Adi Kadha Kelu
From Karimedu Karuvayan · 1985
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Karimedu Karuvayan1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| ……………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Adi kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Hey, listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Male | |
| Karuvaayan kadha kelu… yei | Listen to the story of Karuvayan... hey |
| Male | |
| Adi kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Hey, listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Karimettu karuvaayan | Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Kadha kelu kadha keladi | Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl |
| Karimettu karuvaayan kadha pola | Like the story of Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Ini indha puvi ezhum kedaiyaadhadi | There will be no story like this across the seven worlds, girl |
| Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illai | This is not a made-up story, nor a copied story |
| Kandu kettu vandhom oruvaaru | We came to know and hear about it somehow |
| Vaigai nadhi kara orathula | On the banks of the Vaigai river |
| Andru vaazhndhu jeyichavan varalaaru | It is the history of the one who lived and won back then |
| Male | |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Karimettu karuvaayan | Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa… | Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl... ah... |
| Male | |
| Unmaiyila avan kallan illa… | In truth, he is not a thief... |
| Yaa yaa yaa aa | Yaa yaa yaa aa |
| Unmaiyila avan kallan illa | In truth, he is not a thief |
| Marudha jillaavukkae | For the entire Madurai district |
| Avan sella pilla | He is the darling child |
| Male | |
| Sondham oru aal illa | He has no relatives |
| Bandham adhu thaan illa | He has no close bonds |
| Malaiyum maramum | Mountains and trees |
| Thavira yaarum illa | He has no one except them |
| Male | |
| Thangachiya panna karpazhichaan | Someone violated his younger sister's honor |
| Avan rathathula ivan koppalichaan | He boiled in rage in his blood |
| Innum pazhi vaangaadhu | Without taking revenge yet |
| Kannil ima kaayaadhu | The tears in his eyes will not dry |
| Yenavae ivanae sivanaa aarambichaan | Therefore, he himself arose like Lord Shiva |
| Male | |
| Sattathil sonnaanga | They said according to the law |
| Avano kolaiyaali | That he was a murderer |
| Sanangellaam sonnaanga | All the people said |
| Avano odaiyaali | That he was their rightful protector |
| Avana thedi thedi vanathil odi odi | Searching for him endlessly, running into the forest |
| Punnaagi paduthichaam police police | The police got bruised and exhausted |
| Male | |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Karimettu karuvaayan | Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Kadha kelu kadha keladi | Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl |
| Male | |
| Thenna marathula paduthiruppaan | He would lie atop coconut trees |
| Aanaa boomiyila kanna vechiruppaan | But he kept his eyes fixed on the land |
| Kavatta villum undu | He possessed a slingshot |
| Kaiyil oru villundu | He had a bow in his hand |
| Villaal adichu edhaiyum | Shooting with his bow, anything |
| Vizhuga veppaan | He could knock down |
| Male | |
| Kanni kazhiyaadha | The unmarried maiden |
| Kaaliyammaa | Kaaliyamma |
| Indha karuvaayan mela thaan | Upon this Karuvayan |
| Kaadhalammaa | Fell in love |
| Maalai yedhum soodaama | Without wearing any garland |
| Thaali yedhum illaama | Without any sacred thread |
| Kadaisi varaiyil irundhaa saaviyammaa | She remained a maiden till the end |
| Male | |
| Sugam yedhum kaanaama | Experiencing no pleasures |
| Veyilil sarugaanaal | She withered like a dried leaf in the heat |
| Illaadha oorukku ivalae vazhi aanaal | For a town that didn't exist, she became the guiding light |
| Innum solla ponaa ilama veenaa ponaa | To put it further, her youth went to waste |
| Karuvaayan kattaikku veragaa ponaa | She became firewood for Karuvayan's funeral pyre |
| Male | |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Karimettu karuvaayan | Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Kadha kelu kadha keladi | Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl |
| Male | |
| Nanma senjaa ooril yaavarukkum | He did good deeds for everyone in the village |
| Andha paara manasula neer irukkum | Water would spring even from his rock-like heart |
| Aagaannu karuvaayan pera yaar sonnaalum | Whoever spoke Karuvayan's name with reverence |
| Karuvil irukkum pilla kaiyedukkum | Even an unborn child in the womb would fold its hands |
| Male | |
| Paavi payalgala ver azhichaan | He destroyed sinful men by their roots |
| Andha panna kudumbathil | In that farm owner's family |
| Neer thelichaan | He brought life and justice |
| Maanam piradhaanam thaan | Honor was paramount to him |
| Naanum karikaalan thaan | I too am like King Karikalan |
| Ivanae singam endrae pereduthaan | He earned the reputation of being a lion |
| Male | |
| Thekkatthu cheemaikku | For the southern region |
| Avanae adhikaari | He was the true authority |
| Then paandi mannan thaan | The ruler of the south |
| Vandhaan uru maari | Came in disguise |
| Avana enni kondu nenjil sogam kondu | Thinking of him and bearing sorrow in its heart |
| Vaaikkaalaa odudhu vaigai nadhi | The Vaigai river flows like a channel |
| Male | |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Karimettu karuvaayan | Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Kadha kelu kadha keladi | Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl |
| Male | |
| Andha karimettu karuvaayan kadha pola | Like the story of that Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Ini indha puvi ezhum kedaiyaadhadi | There will be no story like this across the seven worlds, girl |
| Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illai | This is not a made-up story, nor a copied story |
| Kandu kettu vandhom oruvaaru | We came to know and hear about it somehow |
| Andha vaigai nadhi kara orathula | On the banks of that Vaigai river |
| Andru vaazhndhu jeyichavan varalaaru | It is the history of the one who lived and won back then |
| Male | |
| Kadha kelu kadha kelu… | Listen to the story, listen to the story... |
| Karimettu karuvaayan | Karimedu Karuvayan |
| Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa… | Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl... ah... |
அடி கதை கேளு கதை கேளு....ஏ
கருவாயன் கதை கேளு....ஏ
...
