Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaala Chakkara

From Valli Deivanai · 1973

Lyricist
Thenkatchi Bharathisami
Singers
P. Susheela, K. Jamunarani
Music director
N. S. Thiyagarajan
Movie name
Valli Deivanai
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
13 Jun 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaala chakkara therinil
Kadavul vandhaan oorvalam
Vaazhvai thedi vanangi nindren
Vaazhthu solli maalai soodi
Vaazha vaithenae
Ho kaala chakkara therinil
Kadavul vandhaan oorvalam
Kanneer vellam
Karpanai ulagam kaadhal tholvi
Kunguma kolam kalaindha vesham
Endhan piraiyae naadagamae
Vedhanai theeyil sodhanai vaazhvu
Vidhiyin kadhaiyamma
Thunbha vazhiyin sumaiyamma
Kaala chakkara therinil
Kadavul vandhaan oorvalam
Vaazhvai thedi vanangi nindren
Vaazhvai thedi vanangi nindren
Maalai soodi parithu vittaanae
Mangalam selva
Mannavan uravu maaligai vaasal
Anbu raagam inba thaalam
Anbu raagam inba thaalam
Endhan aasai idhaya geetham
Kaadhal koyil paasa deepam
Kaattril karaindhidumae
Ho kaala chakkara therinil
Kadavul vandhaan oorvalam
Riding in the chariot of time,
God came in a grand procession.
Seeking a life, I stood and prayed.
He blessed me and placed a garland on me,
And gave me a happy life...
Oh, riding in the chariot of time,
God came in a grand procession.
A flood of tears,
An imaginary world and a failed love.
The kumkum design erased, the illusion broken,
Oh my crescent moon, it is all just a drama.
In the fire of pain, a life of trials,
It is the story written by fate,
A heavy burden on the path of sorrow.
Riding in the chariot of time,
God came in a grand procession.
Seeking a life, I stood and prayed.
Seeking a life, I stood and prayed.
He placed a garland on me, only to snatch it away...
Blessings, wealth, and a loving king,
At the entrance of the palace of relationships.
The melody of love and the rhythm of joy,
The melody of love and the rhythm of joy,
The song of my heart's desire.
In the temple of love, the lamp of affection
Will dissolve into the wind...
Oh, riding in the chariot of time,
God came in a grand procession.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Kaala chakkara therinil' from Valli Deivanai (1973) is a poignant meditation on destiny, time, and the pain of lost love. It uses the metaphor of time moving like a divine chariot procession to depict how human lives are shaped, elevated, and ultimately altered by fate. The lyrics reflect a journey from hope and devotion to profound disillusionment and sorrow. Through vivid Tamil poetic imagery such as a ruined vermilion mark, tears forming a flood, and a lamp of affection dissolving in the wind, the song expresses the grief of shattered dreams and broken bonds. It highlights the stark contrast between the joyful melodies of love and the burning trials of life's painful realities.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kaala chakkara therinil”

Compares time to a divine chariot wheel ('Kaala chakkara therinil') and love to a temple with a lamp of affection ('Kaadhal koyil paasa deepam').

Alliteration (Monai)

“Kunguma kolam kalaindha vesham”

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Rhyme / Assonance (Edhugai)

“Vaazhvai thedi vanangi nindren”

Matching second consonants across lines ('zh' in Vaazhvai and Vaazhthu) reinforces the poetic meter.

Visual Imagery

“Kunguma kolam kalaindha vesham”

Uses evocative imagery of tears flooding and traditional kunguma marks getting ruined to symbolize emotional heartbreak and lost auspiciousness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1973 film 'Valli Deivanai', this classic track was composed by N. S. Thiyagarajan with deeply philosophical lyrics written by Thenkatchi Bharathisami. Sung as a duet by legendary playback singers P. Susheela and K. Jamunarani, it stands out for its expressive delivery and classical musical nuances.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Pengal Yendral2012
Neethaane En PonvasanthamHeartbreakMelancholic
Udalukku Uyir Kaaval1961
ManapanthalFateHeartbreak
Manidha Manidha2001
ShahjahanGriefHeartbreak
Naadinen Nambinen1981
SavaalHeartbreakMelancholic
Oru Kaalathula Kadhal2016
Kida Poosari MagudiHeartbreakMelancholic
Aathile Thanni Vara1959
VannakiliMelancholicFate

From the same album

More songs from Valli Deivanai

View album
Adhu Adhu Adhu1973
Valli DeivanaiPlayful
Malargalin Raja1973
Valli DeivanaiRomantic
Mangala Penne1973
Valli DeivanaiPlayful
Velava Thiru1973
Valli DeivanaiDevotional
Poothirunthu1973
Valli DeivanaiDevotional

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.