Antha Kalathil
From Babu · 1971
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Babu1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Andha kaalathil | In those ancient times |
| Kannanum gopigalum | Did Lord Krishna and the gopis (cowherd maidens) |
| Aadi irundhaaro | Dance and celebrate |
| Yamunaa nadhi theeram | On the banks of the Yamuna River? |
| Female | |
| Andha kaalathil | In those ancient times |
| Kannanum gopigalum | Did Lord Krishna and the gopis |
| Aadi irundhaaro | Dance and celebrate |
| Yamunaa nadhi theeram | On the banks of the Yamuna River? |
| Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal | In these modern times without Krishna |
| Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal | In these modern times without Krishna |
| Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram | Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal? |
| Chorus | |
| Andha kaalathil | In those ancient times |
| Kannanum gopigalum | Did Lord Krishna and the gopis |
| Aadi irundhaaro | Dance and celebrate |
| Yamunaa nadhi theeram | On the banks of the Yamuna River? |
| Female | |
| Kattiya aadai kalavaadum | The Krishna who steals the worn clothes |
| Kannan ingillai | Is not here |
| Kattiya aadai kalavaadum | The Krishna who steals the worn clothes |
| Kannan ingillai | Is not here |
| Thannai kaadhalikka vendum endra | The king who desires to love her |
| Mannan ingillai | Is not here |
| Chorus | |
| Lallal laala lallal lala | Lallal laala lallal lala |
| Lallal laala lallal laa | Lallal laala lallal laa |
| Female | |
| Mellidai meedhu thulli thulli | Leaping and frolicking over the slender waist |
| Meengal vilaiyaadum | The fish play around |
| Mellidai meedhu thulli thulli | Leaping and frolicking over the slender waist |
| Meengal vilaiyaadum | The fish play around |
| Andha meen thottaalae aan | When those fish touch, it brings pleasure |
| Thottadhu pol inbam undaagum | As if a man's touch was felt |
| Female | |
| Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal | In these modern times without Krishna |
| Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram | Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal? |
| Chorus | |
| Andha kaalathil | In those ancient times |
| Kannanum gopigalum | Did Lord Krishna and the gopis |
| Aadi irundhaaro | Dance and celebrate |
| Yamunaa nadhi theeram | On the banks of the Yamuna River? |
| Chorus | |
| Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla | Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla |
| Lalal lallalla lallal laa | Lalal lallalla lallal laa |
| Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla | Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla |
| Lalal lallalla lalal laa | Lalal lallalla lalal laa |
| Female | |
| Vennira aadai sumandhaadum | Wearing and swaying in a white garment |
| Kadalum kanniyadi | Even the sea is a young maiden, my friend |
| Vennira aadai sumandhaadum | Wearing and swaying in a white garment |
| Kadalum kanniyadi | Even the sea is a young maiden, my friend |
| Aval aasai nenjin aazhamenna | What is the depth of her longing heart? |
| Kandavarillaiyadi | No one has ever found out, my friend |
| Chorus | |
| Lallal laala lallal laala | Lallal laala lallal laala |
| Lallal laala lallal laa | Lallal laala lallal laa |
| Female | |
| Sennira vaanum thottu thottu | Touching repeatedly, the red-hued sky |
| Sondham kondaadum | Claims its intimate bond |
| Sennira vaanum thottu thottu | Touching repeatedly, the red-hued sky |
| Sondham kondaadum | Claims its intimate bond |
| Andhi maalai thorum naalum | Every single twilight evening |
| Indha naadagam arangerum | This drama unfolds on stage |
| Female | |
| Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal | In these modern times without Krishna |
| Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram | Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal? |
| Chorus | |
| Andha kaalathil | In those ancient times |
| Kannanum gopigalum | Did Lord Krishna and the gopis |
| Aadi irundhaaro | Dance and celebrate |
| Yamunaa nadhi theeram | On the banks of the Yamuna River? |
| Chorus | |
| Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa | Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa |
| Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa… | Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa... |
அந்தக் காலத்தில்
கண்ணன் கோபிகளும்
ஆடி இருந்தாரோ
யமுனா நதி தீரம்
In those ancient times
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis (cowherd maidens)
Dance and celebrate
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
அந்தக் காலத்தில்
கண்ணன் கோபிகளும்
ஆடி இருந்தாரோ
யமுனா நதி தீரம்
இந்தக் காலத்தில் கண்ணன் இல்லாமல்
இந்தக் காலத்தில் கண்ணன் இல்லாமல்
கோபிகள் வந்தாரோ வங்கக் கடலோரம்
In those ancient times
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Dance and celebrate
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
In these modern times without Krishna
In these modern times without Krishna
Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal?
அந்தக் காலத்தில்
கண்ணன் கோபிகளும்
ஆடி இருந்தாரோ
யமுனா நதி தீரம்
In those ancient times
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Dance and celebrate
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
கட்டிய ஆடை களவாடும்
கண்ணன் இங்கில்லை
கட்டிய ஆடை களவாடும்
கண்ணன் இங்கில்லை
தன்னை காதலிக்க வேண்டும் என்ற
மன்னன் இங்கில்லை
The Krishna who steals the worn clothes
Is not here
The Krishna who steals the worn clothes
Is not here
The king who desires to love her
Is not here
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லல
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லா
Lallal laala lallal lala
Lallal laala lallal laa
மெல்லிடை மீது துள்ளி துள்ளி
மீன்கள் விளையாடும்
மெல்லிடை மீது துள்ளி துள்ளி
மீன்கள் விளையாடும்
அந்த மீன் தொட்டாலே
ஆண் தொட்டதுபோல்
இன்பம் உண்டாகும்
Leaping and frolicking over the slender waist
The fish play around
Leaping and frolicking over the slender waist
The fish play around
When those fish touch, it brings pleasure
As if a man's touch was felt
இந்தக் காலத்தில் கண்ணன் இல்லாமல்
கோபிகள் வந்தாரோ வங்கக் கடலோரம்
In these modern times without Krishna
Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal?
