S. P. Balasubrahmanyam’s playful cynicism drives ‘Siththar Kooda’ from the album Uchakattam. Lyricist Vaali and composer Shankar Ganesh frame wisdom as unstable in this philosophical track.
Siththar Kooda
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam • From “Uchakattam”
Uchakattam’s Siththar Kooda Tamil Lyrics English Translation
Vaali contrasts sages and madmen exchanging roles. His repeated line ‘Why do foolish people need philosophy?’ mocks intellectual pursuits. The chicken-and-egg riddle represents life’s unanswerable cycles.
Sithar Kooda Pitharaga Puthi Maari SellalaamEven a sage can lose his wits and become a madman.
Piththar Kooda Sitharaagi Thaththuvangal SollalaamEven a madman can turn into a sage and speak philosophy.
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Odam Oru Vandiyil VarumA boat travels on a cart,
Nilaththil IrunthaalIf it is on the dry land.
Vandiyum Oru Odaththil VarumAnd a cart travels on a boat,
Neerilae IrunthaalIf it is on the water.
Sithar Kooda Pitharaga Puthi Maari SellalaamEven a sage can lose his wits and become a madman.
Piththar Kooda Sitharaagi Thaththuvangal SollalaamEven a madman can turn into a sage and speak philosophy.
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Muttai Vazhiyaa Kozhi PorakkumThe chicken is born from the egg.
Kozhi Vazhiyaa Muttai PorakkumThe egg is born from the chicken.
Thaai Piranthu Seayaa Seai Piranthu ThaayaaDid the mother come first, or did the child come first?
Kandathaaru Neeyaa SolWho has ever seen it? You tell me.
Muttai Vazhiyaa Kozhi PorakkumThe chicken is born from the egg.
Kozhi Vazhiyaa Muttai PorakkumThe egg is born from the chicken.
Thaai Piranthu Seayaa Seai Piranthu ThaayaaDid the mother come first, or did the child come first?
Kandathaaru Neeyaa SolWho has ever seen it? You tell me.
Megam Neeraagaa MaarumThe clouds turn into water.
Neerum Vaan Megam AagumAnd water becomes the clouds of the sky.
Ulagae MaayamThe world is just an illusion.
Sithar Kooda Pitharaga Puthi Maari SellalaamEven a sage can lose his wits and become a madman.
Piththar Kooda Sitharaagi Thaththuvangal SollalaamEven a madman can turn into a sage and speak philosophy.
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Naanenthum Thaen Kinnam Vaazhga VaazhgaLong live this cup of honey I’m holding, long live!
Naanenthum Thaen Kinnam Vaazhga VaazhgaLong live this cup of honey I’m holding, long live!
Emai Neengaamal Uravaadum SanthosamaeIt’s the happiness that mingles with us, never leaving.
SanthosamaeOh, happiness!
Santhosam Kondaadum SorkkamThe heaven that celebrates joy,
Adhu Saaraayam Uruvaakkum SaamraajyamaeIs the empire created by ‘spirits’.
SaamraajyamaeIt is the empire.
Kudiyaatha Veedu VidiyaathadaaA house that doesn’t drink never sees the dawn.
Adiyaatha Maadu PadiyaathadaaAn ox that isn’t beaten never learns.
PadiyaathadaaIt simply won’t learn.
Naanenthum Thaen Kinnam Vaazhga VaazhgaLong live this cup of honey I’m holding, long live!
Paththu Maasamthaan Annai SumappaalA mother carries you for only ten months.
Maththa Naalellaam Yaaru SumappaarWho carries you for all the other days?
Paal Kudikkum Pillai Kaal Mulaicha PinnaeOnce the milk-drinking child grows legs,
Thol Kodukka Yaaru SolWho is there to lend a shoulder? You tell me.
Paththu Maasamthaan Annai SumappaalA mother carries you for only ten months.
Maththa Naalellaam Yaaru SumappaarWho carries you for all the other days?
Paal Kudikkum Pillai Kaal Mulaicha PinnaeOnce the milk-drinking child grows legs,
Thol Kodukka Yaaru SolWho is there to lend a shoulder? You tell me.
Vaazhu Neeyaaga VaazhuLive as yourself, just live.
Valaru Thaanaaga ValaruGrow on your own, just grow.
Vaazhu ValaruLive and grow.
Sithar Kooda Pitharaga Puthi Maari SellalaamEven a sage can lose his wits and become a madman.
Piththar Kooda Sitharaagi Thaththuvangal SollalaamEven a madman can turn into a sage and speak philosophy.
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Puthi Ketta MaanidarkkuFor people who have lost their common sense,
Thaththuvangal ThevaiyennadaaWhy on earth is philosophy needed?
Siththar Kooda Music Video
Life’s contradictions define the core ‘Siththar Kooda’ lyrics meaning. Balasubrahmanyam’s delivery underscores Vaali’s vision of truth emerging from absurdity.