.
Slowly, slowly, you snatched my soul away.
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
மனதைத் தழுவும்
ஒரு அம்பானாய் மனதை
தழுவும் ஒரு அம்பானாய்
பருவம் கொத்திவிட்டு
பறவையானாய் பருவம்
கொத்திவிட்டு பறவையானாய்
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
ஜனுத தீம் ஜனுத
தீம் ஜனுத தீம் சலங்கையும்
ஏங்குதே அது கிடக்கட்டும் நீ
Even my anklets are yearning for you...
Let that be, how about you...
Are you doing well, my dear?
சௌக்கியமா
கண்ணே சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா கண்ணே
சௌக்கியமா சௌக்கியமா
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well, my dear?
Are you doing well?
Are you doing well?
When the sun comes and calls it to come,
.............................................
When the sun comes and calls it to come,
சூாியன் வந்து
வாவெனும் போது சூாியன்
வந்து வாவெனும் போது
சூாியன் வந்து வாவெனும்
போது என்ன செய்யும்
பனி துளி என்ன செய்யும்
பனி துளி
When the sun comes and calls it to come,
What can a drop of dew do?
What can a drop of dew do?
Plunder me with your ten thousand hands,
Gather me up in your ten thousand hands.
கோடிக்கையில்
என்னைக் கொள்ளையிடு
கோடி கையில் என்னை
அள்ளி எடு கோடிக்கையில்
என்னைக் கொள்ளையிடு
கோடி கையில் என்னை
அள்ளி எடு
Plunder me with your ten thousand hands,
Gather me up in your ten thousand hands.
My beloved master,
The ring worn on your finger,
அன்புநாதனே
நீ அணிந்த மோதிரம்
வளையலாகவே துறும்பென
இளைத்தேன் அந்த மோதிரம்
ஒட்டியாணமாய் ஆகுமுன்னமே
அன்பே அழைத்தேன்
I have withered away like a straw until it fits me as a bangle,
Before that ring becomes a waistlet for me,
I called out to you, my love.
There is no breath in the air I inhale...
There is no breath in the air I inhale,
என் காற்றில்
சுவாசம் இல்லை
என் காற்றில் சுவாசம்
இல்லை என் காற்றில்
சுவாசம் இல்லை என்
காற்றில் சுவாசம் இல்லை
There is no breath in the air I inhale,
There is no breath in the air I inhale.
Let that be, leave it.
What happened to you?
அது கிடக்கட்டும்
விடு உனக்கென ஆச்சு
Are you doing well, my dear?
Are you doing well?
சௌக்கியமா
கண்ணே சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா கண்ணே
சௌக்கியமா
Are you doing well, my dear?
Are you doing well?
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
தனதோம் த தீம்த
தனதன தோம் தனத்தோம்
திகிருதிகு தனதன தோம்
தனத்தோம் தகு திகு தனதன
தோம் தனத்தோம்
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Syllables echoing as rhythms...
தன தோம்தோம்த
தீம்தீம்த தோம்தோம்த
தீம்தீம் என விழிகளில்
நடனமி்ட்டாய் பின்பு
இதயத்தில் இறங்கிவிட்டாய்
மெல்ல மெல்ல என்னுயிரைப்
பறித்துக்கொண்டாய்
You danced in my eyes first,
And then descended into my heart.
Slowly, slowly, you snatched my soul away.
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
மனதைத் தழுவும்
ஒரு அம்பானாய் மனதை
தழுவும் ஒரு அம்பானாய்
பருவம் கொத்திவிட்டு
பறவையானாய் பருவம்
கொத்திவிட்டு பறவையானாய்
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Even my anklets are yearning for you...
ஜனுத தீம் ஜனுத
தீம் ஜனுத தீம் சலங்கையும்
ஏங்குதே அது கிடக்கட்டும் நீ
Let that be, how about you...
Are you doing well, my dear?
Are you doing well... are you doing well?
சௌக்கியமா
கண்ணே சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா சௌக்கியமா
சௌக்கியமா
Are you doing well.. are you doing well?
Are you doing well.. are you doing well?
Are you doing well.. are you doing well?
.............................................
……………………………………
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thanathom tha theemtha
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thanathana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thikiru thighu thana thana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thaghu thighu thana thana thom thana thom
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae….
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae….
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa…
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae….
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae….
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well... are you well?
Sowkkiyamaa…sowkkiyamaa
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thanathom tha theemtha
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thanathana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thikiru thighu thana thana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thaghu thighu thana thana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thana thomthomtha theemtheem tha
Syllables echoing as rhythms...
Thomthomtha theemtheem ena
You danced in my eyes first,
Vizhigalil nadanam ittaai pinbu
And then descended into my heart.