அடி கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை கேளு கதை கேளடி
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன் கதை போல
இனி இந்தப் புவி ஏழும் கெடையாதடி
Hey, listen to the story, listen to the story...
கட்டுக் கதை இல்லை
ஒட்டுக் கதை இல்லை
கண்டு கேட்டு வந்தோம் ஒருவாறு
வைகை நதிக்கரை ஓரத்துல
அன்று வாழ்ந்து ஜெயிச்சவன் வரலாறு
Listen to the story of Karuvayan... hey
அடி கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை கேளு கதை கேளடி ஆ...
Hey, listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimedu Karuvayan
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
Like the story of Karimedu Karuvayan
There will be no story like this across the seven worlds, girl
This is not a made-up story, nor a copied story
We came to know and hear about it somehow
On the banks of the Vaigai river
It is the history of the one who lived and won back then
உண்மையில அவன் கள்ளனில்லை...
ஆஅ.....யா....யாஹூஆ....ஆ....
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimedu Karuvayan
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl... ah...
உண்மையில அவன் கள்ளனில்லை
மருத ஜில்லாவுக்கே அவன் செல்லப்பிள்ளை
சொந்தம் ஒரு ஆள் இல்லை
பந்தம் அதுதான் இல்லை
மலையும் மரமும் தவிர
யாரும் இல்லை
In truth, he is not a thief...
Yaa yaa yaa aa
In truth, he is not a thief
For the entire Madurai district
He is the darling child
தங்கச்சிய பண்னை கற்பழிச்சான்
அவன் ரத்தத்துல இவன் கொப்பளிச்சான்
இன்னும் பழி வாங்காது
கண்ணில் இமை காயாது
எனவே இவனே சிவனா ஆரம்பிச்சான்
He has no relatives
He has no close bonds
Mountains and trees
He has no one except them
சட்டத்தில் சொன்னாங்க
அவனோ கொலையாளி
சனங்கெல்லாம் சொன்னாங்க
அவனோ ஒடையாளி
Someone violated his younger sister's honor
He boiled in rage in his blood
Without taking revenge yet
The tears in his eyes will not dry
Therefore, he himself arose like Lord Shiva
அவனத் தேடித் தேடி
வனத்தில் ஓடி ஓடி
புண்ணாகிப் படுத்திச்சாம்
போலீஸ் போலீஸ்
They said according to the law
That he was a murderer
All the people said
That he was their rightful protector
Searching for him endlessly, running into the forest
The police got bruised and exhausted
கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை கேளு கதை கேளடி
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimedu Karuvayan
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
தென்னை மரத்துல படுத்திருப்பான்
ஆனா பூமியில கண்ண வெச்சிருப்பான்
கவட்ட வில்லும் உண்டு
கையில் ஒரு வில்லுண்டு
வில்லால் அடிச்சு எதையும்
விழுக வெப்பான்
He would lie atop coconut trees
But he kept his eyes fixed on the land
He possessed a slingshot
He had a bow in his hand
Shooting with his bow, anything
He could knock down
கன்னி கழியாத காளியம்மா
இந்தக் கருவாயன் மேலதான் காதலம்மா
மாலை எதும் சூடாம தாலி எதும் இல்லாம
கடைசி வரையில் இருந்தா சாவியம்மா
The unmarried maiden
Kaaliyamma
Upon this Karuvayan
Fell in love
Without wearing any garland
Without any sacred thread
She remained a maiden till the end
சுகம் ஏதும் காணாம
வெயிலில் சருகானாள்
இல்லாத ஊருக்கு
இவளே வழி ஆனாள்
இன்னும் சொல்லப் போனா
இளமை வீணா போனா
கருவாயன் கட்டைக்கு
வெறகா போனா
Experiencing no pleasures
She withered like a dried leaf in the heat
For a town that didn't exist, she became the guiding light
To put it further, her youth went to waste
She became firewood for Karuvayan's funeral pyre
கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை கேளு கதை கேளடி
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimedu Karuvayan
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
நன்மை செஞ்சா
ஊரில் யாவருக்கும்
அந்தப் பாறை மனசுல நீர் இருக்கும்
ஆகான்னு கருவாயன்
பேர யார் சொன்னாலும்
கருவில் இருக்கும் பிள்ளை
கையெடுக்கும்
He did good deeds for everyone in the village
Water would spring even from his rock-like heart
Whoever spoke Karuvayan's name with reverence
Even an unborn child in the womb would fold its hands
பாவிப் பயல்கள வேரழிச்சான்
அந்தப் பண்ண குடும்பத்தில்
நீர் தெளிச்சான்
மானம் பிரதானம்தான்
நானும் கரிகாலன்தான்
இவனே சிங்கம் என்றே
பேரெடுத்தான்
He destroyed sinful men by their roots
In that farm owner's family
He brought life and justice
Honor was paramount to him
I too am like King Karikalan
He earned the reputation of being a lion
தெக்கத்துச் சீமைக்கு
அவனே அதிகாரி
தென்பாண்டி மன்னன்தான்
வந்தான் உரு மாறி
அவனை எண்ணிக் கொண்டு
நெஞ்சில் சோகம் கொண்டு
வாய்க்காலா போகுது
வைகை நதி
For the southern region
He was the true authority
The ruler of the south
Came in disguise
Thinking of him and bearing sorrow in its heart
The Vaigai river flows like a channel
கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை கேளு கதை கேளடி
அந்த கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை போல
இனி இந்தப் புவி ஏழும்
கெடையாதடி
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimedu Karuvayan
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
கட்டுக் கதை இல்லை
ஒட்டுக் கதை இல்லை
கண்டு கேட்டு வந்தோம் ஒருவாறு
வைகை நதிக் கர ஓரத்துல
அன்று வாழ்ந்து செயிச்சவன் வரலாறு
Like the story of that Karimedu Karuvayan
There will be no story like this across the seven worlds, girl
This is not a made-up story, nor a copied story
We came to know and hear about it somehow
On the banks of that Vaigai river
It is the history of the one who lived and won back then
அடி கதை கேளு கதை கேளு...
கரிமேட்டுக் கருவாயன்
கதை கேளு கதை கேளடி ஏ...
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimedu Karuvayan
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl... ah...
…………………………….
...
Adi kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Hey, listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karuvaayan kadha kelu… yei
Listen to the story of Karuvayan... hey
Adi kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Hey, listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayan
Karimedu Karuvayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
Karimettu karuvaayan kadha pola
Like the story of Karimedu Karuvayan
Ini indha puvi ezhum kedaiyaadhadi
There will be no story like this across the seven worlds, girl
Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illai
This is not a made-up story, nor a copied story
Kandu kettu vandhom oruvaaru
We came to know and hear about it somehow
Vaigai nadhi kara orathula
On the banks of the Vaigai river
Andru vaazhndhu jeyichavan varalaaru
It is the history of the one who lived and won back then
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayan
Karimedu Karuvayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa…
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl... ah...
Unmaiyila avan kallan illa…
In truth, he is not a thief...
