Kaala Magal
From Thanga Durai · 1972
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thanga Durai1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae | On the path of the Goddess of Time, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru | There awaits a victory, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae | On the path of the Goddess of Time, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru | There awaits a victory, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Female | |
| Neelakadal alaigalai pol | Like the waves of the blue ocean, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| En nenjam unnai thodarndhu varum | My heart will follow you wherever you go, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Neelakadal alaigalai pol | Like the waves of the blue ocean, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| En nenjam unnai thodarndhu varum | My heart will follow you wherever you go, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Female | |
| Maedirundhaal pallam undu | Where there are high slopes, there are deep hollows; |
| Paarthu selladaa | Watch your step and go carefully, my child. |
| Maedirundhaal pallam undu | Where there are high slopes, there are deep hollows; |
| Paarthu selladaa | Watch your step and go carefully, my child. |
| Nalla maenmaiyulla manidharudan | With noble and righteous people, |
| Uravu kolladaa | Forge meaningful bonds. |
| Nalla maenmaiyulla manidharudan | With noble and righteous people, |
| Uravu kolladaa en kannae | Forge meaningful bonds, my dear child. |
| Female | |
| Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae | On the path of the Goddess of Time, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru | There awaits a victory, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Female | |
| Padipparivu kuraindhavan thaan | Though he lacked high formal education, |
| Kongu naatilae | In the Kongu region, |
| Avan pagutharivai vidhaithu vittaan | He sowed the seeds of rational thought |
| Indha naatilae | In this land. |
| Padipparivu kuraindhavan thaan | Though he lacked high formal education, |
| Kongu naatilae | In the Kongu region, |
| Avan pagutharivai vidhaithu vittaan | He sowed the seeds of rational thought |
| Indha naatilae | In this land. |
| Female | |
| Ezhaiyena piranhavanthaan | Born as a poor man |
| Paandi naatilae | In the Pandya region, |
| Avan ezhaikkellaam kalvi thandhaan | He provided education to all the poor |
| Pirandha naatilae | In his motherland. |
| Ezhaiyena piranhavanthaan | Born as a poor man |
| Paandi naatilae | In the Pandya region, |
| Avan ezhaikkellaam kalvi thandhaan | He provided education to all the poor |
| Pirandha naatilae en kannae | In his motherland, my dear child. |
| Female | |
| Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae | On the path of the Goddess of Time, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru | There awaits a victory, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Female | |
| Arivu kannai thirandhu vaithaan | He opened the eyes of wisdom |
| Azhagu mozhiyilae | Through the beautiful language, |
| Avan arinjanaagi uyarndhu nindraan | He became a scholar and stood tall |
| Imaiyam varaiyilae… | Reaching up to the Himalayas... |
| Arivu kannai thirandhu vaithaan | He opened the eyes of wisdom |
| Azhagu mozhiyilae | Through the beautiful language, |
| Avan arinjanaagi uyarndhu nindraan | He became a scholar and stood tall |
| Imaiyam varaiyilae… | Reaching up to the Himalayas... |
| Female | |
| Ivargal ellaam valarndha kadhai | Reflect upon the life story |
| Enni paaradaa | Of how all these leaders grew, my child. |
| Ivargal ellaam valarndha kadhai | Reflect upon the life story |
| Enni paaradaa | Of how all these leaders grew, my child. |
| Nee thalaivanaaga thirumbhi vandhu | Return back as a great leader yourself |
| Thazhuvi kolladaa | And embrace me warmly. |
| Nee thalaivanaaga thirumbhi vandhu | Return back as a great leader yourself |
| Thazhuvi kolladaa en kannae | And embrace me warmly, my dear child. |
| Female | |
| Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae | On the path of the Goddess of Time, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
| Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru | There awaits a victory, |
| Podaa kannae poo | Go, my dear child, go. |
காலமகள் பாதையிலே
போடா கண்ணே போ
அங்கு காத்திருக்கும் வெற்றி ஒன்று
போடா கண்ணே போ......
காலமகள் பாதையிலே
போடா கண்ணே போ
அங்கு காத்திருக்கும் வெற்றி ஒன்று
போடா கண்ணே போ......
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Go, my dear child, go.
There awaits a victory,
Go, my dear child, go.
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Go, my dear child, go.
There awaits a victory,
Go, my dear child, go.
நீலக்கடல் அலைகளைப்போல்
போடா கண்ணே போ
என் நெஞ்சம் உன்னைத் தொடர்ந்து வரும்
போடா கண்ணே போ.....
நீலக்கடல் அலைகளைப்போல்
போடா கண்ணே போ
என் நெஞ்சம் உன்னைத் தொடர்ந்து வரும்
போடா கண்ணே போ.....
Like the waves of the blue ocean,
Go, my dear child, go.
