Anbu Kathai
From Urudhi Mozhi · 1990
- Lyricist
- R. V. Udhaya Kumar
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Urudhi Mozhi1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | A story of love, a story of trouble |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | My story is a story of love |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | A small story, a colorful story |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | That story is a story of conflict |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | A story of love, a story of trouble |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | My story is a story of love |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | A small story, a colorful story |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | That story is a story of conflict |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | A story of love, a story of trouble |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | My story is a story of love |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | A small story, a colorful story |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | That story is a story of conflict |
| Kan pattadhanaal pun pattadhu naan | Because an evil eye fell on me, I got hurt |
| Kan pattadhanaalae | Because an evil eye fell |
| Manam pun pattadhu naanae | My heart got wounded |
| Andha kadhai thunba kadhaiyae | That story is a story of sorrow |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | A story of love, a story of trouble |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | My story is a story of love |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | A small story, a colorful story |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | That story is a story of conflict |
| Male | |
| {Poo ondru manam veesi | As a flower spreads fragrance |
| Pudhu raagam paada | To sing a new melody |
| Puriyaadha pudhiraagi | Becoming an incomprehensible puzzle |
| Dhisai maari poga} (2) | Changing direction and going away |
| Male | |
| {Kaadhal oru odam | As a flower spreads fragrance |
| Adhu odum pozhudhu | To sing a new melody |
| Naalum thadumaarum | Becoming an incomprehensible puzzle |
| Alai modhum pozhudhu} (2) | Changing direction and going away |
| Male | |
| Karuvil uruvaagum | Love is a boat |
| Oru uyirin kadhaiyae | When it sails |
| Uyiril uravaagum | It falters every day |
| Adhu kaadhal kadhaiyae | When waves crash against it |
| Pazhi paavam ariyaadhu | Love is a boat |
| Adhu endhan kadhaiyae | When it sails |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | It falters every day |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | When waves crash against it |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | Forming in the womb |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | It is the story of a life |
| Male | |
| {Neerodum nadhi oram | Becoming a bond in life itself |
| Naanum oru thoni | That is the story of love |
| Karai saera mudiyaamal | Ignorant of blame or sin |
| Vaadum oru nyaani} (2) | That is my story |
| Male | |
| {Kaanum vizhi oram | A story of love, a story of trouble |
| Pudhu kaadhal varavu | My story is a story of love |
| Kaadhal vazhi maara | A small story, a colorful story |
| Dhinam kanneer selavu} (2) | That story is a story of conflict |
| Male | |
| Vaazhum varai thaane | Beside the flowing river |
| Varum varavum selavum | I am a raft |
| Pogum varai thaanae | Unable to reach the shore |
| Varum uravum pirivum | A wise person wilting in sorrow |
| Oru paasam adhil naesam | Beside the flowing river |
| Adhu yaavum kanavu | I am a raft |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | Unable to reach the shore |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | A wise person wilting in sorrow |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | At the corner of watching eyes |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | Arrival of a new love |
| Kan pattadhanaal pun pattadhu naan | As love strays off course |
| Kan pattadhanaalae | Daily expense of tears |
| Manam pun pattadhu naanae | At the corner of watching eyes |
| Andha kadhai thunba kadhaiyae | Arrival of a new love |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | As love strays off course |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | Daily expense of tears |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | Only as long as one lives |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | Income and expenses happen |
| Male | |
| Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai | Only until one departs |
| Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae | Relationships and separations occur |
| Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai | An affection and the love within it |
| Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae | All of that is just a dream |
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
A story of love, a story of trouble
My story is a story of love
A small story, a colorful story
That story is a story of conflict
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
A story of love, a story of trouble
My story is a story of love
A small story, a colorful story
That story is a story of conflict
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
கண் பட்டதனால் புண் பட்டது நான்
கண் பட்டதனாலே
மனம் புண் பட்டது நானே
அந்தக் கதை துன்பக் கதையே
A story of love, a story of trouble
My story is a story of love
A small story, a colorful story
That story is a story of conflict
Because an evil eye fell on me, I got hurt
Because an evil eye fell
My heart got wounded
That story is a story of sorrow
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
A story of love, a story of trouble
My story is a story of love
A small story, a colorful story
That story is a story of conflict
{பூ ஒன்று மணம் வீசிப்
புது ராகம் பாட
புரியாத புதிராகி
திசை மாறிப் போக} (2)
As a flower spreads fragrance
To sing a new melody
Becoming an incomprehensible puzzle
Changing direction and going away
{காதல் ஒரு ஓடம்
அது ஓடும் பொழுது
நாளும் தடுமாறும்
அலை மோதும் பொழுது} (2)
As a flower spreads fragrance
To sing a new melody
Becoming an incomprehensible puzzle
Changing direction and going away
கருவில் உருவாகும்
ஒரு உயிரின் கதையே
உயிரில் உறவாகும்
அது காதல் கதையே
பழி பாவம் அறியாது
அது எந்தன் கதையே
Love is a boat
When it sails
It falters every day
When waves crash against it
Love is a boat
When it sails
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
It falters every day
When waves crash against it
Forming in the womb
It is the story of a life
{நீரோடும் நதி ஓரம்
நானும் ஒரு தோணி
கரை சேர முடியாமல்
வாடும் ஒரு ஞானி} (2)
Becoming a bond in life itself
That is the story of love
Ignorant of blame or sin
That is my story
{காணும் விழி ஓரம்
புதுக் காதல் வரவு
காதல் வழி மாற
