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Lyrics & meaning

Kaalam Ennodu Varum Pothu

From Pudhiya Vazhkai · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Pudhiya Vazhkai1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaalam ennodu varum bothuWhen time comes along with me,
Kadavul varugindraanGod arrives.
Kaadhal en nenjai thodum bothuWhen love touches my heart,
En thalaivan varugindraanMy beloved arrives.
Female
Kaalam ennodu varum bothuWhen time comes along with me,
Kadavul varugindraanGod arrives.
Kaadhal en nenjai thodum bothuWhen love touches my heart,
En thalaivan varugindraanMy beloved arrives.
Female
Valayal sangeedham paadumThe bangles sing a song of music,
Isaiyil noolaadai aadumThe soft garment dances to that rhythm.
Valayal sangeedham paadumThe bangles sing a song of music,
Isaiyil noolaadai aadumThe soft garment dances to that rhythm.
Mugathai mel aadai moodumThe veil covers the face,
Ninaivai ennangal moodumDeep thoughts engulf the memory.
Adhu thaan ulagam thaedinen kai vanthathuThat is the world I searched for, and it has come into my hands.
Female
Aaa…aaa kaalam ennodu varum bothuAaa... when time comes along with me,
Kadavul varugindraanGod arrives.
Kaadhal en nenjai thodum bothuWhen love touches my heart,
En thalaivan varugindraanMy beloved arrives.
Female
Anaikkum ponnaana iravuA golden night that embraces me,
Manakkum en vaazhkai uravuA fragrant relationship in my life.
Anaikkum ponnaana iravuA golden night that embraces me,
Manakkum en vaazhkai uravuA fragrant relationship in my life.
Nadakkum en aasai kanavuThe dream of my desire comes to life,
Sirikkum en vaanil nilavuThe moon smiles in my sky.
Adhu thaan ulagam thaedinen kai vanthathuThat is the world I searched for, and it has come into my hands.
Female
Kaalam ennodu varum bothuWhen time comes along with me,
Kadavul varugindraanGod arrives.
Kaadhal en nenjai thodum bothuWhen love touches my heart,
En thalaivan varugindraanMy beloved arrives.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic song composed by K. V. Mahadevan and written by Kannadasan, the protagonist reflects on the joy of love and the arrival of good fortune in her life. She expresses that when time aligns in her favor, it feels as if God Himself has arrived, and when love enters her heart, her beloved enters her life. The lyrics capture the sensory and romantic euphoria of marital bliss—the jingle of bangles sounding like music, soft garments swaying, golden nights offering warmth, and her cherished dreams finally becoming a reality. She celebrates finding the fulfilling world of love and companionship that she had always sought.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Valayal sangeedham paadum

Attributing human actions like singing to non-living objects (bangles).

Metaphor

Anaikkum ponnaana iravu

Comparing the night to gold ('ponnaana iravu') to denote its preciousness and beauty.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Anaikkum ponnaana iravu / Manakkum en vaazhkai uravu

Matching ending rhyming sounds in consecutive lines ('iravu', 'uravu', 'kanavu', 'nilavu').

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalam ennodu varum bothu / Kadavul varugindraan

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ka') across lines.

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Trivia

Featuring the melodic voice of S. Janaki, 'Kaalam ennodu varum bothu' is a signature track from the 1971 Tamil film 'Pudhiya Vazhkai'. Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully blends philosophical romanticism with everyday sensory imagery, a hallmark of K. V. Mahadevan's light classical film compositions.

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