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Isaimozhi
Karimedu Karuvayan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Kadha Kelu Sad

From Karimedu Karuvayan · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Karimedu Karuvayan
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
25 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paavi payalgala ver azhichaan
Andha panna kudumbathil
Neer thelichaan
Maanam piradhaanam thaan
Naanum karikaalan thaan
Ivanae singam endrae pereduthaan
Thekkatthu cheemaikku
Avanae adhikaari
Then paandi mannan thaan
Vandhaan uru maari
Avana enni kondu nenjil sogam kondu
Vaaikkaalaa odudhu vaigai nadhi
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Karimettu karuvaayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi
Andha karimettu karuvaayan kadha pola
Ini indha puvi ezhum kedaiyaadhadi
Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illai
Kandu kettu vandhom oruvaaru
Andha vaigai nadhi kara orathula
Andru vaazhndhu jeyichavan varalaaru
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Karimettu karuvaayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa…
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Karimettu karuvaayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa…
He wiped out the wicked scoundrels from their roots,
and on the poor farming families,
he sprinkled water to revive them.
"Honor is everything,"
"and I too am a Karikalan!"
He earned the name of a fearless lion.
Over the southern lands,
he was the one in command.
The king of the southern Pandya realm,
he came walking in disguise.
Pining for him with sorrow in its heart,
the Vaigai River flows like a narrow stream.
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
of Karimedu Karuvayan!
Listen to the story, oh listen, girl!
Like the tale of that Karimedu Karuvayan,
you will never find another in all seven worlds, girl!
This is no made-up tale, no patched-together lie;
we came to know it from what was seen and heard.
Along the banks of that Vaigai River,
this is the history of the man who lived and triumphed!
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
of Karimedu Karuvayan!
Listen to the story, oh listen, girl... ah...
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
of Karimedu Karuvayan!
Listen to the story, oh listen, girl... ah...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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View album
Thakkali Pazham Pola1985
Karimedu KaruvayanDefiant
Silukku Thavani1985
Karimedu KaruvayanPlayful
Kattukkulle Kadhal Kili1985
Karimedu KaruvayanMelancholic
Othaiyile Kanni Ponnu1985
Karimedu KaruvayanPassionate
Ulagam Suthuthada1985
Karimedu KaruvayanCalm
Adi Kadha Kelu1985
Karimedu KaruvayanMournful

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