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Lyrics & meaning

Kaalaiye Varugavendru

From Thaniyatha Thagam · 1982

Lyricist
Uma Nagabushanam
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
A. A. Raj
Details
Thaniyatha Thagam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaalaiyae varugavendruWelcoming the morning light,
Kanni penn kolamittaalThe young maiden drew a decorative rangoli (kolam),
Kangalaal kolamittaalShe drew a kolam with her expressive eyes,
Kadhalenum kolamittaalShe drew a kolam named love,
Female
Kaalaiyae varugavendruWelcoming the morning light,
Kanni penn kolamittaalThe young maiden drew a decorative rangoli (kolam),
Kangalaal kolamittaalShe drew a kolam with her expressive eyes,
Kadhalenum kolamittaalShe drew a kolam named love,
Female
Kaalaiyae varugavendruWelcoming the morning light,
Female
Ullathaththin aasaigalaiThe deepest desires of her heart,
Oorariya kolamittaalShe drew as a kolam for the whole world to see,
Naalai varum vaazhkkaiyendruHoping for the life that tomorrow brings,
Naalumaval kolamittaalEvery day she diligently drew her kolam,
Male
Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….aa……aah…Aaa....aa....aa.....aa....aa……aah…
Female :Aah….aa…Female: Aah….aa…
Male :Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….aa……aah…Male: Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….aa……aah…
Female :Aah….aa…Female: Aah….aa…
Female
Malarpolum vasanthaththin thirukkolamoIs it a beautiful divine form of spring blooming like flowers?
Maakkolam azhigindra oru kolamoOr is it a temporary flour-kolam that fades and gets erased easily?
Male :Aaa….aa….aa….aa…..aa….aah….Male: Aaa….aa….aa….aa…..aa….aah….
Female
Manam konda manakkolam azhiyaathathuThe bridal intent cherished in the heart can never be erased,
Manam konda manakkolam azhiyaathathuThe bridal intent cherished in the heart can never be erased,
Penn manakkolam yaarukkum puriyaathathuThe true state of a woman's heart is understood by no one,
Penn manakkolam yaarukkum puriyaathathuThe true state of a woman's heart is understood by no one,
Female
Ullathaththin aasaigalaiThe deepest desires of her heart,
Oorariya kolamittaalShe drew as a kolam for the whole world to see,
Naalai varum vaazhkkaiyendruHoping for the life that tomorrow brings,
Naalumaval kolamittaalEvery day she diligently drew her kolam,
Female
Kaalaiyae varugavendruWelcoming the morning light,
Female
Kadhalilae vettri kandaalIf one achieves victory in love,
Vaazhkkai oru inimai kolam adhuLife becomes a sweet and joyful kolam pattern,
Kaikkoodaa pengalukkuFor women whose love remains unfulfilled,
Kanneerin thanimai kolamLife turns into a solitary kolam made of tears,
Male
Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….aa……aah…Aaa….aa….aa…..aa....aa……aah…
Female :Aah….aa…Female: Aah….aa…
Female
Vithi podum kolangal puriyaathathoAre the patterns drawn by fate beyond human understanding?
Adhu yaarodu vilaiyaadum theriyaathathoWho knows with whom fate chooses to play its games?
Male :Aaa….aa….aa…..aa….aa……aah…Male: Aaa….aa….aa…..aa....aa……aah…
Female
Kaalaththin thirukkolam naan kondathuThe life path I have taken is a divine form shaped by time,
Kaalaththin thirukkolam naan kondathuThe life path I have taken is a divine form shaped by time,
Adhu pogum paathaiyai yaar kandathuWho has ever seen the path where time leads?
Adhu pogum paathaiyai yaar kandathuWho has ever seen the path where time leads?
Female
Kadhalilae vettri kandaalIf one achieves victory in love,
Vaazhkkai oru inimai kolam adhuLife becomes a sweet and joyful kolam pattern,
Kaikkoodaa pengalukkuFor women whose love remains unfulfilled,
Kanneerin thanimai kolamLife turns into a solitary kolam made of tears,
Female
Kaalaiyae varugavendru….Welcoming the morning light….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kaalaiyae Varugavendru' from 'Thaniyatha Thagam' (1982) uses the rich metaphor of drawing a 'kolam' (traditional Tamil rangoli pattern) to depict a young woman's dreams, romantic aspirations, and life journey. In Tamil culture, drawing a kolam at dawn signifies welcoming prosperity and a new beginning; here, the maiden draws patterns not just with flour, but with her eyes and heart to express her love and hope for a bright future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Kanneerin thanimai kolam

Life and emotional states are metaphorically compared to different types of kolams, such as 'inimai kolam' (sweet pattern) and 'kanneerin thanimai kolam' (lonely pattern of tears).

Anaphora / Emoni (Repetition of starting sound)

Kangalaal kolamittaal / Kadhalenum kolamittaal

Repetition of the root word 'kolam' across multiple lines creates rhythmic flow and underscores the central theme.

Contrast / Antidote

Maakkolam azhigindra oru kolamo / Manam konda manakkolam azhiyaathathu

Contrasting the permanence of inner desire ('azhiyaathathu') against the fleeting nature of physical flour rangoli ('azhigindra oru kolamo').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. A. Raj with lyrics penned by female poet Uma Nagabushanam, the song features a soul-stirring vocal performance by Vani Jairam. The track stands out for its delicate classical influence and thoughtful imagery connecting traditional Tamil womanhood and decorative art with philosophical reflections on fate.

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