Itharkku Peyar Thaan Kathala Solo
From Pooveli · 1998
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Hariharan
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Pooveli1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy | Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy |
| Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy | Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy |
| Male | |
| Kanbadhellam thalaikeezh thottram | Everything I see appears upside down, |
| Ennodu yeno ithanai maatram | Why is there such a sudden change in me? |
| Male | |
| Bhoomi enbathu dhooramaanathen | Why has the earth feel so distant? |
| Nakshathirangal paakkamaanathen | Why have the stars come so close? |
| Chorus :Hae ae hae yoo | Chorus: Hae ae hae yoo |
| Male :Manidhar pesum baashai marandhu | Forgetting the language that humans speak, |
| Paravaigalodu pesa thondruthae | I feel like talking with the birds. |
| Chorus :Hae ae hae yoo | Chorus: Hae ae hae yoo |
| Male | |
| Kaanum bimbam kannil marainthu | The visible form vanishes from my eyes, |
| Kaana uruvam kannil thonuthae | An unseen figure appears in my eyes. |
| Anbu thirumugam thedi thedi | Searching ceaselessly for a face of love, |
| Kangal ennai thaandi pogudhae | My eyes look past everything, beyond me. |
| Chorus | |
| Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy | Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy |
| Male | |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male :Kaadhala | Male: Love? |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………. | .................... |
| Male | |
| Puriyaa mozhiyo purinthu pogum | Uncomprehended languages become understandable, |
| Purindha mozhiyo maranthu pogum | Familiar languages are completely forgotten. |
| Sariyatha udai sarisaivathaaga | Even if the attire is properly adjusted, |
| Seriyai irunthum sariya cheiyum | One keeps fixing it over and over again. |
| Male | |
| Nilavai polavae irulum pidikkum | Just like the soft moon, even darkness feels pleasant, |
| Unavai polavae pasiyum rusikkum | Just like fine food, even hunger feels delicious. |
| Endha paena vaangum pozhudhum | Whenever buying a new pen to test it, |
| Ennaval peyar dhaan ezhudhi paarkum | It ends up writing my lover's name. |
| Chorus | |
| Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy | Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy |
| Male | |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male :Idharku peyar thaan | Male: Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male | |
| Kannaadi munnae pesi paarthaal | When practicing speech before a mirror, |
| Vaarthaigal ellam mundi adikkum | All the words rush out effortlessly. |
| Chorus :Heyy eyy heyy eyy | Chorus: Heyy eyy heyy eyy |
| Male :Munnadi vandhu pesum pozhutho | Male: But when standing right before her to talk, |
| Vaarthaigal ellam nondi adikkum | All the words stumble and falter. |
| Chorus :Heyy eyy heyy eyy | Chorus: Heyy eyy heyy eyy |
| Male | |
| Paadhi paarvai paarkum pothae | Even at a mere side glance, |
| Pattam poochigal nenjil parakkum | Butterflies begin to flutter in the chest. |
| Kallil irunthum kavidhai mulaikkum | Poetry sprouts even out of a cold stone, |
| Kagidham mannakum kaneer inikkum | Paper turns to dust and tears taste sweet. |
| Chorus | |
| Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy | Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy |
| Male | |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male :Kaadhala | Male: Love? |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male | |
| Aaaa…pa ma dha ga sa ni | Aaaa... pa ma dha ga sa ni |
| Kangal ennum irandu jannal | The two windows called eyes, |
| Thirandhu vaithum moodi kollum | Close themselves even when kept open. |
| Chorus :Chum chum chum chum chum | Chorus: Chum chum chum chum chum |
| Male :Idhayam ennum otrai kadhavu | Male: The single door called heart, |
| Moodi vaithum thirandhu kollum | Opens itself even when kept closed. |
| Chorus :Chum chum chum chum chum | Chorus: Chum chum chum chum chum |
| Male | |
| Nee enbathu nee mattum alla | You are no longer just an individual 'you', |
| Moolaiyin moolaiyil or kural kekkum | A voice echoes in every corner of the mind. |
| Naan enbathil innoru paadhi | Who is that other half of 'Me'? |
| Yaar enbathai idhayam kekkum | The heart keeps asking this question repeatedly. |
| Chorus | |
| Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy | Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy |
| Male | |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male :Idharku peyar thaan | Male: Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male | |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Kaadhala | Love? |
| Idharku peyar thaan | Is the name for this... |
| Kaadhala | Love? |
| Male | |
| {Idharku peyar thaan | {Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala | Chorus: Love? |
| Male :Idharku peyar thaan | Male: Is the name for this... |
| Chorus :Kaadhala} (2) | Chorus: Love?} (2) |
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
காண்பதெல்லாம் தலைகீழ் தோற்றம்
என்னோடு ஏனோ இத்தனை மாற்றம்
Everything I see appears upside down,
Why is there such a sudden change in me?