My heart will follow you wherever you go,
Go, my dear child, go.
Like the waves of the blue ocean,
Go, my dear child, go.
My heart will follow you wherever you go,
Go, my dear child, go.
மேடிருந்தால் பள்ளமுண்டு
பார்த்துச் செல்லடா
மேடிருந்தால் பள்ளமுண்டு
பார்த்துச் செல்லடா
நல்ல மேன்மையுள்ள மனிதருடன்
உறவு கொள்ளடா
நல்ல மேன்மையுள்ள மனிதருடன்
உறவு கொள்ளடா என் கண்ணே...
Where there are high slopes, there are deep hollows;
Watch your step and go carefully, my child.
Where there are high slopes, there are deep hollows;
Watch your step and go carefully, my child.
With noble and righteous people,
Forge meaningful bonds.
With noble and righteous people,
Forge meaningful bonds, my dear child.
காலமகள் பாதையிலே
போடா கண்ணே போ
அங்கு காத்திருக்கும் வெற்றி ஒன்று
போடா கண்ணே போ......
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Go, my dear child, go.
There awaits a victory,
Go, my dear child, go.
படிப்பறிவு குறைந்தவன்தான்
கொங்கு நாட்டிலே
அவன் பகுத்தறிவை விதைத்து விட்டான்
இந்த நாட்டிலே...!
படிப்பறிவு குறைந்தவன்தான்
கொங்கு நாட்டிலே
அவன் பகுத்தறிவை விதைத்து விட்டான்
இந்த நாட்டிலே...!
Though he lacked high formal education,
In the Kongu region,
He sowed the seeds of rational thought
In this land.
Though he lacked high formal education,
In the Kongu region,
He sowed the seeds of rational thought
In this land.
ஏழையென பிறந்தவன்தான்
பாண்டி நாட்டிலே
அவன் ஏழைக்கெல்லாம் கல்வி தந்தான்
பிறந்த நாட்டிலே
ஏழையென பிறந்தவன்தான்
பாண்டி நாட்டிலே
அவன் ஏழைக்கெல்லாம் கல்வி தந்தான்
பிறந்த நாட்டிலே என் கண்ணே...
Born as a poor man
In the Pandya region,
He provided education to all the poor
In his motherland.
Born as a poor man
In the Pandya region,
He provided education to all the poor
In his motherland, my dear child.
காலமகள் பாதையிலே
போடா கண்ணே போ
அங்கு காத்திருக்கும் வெற்றி ஒன்று
போடா கண்ணே போ......
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Go, my dear child, go.
There awaits a victory,
Go, my dear child, go.
அறிவுக் கண்ணைத் திறந்து வைத்தான்
அழகு மொழியிலே
அவன் அறிஞனாகி உயர்ந்து நின்றான்
இமயம் வரையிலே......!
அறிவுக் கண்ணைத் திறந்து வைத்தான்
அழகு மொழியிலே
அவன் அறிஞனாகி உயர்ந்து நின்றான்
இமயம் வரையிலே......!
He opened the eyes of wisdom
Through the beautiful language,
He became a scholar and stood tall
Reaching up to the Himalayas...
He opened the eyes of wisdom
Through the beautiful language,
He became a scholar and stood tall
Reaching up to the Himalayas...
இவர்களெல்லாம் வளர்ந்த கதை
எண்ணிப் பாரடா
இவர்களெல்லாம் வளர்ந்த கதை
எண்ணிப் பாரடா
நீ தலைவனாக திரும்பி வந்து
தழுவிக் கொள்ளடா
நீ தலைவனாக திரும்பி வந்து
தழுவிக் கொள்ளடா என் கண்ணே....
Reflect upon the life story
Of how all these leaders grew, my child.
Reflect upon the life story
Of how all these leaders grew, my child.
Return back as a great leader yourself
And embrace me warmly.
Return back as a great leader yourself
And embrace me warmly, my dear child.
காலமகள் பாதையிலே
போடா கண்ணே போ
அங்கு காத்திருக்கும் வெற்றி ஒன்று
போடா கண்ணே போ......
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Go, my dear child, go.
There awaits a victory,
Go, my dear child, go.
Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru
There awaits a victory,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru
There awaits a victory,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Neelakadal alaigalai pol
Like the waves of the blue ocean,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
En nenjam unnai thodarndhu varum
My heart will follow you wherever you go,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Neelakadal alaigalai pol
Like the waves of the blue ocean,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
En nenjam unnai thodarndhu varum
My heart will follow you wherever you go,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Maedirundhaal pallam undu
Where there are high slopes, there are deep hollows;
Paarthu selladaa
Watch your step and go carefully, my child.
Maedirundhaal pallam undu
Where there are high slopes, there are deep hollows;
Paarthu selladaa
Watch your step and go carefully, my child.
