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Lyrics & meaning

Antha Kalathil

From Babu · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Babu
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
2 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Andha kaalathil
Kannanum gopigalum
Aadi irundhaaro
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
Andha kaalathil
Kannanum gopigalum
Aadi irundhaaro
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram
Andha kaalathil
Kannanum gopigalum
Aadi irundhaaro
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
Kattiya aadai kalavaadum
Kannan ingillai
Kattiya aadai kalavaadum
Kannan ingillai
Thannai kaadhalikka vendum endra
Mannan ingillai
Lallal laala lallal lala
Lallal laala lallal laa
Mellidai meedhu thulli thulli
Meengal vilaiyaadum
Mellidai meedhu thulli thulli
Meengal vilaiyaadum
Andha meen thottaalae aan
Thottadhu pol inbam undaagum
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram
Andha kaalathil
Kannanum gopigalum
Aadi irundhaaro
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lalal laa
Vennira aadai sumandhaadum
Kadalum kanniyadi
Vennira aadai sumandhaadum
Kadalum kanniyadi
Aval aasai nenjin aazhamenna
Kandavarillaiyadi
Lallal laala lallal laala
Lallal laala lallal laa
Sennira vaanum thottu thottu
Sondham kondaadum
Sennira vaanum thottu thottu
Sondham kondaadum
Andhi maalai thorum naalum
Indha naadagam arangerum
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram
Andha kaalathil
Kannanum gopigalum
Aadi irundhaaro
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa…
In those olden days,
did Krishna and the gopis
dance together
on the banks of River Yamuna?
In those olden days,
did Krishna and the gopis
dance together
on the banks of River Yamuna?
In these modern days, without Krishna,
In these modern days, without Krishna,
have the gopis come to the Bay of Bengal shore?
In those olden days,
did Krishna and the gopis
dance together
on the banks of River Yamuna?
The one who steals away their clothes,
that Krishna is not here!
The one who steals away their clothes,
that Krishna is not here!
Demanding that they love him,
no handsome king is here!
Lallal laala lallal lala
Lallal laala lallal laa
Leaping over their slender waists,
the fish come to play!
Leaping over their slender waists,
the fish come to play!
When that fish grazes against them,
it brings pleasure just like a man's touch!
In these modern days, without Krishna,
have the gopis come to the Bay of Bengal shore?
In those olden days,
did Krishna and the gopis
dance together
on the banks of River Yamuna?
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lalal laa
Wearing a white dress of foam,
even the sea is a young woman, my dear!
Wearing a white dress of foam,
even the sea is a young woman, my dear!
The true depth of her longing heart,
no one has ever known, my dear!
Lallal laala lallal laala
Lallal laala lallal laa
Gently touching her again and again,
the crimson sky claims her as its own!
Gently touching her again and again,
the crimson sky claims her as its own!
Every single twilight evening,
this drama plays out on stage!
In these modern days, without Krishna,
have the gopis come to the Bay of Bengal shore?
In those olden days,
did Krishna and the gopis
dance together
on the banks of River Yamuna?
Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa…
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful yet poetically deep song compares the mythological playful romance of Lord Krishna and the gopis on the banks of the Yamuna River with a contemporary scene on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The lyrics reflect on how young women enjoy nature and companionship near the sea, missing their ideal lover ('Krishna'), while drawing metaphorical parallels between the natural phenomena (waves acting as white garments, the setting red sky reaching out to the sea) and human romance. Vaali masterfully weaves imagery of ocean waves, fish touching the skin, and twilight colors into a stage where nature performs a daily romantic drama.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Kattiya aadai kalavaadum / Kannan ingillai

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in 'Kattiya' and 'Kannan' enhances rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagamd)

Vennira aadai sumandhaadum / Kadalum kanniyadi

Comparing the sea adorned with white foam to a young maiden wearing a white garment.

Personification

Sennira vaanum thottu thottu / Sondham kondaadum

Attributing human affection and ownership to the evening red sky touching the sea.

Rhyme (Etukai)

Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal / Andha kaalathil

Second letter agreement between 'Indha' and 'Andha' creates structural harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1971 Tamil film 'Babu', starring Sivaji Ganesan. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals rendered by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari.

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