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Parakkum Paavai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sugam Ethilae

From Parakkum Paavai · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Parakkum Paavai
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
28 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………………..
Sugam edhilae idhayathilaa
Ponnaana kannamaa
Suvai edhilae madhurasamaa
Kannaadi kinnamaa
Angae irandu kangal
Sollum orae mozhi
Ingae mayangum nenjam
Sellum orae vazhi
……………………..
Aasai undaaga kaaranam yaaro
Azhagaana pengalo
Azhagaana pennai aribavar yaaro
Theriyaadha aangalaa
Pennae un paarvai pesum podhu
Sollaadha poi illaiyae
Poiyodu vandha poovaiyin kangal
Sellaadha nenjillaiyae
Kannil vizhundha kangal
Sollum orae mozhi
Nenjil vizhundha nenjam
Sellum orae vazhi
…………………………
Munnae ulaavum pengalai kandaal
Munivarum maaruvaar
Pinnae ulaavum aangalai pengal
Niram kooda maattruvaar
Pattaadai maattrum paavaiyin maeni
Ennenna vannangalo
Adhu illaadha podhu yengum podhu
Ennenna thunbangalo
Nenjam mayangum inbam
Sollum orae mozhi
…………………………………
...
Where lies true pleasure? Is it in the heart,
O golden-cheeked darling?
Where lies rich taste? Is it in sweet nectar,
Or in a fine glass cup?
There, two pairs of eyes
Speak the same language.
Here, an enchanted heart
Walks the same path.
...
Who is the cause for desire to arise?
Is it beautiful women?
Who is it that truly understands a beautiful woman?
Is it men who claim not to know?
O woman, when your gaze speaks,
There is no lie left untold.
Yet the eyes of the maiden who came with lies,
Are never rejected by any heart!
Eyes that meet with eyes
Speak the same language.
A heart merged into a heart
Walks the same path.
...
Seeing women strolling up ahead,
Even holy ascetics would change.
For the sake of men following behind,
Women would even change their true colors.
The form of the maiden changing her silk garments,
Oh, what mesmerizing colors it reveals!
When it is absent and one yearns for it,
Oh, what immense sorrows it brings!
The bliss that intoxicates the heart
Speaks the same language.
...
Chorus
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Sugam Edhilae' is a playful romantic duet from the 1966 Tamil film 'Parakkum Paavai', penned by Kannadasan. The song explores the philosophical yet romantic nature of love, attraction, and human desire through a back-and-forth dialogue. It questions where true joy and sweetness lie—whether in physical beauty, alluring glances, or the deep emotional unison of two souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Munnae ulaavum pengalai kandaal / Munivarum maaruvaar”

Repetition of the initial 'Mu' sound in 'Munnae' and 'Munivarum' creates melodic rhythm.

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa)

“Aasai undaaga kaaranam yaaro / Azhagaana pengalo”

The lyricist uses playful questions to build a charming banter between the lovers.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

“Munnae ulaavum pengalai kandaal / Munivarum maaruvaar”

Exaggeration that even pious sages (munivar) would lose their composure upon seeing beautiful women.

Did you know?

Trivia

Parakkum Paavai (1966) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and J. Jayalalithaa. The film is set against a circus backdrop. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), and this song was performed by T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, and L. R. Eswari.

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