Adi Kadhal Enbathu
From Ennavale · 2001
- Lyricist
- Lyricist Not Known
- Singer
- Hariharan
- Music director
- S. A. Rajkumar
- Details
- Ennavale2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum | Hey girl, love is like a sleeping |
| Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum | Beast lying dormant inside the mind. |
| Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai | Both of its eyes do not sleep; |
| Oru kan vizhithirukum | One eye remains wide awake. |
| Male | |
| Sakiyae adhu saadhuvaana oru | Oh my friend, it is like a gentle |
| Saiva poonai pol ullae olindhirukum | Vegetarian cat hiding quietly inside. |
| Andha velai vandhadhum vishva roopam | But when the right moment comes, taking a cosmic form, |
| Kondu veliyae kudhithuvidum | It leaps out all at once! |
| Kanmani kaadhal mirugam unakul illaiyaa | My darling, don't you have this love beast inside you too? |
| Male | |
| Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum | Hey girl, love is like a sleeping |
| Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum | Beast lying dormant inside the mind. |
| Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai | Both of its eyes do not sleep; |
| Oru kan vizhithirukum | One eye remains wide awake. |
| Male | |
| …………………………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Idi oli ketkum podhilum | Even when the sound of thunder is heard, |
| Vedi oli ketkum podhilum | Even when the sound of explosions is heard, |
| Kaadhal mirugam vizhikaadhu | The love beast does not awaken, |
| Kan moodi thoongumae | It keeps its eyes closed in deep slumber. |
| Male | |
| Pookal malarum osaiyil | Yet at the delicate sound of flowers blooming, |
| Pudavaiyin sarasara osaiyil | And at the gentle rustling sound of a saree, |
| Kaadhal mirugam thidukitu | The love beast suddenly gets startled, |
| Thalai thooki paarkumae | Lifts its head and gazes around! |
| Male | |
| Oru murai vizhithapin urangaadhamma | Once awakened, it will not return to sleep, my dear. |
| Irai thedum mirugam dhaan ennai thinnumaa | Will this beast searching for prey devour me instead? |
| Male | |
| Naam irandu perum adhai adaka | Both of us need to tame it together; |
| Vendum konjam valimai serka vaamaa | Come, give me strength to control it, my girl! |
| Kanmani mirugam kondu deivam seivom | My darling, using this beast, let us create a divine love. |
| Male | |
| Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum | Hey girl, love is like a sleeping |
| Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum | Beast lying dormant inside the mind. |
| Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai | Both of its eyes do not sleep; |
| Oru kan vizhithirukum | One eye remains wide awake. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal mirugam enbadhu | What does this love beast demand? |
| Ratham sadhaiyaa ketkudhu | Does it ask for blood and flesh? |
| Un koondhal poongaavil | In the garden of your dark hair, |
| Oru poovai ketkudhu | It merely asks for a single flower! |
| Male | |
| Meendum mirugam thoongavae | For this beast to drift back to sleep, |
| Kaadaa malaiyaa ketkudhu | Does it ask for a vast forest or a mountain? |
| Idupilum selai konda madipondru ketkudhu | It only asks for the cozy fold of your saree at your waist! |
| Male | |
| Mirugam thavikudhae vazhi sollavaa | The beast is agonizing in yearning, shall I tell you the remedy? |
| Mirugathai vadhaipadhu kutram allavaa | Is it not a crime to torment this innocent beast? |
| Male | |
| Madi thaangi koduka mella thadavi kodukka | If you offer your lap and gently caress it, |
| Adhu thoonki pogum allavaa | It will peacefully fall asleep, will it not? |
| Kanmani mirugam kondu deivam seivom | My darling, using this beast, let us create a divine love. |
| Male | |
| Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum | Hey girl, love is like a sleeping |
| Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum | Beast lying dormant inside the mind. |
| Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai | Both of its eyes do not sleep; |
| Oru kan vizhithirukum | One eye remains wide awake. |
| Male | |
| Sakiyae adhu saadhuvaana oru | Oh my friend, it is like a gentle |
| Saiva poonai pol ullae olindhirukum | Vegetarian cat hiding quietly inside. |
| Andha velai vandhadhum vishva roopam | But when the right moment comes, taking a cosmic form, |
| Kondu veliyae kudhithuvidum | It leaps out all at once! |
| Kanmani kaadhal mirugam unakul illaiyaa | My darling, don't you have this love beast inside you too? |
அடி காதல் என்பது
தூங்கும் மிருகம் மனசுக்குள்
படுத்திருக்கும் அதன் இரண்டு
கண்களும் தூங்குவதில்லை
ஒரு கண் விழித்திருக்கும்
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
One eye remains wide awake.
