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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
Movie name
Kairasi
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
12 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ahaahaaha haa… ohohoho ho…
Ahaahaa ohoho mhumhum hum…
Kaadhal ennum aatrinilae
Kanniyaraam odathilae
Kaalamellaam payanam pogum
Ulagam andro ammoi
Kaathirundhaal ungalukkum
Puriyum andro
Kaadhal ennum aatrinilae
Kanniyaraam odathilae
Kaalamellaam payanam pogum
Ulagam andro
Kaadhalenum kalaiyinilae
Kai thaerndha kaalaiyarae
Kannadithu paaduvadhaal
Kaadhal varaadhu
Panbudanae varum anbinilae thaan
Kaadhal undaagum
Panbudanae varum anbinilae thaan
Kaadhal undaagum
Andha paadathai neengal palliyilae thaan
Dhaavaniyodu paavaadai
Thalaiyil niraindha poovaadai
Paarthadhum padippu varavillai
Pallikku sella manamillai
Pattam vittaal kai thattu varum
Vaadai pidithaal vambu varum
Kattam potta sattaiyai pottu
Kaadhalenum kalaiyinilae
Kai thaerndha kaalaiyarae
Kannadithu paaduvadhaal
Kaadhal varaadhu
Parakkudhu parakkudhu pinnaalae
Pachai pudavai thannaalae
Izhukkudhu engalai orathilae
Yaeri varattumaa odathilae
Odathil yaerum nerathilae
Udhaiyum kidaikkum kannathilae
Udaindhadhu parkkal muppadhu endru
Kaadhal ennum aatrinilae
Kanniyaraam odathilae
Kaalamellaam payanam pogum
Ulagam andro
Ahahaha ha… Ohohoho ho…
Ahaha ohoho mhhumhum hum…
In the river called love,
on boats that are young women,
sailing for a lifetime—
isn't that the whole world, my girl?
If you just wait,
you will understand too, won't you?
In the river called love,
on boats that are young women,
sailing for a lifetime—
isn't that the whole world?
In this art called love,
you skilled young men,
just by winking and singing,
love will not come!
Only from affection rooted in good character,
will true love be born.
Only from affection rooted in good character,
will true love be born.
Is that the lesson you learned in school?
A skirt and half-saree,
a head full of fragrant flowers—
seeing that, I couldn't study anymore,
I had no heart to go to school!
If you fly a kite, you get applause,
if you chase a sweet scent, you get trouble!
Wearing a checkered shirt...
In this art called love,
you skilled young men,
just by winking and singing,
love will not come!
Fluttering and fluttering behind,
all on its own, that green saree
draws us toward the shore!
Shall I climb aboard your boat?
The moment you climb aboard the boat,
you will get a kick right on your cheek,
and cry that thirty teeth have broken!
In the river called love,
on boats that are young women,
sailing for a lifetime—
isn't that the whole world?
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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