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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athi Kaalai Kaatre Nillu

From Thalaivasal · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Bala Bharathi
Details
Thalaivasal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa…aaa….aa…..Aaa... aaa... aa...
Female
Adhikaalai kaatrae nilluO early morning breeze, please stop and wait,
Idhamaana paadal solluAnd sing a pleasant, comforting song.
Inimai piranthathae manadhum paranthathaeSweetness is born, and my heart has taken flight,
Idhu oru pudhu sugamaeThis is a tender, newfound bliss.
Female
Adhikaalai kaatrae nilluO early morning breeze, please stop and wait,
Idhamaana paadal solluAnd sing a pleasant, comforting song.
Female
Ilamaiyin alaigalilUpon the gentle waves of youthfulness,
Paruvamum midhanthathuMy tender age floated effortlessly.
Imaigalin asaivinilAt the subtle flutter of my eyelashes,
Ulagamum paninthathuEven the whole world bowed in deference.
Oh .. kaalai megam solai aagumOh, the morning cloud turns into a lush grove,
Vaanam engal saalai aagumAnd the vast sky becomes our pathway.
Thaamarai kudai virikkumThe blooming lotus opens up like an umbrella.
Female
Adhikaalai kaatrae nilluO early morning breeze, please stop and wait,
Idhamaana paadal solluAnd sing a pleasant, comforting song.
Female
Malar inam sirithidaAs the blooming flowers smiled,
Dhisaigalum ezhunthathuAll four directions awakened.
Pozhuthugal vidnthidaFor the dawn to break softly,
Dhavangalum purinthathuEven penances were performed.
Oh… vaanavillin vannam yaavumOh, all the vibrant colors of the rainbow
Kaaviyam thalai vanangumBow their heads before this poetic epic.
Female
Adhikaalai kaatrae nilluO early morning breeze, please stop and wait,
Idhamaana paadal solluAnd sing a pleasant, comforting song.
Inimai piranthathae manadhum paranthathaeSweetness is born, and my heart has taken flight,
Idhu oru pudhu sugamaeThis is a tender, newfound bliss.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Adhikaalai Kaatrae Nillu from the film Thalaivasal (1992) is an enchanting celebration of dawn, youth, and emotional awakening. Lyricist Vairamuthu weaves vivid imagery, personifying the morning breeze as a musical companion and picturing nature—from floating clouds to blossoming lotus flowers—responding to the speaker's buoyant spirit and youthfulness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Maanidamayathal)

Adhikaalai kaatrae nillu / Idhamaana paadal sollu

The early morning wind is addressed as a sentient entity and requested to pause and sing a pleasant song.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Vaanam engal saalai aagum

The endless sky is poetically conceptualized as a pathway ('saalai') for the soaring human heart.

Rhyme & Assonance (Iyaibu & Ethirai)

Inimai piranthathae manadhum paranthathae

The repetition of matching end sounds ('piranthathae' / 'paranthathae') creates a melodious musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thalaivasal (1992) marked the directorial debut of Selva and featured music by Bala Bharathi. This song, rendered by S. Janaki, remains one of the most beloved early-morning melodies from early 90s Tamil cinema.

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