சகியே அது சாதுவான
ஒரு சைவ பூனை போல்
உள்ளே ஒளிந்திருக்கும் அந்த
வேளை வந்ததும் விஸ்வரூபம்
கொண்டு வெளியே குதித்துவிடும்
கண்மணி காதல் மிருகம் உனக்குள்
இல்லையா
Oh my friend, it is like a gentle
Vegetarian cat hiding quietly inside.
But when the right moment comes, taking a cosmic form,
It leaps out all at once!
My darling, don't you have this love beast inside you too?
அடி காதல் என்பது
தூங்கும் மிருகம் மனசுக்குள்
படுத்திருக்கும் அதன் இரண்டு
கண்களும் தூங்குவதில்லை
ஒரு கண் விழித்திருக்கும்
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
One eye remains wide awake.
.......................................
...
இடி ஒலி கேட்கும்
போதிலும் வெடி ஒலி
கேட்கும் போதிலும் காதல்
மிருகம் விழிக்காது கண்மூடி
தூங்குமே
Even when the sound of thunder is heard,
Even when the sound of explosions is heard,
The love beast does not awaken,
It keeps its eyes closed in deep slumber.
பூக்கள் மலரும்
ஓசையில் புடவையின்
சர சர ஓசையில் காதல்
மிருகம் திடுக்கிட்டு தலை
தூக்கி பாா்க்குமே
Yet at the delicate sound of flowers blooming,
And at the gentle rustling sound of a saree,
The love beast suddenly gets startled,
Lifts its head and gazes around!
ஒரு முறை
விழித்த பின் உறங்காதம்மா
இறை தேடும் மிருகம் தான்
என்னை திண்ணுமா
Once awakened, it will not return to sleep, my dear.
Will this beast searching for prey devour me instead?
நாம் இரண்டு
பேரும் அதை அடக்க
வேண்டும் கொஞ்சம்
வலிமை சோ்க்க வாமா
கண்மணி மிருகம் கொண்டு
தெய்வம் செய்வோம்
Both of us need to tame it together;
Come, give me strength to control it, my girl!
My darling, using this beast, let us create a divine love.
அடி காதல் என்பது
தூங்கும் மிருகம் மனசுக்குள்
படுத்திருக்கும் அதன் இரண்டு
கண்களும் தூங்குவதில்லை
ஒரு கண் விழித்திருக்கும்
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
One eye remains wide awake.
காதல் மிருகம்
என்பது ரத்தம் சதையா
கேட்குது உன் கூந்தல்
பூங்காவில் ஒரு பூவை கேட்குது
What does this love beast demand?
Does it ask for blood and flesh?
In the garden of your dark hair,
It merely asks for a single flower!
மீண்டும் மிருகம்
தூங்கவே காடா மலையா
கேட்குது இடுப்பிலும் சேலை
கொண்ட மடிப்பொன்று கேட்குது
For this beast to drift back to sleep,
Does it ask for a vast forest or a mountain?
It only asks for the cozy fold of your saree at your waist!
மிருகம் தவிக்குதே
வழி சொல்லவா மிருகத்தை
வதைப்பது குற்றம் அல்லவா
The beast is agonizing in yearning, shall I tell you the remedy?
Is it not a crime to torment this innocent beast?
மடி தாங்கி கொடுக்க
மெல்ல தடவி கொடுக்க அது
தூங்கி போகும் அல்லவா
கண்மணி மிருகம் கொண்டு
தெய்வம் செய்வோம்
If you offer your lap and gently caress it,
It will peacefully fall asleep, will it not?
My darling, using this beast, let us create a divine love.
அடி காதல் என்பது
தூங்கும் மிருகம் மனசுக்குள்
படுத்திருக்கும் அதன் இரண்டு
கண்களும் தூங்குவதில்லை
ஒரு கண் விழித்திருக்கும்
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
One eye remains wide awake.
சகியே அது சாதுவான
ஒரு சைவ பூனை போல்
உள்ளே ஒளிந்திருக்கும் அந்த
வேளை வந்ததும் விஸ்வரூபம்
கொண்டு வெளியே குதித்துவிடும்
கண்மணி காதல் மிருகம் உனக்குள்
இல்லையா
Oh my friend, it is like a gentle
Vegetarian cat hiding quietly inside.
But when the right moment comes, taking a cosmic form,
It leaps out all at once!
My darling, don't you have this love beast inside you too?
Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
Oru kan vizhithirukum
One eye remains wide awake.
Sakiyae adhu saadhuvaana oru
Oh my friend, it is like a gentle
Saiva poonai pol ullae olindhirukum
Vegetarian cat hiding quietly inside.
Andha velai vandhadhum vishva roopam
But when the right moment comes, taking a cosmic form,
Kondu veliyae kudhithuvidum
It leaps out all at once!
Kanmani kaadhal mirugam unakul illaiyaa
My darling, don't you have this love beast inside you too?
Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
Oru kan vizhithirukum
One eye remains wide awake.
……………………………………………
...
Idi oli ketkum podhilum
Even when the sound of thunder is heard,
Vedi oli ketkum podhilum
Even when the sound of explosions is heard,
Kaadhal mirugam vizhikaadhu
The love beast does not awaken,
Kan moodi thoongumae
It keeps its eyes closed in deep slumber.
Pookal malarum osaiyil
Yet at the delicate sound of flowers blooming,
Pudavaiyin sarasara osaiyil
And at the gentle rustling sound of a saree,
Kaadhal mirugam thidukitu
The love beast suddenly gets startled,
Thalai thooki paarkumae
Lifts its head and gazes around!
Oru murai vizhithapin urangaadhamma
Once awakened, it will not return to sleep, my dear.
Irai thedum mirugam dhaan ennai thinnumaa
Will this beast searching for prey devour me instead?
Naam irandu perum adhai adaka
Both of us need to tame it together;
Vendum konjam valimai serka vaamaa
Come, give me strength to control it, my girl!
Kanmani mirugam kondu deivam seivom
My darling, using this beast, let us create a divine love.
Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
Oru kan vizhithirukum
One eye remains wide awake.
Kaadhal mirugam enbadhu
What does this love beast demand?
Ratham sadhaiyaa ketkudhu
Does it ask for blood and flesh?
Un koondhal poongaavil
In the garden of your dark hair,
Oru poovai ketkudhu
It merely asks for a single flower!
Meendum mirugam thoongavae
For this beast to drift back to sleep,
Kaadaa malaiyaa ketkudhu
Does it ask for a vast forest or a mountain?
Idupilum selai konda madipondru ketkudhu
It only asks for the cozy fold of your saree at your waist!
Mirugam thavikudhae vazhi sollavaa
The beast is agonizing in yearning, shall I tell you the remedy?
Mirugathai vadhaipadhu kutram allavaa
Is it not a crime to torment this innocent beast?
Madi thaangi koduka mella thadavi kodukka
If you offer your lap and gently caress it,
Adhu thoonki pogum allavaa
It will peacefully fall asleep, will it not?
Kanmani mirugam kondu deivam seivom
My darling, using this beast, let us create a divine love.
Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum
Hey girl, love is like a sleeping
Mirugam manasukul paduthirukum
Beast lying dormant inside the mind.
Adhan irandu kangalum thoonguvadhillai
Both of its eyes do not sleep;
Oru kan vizhithirukum
One eye remains wide awake.
Sakiyae adhu saadhuvaana oru
Oh my friend, it is like a gentle
Saiva poonai pol ullae olindhirukum
Vegetarian cat hiding quietly inside.
Andha velai vandhadhum vishva roopam
But when the right moment comes, taking a cosmic form,
Kondu veliyae kudhithuvidum
It leaps out all at once!
Kanmani kaadhal mirugam unakul illaiyaa
My darling, don't you have this love beast inside you too?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Adi Kaadhal Enbadhu' creatively personifies love as a dormant, watchful beast residing within the human heart. It describes how this passion remains indifferent to loud, chaotic worldly sounds like thunder or explosions, yet instantly awakens to subtle, tender triggers such as the rustling of a loved one's saree or the whisper of blooming flowers. Once awakened, this raw emotional force demands warmth and intimacy rather than wild cravings. The protagonist calls upon his lover to help tame and channel this intense desire. Rather than letting the wild nature of love consume them, he envisions converting this primitive drive into a divine, holy bond through tender affection, gentle caresses, and mutual surrender.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Adi kaadhal enbadhu thoongum mirugam manasukul paduthirukum”
Love is directly metaphorized as a dormant 'mirugam' (beast) inside the mind.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Saiva poonai pol ullae olindhirukum”
The early, passive state of love is compared using 'pol' (like) to a innocent 'saiva poonai' (vegetarian cat).
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Andha velai vandhadhum vishva roopam kondu veliyae kudhithuvidum”
The sudden outburst of suppressed romantic feelings is exaggerated as taking a 'vishva roopam' (cosmic giant form).
Contrast / Juxtaposition
“Idi oli ketkum podhilum... Pookal malarum osaiyil”
Contrasts loud noises (thunder/explosions) that fail to awaken love with tiny delicate sounds (flowers blooming/saree rustling) that startle it awake.
Rhyme / Assonance (Edhugai)
“Idi oli ketkum podhilum / Vedi oli ketkum podhilum”
Second-letter rhyming between 'Idi' and 'Vedi', as well as 'Kaadaa' and 'Idupilum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 2001 Tamil romantic drama 'Ennavale', starring Madhavan and Sneha in her Tamil debut. The soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar, known for his melody-driven tracks during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.
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