Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalam Enumoru Aazhakkadalinil

From Amuthavalli · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
P. Susheela, T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Amuthavalli1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haa….aaa…..aaa…Haa…aaa…aaa…
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa…..Aaa…aaa…aaa…
Male
Kaalam enamoru aazha kadalinilIn the deep sea called time,
Kaadhal padagum vilayaadudhammathe boat of love plays, my dear.
Aadum padaginil maruviya kangalThe eyes merged together on the swaying boat,
Pesuvadhum perungadhaiyammaand what they speak is a grand epic, my dear.
Kadhaiyamma… kadhaiyammaIt is a story, my dear… a story!
Kaadhal endroru kadhai ammaLove itself is a wondrous story, my dear.
Kaadhal endroru kadhai ammaLove itself is a wondrous story, my dear.
Chorus
…………..
Female
Kaalam endroru aazha kadalinilIn the deep ocean named time,
Kaadhal padagum vilayaadi varaas the boat of love floats and plays,
Aadum padaginil maruviya kangaldo the eyes united on the swaying boat
Pesuvadhum oru kadhai dhaanospeak merely of a simple story?
Kadhai dhaanoo… kadhai dhaanoIs it just a story… just a story?
Kaadhal enbathum kadhai dhaanoIs love too just a mere story?
Female
Haa….aaa….aa….aa…Haa…aaa…aa…aa…
Male
Kaniyaagi kaaiyaanalIf a ripe fruit turns back into an unripe one,
Kadhai thaanae maanaeit becomes a tragic story, my deer-like lady.
Kaayaana vaazhvu konden en seiven naanaeI have gotten an unfulfilled life, what shall I do?
Kaniyaagi kaaiyaanalIf a ripe fruit turns back into an unripe one,
Kadhai thaanae maanaeit becomes a tragic story, my deer-like lady.
Kaayaana vaazhvu konden en seiven naanaeI have gotten an unfulfilled life, what shall I do?
Female
Porunthatha nesam illai poi yedhum illaiThere is no mismatched affection, nor is there any lie.
Porunthatha nesam illai poi yedhum illaiThere is no mismatched affection, nor is there any lie.
Irundhaalum inbamillai yen inbam illaiYet there is no happiness, why is there no joy?
Irundhaalum inbamillai yen inbam illaiYet there is no happiness, why is there no joy?
Male
Urulum karuvizhi marulum paingiliOh timid parrot with rolling dark pupils,
Uravinil ondrum kuraivillaithere is no defect in our relationship.
Unmaiyilae adi penn mayilaeIn truth, oh peacock-like woman,
Un urimaiyil endrum thadaiyillaithere is never any obstacle to your rights.
Male
Kaalam enamoru aazha kadalinilIn the deep sea called time,
Kaadhal padagum vilayaadudhammathe boat of love plays, my dear.
Aadum padaginil maruviya kangalThe eyes merged together on the swaying boat,
Pesuvadhum perungadhaiyammaand what they speak is a grand epic, my dear.
Female
Kadhai dhaanoo…Is it just a story...
Male :Kadhaiyamma…Male: It is a grand story, my dear...
Female :Kaadhal enbathum kadhai dhaanoFemale: Is love too just a mere story?
Male :Kaadhal endroru kadhai ammaMale: Love itself is a grand story, my dear.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1959 movie Amuthavalli employs the metaphor of a boat navigating the vast ocean of time to contemplate the nature of love and human grief. One speaker questions whether love is merely a passing myth or a genuine emotion, expressing anguish over a life that feels regressive and unfulfilled like a ripe fruit turning back into an unripe sour one. The responding voice offers comfort and clarity, assuring that their bond is genuine, free from falsehood, and fully worthy of love and rights.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaalam enamoru aazha kadalinil / Kaadhal padagum vilayaadudhamma

Compares time to a deep ocean ('Kaalam enamoru aazha kadalinil') and love to a boat sailing on it ('Kaadhal padagum').

Antithesis / Paradox

Kaniyaagi kaaiyaanal / Kadhai thaanae maanae

Juxtaposes 'Kani' (ripe fruit, symbolizing joy/fulfillment) with 'Kaai' (unripe fruit, symbolizing hardship/unfulfillment) to depict an impossible regression in life.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Kaniyaagi kaaiyaanal / Kadhai thaanae maanae

Repetition of the 'Ka' initial consonant across words creating melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, this song features a philosophical conversation about love and life. Although structured as a dialogic duet between male and female characters in the narrative context, the audio rendition notably features female playback singers P. Susheela and A. P. Komala.

Keep listening

More from Amuthavalli