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Lyrics & meaning

Sundelikkum Sundelikkum

From Kaithi Kannayiram · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaithi Kannayiram1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sundelikkum sundelikkumBetween a little mouse and a little mouse,
ThirumanamaamIt is said there is a wedding!
Iravil chola thattai pallaakkilaeAt night, on a palanquin made of corn stalks,
OorvalamaamThere is a grand procession!
Female
Sundelikkum sundelikkumBetween a little mouse and a little mouse,
ThirumanamaamIt is said there is a wedding!
Iravil chola thattai pallaakkilaeAt night, on a palanquin made of corn stalks,
OorvalamaamThere is a grand procession!
Female
Nondik kaalu nanduA crab with a limping leg,
Ponnu naattiyamaamIs performing a maiden's dance!
Norai thavalai melathaalaA foamy frog playing drums and cymbals,
VaaththiyamaamIs providing the musical instruments!
Female
Nondik kaalu nanduA crab with a limping leg,
Ponnu naattiyamaamIs performing a maiden's dance!
Norai thavalai melathaalaA foamy frog playing drums and cymbals,
VaaththiyamaamIs providing the musical instruments!
Female
Thondaiyillaa kottaanumAn owl with no throat,
Suthiya vittu paadichchaamSang in a high pitch!
Thondaiyillaa kottaanumAn owl with no throat,
Suthiya vittu paadichchaamSang in a high pitch!
Female
Kann simitti minminiyumWinking fireflies,
Kaantha light-u pottuchchaamTurned on tube lights!
Kann simitti minminiyumWinking fireflies,
Kaantha light-u pottuchchaamTurned on tube lights!
Female
Sundelikkum sundelikkumBetween a little mouse and a little mouse,
ThirumanamaamIt is said there is a wedding!
Iravil chola thattai pallaakkilaeAt night, on a palanquin made of corn stalks,
OorvalamaamThere is a grand procession!
Female
Nanjai vayal saeru angae santhanamaamThe mud in the wet field serves as sandalwood paste there,
Naththaang koottu thanneerae panneeraamThe water in snail shells serves as rosewater!
Nanjai vayal saeru angae santhanamaamThe mud in the wet field serves as sandalwood paste there,
Naththaang koottu thanneerae panneeraamThe water in snail shells serves as rosewater!
Female
Punjai kaattu kuruvi thazhaiFor the dry-land forest bird, leaves,
Pottu kolla veththalaiyaamServe as betel leaves for chewing!
Punjai kaattu kuruvi thazhaiFor the dry-land forest bird, leaves,
Pottu kolla veththalaiyaamServe as betel leaves for chewing!
Female
Vanthiruntha kumbalukkuFor the crowd that arrived,
Soru mattum paththalaiyaamOnly the rice was insufficient!
Vanthiruntha kumbalukkuFor the crowd that arrived,
Soru mattum paththalaiyaamOnly the rice was insufficient!
Female
Sundelikkum sundelikkumBetween a little mouse and a little mouse,
ThirumanamaamIt is said there is a wedding!
Iravil chola thattai pallaakkilaeAt night, on a palanquin made of corn stalks,
OorvalamaamThere is a grand procession!
Female
Sundelikkum sundelikkumBetween a little mouse and a little mouse,
ThirumanamaamIt is said there is a wedding!
Iravil chola thattai pallaakkilaeAt night, on a palanquin made of corn stalks,
OorvalamaamThere is a grand procession!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This delightful children's song paints a whimsical image of a wedding ceremony in the animal kingdom, specifically between two little mice. Nature and field creatures playfully mimic traditional human wedding rituals. The mice ride a cornstalk palanquin, a limping crab dances, a frog provides music, a throat-less owl sings in high pitch, and fireflies light up the night like lamps.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Maanida Maimakkal)

Sundelikkum sundelikkum Thirumanamaam

Field animals and insects (mice, crabs, frogs, owls, fireflies) are given human attributes and participation in traditional wedding customs.

Imagery and Metaphor (Uvamaatru / Metaphorical substitute)

Nanjai vayal saeru angae santhanamaam

Natural field elements are metaphorically converted into wedding items: mud acts as sandalwood paste, snail-shell water acts as rosewater, and plant leaves serve as betel leaves.

Rhyme / Ethukai (Second-letter harmony)

Nanjai vayal saeru... / Punjai kaattu kuruvi...

Tamil poetic structure utilizing matching second consonants across contrasting lines (e.g., Nanjai vs Punjai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1960 movie 'Kaithi Kannayiram', this iconic song was sung by M. S. Rajeswari, famous for her unique vocal timbre perfect for children's songs in Tamil cinema. The lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi.

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