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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalaiyil Naan Oru

From Thiru Neelakandar · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Details
Thiru Neelakandar1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaalaiyil naanoruIn the morning, I
Kanavinai kandaenSaw a dream
Kangalil ondraiLike losing one
Izhanthathu polaeOf my eyes
Vithi ennidam idhaiWhy did destiny
Sonnathu edharkkaagavo…oo….Tell me this?
Female
Kaalaiyil naanoruIn the morning, I
Kanavinai kandaenSaw a dream
Kangalil ondraiLike losing one
Izhanthathu polaeOf my eyes
Vithi ennidam idhaiWhy did destiny
Sonnathu edharkkaagavo…oo….Tell me this?
Male
Ooo….oo….oo…oo….Ooo... oo... oo... oo...
Female
Thottaththu pookkalilIn the garden's flowers
Neruppinai kandaenI saw fire
Tholgalum kangalumMy shoulders and eyes
Thudippathai naan kandaenI felt twitching
Female
Thottaththu pookkalilIn the garden's flowers
Neruppinai kandaenI saw fire
Tholgalum kangalumMy shoulders and eyes
Thudippathai naan kandaenI felt twitching
Female
Veettinil naagam kudipuga kandaenI saw a cobra entering the house
Vilaivugal yaedho aadiya paathaaWhat consequences are dancing in my path?
Female
Kaalaiyil naanoruIn the morning, I
Kanavinai kandaenSaw a dream
Male
Ooo….oo….oo…oo….Ooo... oo... oo... oo...
Female
Saalaikal moodruThree roads
Santhikka kandaenI saw meeting
Santhiththa saalaiyinOf the meeting roads
Naduvinil naan nindrenI stood in the middle
Female
Saalaikal moodruThree roads
Santhikka kandaenI saw meeting
Santhiththa saalaiyinOf the meeting roads
Naduvinil naan nindrenI stood in the middle
Female
Kanavinai unmai aakki vidaathaeDo not make this dream come true
Kaaththarulvaayae ambigai thaayaePlease protect me, Mother Ambigai
Female
Kaalaiyil naanoruIn the morning, I
Kanavinai kandaenSaw a dream
Kangalil ondraiLike losing one
Izhanthathu polaeOf my eyes
Vithi ennidam idhaiWhy did destiny
Sonnathu edharkkaagavo…oo….Tell me this?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this poignant song from Thiru Neelakandar (1972), the female protagonist expresses her deep dread and anxiety after experiencing a series of bad omens in a morning dream. She dreams of losing an eye, seeing fire among garden flowers, feeling her eyes and shoulders twitch, seeing a cobra enter her home, and standing helpless at a three-way junction. Fearing these bad omens foretell an impending tragedy or separation, she desperately prays to Goddess Ambigai to protect her family and prevent the dreadful dream from turning into reality. Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully incorporates traditional Tamil beliefs about bad omens (sakunam) to evoke a sense of foreboding and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monnai (Alliteration)

Kaalaiyil naanoru / Kanavinai kandaen

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in 'Kaalaiyil' and 'Kanavinai', enhancing rhythmic harmony.

Uvamai (Simile)

Kangalil ondrai / Izhanthathu polae

Compares the terrifying impact of the nightmare to the painful loss of one's own eye using the simile marker 'polae'.

Imagery & Symbolism

Thottaththu pookkalil / Neruppinai kandaen

Uses contrasting and alarming visual imagery of fire on delicate flowers and a snake entering a peaceful household as classical symbols of ill omen.

Symbolism

Santhiththa saalaiyin / Naduvinil naan nindren

Standing at a junction of three roads symbolizes being stranded at a critical crossroads of fate and indecision.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thiru Neelakandar (1972) features music composed by C. N. Pandurangan and starred T. R. Mahalingam. Sung soulfully by S. Janaki, the lyrics reflect deep-rooted cultural beliefs in Tamil tradition regarding bad omens, such as eye twitching and dreaming of snakes, transforming superstitious anxiety into a heartfelt prayer to Goddess Ambigai.

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