Kadhal Kaditham
From Jodi · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Unni Menon, S. Janaki
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Jodi1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham | To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper. |
| Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum | Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out. |
| Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal | The sun and the moon are the postmen. |
| Iravu pagal eppozhuthum anjal unnai sernthidum | Day and night, at all times, the mail will reach you. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham | To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper. |
| Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum | Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out. |
| Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal | The sun and the moon are the postmen. |
| Iravu pagal eppozhuthum anjal unnai sernthidum | Day and night, at all times, the mail will reach you. |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham | To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper. |
| Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum | Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out. |
| Female | |
| Mmm..oho..ho..ho..oho..ho..ho..ho…ohoho..hoo..oh | Mmm..oho..ho..ho..oho..ho..ho..ho…ohoho..hoo..oh |
| Lalala lalala …… lalala lalala … lalalalala ….. | Lalala lalala …… lalala lalala … lalalalala ….. |
| Female | |
| Kadithathin vaarthaigalil kannaa naan vaazhugiren | My beloved, I live within the words of your letter. |
| Penaavil ootri vaithathu enthan uyiralloo.. | Isn't it my life force that I poured into the pen? |
| Male | |
| Ponnae un kadithathai poovaalae thirakkindren | Golden one, I open your letter with a soft flower. |
| Viral pattaal undhan jeevan kaayam padumallo | If my finger touches it, your soul within might get hurt. |
| Female | |
| Anbae undhan anbil aadi pogindren | My love, I am deeply moved and swayed by your affection. |
| Sempookkal theendumpodhu sethu sethu poo pookkiren | When red flowers touch me, I die repeatedly and bloom as a flower. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham | To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper. |
| Female | |
| Hoo… vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum | Hoo… bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out. |
| Male | |
| Mmm…kannae un kaal kolusil maniyaaga maattenaa | Mmm… my dear, won't I become a bell in your anklet? |
| Manjathil urangum podhu sinunga maattenaa | When you sleep on the bed, won't I jingle softly? |
| Female | |
| Aah… kaalodu kolusalla kannodu uyir aanaai | Aah… you are not merely an anklet on my foot, but the soul in my eyes. |
| Uyirae naan urangum podhum uranga maattaayaa | My life, won't you remain awake even when I sleep? |
| Male | |
| Thappu seiya paarthaal oppukkolvaayaa | If I try to commit a mistake, will you accept and permit it? |
| Melaadai neengum podhu vetkam enna munthaanaiyaa | When the upper garment slips, why be shy—is modesty just a garment's end? |
| Female | |
| Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala …la la | Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala …la la |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham | To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper. |
| Female | |
| Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala … la | Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala … la |
| Male | |
| Ohh… vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyoo theernthidum | Ohh… bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out. |
| Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal | The sun and the moon are the postmen. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham | To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper. |
| Female | |
| Ohh … vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum | Ohh … bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out. |
| Male | |
| Hooooooo….. | Hooooooo….. |
.........................................
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
The sun and the moon are the postmen.
Day and night, at all times, the mail will reach you.
காதல் கடிதம் தீட்டவே
மேகம் எல்லாம் காகிதம் வானின்
நீலம் கொண்டு வா பேனா மையோ
தீா்ந்திடும் சந்திரனும் சூாியனும்
அஞ்சல்காரா்கள் இரவு பகல்
எப்பொழுதும் அஞ்சல்
உன்னைச் சோ்ந்திடும்
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
The sun and the moon are the postmen.
Day and night, at all times, the mail will reach you.
காதல் கடிதம் தீட்டவே
மேகம் எல்லாம் காகிதம் வானின்
நீலம் கொண்டு வா பேனா மையோ
தீா்ந்திடும் சந்திரனும் சூாியனும்
அஞ்சல்காரா்கள் இரவு பகல்
எப்பொழுதும் அஞ்சல்
உன்னைச் சோ்ந்திடும்
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
காதல் கடிதம் தீட்டவே
மேகம் எல்லாம் காகிதம் வானின்
நீலம் கொண்டு வா பேனா மையோ
தீா்ந்திடும்
Mmm..oho..ho..ho..oho..ho..ho..ho…ohoho..hoo..oh
Lalala lalala …… lalala lalala … lalalalala …..
.........................................
My beloved, I live within the words of your letter.
Isn't it my life force that I poured into the pen?
கடிதத்தின் வாா்த்தைகளில்
கண்ணா நான் வாழுகிறேன் பேனாவில்
ஊற்றி வைத்தது எந்தன் உயிரல்லோ
Golden one, I open your letter with a soft flower.
If my finger touches it, your soul within might get hurt.
பொன்னே உன்
கடிதத்தைப் பூவாலே
திறக்கின்றேன் விரல்
பட்டால் உந்தன் ஜீவன்
காயம் படுமல்லோ
My love, I am deeply moved and swayed by your affection.
When red flowers touch me, I die repeatedly and bloom as a flower.
அன்பே உந்தன்
அன்பில் ஆடிப் போகின்றேன்
செம்பூக்கள் தீண்டும்போது
செத்துச் செத்து பூப்பூக்கின்றேன்
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
காதல் கடிதம் தீட்டவே
மேகம் எல்லாம் காகிதம்
Hoo… bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
ஹோ வானின் நீலம்
கொண்டு வா பேனா
மையோ தீா்ந்திடும்
Mmm… my dear, won't I become a bell in your anklet?
When you sleep on the bed, won't I jingle softly?
ம்ம்ம்… கண்ணே உன்
கால் கொலுசில் மணியாக
மாட்டேனா மஞ்சத்தில்
உறங்கும்போது சினுங்க மாட்டேனா
Aah… you are not merely an anklet on my foot, but the soul in my eyes.