தினம் கண்ணீர் செலவு} (2)
A story of love, a story of trouble
My story is a story of love
A small story, a colorful story
That story is a story of conflict
வாழும் வரை தானே
வரும் வரவும் செலவும்
போகும் வரை தானே
வரும் உறவும் பிரிவும்
ஒரு பாசம் அதில் நேசம்
அது யாவும் கனவு
Beside the flowing river
I am a raft
Unable to reach the shore
A wise person wilting in sorrow
Beside the flowing river
I am a raft
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
கண் பட்டதனால் புண் பட்டது நான்
கண் பட்டதனாலே
மனம் புண் பட்டது நானே
அந்தக் கதை துன்பக் கதையே
Unable to reach the shore
A wise person wilting in sorrow
At the corner of watching eyes
Arrival of a new love
As love strays off course
Daily expense of tears
At the corner of watching eyes
Arrival of a new love
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
As love strays off course
Daily expense of tears
Only as long as one lives
Income and expenses happen
அன்புக் கதை வம்புக் கதை
எந்தன் கதை காதல் கதையே
சின்னக் கதை வண்ணக் கதை
அந்தக் கதை மோதல் கதையே
Only until one departs
Relationships and separations occur
An affection and the love within it
All of that is just a dream
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
A story of love, a story of trouble
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
My story is a story of love
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
A small story, a colorful story
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
That story is a story of conflict
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
A story of love, a story of trouble
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
My story is a story of love
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
A small story, a colorful story
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
That story is a story of conflict
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
A story of love, a story of trouble
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
My story is a story of love
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
A small story, a colorful story
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
That story is a story of conflict
Kan pattadhanaal pun pattadhu naan
Because an evil eye fell on me, I got hurt
Kan pattadhanaalae
Because an evil eye fell
Manam pun pattadhu naanae
My heart got wounded
Andha kadhai thunba kadhaiyae
That story is a story of sorrow
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
A story of love, a story of trouble
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
My story is a story of love
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
A small story, a colorful story
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
That story is a story of conflict
{Poo ondru manam veesi
As a flower spreads fragrance
Pudhu raagam paada
To sing a new melody
Puriyaadha pudhiraagi
Becoming an incomprehensible puzzle
Dhisai maari poga} (2)
Changing direction and going away
{Kaadhal oru odam
As a flower spreads fragrance
Adhu odum pozhudhu
To sing a new melody
Naalum thadumaarum
Becoming an incomprehensible puzzle
Alai modhum pozhudhu} (2)
Changing direction and going away
Karuvil uruvaagum
Love is a boat
Oru uyirin kadhaiyae
When it sails
Uyiril uravaagum
It falters every day
Adhu kaadhal kadhaiyae
When waves crash against it
Pazhi paavam ariyaadhu
Love is a boat
Adhu endhan kadhaiyae
When it sails
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
It falters every day
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
When waves crash against it
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
Forming in the womb
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
It is the story of a life
{Neerodum nadhi oram
Becoming a bond in life itself
Naanum oru thoni
That is the story of love
Karai saera mudiyaamal
Ignorant of blame or sin
Vaadum oru nyaani} (2)
That is my story
{Kaanum vizhi oram
A story of love, a story of trouble
Pudhu kaadhal varavu
My story is a story of love
Kaadhal vazhi maara
A small story, a colorful story
Dhinam kanneer selavu} (2)
That story is a story of conflict
Vaazhum varai thaane
Beside the flowing river
Varum varavum selavum
I am a raft
Pogum varai thaanae
Unable to reach the shore
Varum uravum pirivum
A wise person wilting in sorrow
Oru paasam adhil naesam
Beside the flowing river
Adhu yaavum kanavu
I am a raft
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
Unable to reach the shore
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
A wise person wilting in sorrow
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
At the corner of watching eyes
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
Arrival of a new love
Kan pattadhanaal pun pattadhu naan
As love strays off course
Kan pattadhanaalae
Daily expense of tears
Manam pun pattadhu naanae
At the corner of watching eyes
Andha kadhai thunba kadhaiyae
Arrival of a new love
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
As love strays off course
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
Daily expense of tears
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
Only as long as one lives
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
Income and expenses happen
Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai
Only until one departs
Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae
Relationships and separations occur
Chinna kadhai vanna kadhai
An affection and the love within it
Andha kadhai modhal kadhaiyae
All of that is just a dream
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Anbu Kadhai Vambu Kadhai' reflects philosophically on the pain, unpredictability, and grief of love. The protagonist describes his life story as a blend of affection, conflict, and heartbreak. Using rich metaphors such as a boat tossed on turbulent waves and a raft unable to reach the shore, he captures the emotional instability brought by a failed romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai / Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Anbu' and 'Endhan' or 'Chinna' and 'Andha'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Anbu kadhai vambu kadhai / Endhan kadhai kaadhal kadhaiyae”
Repetition of ending suffixes '-kadhai' and '-kadhaiyae' across consecutive lines.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaadhal oru odam”
Comparing love to a fragile boat ('Kaadhal oru odam') and oneself to a drift-bound raft ('Naanum oru thoni').
Wordplay / Paronomasia
“Kan pattadhanaal pun pattadhu naan”
Alliterative play between 'Kan' (eye) and 'Pun' (wound/hurt).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1990 action film 'Urudhi Mozhi' starring Prabhu and Gautami, this song features vocals by K. J. Yesudas. It serves as an introspective musical moment contrasting with the action-heavy storyline of the movie.
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