Nalla maenmaiyulla manidharudan
With noble and righteous people,
Uravu kolladaa
Forge meaningful bonds.
Nalla maenmaiyulla manidharudan
With noble and righteous people,
Uravu kolladaa en kannae
Forge meaningful bonds, my dear child.
Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru
There awaits a victory,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Padipparivu kuraindhavan thaan
Though he lacked high formal education,
Kongu naatilae
In the Kongu region,
Avan pagutharivai vidhaithu vittaan
He sowed the seeds of rational thought
Indha naatilae
In this land.
Padipparivu kuraindhavan thaan
Though he lacked high formal education,
Kongu naatilae
In the Kongu region,
Avan pagutharivai vidhaithu vittaan
He sowed the seeds of rational thought
Indha naatilae
In this land.
Ezhaiyena piranhavanthaan
Born as a poor man
Paandi naatilae
In the Pandya region,
Avan ezhaikkellaam kalvi thandhaan
He provided education to all the poor
Pirandha naatilae
In his motherland.
Ezhaiyena piranhavanthaan
Born as a poor man
Paandi naatilae
In the Pandya region,
Avan ezhaikkellaam kalvi thandhaan
He provided education to all the poor
Pirandha naatilae en kannae
In his motherland, my dear child.
Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru
There awaits a victory,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Arivu kannai thirandhu vaithaan
He opened the eyes of wisdom
Azhagu mozhiyilae
Through the beautiful language,
Avan arinjanaagi uyarndhu nindraan
He became a scholar and stood tall
Imaiyam varaiyilae…
Reaching up to the Himalayas...
Arivu kannai thirandhu vaithaan
He opened the eyes of wisdom
Azhagu mozhiyilae
Through the beautiful language,
Avan arinjanaagi uyarndhu nindraan
He became a scholar and stood tall
Imaiyam varaiyilae…
Reaching up to the Himalayas...
Ivargal ellaam valarndha kadhai
Reflect upon the life story
Enni paaradaa
Of how all these leaders grew, my child.
Ivargal ellaam valarndha kadhai
Reflect upon the life story
Enni paaradaa
Of how all these leaders grew, my child.
Nee thalaivanaaga thirumbhi vandhu
Return back as a great leader yourself
Thazhuvi kolladaa
And embrace me warmly.
Nee thalaivanaaga thirumbhi vandhu
Return back as a great leader yourself
Thazhuvi kolladaa en kannae
And embrace me warmly, my dear child.
Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae
On the path of the Goddess of Time,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Angu kaathirukkum vettri ondru
There awaits a victory,
Podaa kannae poo
Go, my dear child, go.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kaalamagal Paadhaiyilae' is a deeply moving and inspirational song from the 1972 Tamil film Thanga Durai, featuring music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan, lyrics by Kannadasan, and vocals by P. Susheela. A mother sends her child out into the world with blessings and wisdom, encouraging him to forge his own path while promising that her love and prayers will follow him constantly like ocean waves. She advises him to navigate life's inevitable highs and lows with care and to associate with virtuous people. To motivate her child, she highlights the historical achievements of iconic Tamil leaders without directly naming them: Periyar E. V. Ramasamy (who promoted rationalism), K. Kamaraj (who opened schools for poor children), and Arignar Anna (who uplifted the Tamil language and achieved nationwide renown). She asks her child to draw inspiration from their life journeys, aim high, and return home victorious as a noble leader.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Kaalamagal paadhaiyilae”
Time is personified as 'Kaalamagal' (the Goddess of Time) who lays out a path for the child.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Neelakadal alaigalai pol”
The mother's unwavering love following the child is compared to the continuous waves of the blue sea ('Neelakadal alaigalai pol').
Metaphor / Contrast (Erebhai / Muran)
“Maedirundhaal pallam undu”
'Maedirundhaal pallam undu' uses high ground and low hollows as a metaphor for the ups and downs (joys and sorrows) of human life.
Refrain / Anaphora
“Podaa kannae poo”
The phrase 'Podaa kannae poo' is repeated rhythmically throughout the song to reinforce motherly tenderness and encouragement.
Historical Allusion
“Avan pagutharivai vidhaithu vittaan / Avan ezhaikkellaam kalvi thandhaan”
Kannadasan masterfully uses regional clues to refer to great Tamil stalwarts: Periyar (Kongu region / Rationalism), Kamaraj (Pandya region / Free Education for the poor), and Anna (Beautiful Tamil language / Intellect).
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan cleverly encoded tributes to three major Tamil icons in this song without naming them explicitly: Periyar E.V.R. (born in the Kongu region, known for rationalist ideology), K. Kamaraj (born in Virudhunagar in the Pandya region, known for introducing free education and free mid-day meal schemes for poor children), and C. N. Annadurai (known for his oratorical brilliance in Tamil and political stature that resonated across India up to the Himalayas).
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