Sri Shanmuga Lyrics Translation — Sonthangal Vazhga | P. Susheela
P. Susheela voices a devotional plea in ‘Sri Shanmuga’ from the album Sonthangal Vazhga. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer V. Kumar frame a woman’s debate between paternal and marital duties. The song presents this tension through direct questions to Lord Shanmuga.
Sri Shanmuga
P. Susheela • From “Sonthangal Vazhga”
Lyricist
Kannadasan
Composer
V. Kumar
Sonthangal Vazhga’s Sri Shanmuga Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Kannadasan cites ten months of parental care and twelve years of upbringing as irreplaceable debts. He compares the father to a head and marital bonds to feet needing foundational support. These lines anchor the protagonist’s unresolved dilemma.
Sri Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamSri Shanmuga, I’ve got a doubt.
Pettra Thanthaikku Mudhalidamaa Thaalikku MudhalidamaaIs the first place for the father who gave me life, or for the wedding chain?
Sri Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamSri Shanmuga, I’ve got a doubt.
Pettra Thanthaikku Mudhalidamaa Thaalikku MudhalidamaaIs the first place for the father who gave me life, or for the wedding chain?
Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamShanmuga, I have a doubt.
Indhiran Magalthaanae DeivaanaiDeivanai is Lord Indra’s daughter, isn’t she?
Aval Thanthaiyai Veruththaayo PerumaanaeDid she ever hate her father, Oh Lord?
Indhiran Magalthaanae DeivaanaiDeivanai is Lord Indra’s daughter, isn’t she?
Aval Thanthaiyai Veruththaayo PerumaanaeDid she ever hate her father, Oh Lord?
Sri Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamSri Shanmuga, I’ve got a doubt.
Paththu Thingal Sumanthu PaaloottiShe bore the burden for ten months and fed me milk.
Tamil Pallikku Selgavendru SeeraattiShe groomed me to go to the Tamil school.
Paththu Thingal Sumanthu PaaloottiShe bore the burden for ten months and fed me milk.
Tamil Pallikku Selgavendru SeeraattiShe groomed me to go to the Tamil school.
Paththirandu Paruvam Valarththavar YaarWho is the one who raised me for twelve years?
Paththirandu Paruvam Valarththavar YaarWho is the one who raised me for twelve years?
Avarkku UravillaiyoDoes he have no claim to a bond?
Sontham Mudhal IllaiyoIsn’t he the very first kin?
Sri Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamSri Shanmuga, I’ve got a doubt.
Magal Ennum Solthaanae Mudhal UravuThe title ‘daughter’ is the primary bond.
Vantha Marumagal Enum Vaarththai Maru UravuThe term ‘daughter-in-law’ is just a secondary tie.
Magal Ennum Solthaanae Mudhal UravuThe title ‘daughter’ is the primary bond.
Vantha Marumagal Enum Vaarththai Maru UravuThe term ‘daughter-in-law’ is just a secondary tie.
Kaaththaval Thaaithaanae Pala IravuThe mother is the one who protected me for many nights.
Kaaththaval Thaaithaanae Pala IravuThe mother is the one who protected me for many nights.
Adharkku Kaaranam Thanthai Kanda Mudhal IravuAnd the reason for that is the first night my father knew.
Sri Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamSri Shanmuga, I’ve got a doubt.
Malai Illaiyael Aniyum Pavalam EngaeIf there’s no mountain, where is the coral to wear?
Pettra Kadal Illaiyael Aniyum Muththum EngaeIf there’s no birthing sea, where are the pearls we wear?
Malai Illaiyael Aniyum Pavalam EngaeIf there’s no mountain, where is the coral to wear?
Pettra Kadal Illaiyael Aniyum Muththum EngaeIf there’s no birthing sea, where are the pearls we wear?
Thalai Illaiyael Serum Kaalgal EngaeIf there’s no head, where do the joining legs go?
Thalai Illaiyael Serum Kaalgal EngaeIf there’s no head, where do the joining legs go?
Pettra Thanthai Indrael Vantha Sontham EngaeIf not for the father who gave life, where is this new bond?
Sri Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamSri Shanmuga, I’ve got a doubt.
Pettra Thanthaikku Mudhalidamaa Thaalikku MudhalidamaaIs the first place for the father who gave me life, or for the wedding chain?
Shanmugaa Enakkoru SanthegamShanmuga, I have a doubt.
Kannadasan’s Sri Shanmuga lyrics translation examines societal expectations without resolving the conflict. The album Sonthangal Vazhga preserves this classic debate on relational hierarchies. Listeners seeking Tamil lyrics in English find a structured analysis of duty allegiances.