My life, won't you remain awake even when I sleep?
ஆ… காலோடு
கொலுசல்ல கண்ணோடு
உயிரானாய் உயிரே நான்
உறங்கும் போதும் உறங்கமாட்டாயா
If I try to commit a mistake, will you accept and permit it?
When the upper garment slips, why be shy—is modesty just a garment's end?
தப்பு செய்யப்
பாா்த்தால் ஒப்புக்
கொள்வாயா மேலாடை
நீங்கும் போது வெட்கம்
என்ன முந்தானையா
Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala …la la
...................................
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
காதல் கடிதம் தீட்டவே
மேகம் எல்லாம் காகிதம்
Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala … la
...................................
Ohh… bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
The sun and the moon are the postmen.
ஓ....வானின்
நீலம் கொண்டு வா
பேனா மையோ
தீா்ந்திடும் சந்திரனும்
சூாியனும் அஞ்சல்காரா்கள்
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
ஆண் & பெண் :
இரவு பகல்
எப்பொழுதும் அஞ்சல்
உன்னைச் சோ்ந்திடும்
Ohh … bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
காதல் கடிதம் தீட்டவே
மேகம் எல்லாம் காகிதம்
Hooooooo…..
ஓ....வானின்
நீலம் கொண்டு வா
பேனா மையோ
தீா்ந்திடும்
ஹோ
Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum
Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal
The sun and the moon are the postmen.
Iravu pagal eppozhuthum anjal unnai sernthidum
Day and night, at all times, the mail will reach you.
Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum
Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal
The sun and the moon are the postmen.
Iravu pagal eppozhuthum anjal unnai sernthidum
Day and night, at all times, the mail will reach you.
Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum
Bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
Mmm..oho..ho..ho..oho..ho..ho..ho…ohoho..hoo..oh
Mmm..oho..ho..ho..oho..ho..ho..ho…ohoho..hoo..oh
Lalala lalala …… lalala lalala … lalalalala …..
Lalala lalala …… lalala lalala … lalalalala …..
Kadithathin vaarthaigalil kannaa naan vaazhugiren
My beloved, I live within the words of your letter.
Penaavil ootri vaithathu enthan uyiralloo..
Isn't it my life force that I poured into the pen?
Ponnae un kadithathai poovaalae thirakkindren
Golden one, I open your letter with a soft flower.
Viral pattaal undhan jeevan kaayam padumallo
If my finger touches it, your soul within might get hurt.
Anbae undhan anbil aadi pogindren
My love, I am deeply moved and swayed by your affection.
Sempookkal theendumpodhu sethu sethu poo pookkiren
When red flowers touch me, I die repeatedly and bloom as a flower.
Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Hoo… vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum
Hoo… bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
Mmm…kannae un kaal kolusil maniyaaga maattenaa
Mmm… my dear, won't I become a bell in your anklet?
Manjathil urangum podhu sinunga maattenaa
When you sleep on the bed, won't I jingle softly?
Aah… kaalodu kolusalla kannodu uyir aanaai
Aah… you are not merely an anklet on my foot, but the soul in my eyes.
Uyirae naan urangum podhum uranga maattaayaa
My life, won't you remain awake even when I sleep?
Thappu seiya paarthaal oppukkolvaayaa
If I try to commit a mistake, will you accept and permit it?
Melaadai neengum podhu vetkam enna munthaanaiyaa
When the upper garment slips, why be shy—is modesty just a garment's end?
Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala …la la
Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala …la la
Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala … la
Lala … lala … la la … lala … lala … la
Ohh… vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyoo theernthidum
Ohh… bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal
The sun and the moon are the postmen.
Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham
To write a love letter, all the clouds are paper.
Ohh … vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum
Ohh … bring the blueness of the sky, for the pen's ink will run out.
Hooooooo…..
Hooooooo…..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kaadhal Kaditham is an iconic romantic duet from the movie Jodi (1999), featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu and music by A.R. Rahman. The song uses vast cosmic imagery to portray the infinite nature of love. The lovers imagine using all the clouds as paper and the sky's vast blueness as ink to write love notes, delivered continuously across time by the sun and moon acting as postmen. As the song progresses into the charanams, the imagery becomes delicate and intimate. The heroine describes her letter as containing her very soul, which the hero handles as gently as possible—opening it with a flower out of fear of hurting her spirit. The song beautifully balances hyperbole with emotional tenderness, expressing an overwhelming, transcendent love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbole (Uruvagandhal / Atisayokti)
“Kaadhal kaditham theettavae megam ellaam kaagitham”
Exaggeration used to emphasize the scale of love by describing the whole sky as ink and clouds as paper.
Personification
“Chandhiranum sooriyanum anjal kaarargal”
Attributing human traits to celestial bodies by calling the Sun and Moon postmen.
Metaphor
“Vaanin neelam konduvaa penaa maiyo theernthidum”
Directly equating the blue sky to ink for a pen.
Oxymoron / Paradox
“Sempookkal theendumpodhu sethu sethu poo pookkiren”
Juxtaposition of dying ('sethu sethu') and blooming into a new flower ('poo pookkiren').
Did you know?
Trivia
The soundtrack of Jodi (1999) composed by A.R. Rahman is unique in Tamil cinema history because almost all the songs were reused compositions originally made by Rahman for Telugu films (such as Gangmaster and Super Police) and Hindi films, yet adapted into Tamil with fresh orchestration and lyrics by Vairamuthu, becoming a massive chartbuster.
Keep listening
More from Jodi
Jodi
Jodi
Jodi
Jodi