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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Kadhale En Kadhale Female

From Duet · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Duet1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
En kaadhalae en kaadhalaeOh my love, oh my love,
Ennai enna seiya pogiraaiWhat are you going to do to me?
Naan oviyam ondru ezhuthinenI painted a picture,
Yen kannirandai ketkiraai…Why do you ask for both my eyes?
Female
Siluvaigal siragugalCrosses or wings,
Rendil enna thara pogiraaiWhich of the two are you going to give me?
Killuvathai killivittuAfter pinching me,
Yen thalli nindru paarkiraai..Why do you stand at a distance and watch?
Female
En kaadhalae en kaadhalaeOh my love, oh my love,
Ennai enna seiya pogiraaiWhat are you going to do to me?
Naan oviyam ondru ezhuthinenI painted a picture,
Yen kannirandai ketkiraai…Why do you ask for both my eyes?
Female
Kaathalae un kaaladiyilOh Love, at your feet,
Naan vilunthu vilunthu thozhudhenI fell repeatedly and worshipped you.
Kangalai nee moodi kondaalIf you close your eyes,
Naan kulungi kulungi azhudhenI shook and wept profusely.
Ithu maatramaa..aaaIs this a change?
Thadumaatramaa..aaaIs this a stumble?
En nenjilae pani moottamaa..Is there a thick fog in my heart?
Nee thozhiya illai ethiriyaAre you a friend or an enemy?
Endru dhinamum porattamaaIs it a daily struggle wondering about this?
Female
En kaadhalae en kaadhalaeOh my love, oh my love,
Ennai enna seiya pogiraaiWhat are you going to do to me?
Naan oviyam ondru  ezhuthinenI painted a picture,
Yen kannirandai ketkiraai…Why do you ask for both my eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'En Kaadhalae' is a poignant composition expressing the overwhelming anguish, vulnerability, and confusion brought by deep love. The protagonist addresses love itself, pondering whether it brings redemption and liberation like wings, or sacrifice and torment like a cross. The central metaphor highlights the irony of being asked to sacrifice the very vision (eyes) needed to appreciate the beauty (painting) created for love. Throughout the song, the protagonist grapples with emotional turbulence, weeping at love's indifference and questioning if the beloved is a companion or an adversary. The lyrics beautifully articulate the fine line between joy and suffering in romantic devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Siluvaigal siragugal

'Siluvaigal siragugal' uses crosses (symbolizing suffering/sacrifice) and wings (symbolizing freedom/bliss) as metaphors for the dual outcomes of love.

Paradox / Metaphor

Naan oviyam ondru ezhuthinen / Yen kannirandai ketkiraai…

'Naan oviyam ondru ezhuthinen / Yen kannirandai ketkiraai' presents a paradox where love demands the creator's eyes as sacrifice after a painting is made.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Naan vilunthu vilunthu thozhudhen / Naan kulungi kulungi azhudhen

'vilunthu vilunthu' and 'kulungi kulungi' use repeated words to emphasize the intensity of falling at love's feet and weeping uncontrollably.

Iyaibu (Rhyming)

Ithu maatramaa..aaa / Thadumaatramaa..aaa

'Maatramaa' and 'Thadumaatramaa' rhyme at the end of consecutive lines, creating rhythm while contrasting positive change with stumbling.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt lists the music director as unknown, the score for 'Duet' (1994) was composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring renowned saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath whose instrumental portions play a central narrative role throughout the film.

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