Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Kaveriyin Kanavan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Alai Modhuthe

From Kaveriyin Kanavan · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
K. Jamunarani, Trichy Loganathan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kaveriyin Kanavan
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
19 Dec 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Alai modhuthae nenjam alai modhuthae
Azhgaana manavalan manam maarumoo endru
Alai modhuthae nenjam alai modhuthae
Azhgaana manavalan manam maarumoo endru
Alai modhuthae nenjam alai modhuthae
Nilai maaarumoo anbin niali maarumoo
Malaiyae than asaindhaalum maanae un kaadhal
Nilai maaarumoo anbin niali maarumoo
Malaiyae than asaindhaalum maanae un kaadhal
Nilai maaarumoo anbin niali maarumoo
Namm kadhalukkum undu vaeli
Ungal kannagi pennaalin thaali
Namm kadhalukkum undu vaeli
Ungal kannagi pennaalin thaali
Hooo ooo oo
Vedhanai seiyaadhae maadhaviyae viraga
Velayil yen indha kaeli
Vedhanai seiyaadhae maadhaviyae viraga
Velayil yen indha kaeli
Sagasamaagavae pesidum kaalaiyai
Nambavae mudiyathu
Sagasamaagavae pesidum kaalaiyai
Nambavae mudiyathu
Chandhira sooriyar dhisai maaridinum
Sathiyam thavaradhu
Chandhira sooriyar dhisai maaridinum
Sathiyam thavaradhu
Madhavi
Female :Swami
My heart is tossing like restless waves,
Wondering if my handsome beloved's heart will change,
My heart is tossing like restless waves,
Wondering if my handsome beloved's heart will change,
My heart is tossing like restless waves.
Will it ever change? Will the bond of love ever change?
Even if a mountain moves, my darling, will our love
Ever change? Will the bond of love ever change?
Even if a mountain moves, my darling, will our love
Ever change? Will the bond of love ever change?
Our love has a boundary too—
The sacred wedding knot of your wife Kannagi!
Our love has a boundary too—
The sacred wedding knot of your wife Kannagi!
Oh, oh, oh, oh...
Do not torment me, Madhavi; in this hour of longing,
Why tease me like this?
Do not torment me, Madhavi; in this hour of longing,
Why tease me like this?
A young man who speaks with such clever charm
Can never be trusted!
A young man who speaks with such clever charm
Can never be trusted!
Even if the sun and moon change their course,
This promise will never fail...
Even if the sun and moon change their course,
This promise will never fail...
Madhavi:
My lord!
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song presents a deep emotional dialogue between lovers, drawing heavily upon allusions to the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram involving Kovalan, Madhavi, and Kannagi. Madhavi expresses doubt and insecurity about whether her beloved's devotion will remain steadfast, while the male lead reassures her that true love remains unshakeable even if nature's laws defy expectations. The song highlights themes of marital boundaries, devotion, and romantic reassurance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Alai modhuthae nenjam alai modhuthae

Compares the turbulent emotions of anxiety and longing in the heart to the crashing waves of the sea.

Hyperbole

Malaiyae than asaindhaalum maanae un kaadhal

Exaggerates cosmic and physical impossibilities (mountains moving, sun and moon altering course) to emphasize the absolute constancy of love and truth.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vedhanai seiyaadhae maadhaviyae viraga

The second consonant 'dha' repeats in 'Vedhanai' and 'Maadhaviyae', providing melodic Tamil poetic structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song incorporates direct literary references to characters from the ancient Tamil epic 'Silappatikaram' (Kannagi and Madhavi). Composed by K. V. Mahadevan, famous for incorporating classic literature motifs into mid-20th century Tamil cinema score, the track highlights traditional carnatic and folk-infused duet sensibilities.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Kaveriyin Kanavan

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.