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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalai Neram Idhamanadhu

From Maanagara Kaaval · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Maanagara Kaaval1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa….aaa….aaa….Aaa....aaa....aaa....
Hoo ooo hoo ooooHoo ooo hoo oooo
Haaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aaa…aa…Haaa....aaa....aaa...aa...aaa...aa...
Male
Kaalai neram idhamaanadhuMorning time is pleasant
Kaatrin eeram padhamaanadhuThe moisture in the breeze is gentle
Vidiyal kaanum ulagam yaavumAs the whole world beholds the dawn
Iravin aadai kalaiyum velaiIt is the moment when the night sheds its cloak of darkness
Eerpisai pudhu vaazhth isai tharumThe damp melody offers a fresh song of greetings
Male
Kaalai neram idhamaanadhuMorning time is pleasant
Kaatrin eeram padhamaanadhuThe moisture in the breeze is gentle
Male
Pasum solaiyil veyil padum velaiyilIn the green grove, as the sunlight shines down
Nindru kulir kaayum madal poothaStanding and basking in the warmth, the blooming
Malar koottam thaanClusters of flowers gather together
Kodi meedhilum chinna chedi meedhilumOn the climbing vines and on small shrubs
Mella nadai podum vidai koorumGently taking its leave as it walks away slowly
Pani mootam thaanIs the thick blanket of morning mist
Male
Thottam thottamaaai koottam koottamaaiGarden after garden, gathering in large groups
Vaazhum paravai eera siragai ularthum pozhudhu thaanIt is the time when living birds dry their damp wings
Male
Kaalai neram idhamaanadhuMorning time is pleasant
Kaatrin eeram padhamaanadhuThe moisture in the breeze is gentle
Vidiyal kaanum ulagam yaavumAs the whole world beholds the dawn
Iravin aadai kalaiyum velaiIt is the moment when the night sheds its cloak of darkness
Eerpisai pudhu vaazhth isai tharumThe damp melody offers a fresh song of greetings
Male
Kaalai neram idhamaanadhuMorning time is pleasant
Kaatrin eeram padhamaanadhuThe moisture in the breeze is gentle
Female
…………….[Instrumental Interlude]
Chorus
………………………..[Instrumental Interlude]
Male
Idaiyodu thaan ottum udaiyodu thaanWearing clothes that fit closely to their waistlines
Mella isaiyodu asainthaadum ilam paavaigalYoung maidens sway gently to the rhythm of the music
Pop songuthaan nalla break danceuthaanIs it a pop song or a fine breakdance
Nitham athikaalai payilgindra mayil thogaigalPracticed every early morning by these peacock-like maidens
Male
Vaazhaithandu pol keerai thandu polLike slender tender plantain stems, like flexible amaranth stems
Kaalum neliya kaiyum neliya aadum azhagigalBeauties dance flexing their legs and waving their arms
Male
Kaalai neram idhamaanadhuMorning time is pleasant
Kaatrin eeram padhamaanadhuThe moisture in the breeze is gentle
Vidiyal kaanum ulagam yaavumAs the whole world beholds the dawn
Iravin aadai kalaiyum velaiIt is the moment when the night sheds its cloak of darkness
Eerpisai pudhu vaazhth isai tharumThe damp melody offers a fresh song of greetings
Male
Kaalai neram idhamaanadhuMorning time is pleasant
Kaatrin eeram padhamaanadhuThe moisture in the breeze is gentle
Hmm mm mm lalalaalalaaHmm mm mm lalalaalalaa
Hmm mm mm lalalaalalaaHmm mm mm lalalaalalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kaalai Neram Idhamaanadhu' from the film Maanagara Kaaval celebrates the serene beauty, freshness, and vibrant energy of early morning. Poet Vaali uses poetic imagery to depict the gentle morning breeze, mist slowly disappearing over vines, flowers blooming under the warm sun, and birds fluttering to dry their dew-kissed wings as night gives way to dawn. In the second stanza, the lyricist seamlessly transitions from nature's morning beauty to a contemporary scene of youth and fitness, describing young women practicing morning exercise, dance, and aerobics. Their flexible movements are poetically compared to soft tender plantain shoots while blending modern pop and breakdance tropes into traditional Tamil poetic metaphors.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam)

Iravin aadai kalaiyum velai

Night is personified as a person taking off their clothing at dawn ('Iravin aadai kalaiyum velai').

Simile (Uvamaani)

Vaazhaithandu pol keerai thandu pol

The flexible legs and arms of dancing/exercising women are explicitly compared using 'pol' (like) to tender plantain and spinach stems.

Repetition / Alliteration (Adukku Thodar & Monai)

Thottam thottamaaai koottam koottamaai

Rhythmic repetition of words like 'thottam thottamaai' and 'koottam koottamaai' creates a musical cadence highlighting abundance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Maanagara Kaaval (1991) was actor Vijayakanth's milestone 100th film, produced by the prestigious AVM Productions and directed by M. Thiagarajan. The soundtrack was composed by Chandrabose with lyrics crafted by Vaali.

Keep listening

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