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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaadhal Sadugudu

From Madraskaaran · 2024

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Adithya RK
Music director
Nandhagopan V
Details
Madraskaaran2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Kaadhal sadugudugudu{Love is a game of kabaddi
Kannae thodu thodu} (4)My darling, touch me, touch me} (repeated 4 times)
Male
Alaiyae sitralaiyaeO wave, O tiny gentle wave
Karai vandhu vandhu pogum alaiyaeO wave that keeps coming to and receding from the shore
Ennai thoduvaai medhuvaai padarvaai endraalWhen I ask you to touch me and slowly spread over me
Nuraiyaai karaiyum alaiyaeYou dissolve into foam, O wave
Tholaivil paarthaal aamaam engindraaiWhen seen from a distance, you say yes
Arugil vandhaal illai endraaiWhen coming close, you say no
Male
{Nagila nagila nagilaa oh oh oh{Nagila, Nagila, Nagila, oh oh oh
Vilagidaathu nagilaa oh oh} (2)Do not step away Nagila, oh oh} (repeated 2 times)
Male
Kaadhal saduguduguduLove is a game of kabaddi
Kannae thodu thoduMy darling, touch me, touch me
Male
Neerattum nerathil en annaiyagindraaiWhen bathing and caring for me, you become my mother
Vaalaattum nerathil en pillaiyagindraaiWhen being playful and mischievous, you become my child
Naanaaga thottaalo mullaagi pogindraaiIf I touch you on my own, you become a thorn
Neeyaaga thottaalo poovaga aagindraaiIf you touch me on your own, you become a flower
Male
En kanneer en thanneerMy tears and my water
Ellamae nee anbaeEverything is you, my love
En inbam en thunbamMy pleasure and my sorrow
Ellamae nee anbaeEverything is you, my love
En vaazhvum en saavumMy life and my death
Un kannin asaivilaeAre in the movement of your eyes
Male
{Nagila nagila nagilaa oh oh oh{Nagila, Nagila, Nagila, oh oh oh
Vilagidaathu nagilaa oh oh} (2)Do not step away Nagila, oh oh} (repeated 2 times)
Male
Pazhagumpozhudhu kumariyaagiWhen interacting, you become a young woman
Ennai velvaai pennaeAnd conquer me, my girl
Padukai araiyil kuzhandhaiyaagiIn the bedroom, you become an innocent child
Ennai kolvaai kannaeAnd slay me with affection, my darling
Male
{Kaadhal sadugudugudu{Love is a game of kabaddi
Kannae thodu thodu} (2)My darling, touch me, touch me} (repeated 2 times)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Love Sadugudugudu captures the playful, elusive, and tender dynamics of romantic affection. The song compares love to the traditional game of kabaddi (sadugudugudu), where lovers tag, retreat, and pursue each other in an affectionate chase. The protagonist addresses his beloved as a gentle ocean wave that approaches the shore only to dissolve into foam whenever he tries to draw close, capturing her coy and shy nature. He reflects on how seamlessly she changes roles—acting as a comforting mother, a mischievous child, a defensive thorn when pursued, and a soft flower when initiating love. Ultimately, the song expresses total surrender, declaring that all joy, sorrow, life, and death rest entirely within a single glance of his beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaadhal sadugudugudu

Compares love to the traditional tag game 'Sadugudugudu' (Kabaddi), representing the playful push-and-pull dynamic between lovers.

Nature Imagery & Extended Metaphor

Alaiyae sitralaiyae / Karai vandhu vandhu pogum alaiyae

Compares the shy retreat of the beloved to sea waves approaching the shore and dissolving into foam.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Karai vandhu vandhu pogum alaiyae

The word 'vandhu' is repeated sequentially to mimic the rhythmic, continuous rhythm of ocean waves hitting the shore.

Antithesis (Muran)

Naanaaga thottaalo mullaagi pogindraai / Neeyaaga thottaalo poovaga aagindraai

Uses contrasting pairs (mother/child, thorn/flower, tears/water, pleasure/sorrow, life/death) to portray the multifaceted, paradoxical nature of the beloved.

Did you know?

Trivia

These iconic lyrics were originally penned by Vairamuthu for the classic song 'Kaadhal Sadugudugudu' from Mani Ratnam's film Alaipayuthey (2000), composed by A.R. Rahman, and have been referenced/adapted in Madraskaaran (2024).

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