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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaadhal Enum Aatrinile

From Kairasi · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Kairasi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ahaahaaha haa… ohohoho ho…Ahaahaaha haa… ohohoho ho…
Ahaahaa ohoho mhumhum hum…Ahaahaa ohoho mhumhum hum…
Male
Kaadhal ennum aatrinilaeIn the river called love,
Kanniyaraam odathilaeIn the boat of young maidens,
Kaalamellaam payanam pogumTraveling for a lifetime,
Ulagam andro ammoiIsn't this the world, my dear?
Kaathirundhaal ungalukkumIf you wait, to you as well,
Puriyum androIt will become clear, won't it?
Male
Kaadhal ennum aatrinilaeIn the river called love,
Kanniyaraam odathilaeIn the boat of young maidens,
Kaalamellaam payanam pogumTraveling for a lifetime,
Ulagam androIsn't this the world?
Female
Kaadhalenum kalaiyinilaeIn the art called love,
Kai thaerndha kaalaiyaraeO young men who consider yourselves skilled,
Kannadithu paaduvadhaalJust by winking and singing,
Kaadhal varaadhuLove will not arrive!
Female
Panbudanae varum anbinilae thaanOnly from affection born with virtue,
Kaadhal undaagumDoes true love arise.
Panbudanae varum anbinilae thaanOnly from affection born with virtue,
Kaadhal undaagumDoes true love arise.
Andha paadathai neengal palliyilae thaanDid you learn that lesson only in school?
Male
Dhaavaniyodu paavaadaiThe half-saree along with the skirt,
Thalaiyil niraindha poovaadaiThe fragrant flowers full on the head,
Paarthadhum padippu varavillaiUpon seeing them, studies no longer came,
Pallikku sella manamillaiThere was no heart to go to school!
Female
Pattam vittaal kai thattu varumFlying a kite brings applause,
Vaadai pidithaal vambu varumChasing the breeze brings trouble,
Kattam potta sattaiyai pottuWearing a shirt with checked patterns,
Female
Kaadhalenum kalaiyinilaeIn the art called love,
Kai thaerndha kaalaiyaraeO young men who consider yourselves skilled,
Kannadithu paaduvadhaalJust by winking and singing,
Kaadhal varaadhuLove will not arrive!
Male
Parakkudhu parakkudhu pinnaalaeFlying, flying behind,
Pachai pudavai thannaalaeThe green saree on its own,
Izhukkudhu engalai orathilaePulling us toward the riverbank,
Yaeri varattumaa odathilaeMay I board the boat?
Female
Odathil yaerum nerathilaeAt the moment you step onto the boat,
Udhaiyum kidaikkum kannathilaeYou will receive a kick right on the cheek,
Udaindhadhu parkkal muppadhu endruBreaking all thirty of your teeth!
Male
Kaadhal ennum aatrinilaeIn the river called love,
Kanniyaraam odathilaeIn the boat of young maidens,
Kaalamellaam payanam pogumTraveling for a lifetime,
Ulagam androIsn't this the world?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from 'Kairasi' (1960) explores the lighthearted banter between young lovers. Using the extended metaphor of a river journey, the lyricist Kannadasan contrasts superficial flirtation with genuine affection. The female voice admonishes the young men that simple winks and romantic songs do not yield true love; instead, respect, character, and genuine devotion are required.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kaadhal ennum aatrinilae / Kanniyaraam odathilae

Compares love to a flowing river and young maidens to boats navigating the journey of life.

Monaik Thodai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaadhalenum kalaiyinilae / Kai thaerndha kaalaiyarae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive words creating rhythmic musicality.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Parakkudhu parakkudhu pinnaalae

The word 'Parakkudhu' is repeated to visually and rhythmically evoke the flutter of a saree in the wind.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kairasi' (1960), directed by K. Shankar, starred Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. The soundtrack was composed by R. Goverdhanam, with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Kannadasan.

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