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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Kadha Kelu Sad

From Karimedu Karuvayan · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karimedu Karuvayan1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paavi payalgala ver azhichaanHe uprooted those sinful wicked fellows,
Andha panna kudumbathilAnd in that noble landlord family,
Neer thelichaanHe sprinkled life-giving water.
Maanam piradhaanam thaanHonor alone is paramount,
Naanum karikaalan thaanI too am like King Karikalan,
Ivanae singam endrae pereduthaanHe earned the reputation of being a lion.
Male
Thekkatthu cheemaikkuFor the southern region,
Avanae adhikaariHe himself is the ruler,
Then paandi mannan thaanIndeed the king of the southern Pandyan land,
Vandhaan uru maariHe arrived disguised.
Avana enni kondu nenjil sogam konduThinking of him with deep sorrow in her heart,
Vaaikkaalaa odudhu vaigai nadhiThe Vaigai river flows like a tiny stream.
Male
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayanOf Karimedu Karuvayan,
Kadha kelu kadha keladiListen to the story, oh dear girl!
Male
Andha karimettu karuvaayan kadha polaLike the story of that Karimedu Karuvayan,
Ini indha puvi ezhum kedaiyaadhadiThere will be no match across these seven worlds, my girl!
Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illaiIt is no fabricated tale, nor a borrowed legend,
Kandu kettu vandhom oruvaaruWe learned of it having seen and heard it ourselves.
Andha vaigai nadhi kara orathulaOn the banks of that river Vaigai,
Andru vaazhndhu jeyichavan varalaaruThis is the history of the man who lived and triumphed back then.
Male
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayanOf Karimedu Karuvayan,
Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa…Listen to the story, oh dear girl!... Ah...
Male
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayanOf Karimedu Karuvayan,
Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa…Listen to the story, oh dear girl!... Ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a dramatic folk narrative highlighting the heroism, honor, and legendary deeds of the protagonist, Karimedu Karuvayan. It celebrates how he punished evil oppressors, protected the dignity of righteous families, and stood as a brave, lion-like protector of the southern Pandyan land along the Vaigai river. The lyrics stress that his life is an authentic history of triumph and integrity, worthy of being passed down through generations rather than just an invented fable.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Naanum karikaalan thaan / Ivanae singam endrae pereduthaan

Comparing Karuvayan to a lion ('singam') and King Karikalan ('karikaalan') to emphasize his courage and righteous leadership.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illai

Rhyming of the second letter 't' in 'Kattu' and 'ottu' creates rhythmic folk harmony.

Anaphora / Repetition (Erattai Kilavi / Anupirasam)

Kadha kelu kadha kelu…

Repetition of 'Kadha kelu' emphasizes the oral storytelling style characteristic of Tamil folk balladry.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the 1985 Tamil action-drama film 'Karimedu Karuvayan', starring Vijayakanth. Although the prompt lists the composer as unknown, the soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran.

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