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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaadhil Kettadhu

From Anbe Odi Vaa · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anbe Odi Vaa1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaadhil kettadhu oru paattuA song was heard in the ears
Male :Kaadhal poothadhu adhai kettuMale: Hearing it, love blossomed
Female
Kaalam thorum oru geetham neeyaanaalIf you become an eternal song through time
Adhan naadham naanaavenI will become its musical sound
Male
Bodhai yerum pudhu raagam neeyaanaalIf you become an intoxicating new raga
Adhan baavam naanaavenI will become its emotion and expression
Female
Kaadhil kettadhu oru paattuA song was heard in the ears
Male :Kaadhal poothadhu adhai kettuMale: Hearing it, love blossomed
Female
Neela vizhi yettil unnai varaindhuDrawing your form on the page of my blue eyes
Nenjil vaithu paarthen ennai marandhuI looked into my heart, forgetting myself
Male
Maanum meenum vaazhum kannilIn those eyes where the deer and fish dwell
Ennai vaithaaiyoDid you place me?
Female
Paasam ennum noolai konduWith the thread called affection
Nenjai thaithaaiyoDid you stitch my heart?
Male
Naan ini mel unnodu thaanFrom now on, I am with you
Female :Nee nadandhaal pinnodu naanFemale: If you walk, I shall follow behind
Male :Naan ini mel unnodu thaanMale: From now on, I am with you
Female :Nee nadandhaal pinnodu naanFemale: If you walk, I shall follow behind
Male :Ennaalum sangeetham eppodhum sandhoshamMale: Everyday is music, forever happiness
Female
Kaadhil kettadhu oru paattuA song was heard in the ears
Male :Kaadhal poothadhu adhai kettuMale: Hearing it, love blossomed
Female
Kaalam thorum oru geetham neeyaanaalIf you become an eternal song through time
Adhan naadham naanaavenI will become its musical sound
Male
Bodhai yerum pudhu raagam neeyaanaalIf you become an intoxicating new raga
Adhan baavam naanaavenI will become its emotion and expression
Female
Kaana kaana naanum neeyumAs we see each other, you and I
Pakkam nerungaDrawing closer together
Male
Katti kondum otti kondumEmbracing and clinging tight
Mutham vazhangaShowering kisses
Female
Podhum yena acham varumFear arises thinking 'is this enough?'
Male :Bodhaigalum ucham varumMale: The intoxication reaches its peak
Female :Podhum yena acham varumFemale: Fear arises thinking 'is this enough?'
Male :Bodhaigalum ucham varumMale: The intoxication reaches its peak
Female
Ammaadi appaadi un aasai pollaadhuOh my goodness, your desire is intense!
Male
Kaadhil kettadhu oru paattuA song was heard in the ears
Female
Kaadhal poothadhu adhai kettuLove blossomed hearing it
Male
Kaalam thorum oru geetham neeyaanaalIf you become an eternal song through time
Adhan naadham naanaavenI will become its musical sound
Female
Bodhai yerum pudhu raagam neeyaanaalIf you become an intoxicating new raga
Adhan baavam naanaavenI will become its emotion and expression
Male
Kaadhil kettadhu oru paattuA song was heard in the ears
Female
Kaadhal poothadhu adhai kettuLove blossomed hearing it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaadhil Kettadhu Oru Paattu' from the film Anbe Odi Vaa (1984) is a romantic duet penned by Vairamuthu that uses musical analogies to depict deep romantic unison. The lovers view each other as complementary halves of music—if one is the song or raga, the other is the underlying tone or emotional expression (baavam). This thematic linkage shows how love transforms their everyday life into continuous music and happiness. The lyricist weaves metaphors of affection stitching hearts and eyes holding vivid expressions of love. As intimacy builds, the song captures both the sweet anxiety of overwhelming love and the ecstatic bliss of emotional and physical closeness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Kaalam thorum oru geetham neeyaanaal / Adhan naadham naanaaven / Bodhai yerum pudhu raagam neeyaanaal / Adhan baavam naanaaven Doctoring poetic unity through music metaphors: song/sound and raga/expression pairings.

Metaphor & Imagery

Paasam ennum noolai kondu / Nenjai thaithaaiyo

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme) & Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Neela vizhi yettil unnai varaindhu / Nenjil vaithu paarthen ennai marandhu

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Anbe Odi Vaa' was released in 1984, featuring music composed by the maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with memorable romantic lyrics provided by Vairamuthu during their famous collaborative era in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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