பூமி என்பது தூரமானதேன்
நட்சத்திரங்கள் பக்கமானதேன்
குழு :
ஹே ஏ ஹே யோ
மனிதர் பேசும் பாஷை மறந்து
பறவைகளோடு பேச தோனுதே
குழு :
ஹே ஏ ஹே யோ
Why has the earth feel so distant?
Why have the stars come so close?
Chorus: Hae ae hae yoo
Forgetting the language that humans speak,
I feel like talking with the birds.
Chorus: Hae ae hae yoo
காணும் பிம்பம் கண்ணில் மறைந்து
காணா உருவம் கண்ணில் தோனுதே
அன்பு திருமுகம் தேடி தேடி
கண்கள் என்னை தாண்டி போகுதே
The visible form vanishes from my eyes,
An unseen figure appears in my eyes.
Searching ceaselessly for a face of love,
My eyes look past everything, beyond me.
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
காதலா
இதற்கு பெயர்தான்
குழு :
காதலா
Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
Male: Love?
Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
..........................
....................
புரியா மொழியோ புரிந்து போகும்
புரிந்த மொழியோ மறந்து போகும்
சரியாத உடை சரி செய்வதாக
சரியாய் இருந்தும் சரிய செய்யும்
Uncomprehended languages become understandable,
Familiar languages are completely forgotten.
Even if the attire is properly adjusted,
One keeps fixing it over and over again.
நிலவை போலவே இருளும் பிடிக்கும்
உணவை போலவே பசியும் ருசிக்கும்
எந்த பேனா வாங்கும் பொழுதும்
என்னவள் பெயர்தான் எழுதி பார்க்கும்
Just like the soft moon, even darkness feels pleasant,
Just like fine food, even hunger feels delicious.
Whenever buying a new pen to test it,
It ends up writing my lover's name.
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்.....
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
Male: Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
கண்ணாடி முன்னே பேசி பார்த்தால்
வார்த்தைகள் எல்லாம் முண்டி அடிக்கும்
குழு :
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்
முன்னாடி வந்து பேசும் பொழுதோ
வார்த்தைகள் எல்லாம் நொண்டி அடிக்கும்
குழு :
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்
When practicing speech before a mirror,
All the words rush out effortlessly.
Chorus: Heyy eyy heyy eyy
Male: But when standing right before her to talk,
All the words stumble and falter.
Chorus: Heyy eyy heyy eyy
பாதி பார்வை பார்க்கும் போதே
பட்டாம் பூச்சிகள் நெஞ்சில் பறக்கும்
கல்லில் இருந்தும் கவிதை முளைக்கும்
காகிதம் மணக்கும் கண்ணீர் இனிக்கும்
Even at a mere side glance,
Butterflies begin to flutter in the chest.
Poetry sprouts even out of a cold stone,
Paper turns to dust and tears taste sweet.
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்...
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
இதற்கு பெயர் தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
காதலா
இதற்கு பெயர் தான்
குழு :
காதலா
Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
Male: Love?
Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
ஆஅ....ப ம த க ச நி
கண்கள் என்னும் இரண்டு ஜன்னல்
திறந்து வைத்தும் மூடி கொள்ளும்
குழு :
சம் சம் சம் சம் சம்
இதயம் என்னும் ஒற்றை கதவு
மூடி வைத்தும் திறந்து கொள்ளும்
குழு :
சம் சம் சம் சம் சம்
Aaaa... pa ma dha ga sa ni
The two windows called eyes,
Close themselves even when kept open.
Chorus: Chum chum chum chum chum
Male: The single door called heart,
Opens itself even when kept closed.
Chorus: Chum chum chum chum chum
நீ என்பது நீ மட்டும் அல்ல
மூளையின் மூலையில் ஒரு குரல் கேட்கும்
நான் என்பதில் இன்னொரு பாதி
யார் என்பதே இதயம் கேட்கும்
You are no longer just an individual 'you',
A voice echoes in every corner of the mind.
Who is that other half of 'Me'?
The heart keeps asking this question repeatedly.
ஹேய் ஏய் ஹேய் ஏய் ஏய்....
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
Male: Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
இதற்கு பெயர்தான்
காதலா
இதற்கு பெயர்தான்
காதலா
Is the name for this...
Love?
Is the name for this...
Love?
{இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா
இதற்கு பெயர்தான் காதலா
குழு :
காதலா} (2)
{Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?
Male: Is the name for this...
Chorus: Love?} (2)
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Kanbadhellam thalaikeezh thottram
Everything I see appears upside down,
Ennodu yeno ithanai maatram
Why is there such a sudden change in me?
Bhoomi enbathu dhooramaanathen
Why has the earth feel so distant?
Nakshathirangal paakkamaanathen
Why have the stars come so close?
Chorus :Hae ae hae yoo
Chorus: Hae ae hae yoo
Male :Manidhar pesum baashai marandhu
Forgetting the language that humans speak,
Paravaigalodu pesa thondruthae
I feel like talking with the birds.