அந்தக் காலத்தில்
கண்ணன் கோபிகளும்
ஆடி இருந்தாரோ
யமுனா நதி தீரம்
In those ancient times
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Dance and celebrate
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லல
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லா
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லல
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லா
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lalal laa
வெண்ணிற ஆடை சுமந்தாடும்
கடலும் கன்னியடி
வெண்ணிற ஆடை சுமந்தாடும்
கடலும் கன்னியடி
அவள் ஆசை நெஞ்சின் ஆழமென்ன
கண்டவர் இல்லையடி
Wearing and swaying in a white garment
Even the sea is a young maiden, my friend
Wearing and swaying in a white garment
Even the sea is a young maiden, my friend
What is the depth of her longing heart?
No one has ever found out, my friend
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லல
லல்லல் லால லல்லல் லா
Lallal laala lallal laala
Lallal laala lallal laa
செந்நிற வானம் தொட்டு தொட்டு
சொந்தம் கொண்டாடும்
செந்நிற வானம் தொட்டு தொட்டு
சொந்தம் கொண்டாடும்
அந்தி மாலைதோறும் நாளும்
இந்த நாடகம் அரங்கேறும்
Touching repeatedly, the red-hued sky
Claims its intimate bond
Touching repeatedly, the red-hued sky
Claims its intimate bond
Every single twilight evening
This drama unfolds on stage
இந்தக் காலத்தில் கண்ணன் இல்லாமல்
கோபிகள் வந்தாரோ வங்கக் கடலோரம்
In these modern times without Krishna
Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal?
அந்தக் காலத்தில்
கண்ணன் கோபிகளும்
ஆடி இருந்தாரோ
யமுனா நதி தீரம்
In those ancient times
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Dance and celebrate
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
லலல் லல்லல் லா லல்லல்ல லல்லல் லா
லலல் லல்லல் லா லல்லல்ல லல்லல் லா
Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa...
Andha kaalathil
In those ancient times
Kannanum gopigalum
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis (cowherd maidens)
Aadi irundhaaro
Dance and celebrate
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
Andha kaalathil
In those ancient times
Kannanum gopigalum
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Aadi irundhaaro
Dance and celebrate
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
In these modern times without Krishna
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
In these modern times without Krishna
Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram
Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal?
Andha kaalathil
In those ancient times
Kannanum gopigalum
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Aadi irundhaaro
Dance and celebrate
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
Kattiya aadai kalavaadum
The Krishna who steals the worn clothes
Kannan ingillai
Is not here
Kattiya aadai kalavaadum
The Krishna who steals the worn clothes
Kannan ingillai
Is not here
Thannai kaadhalikka vendum endra
The king who desires to love her
Mannan ingillai
Is not here
Lallal laala lallal lala
Lallal laala lallal lala
Lallal laala lallal laa
Lallal laala lallal laa
Mellidai meedhu thulli thulli
Leaping and frolicking over the slender waist
Meengal vilaiyaadum
The fish play around
Mellidai meedhu thulli thulli
Leaping and frolicking over the slender waist
Meengal vilaiyaadum
The fish play around
Andha meen thottaalae aan
When those fish touch, it brings pleasure
Thottadhu pol inbam undaagum
As if a man's touch was felt
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
In these modern times without Krishna
Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram
Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal?
Andha kaalathil
In those ancient times
Kannanum gopigalum
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Aadi irundhaaro
Dance and celebrate
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lalal lallalla
Lalal lallalla lalal laa
Lalal lallalla lalal laa
Vennira aadai sumandhaadum
Wearing and swaying in a white garment
Kadalum kanniyadi
Even the sea is a young maiden, my friend
Vennira aadai sumandhaadum
Wearing and swaying in a white garment
Kadalum kanniyadi
Even the sea is a young maiden, my friend
Aval aasai nenjin aazhamenna
What is the depth of her longing heart?
Kandavarillaiyadi
No one has ever found out, my friend
Lallal laala lallal laala
Lallal laala lallal laala
Lallal laala lallal laa
Lallal laala lallal laa
Sennira vaanum thottu thottu
Touching repeatedly, the red-hued sky
Sondham kondaadum
Claims its intimate bond
Sennira vaanum thottu thottu
Touching repeatedly, the red-hued sky
Sondham kondaadum
Claims its intimate bond
Andhi maalai thorum naalum
Every single twilight evening
Indha naadagam arangerum
This drama unfolds on stage
Indha kaalathil kannan illaamal
In these modern times without Krishna
Gopigal vandhaaro vanga kadaloram
Have the gopis come to the shore of the Bay of Bengal?
Andha kaalathil
In those ancient times
Kannanum gopigalum
Did Lord Krishna and the gopis
Aadi irundhaaro
Dance and celebrate
Yamunaa nadhi theeram
On the banks of the Yamuna River?
Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallal laa lallalla lallal laa
Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa…
Lalal lallal laa laalaa laalaa laa...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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