Idhayaththil irangi vittaai
Slowly, slowly, you snatched my soul away.
Mella mella ennuyirai pariththukondaai
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Janutha dheem janutha dheem
Even my anklets are yearning for you...
Janutha dheem salangaiyum engudhae..
Let that be, how about you...
Adhu kidakkattum nee…
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa
When the sun comes and calls it to come,
…………………………………………..
When the sun comes and calls it to come,
Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu
When the sun comes and calls it to come,
Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu
What can a drop of dew do?
Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu
What can a drop of dew do?
Enna seiyum paniy thuli…eeee……
Plunder me with your ten thousand hands,
Enna seiyum paniy thuli
Gather me up in your ten thousand hands.
Kodi kaiyil ennai kollaiyidu
Plunder me with your ten thousand hands,
Kodi kaiyil ennai alli edu
Gather me up in your ten thousand hands.
Kodi kaiyil ennai kollaiyidu
My beloved master,
Kodi kaiyil ennai alli edu
The ring worn on your finger,
Anbu naadhanae
I have withered away like a straw until it fits me as a bangle,
Nee anindha modhiram
Before that ring becomes a waistlet for me,
Valaiyalagavae thurumbena ilaiththen
I called out to you, my love.
Andha modhiram ottiyaanamaai
There is no breath in the air I inhale...
Aagumunnamae anbae azhaiththen
There is no breath in the air I inhale,
En kaattril suvaasam illai…eee…
There is no breath in the air I inhale,
En kaattril suvaasam illai
There is no breath in the air I inhale.
En kaattril suvaasam illai
Let that be, leave it.
En kaattril suvaasam illai
What happened to you?
Adhu kidakkatum vidu
Are you doing well, my dear?
Unakkenna aachchu
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae
Are you doing well, my dear?
Sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Sowkkiyamaa
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thanathom tha theemtha
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thanathana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thikiru thighu thana thana thom thana thom
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Thaghu thighu thana thana thom thana thom
Syllables echoing as rhythms...
Thana thomthomtha theemtheem tha
You danced in my eyes first,
Thomthomtha theemtheem ena
And then descended into my heart.
Vizhigalil nadanam ittaai pinbu
Slowly, slowly, you snatched my soul away.
Idhayaththil irangi vittaai
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
Mella mella ennuyirai pariththukondaai
You became an arrow that gently embraces the heart.
Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
Manadhai thazhuvum oru ambaanaai
You pecked at my youth and flew away like a bird.
Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai
[Rhythmic dance syllables]
Paruvam koththivittu paravai aanaai
Even my anklets are yearning for you...
Janutha dheem janutha dheem
Let that be, how about you...
Janutha dheem salangaiyum engudhae..
Are you doing well, my dear?
Adhu kidakkattum nee………….
Are you doing well... are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa kannae
Are you doing well.. are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa……sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well.. are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa..sowkkiyamaa
Are you doing well.. are you doing well?
Sowkkiyamaa..sowkkiyamaa
Sowkkiyamaa..sowkkiyamaaaa….
…………………………………………………….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Sowkkiyamaa Kannae from the movie Sangamam (1999) is a deeply emotional duet grounded in classical music and dance tradition, portraying tender longing and separation between two lovers. Despite enduring intense emotional and physical suffering from being apart, each lover brushes aside their own pain to prioritize inquiring about the other's health and well-being with the tender phrase 'Sowkkiyamaa' (Are you well?).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbali (Ushuyarvonavi)
“Nee anindha modhiram valaiyalagavae thurumbena ilaiththen”
The lyricist exaggerates the heroine's emaciation due to separation—stating that a ring worn on the hero's finger now fits her wrist as a bangle, and might even become a waist-belt if she thin further.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Sooriyan vandhu vaavenum podhu enna seiyum paniy thuli”
Comparing the vulnerable condition of the lover to a delicate dewdrop melting away under the warm rays of the sun.
Anaphora / Repetition (Edukku Thodar)
“Sowkkiyamaa kannae sowkkiyamaa”
Rhythmic and emotional repetition of the central phrase 'Sowkkiyamaa' to emphasize genuine care and longing.
Solkattu / Rhythm Integration
“Janutha dheem janutha dheem salangaiyum engudhae..”
Incorporation of classical Bharatanatyam dance mnemonics (Jathis) seamlessly into lyric lines to symbolize the dance theme of the film.
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Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman for the classical dance-themed drama Sangamam (1999), this song features vocals by Carnatic icon Nithyasree Mahadevan alongside Srinivas with lyrics by Vairamuthu. Set in the melancholic Raga Kapi, it won high critical acclaim for seamlessly weaving Solkattu (rhythmic syllabic recitation) into a romantic melody.
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