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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathadi Kathadi Aathadi

From Meendum Oru Kathal Kathai · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Meendum Oru Kathal Kathai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aathadi kaathadi aathadi kaathadiOh my, a kite! Oh my, a kite!
Indhirilogam thaan… chandhiralogam thaanIt is Indraloka (heaven)... it is Chandraloka (moon)...
Haan indhirilogam thaan… chandhiralogam thaanAh, it is Indraloka... it is Chandraloka...
Naan poga vazhi pannuren hae heI am making a way to go there, hey hei!
Noolaeni undaakurenI am creating a ladder out of thread.
Aathadi kaathadi adi aathadi kaathadiOh my, a kite! Hey oh my, a kite!
Chorus
…………………………..
Male
Venaam padu vegamExcessive speed is not needed,
Porae idam venumA destination is needed.
Venaam padu vegamExcessive speed is not needed,
Porae idam thedumIt searches for its destination.
Haeu thekkapakka kaatrodu serndhukittu koothaadaHey, joining with the southern wind to dance around,
Pogum andha kaaathadiThat kite goes flying!
Ada saayangalam neram thaanAh, it is evening time,
Aeroplane vegam thaanIt flies with the speed of an aeroplane,
Poguthu paaru kaathadiLook, the kite is flying!
Male
Papparappa …………………..Papparappa...
Naan poga vazhi pannuren hae heI am making a way to go there, hey hei!
Noolaeni undaakurenI am creating a ladder out of thread.
Adi aathadi kaathadi aathadi kaathadiHey oh my, a kite! Oh my, a kite!
Male
Bayama kidaiyaadhu vaanam udaiyaadhuThere is no fear, the sky will not break,
Bayama kidaiyaadhu vaanam udaiyaadhuThere is no fear, the sky will not break,
Vaanam boomi onnakkumIt will bridge the sky and the earth,
Paadhai onnu undaakkumIt will create a path,
Velai onnu panna porenI am going to do a grand deed.
Male
Vaanathiale nan yeri megathilae thaereriClimbing into the sky, riding a chariot on the clouds,
Oorkolam poga porenI am going on a procession!
Male
Papparappa …………………Papparappa...
Naan poga vazhi pannuren hae heI am making a way to go there, hey hei!
Noolaeni undaakuren..thara ara ara thaI am creating a ladder out of thread... thara ara ara tha
Male
Aathadi kaathadi aathadi kaathadiOh my, a kite! Oh my, a kite!
Indhirilogam thaan… chandhiralogam thaanIt is Indraloka... it is Chandraloka...
Haan indhirilogam thaan… chandhiralogam thaanAh, it is Indraloka... it is Chandraloka...
Naan poga vazhi pannuren hae heI am making a way to go there, hey hei!
Noolaeni undaakurenI am creating a ladder out of thread.
Aathadi kaathadi adi aathadi kaathadiOh my, a kite! Hey oh my, a kite!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aathadi Kaathadi is a playful and whimsical song from the movie Meendum Oru Kathal Kathai (1985). The song uses the imagery of flying a kite to express innocent wonder, freedom, and the desire to reach celestial realms like Indraloka and Chandraloka. The protagonist lightheartedly imagines crafting a 'ladder of thread' from the kite line to climb into the sky and ride among clouds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Noolaeni undaakuren

The line 'Noolaeni undaakuren' uses the string of the kite metaphorically as a thread-ladder to climb up to the heavens.

Hyperbole

Aeroplane vegam thaan

Comparing the kite's soaring speed directly to that of an aeroplane ('Aeroplane vegam thaan') exaggerates its swift motion playfully.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Indhirilogam thaan… chandhiralogam thaan

Repetition of ending sounds across parallel phrases creates rhythmic symmetry.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Vaanam boomi onnakkum / Paadhai onnu undaakkum

The second letter consonant match ('nna' / 'ndaa') creates melodic Tamil poetic harmony across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Meendum Oru Kathal Kathai (1985) marked the directorial debut of Pratap K. Pothen, who also starred alongside Radhika. The film won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director at the 32nd National Film Awards. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's energetic and playful vocal improvisations captured the unique psychological nature of the lead characters.

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