Chorus :Hae ae hae yoo
Chorus: Hae ae hae yoo
Kaanum bimbam kannil marainthu
The visible form vanishes from my eyes,
Kaana uruvam kannil thonuthae
An unseen figure appears in my eyes.
Anbu thirumugam thedi thedi
Searching ceaselessly for a face of love,
Kangal ennai thaandi pogudhae
My eyes look past everything, beyond me.
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Male :Kaadhala
Male: Love?
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
……………………………….
....................
Puriyaa mozhiyo purinthu pogum
Uncomprehended languages become understandable,
Purindha mozhiyo maranthu pogum
Familiar languages are completely forgotten.
Sariyatha udai sarisaivathaaga
Even if the attire is properly adjusted,
Seriyai irunthum sariya cheiyum
One keeps fixing it over and over again.
Nilavai polavae irulum pidikkum
Just like the soft moon, even darkness feels pleasant,
Unavai polavae pasiyum rusikkum
Just like fine food, even hunger feels delicious.
Endha paena vaangum pozhudhum
Whenever buying a new pen to test it,
Ennaval peyar dhaan ezhudhi paarkum
It ends up writing my lover's name.
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Male :Idharku peyar thaan
Male: Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Kannaadi munnae pesi paarthaal
When practicing speech before a mirror,
Vaarthaigal ellam mundi adikkum
All the words rush out effortlessly.
Chorus :Heyy eyy heyy eyy
Chorus: Heyy eyy heyy eyy
Male :Munnadi vandhu pesum pozhutho
Male: But when standing right before her to talk,
Vaarthaigal ellam nondi adikkum
All the words stumble and falter.
Chorus :Heyy eyy heyy eyy
Chorus: Heyy eyy heyy eyy
Paadhi paarvai paarkum pothae
Even at a mere side glance,
Pattam poochigal nenjil parakkum
Butterflies begin to flutter in the chest.
Kallil irunthum kavidhai mulaikkum
Poetry sprouts even out of a cold stone,
Kagidham mannakum kaneer inikkum
Paper turns to dust and tears taste sweet.
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Male :Kaadhala
Male: Love?
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Aaaa…pa ma dha ga sa ni
Aaaa... pa ma dha ga sa ni
Kangal ennum irandu jannal
The two windows called eyes,
Thirandhu vaithum moodi kollum
Close themselves even when kept open.
Chorus :Chum chum chum chum chum
Chorus: Chum chum chum chum chum
Male :Idhayam ennum otrai kadhavu
Male: The single door called heart,
Moodi vaithum thirandhu kollum
Opens itself even when kept closed.
Chorus :Chum chum chum chum chum
Chorus: Chum chum chum chum chum
Nee enbathu nee mattum alla
You are no longer just an individual 'you',
Moolaiyin moolaiyil or kural kekkum
A voice echoes in every corner of the mind.
Naan enbathil innoru paadhi
Who is that other half of 'Me'?
Yaar enbathai idhayam kekkum
The heart keeps asking this question repeatedly.
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Heyy ey heyy eyy eyyy
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Male :Idharku peyar thaan
Male: Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Kaadhala
Love?
Idharku peyar thaan
Is the name for this...
Kaadhala
Love?
{Idharku peyar thaan
{Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala
Chorus: Love?
Male :Idharku peyar thaan
Male: Is the name for this...
Chorus :Kaadhala} (2)
Chorus: Love?} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the movie Pooveli describes the confusing, surreal, and euphoric symptoms of falling in love for the first time. The protagonist undergoes paradoxical shifts in perception—distant stars seem near, silence becomes meaningful, familiar words vanish when face-to-face with the beloved, and sweet tears taste delicious. The song poetically lists these whimsical psychological and behavioral changes and continuously asks whether this strange, beautiful experience is what people call 'Love' (Kaadhala).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Paradox (Muran)
“Kangal ennum irandu jannal thirandhu vaithum moodi kollum / Idhayam ennum otrai kadhavu moodi vaithum thirandhu kollum”
Contradictory experiences are juxtaposed to reflect emotional turmoil (e.g., distant earth vs near stars, closing open eyes, opening closed heart).
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kangal ennum irandu jannal ... Idhayam ennum otrai kadhavu”
Eyes are directly metaphorized as two windows and the heart as a single door.
Simile (Upamai)
“Nilavai polavae irulum pidikkum / Unavai polavae pasiyum rusikkum”
Darkness is compared to the moon and hunger is compared to delicious food using the comparison suffix 'polavae'.
Personification / Idiomatic Hyperbole
“Vaarthaigal ellam mundi adikkum ... Vaarthaigal ellam nondi adikkum”
Words are personified as rushing forward or limping falteringly during conversation.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Itharku Peyarthan Kaadhala' from Pooveli (1998) was composed by Bharadwaj and sung by Hariharan with chorus vocals. The lyrics were penned by Vairamuthu, highlighting his signature style of romantic paradoxes and nature imagery.
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