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Lyrics & meaning

Sugam Thanaa

From Manmadha Leelai · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Manmadha Leelai1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sugam thaanaa sollu kannaeAre you fine, tell me my dear?
Anniyan pol naan ketkirenI ask like a stranger
Female
Sugam thaanaa pengal ellaamAre all the women doing fine?
Vandhaval pol naan ketkirenI ask like a newcomer
Male
Sugam thaanaa sollu kannaeAre you fine, tell me my dear?
Anniyan pol naan ketkirenI ask like a stranger
Female
Sugam thaanaa pengal ellaamAre all the women doing fine?
Vandhaval pol naan ketkirenI ask like a newcomer
Male
Naan thaedinaalIf I search
Kodi kodi penn illaiyaaAren't there crores and crores of women?
Naan thaedinaalIf I search
Kodi kodi penn illaiyaaAren't there crores and crores of women?
Oodalaada naanillaiyaaAm I not there to indulge in playful feuds?
Oorilenna veedillaiyaaAre there no homes in this town?
Endha pennum neeyaagumaa….Can any woman ever equal you?
Female
Penn enbavalA woman as such
Ondrai mattum thaan kaangiraalFocuses only on one thing
Penn enbavalA woman as such
Ondrai mattum thaan kaangiraalFocuses only on one thing
Ondrai enni thaan vaazhgiraalShe lives contemplating that single focus
Oruvan thannai thaan sergiraalShe unites with only one man
Aanmaikkenna karpillaiyaaDoes manhood have no virtue of chastity?
Vandhaval pol naan ketkirenI ask like a newcomer
Vandhaval pol naan ketkirenI ask like a newcomer
Female
ManamaanadhuMy heart has softened
Endhan ullam thaayaanadhuMy heart has become maternal
ManamaanadhuMy heart has softened
Endhan ullam thaayaanadhuMy heart has become maternal
Ungal nenjam peiyaanadhuYour heart has turned devilish
Kaniyum munbu kaayaanadhuIt turned unripened even before it could mature
Konji paarkka seiyillaiyaeThere is no child to fondly cherish
Konji paarkka seiyillaiyaeThere is no child to fondly cherish
Male
Nee sonnadhuWhat you said
Enna enna nilai maarudhuSo many states of mind keep changing
Pillai ondrai manam naadudhuThe mind yearns for a child
Kollai inbam udal thaedudhuThe body seeks abundant joy
Ondru saera thadai illaiyae…ae….There is no barrier to coming together...
Female
Sugam thaanaa pengal ellaamAre all the women doing fine?
Vandhaval pol naan ketkirenI ask like a newcomer
Male
Sugam thaanaa sollu kannaeAre you fine, tell me my dear?
Anniyan pol naan ketkirenI ask like a stranger
Male
Naal vandhadhuThe day has arrived
Deivam vandhu enai kandadhuGod came and saw me
Thoodhu solli thunai nindradhuHe delivered a message and stood by my side
Mangai unnai thoda chonnadhuHe asked me to embrace you, my maiden
Indha neram pagai illaiyae…ae…At this moment, there is no enmity...
Female
Edhai solvadhuWhat is there to say?
Sondham thaanae sugam ketpadhuIt is intimacy itself asking about wellbeing
Vetkam enna idhil vandhadhuWhy has shyness entered into this?
Akkam pakkam yaar paarthadhu…Who around here is watching?
Penmaikkindru balamillaiyaeToday womanhood has no strength to resist
Male
Sugam thaanaa sollu kannaeAre you fine, tell me my dear?
Anniyan pol naan ketkirenI ask like a stranger
Female
Sugam thaanaa pengal ellaamAre all the women doing fine?
Vandhaval pol naan ketkirenI ask like a newcomer

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Sugam Thaanaa' is a deep, emotional dialogue-song from the 1976 Tamil film 'Manmadha Leelai'. Written by Kannadasan, the lyrics explore complex dynamics of love, fidelity, gender roles, and societal expectations. The female protagonist questions the male protagonist's fidelity, asking if chastity ('karpu') applies only to women or if men are held to the same standard of morality ('Aanmaikkenna karpillaiyaa'). She expresses her yearning for maternal fulfillment and emotional security. In response, the male protagonist attempts to reconcile their bond, pleading that true intimacy transcends petty feuds and shyness. Through evocative imagery and philosophical inquiry, Kannadasan captures the tension between marital devotion and male infidelity, presenting a poignant conversation between two lovers reflecting on their fractured relationship, yearning, and ultimate surrender to affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Sondha Vina)

Aanmaikkenna karpillaiyaa

'Aanmaikkenna karpillaiyaa' (Does manhood have no chastity?) is a striking rhetorical question challenging traditional gender norms regarding fidelity.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ungal nenjam peiyaanadhu

The second letter 'n' matches in 'Manamaanadhu', 'Endhan', and 'Ungal', creating rhythmic harmony across lines.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Kaniyum munbu kaayaanadhu

Contrasting 'Kani' (ripe fruit) with 'Kaai' (unripe fruit) to convey lost potential and emotional unfulfillment.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Sugam thaanaa sollu kannae

Repeated use of 'Sugam thaanaa' at the beginning of stanzas to emphasize longing and inquiry after wellbeing.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Manmadha Leelai' (1976) was directed by K. Balachander and starred Kamal Haasan. The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this iconic duet was sung by K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam. Lyricist Kannadasan's bold line questioning male chastity ('Aanmaikkenna karpillaiyaa') was considered progressive and widely discussed upon the film's release.

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