Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Devathayai Kanden

From Kaadhal Kondein · 2003

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Harish Raghavendra
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Kaadhal Kondein2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Devathaiyai kanden kaadhalil vizhundhenI saw an angel and fell in love
En uyir udan kalanthu vitaalShe merged completely with my soul
Nenjukul nulainthaal moochinil nirainthaalShe entered my heart and filled my breath
En mugavari maatri vaithaalShe transformed my very identity
Male
Oru vannathu poochi enthan vazhi thedi vanthathuA butterfly came searching along my path
Athan vannangal matum indru viralodu ullathuOnly its colors remain on my fingers today
Male
Theekullae viral vaithenI placed my finger inside the fire
Thani theevil kadai vaithenI set up a shop on an isolated island
Manal veedu katti vaithenI built a castle out of sand
Male
Devathaiyai kanden kaadhalil vizhundhenI saw an angel and fell in love
En uyir udan kalanthu vitaalShe merged completely with my soul
Nenjukul nulainthaal moochinil nirainthaalShe entered my heart and filled my breath
En mugavari maatri vaithaalShe transformed my very identity
Male
Devathai devathai devathai devathaiAngel, angel, angel, angel
Aval oru devathai devathaiShe is an angel, an angel
Devathai devathai devathaiAngel, angel, angel
Male
Vizhi oramaai oru neer thuli vazhiyudhae en kaadhaliA teardrop trickles from the corner of my eye, my beloved
Adhan aalangal nee unarnthaal pothum pothum pothumIt is enough if you just realize its depth
Azhiyamalae oru niyabagam azhai paaiyudhae enna kaaranamAn indelible memory billows like waves; what could be the reason?
Arugamaiyil un vaasam veesinaal swaasam sooderidumWhen your fragrance wafts nearby, my breath turns warm
Male
Kallarai melae pookum pookal koondhalai poi thaan seradhaeFlowers blooming on a tomb will never adorn anyone's hair
Ethanai kaadhal ethanai aasaiSo much love, so much longing
Thadu maarudhae thadam maarudhaeStumbling and straying off course
Adi boomi kanavu udainthu pogudhaeOh, the dream world is shattering into pieces
Male
Devathai devathai devathai devathaiAngel, angel, angel, angel
Aval oru devathai devathaiShe is an angel, an angel
Devathai devathai devathaiAngel, angel, angel
Male
Thozhiyae oru nerathil thozhilae nee saaigayilOh friend, when you lean on my shoulder at times
Paaviyaai manam paalai pogum pogum pogumLike a sinner, my mind wanders into a desolate desert
Soliyaai ennai suzhatrinaai soolnilai thisai maatrinaaiYou spun me like a cowrie shell and altered my destiny's path
Kaanalaai un kaadhal kanden kannai kurudakinaaiI saw your love as a mirage, blinding my eyes
Male
Kaatrinil kizhiyum ilaikalukellam kaatridam kobam kidaiyathuLeaves torn away in the wind hold no anger against the wind
Unnidam kobam ingu naan kondaal engu povathu enna aavathuIf I get angry at you, where would I go and what would become of me?
En vaazhvum thaazhvum unnai sernthathuMy rise and my downfall are both tied to you
Male
Devathaiyai kanden kaadhalil vizhundhenI saw an angel and fell in love
En uyir udan kalanthu vitaalShe merged completely with my soul
Nenjukul nulainthaal moochinil nirainthaalShe entered my heart and filled my breath
En mugavari maatri vaithaalShe transformed my very identity
Male
Oru vannathu poochi enthan vazhi thedi vanthathuA butterfly came searching along my path
Athan vannangal matum indru viralodu ullathuOnly its colors remain on my fingers today

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Devathaiyai Kanden from Kaadhal Kondein is a poignant exploration of obsessive love, heartbreak, and unfulfilled longing. The protagonist views his beloved as a divine angel who entered his dark world and gave him a sense of identity. However, her presence proves transient, leaving him with only painful memories—likened to butterfly dust left on fingertips or flowers blooming on a grave that will never adorn hair. Despite the suffering and emotional disorientation caused by this unrequited bond, the protagonist remains completely incapable of harboring anger toward her, accepting that his rise and ultimate downfall are inextricably linked to her existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Oru vannathu poochi enthan vazhi thedi vanthathu / Athan vannangal matum indru viralodu ullathu

The beloved's brief presence is portrayed as a butterfly whose temporary touch leaves behind indelible color on the lover's fingers.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kallarai melae pookum pookal koondhalai poi thaan seradhae

Unrequited or futile love is compared to flowers blooming atop a grave, which can never fulfill their intended purpose of decorating a woman's hair.

Analogy / Simile (Uvamai)

Kaatrinil kizhiyum ilaikalukellam kaatridam kobam kidaiyathu

The lover compares himself to leaves torn by the wind, bearing no resentment toward the force that destroys them.

Alliteration (Monaai / Edhugai)

Theekullae viral vaithen / Thani theevil kadai vaithen

Rhythmic repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Th') creates poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaadhal Kondein (2003), directed by Selvaraghavan and starring Dhanush, features a celebrated musical score by Yuvan Shankar Raja with lyrics by Na. Muthukumar. 'Devathaiyai Kanden' became an anthem for heartbreak in Tamil cinema, showcasing Yuvan's signature melancholic melodies and Na. Muthukumar's evocative imagery.

Keep listening

More from Kaadhal Kondein