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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadal Kalaiye Devan

From Sri Raghavendrar · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sri Raghavendrar1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Devanin aadalilthan jeevan vanthadhu…Life itself emerged from the divine dance of the Lord...
Devanin aadalilthan jeevan vanthadhu…Life itself emerged from the divine dance of the Lord...
Male
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Devan thanthadhu…….ooo…Bestowed by God... ooo...
Male
Maligai vensangaai vandidangal odhumLike white shells where bees hum among jasmines
Mellisaiyin oosaipol melai sirithaalShe smiled softly like the sound of gentle music
Maligai vensangaai vandidangal odhumLike white shells where bees hum among jasmines
Mellisaiyin oosaipol melai sirithaalShe smiled softly like the sound of gentle music
Male
Vanna vanna melaadai aa….aa…aa….aa…aa…….Colorful upper garment... aa...
Vanna vanna melaadai punainthaadum paingiliThe green parrot adorned in colorful garments dancing
Maan kootam mayanga thaavi thaavithaan vandhaalShe came leaping gracefully, mesmerizing the herd of deer
Vanna vanna melaadai punainthaadum paingiliThe green parrot adorned in colorful garments dancing
Maan kootam mayanga thaavi thaavithaan vandhaalShe came leaping gracefully, mesmerizing the herd of deer
Male
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhu…..The art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty...
Devanin aadalilthan jeevan vanthadhu……Life itself emerged from the divine dance of the Lord...
Male
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Devan thanthadhu…….oo…Bestowed by God... oo...
Male
Chithira naatiyam nithamum kaatidumDaily displaying picturesque classical dance
Sittridaidhaan kan parikum meen kodiyoIs that slender waist a captivating fish-flag?
Chithira naatiyam nithamum kaatidumDaily displaying picturesque classical dance
Sittridaidhaan kan parikum meen kodiyoIs that slender waist a captivating fish-flag?
Male
Vinnilae vazhunthirukum vennira nillaIs it the bright white moon dwelling in the sky
Pennena kaaleduthu vandhadho ulaaThat came down strolling in the form of a woman?
Munazhagum pinazhagum ponazhagoIs her beauty from front and back a golden splendour?
Mullirukum kallirukum poovazhagoIs it the beauty of a flower amidst thorns and rocks?
Male
Thalai sirandha kalai vilangaTo showcase the supreme glory of art
Nadam puriyum pathumaiyo puthumaiyoIs she a dancing puppet or a novel marvel?
Sathangaigal thazhuviya pathangalilIn her feet embraced by tinkling anklets
Palavidha jathi swaram varumoDo various rhythmic solfege syllables and musical notes emerge?
Kural vazhi varum kanimozhi oru sarasa bashaiyoIs the sweet speech from her voice a seductive language?
Surangalil puthu sugangalai tharum charukesiyoIs it Charukesi raga giving new delights through notes?
Male
Sa sa sa sa sa sa sa riSa sa sa sa sa sa sa ri
Ga ma ma thaga thimi sa sa sa sa pa dhaGa ma ma thaga thimi sa sa sa sa pa dha
Ni ri saa kaa maa kaa ri ka ri sa ma ri thaNi ri saa kaa maa kaa ri ka ri sa ma ri tha
Ni ri cha ni tha pa saa ni tha paNi ri cha ni tha pa saa ni tha pa
Tharikidadhom tharikidadhomTharikidadhom tharikidadhom
Tharikidadhom tharikidadhom….Tharikidadhom tharikidadhom...
Male
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Aadal kalaiye devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Devanin aadalilthaan jeevan vanthadhu…Life itself emerged from the divine dance of the Lord...
Devanin aadalilthaan jeevan vanthadhu…Life itself emerged from the divine dance of the Lord...
Male
Aadal kalaiyae devan thanthadhuThe art of dance was bestowed by the Almighty
Devan thanthadhu…..Bestowed by God...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Aadal Kalaiyae Devan Thanthadhu' is a celebrated classical composition from the movie Sri Raghavendrar (1985). Sung masterfully by K. J. Yesudas with music by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali, the song celebrates dance (Bharatanatyam) as a divine gift from God through which creation itself gains life and rhythm. The lyrics vividly describe a female dancer whose movements, grace, and beauty mirror nature, celestial beings, and classic poetic imagery. In the second half, the song meta-referentially highlights classical musical elements, describing how rhythm (Jathi) and melody flow through the dancer's anklets and voice. In a brilliant lyricistic touch, Vaali explicitly names the raga of the song, Charukesi, within the verse itself, emphasizing the bliss that musical swaras bring to the human soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Self-Referential Raga Mention (Raga Mudra)

Surangalil puthu sugangalai tharum charukesiyo

The lyrics explicitly mention 'Charukesi', which is the actual Carnatic raga in which Ilaiyaraaja composed this track.

Upamai (Simile)

Mellisaiyin oosaipol melai sirithaal

Comparing the dancer's gentle smile to the soothing sound of soft music.

Utpreksha (Poetic Fancy / Metaphor)

Vinnilae vazhunthirukum vennira nilla Pennena kaaleduthu vandhadho ulaa

Imagining the moon descending from the sky and taking the form of a walking woman.

Etagai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Chithira naatiyam nithamum kaatidum / Sittridaidhaan kan parikum meen kodiyo

Tamil poetic rhyme scheme where the second letter of consecutive lines match (Chithira / Sittridaidhaan, Munazhagum / Mullirukum).

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features in Rajinikanth's landmark 100th movie, 'Sri Raghavendrar' (1985), where he portrayed the Hindu saint Swami Raghavendra. Interestingly, lyricist Vaali seamlessly integrated the name of the Carnatic ragam 'Charukesi' directly into the lyrics, matching the exact raga composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the track.

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