Yaa yaa yaa aa
Yaa yaa yaa aa
Unmaiyila avan kallan illa
In truth, he is not a thief
Marudha jillaavukkae
For the entire Madurai district
Avan sella pilla
He is the darling child
Sondham oru aal illa
He has no relatives
Bandham adhu thaan illa
He has no close bonds
Malaiyum maramum
Mountains and trees
Thavira yaarum illa
He has no one except them
Thangachiya panna karpazhichaan
Someone violated his younger sister's honor
Avan rathathula ivan koppalichaan
He boiled in rage in his blood
Innum pazhi vaangaadhu
Without taking revenge yet
Kannil ima kaayaadhu
The tears in his eyes will not dry
Yenavae ivanae sivanaa aarambichaan
Therefore, he himself arose like Lord Shiva
Sattathil sonnaanga
They said according to the law
Avano kolaiyaali
That he was a murderer
Sanangellaam sonnaanga
All the people said
Avano odaiyaali
That he was their rightful protector
Avana thedi thedi vanathil odi odi
Searching for him endlessly, running into the forest
Punnaagi paduthichaam police police
The police got bruised and exhausted
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayan
Karimedu Karuvayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
Thenna marathula paduthiruppaan
He would lie atop coconut trees
Aanaa boomiyila kanna vechiruppaan
But he kept his eyes fixed on the land
Kavatta villum undu
He possessed a slingshot
Kaiyil oru villundu
He had a bow in his hand
Villaal adichu edhaiyum
Shooting with his bow, anything
Vizhuga veppaan
He could knock down
Kanni kazhiyaadha
The unmarried maiden
Kaaliyammaa
Kaaliyamma
Indha karuvaayan mela thaan
Upon this Karuvayan
Kaadhalammaa
Fell in love
Maalai yedhum soodaama
Without wearing any garland
Thaali yedhum illaama
Without any sacred thread
Kadaisi varaiyil irundhaa saaviyammaa
She remained a maiden till the end
Sugam yedhum kaanaama
Experiencing no pleasures
Veyilil sarugaanaal
She withered like a dried leaf in the heat
Illaadha oorukku ivalae vazhi aanaal
For a town that didn't exist, she became the guiding light
Innum solla ponaa ilama veenaa ponaa
To put it further, her youth went to waste
Karuvaayan kattaikku veragaa ponaa
She became firewood for Karuvayan's funeral pyre
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayan
Karimedu Karuvayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
Nanma senjaa ooril yaavarukkum
He did good deeds for everyone in the village
Andha paara manasula neer irukkum
Water would spring even from his rock-like heart
Aagaannu karuvaayan pera yaar sonnaalum
Whoever spoke Karuvayan's name with reverence
Karuvil irukkum pilla kaiyedukkum
Even an unborn child in the womb would fold its hands
Paavi payalgala ver azhichaan
He destroyed sinful men by their roots
Andha panna kudumbathil
In that farm owner's family
Neer thelichaan
He brought life and justice
Maanam piradhaanam thaan
Honor was paramount to him
Naanum karikaalan thaan
I too am like King Karikalan
Ivanae singam endrae pereduthaan
He earned the reputation of being a lion
Thekkatthu cheemaikku
For the southern region
Avanae adhikaari
He was the true authority
Then paandi mannan thaan
The ruler of the south
Vandhaan uru maari
Came in disguise
Avana enni kondu nenjil sogam kondu
Thinking of him and bearing sorrow in its heart
Vaaikkaalaa odudhu vaigai nadhi
The Vaigai river flows like a channel
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayan
Karimedu Karuvayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl
Andha karimettu karuvaayan kadha pola
Like the story of that Karimedu Karuvayan
Ini indha puvi ezhum kedaiyaadhadi
There will be no story like this across the seven worlds, girl
Kattu kadhai illai ottu kadhai illai
This is not a made-up story, nor a copied story
Kandu kettu vandhom oruvaaru
We came to know and hear about it somehow
Andha vaigai nadhi kara orathula
On the banks of that Vaigai river
Andru vaazhndhu jeyichavan varalaaru
It is the history of the one who lived and won back then
Kadha kelu kadha kelu…
Listen to the story, listen to the story...
Karimettu karuvaayan
Karimedu Karuvayan
Kadha kelu kadha keladi…aa…
Listen to the story, listen to the story, girl... ah...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song serves as a folk ballad narrative detailing the life and legend of Karimedu Karuvayan, a righteous folk hero who lived along the banks of the Vaigai river in Madurai. Though labelled an outlaw and murderer by the formal legal system after taking revenge against those who violated his sister's honor, he is hailed by the local people as a protector and savior. The lyrics highlight his marksmanship, his devotion to justice, the tragedy of the woman who loved him unconditionally, and his enduring legacy among the common folk.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edegai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Sondham oru aal illa / Bandham adhu thaan illa”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines ('ndh' sound in Sondham and Bandham).
Monai (Alliteration)
“Malaiyum maramum”
Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in adjacent words.
Personification
“Avana enni kondu nenjil sogam kondu / Vaaikkaalaa odudhu vaigai nadhi”
The Vaigai river is personified as feeling sorrow in its heart for Karuvayan as it flows.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Karimedu Karuvayan' (1985) marked the directorial debut of actor-director Ramarajan. The movie stars Vijayakanth in the title role and features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran.
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