Kaalam Ilamai Kaalam
From Thangamadi Thangam · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thangamadi Thangam1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kaalam ilamai kaalam | Time is the age of youth |
| Paadungalaen aahaa | Sing along, aha! |
| Aal maaththi aadungalaen | Swap partners and dance |
| Paadungalaen aahaa | Sing along, aha! |
| Aal maaththi aadungalaen yaa | Swap partners and dance, oh yes! |
| Female | |
| Mama maanam kedalaama | Uncle, should honor be ruined like this? |
| Mama maanam kedalaama | Uncle, should honor be ruined like this? |
| Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae | Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering |
| Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae | Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering |
| Mama maanam kedalaama | Uncle, should honor be ruined like this? |
| Female | |
| Velichchamilla | Without light |
| Male :Aa | Male : Ah |
| Female :Anga iruttu | Female : Darkness over there |
| Male :Mm | Male : Mm |
| Female :Velakkirunthum inga iruttu | Female : Even with lamps, there is darkness here |
| Female | |
| Iruttukullae | Inside the dark |
| Male :Papap | Male : Papap |
| Female :Manju verattu | Female : The fog chases |
| Male :Haa | Male : Haa |
| Female :Ingu nadakkum kalla thiruttu | Female : Deceitful theft happens here |
| Female | |
| Eduththenae en kayil saattai | I took the whip in my hand |
| Male :Kur kurrr | Male : Kur kurrr |
| Female :Vanthenae viral vitta aatta | Female : I came to make them dance at my fingertips |
| Male: Kur kurrra | Male : Kur kurrra |
| Male | |
| Papapapaa paappa paapaa | Papapapaa paappa paapaa |
| Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa | Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa |
| Female | |
| Podunga kaiththaalam | Clap your hands |
| Venaanga egaththaalam | Don't mock or sneer |
| Yaeningae ennaalum eppothum kummaalam | Why is there revelry here always and every day? |
| Naan vantha pirpaadu yaenunga koopaadu | Why is there a commotion after my arrival? |
| Female | |
| Mama maanam kedalaama | Uncle, should honor be ruined like this? |
| Mama maanam kedalaama | Uncle, should honor be ruined like this? |
| Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae | Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering |
| Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae | Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering |
| Mama maanam kedalaama | Uncle, should honor be ruined like this? |
| Male | |
| Papa papap paa pappara paa | Papa papap paa pappara paa |
| Papa papap paa pappara paa | Papa papap paa pappara paa |
| Papap paa aa…..papap paa | Papap paa aa.....papap paa |
| Female | |
| Anthi pasanga | Evening youngsters |
| Male :Haei | Male : Hei |
| Female :Thanniyadikka | Female : Drinking alcohol |
| Male :Haa | Male : Haa |
| Female :Vantha sanamo nondiyadikka | Female : The crowd that came is limping around |
| Female | |
| Manaiviya enga | Where is the wife? |
| Male :Ahaan | Male : Ahaan |
| Female :Kandu pidikka angae | Female : Trying to find her there |
| Evanevano nandu pidikka | Random men are groping around |
| Female | |
| Panpaadu theriyaatha manthai | A herd that lacks cultural values |
| Male :Kur kurrr | Male : Kur kurrr |
| Female :Panam kaasu velai pogum santhai | Female : A market where money and value degrade |
| Male :Kur kurrra | Male : Kur kurrra |
| Male | |
| Papapapaa paappa paapaa | Papapapaa paappa paapaa |
| Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa | Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa |
| Female | |
| Theriyaathu velavaasi | Unaware of rising living costs |
| Athanaalae sogavaasi | And so living a pleasure-seeking life |
| Thanniyilae sikkaathae | Don't get trapped in alcohol |
| Puththi kettu sokkaathae | Don't lose your senses and swoon |
| Ellaamae kolaaru enga varum paalaaru | Everything is corrupt, where will a river of milk flow? |
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male: Ho ho | Male : Ho ho |
| Female :Maanam kedalaamaa | Female : Should honor be ruined like this? |
| Male :Ho ha | Male : Ho ha |
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male :Ho hoho | Male : Ho hoho |
| Female :Maanam kedalaamaa | Female : Should honor be ruined like this? |
| Male :Ho hei | Male : Ho hei |
| Female | |
| Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae | Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering |
| Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae | Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering |
காலம் இளமைக் காலம்
பாடுங்களேன் ஆஹா
ஆள் மாத்தி ஆடுங்களேன்
பாடுங்களேன் ஆஹா
ஆள் மாத்தி ஆடுங்களேன் யா
Time is the age of youth
Sing along, aha!
Swap partners and dance
Sing along, aha!
Swap partners and dance, oh yes!
மாமா மானம் கெடலாமா
மாமா மானம் கெடலாமா
கள்ளோடுதே நாகரீகம் தள்ளாடுதே
கள்ளோடுதே நாகரீகம் தள்ளாடுதே
மாமா மானம் கெடலாமா.....
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
வெளிச்சமில்ல
ஆ
அங்க இருட்டு
ம்ம்
வெளக்கிருந்தும் இங்க இருட்டு
Without light
Male : Ah
Female : Darkness over there
Male : Mm
Female : Even with lamps, there is darkness here
இருட்டுக்குள்ளே
பபப்
மஞ்சு வெரட்டு
ஹா
இங்கு நடக்கும் கள்ளத் திருட்டு
Inside the dark
Male : Papap
Female : The fog chases
Male : Haa
Female : Deceitful theft happens here
எடுத்தேனே என் கையில் சாட்ட
குர் குர்ர்
வந்தேனே விரல் விட்டு ஆட்ட.....
குர் குர்ர்ரா
I took the whip in my hand
Male : Kur kurrr
Female : I came to make them dance at my fingertips
Male : Kur kurrra
பபபபா பாப்பா பாபா
பாபபபா பாப்பா பாபா
Papapapaa paappa paapaa
Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa
போடுங்க கைத்தாளம்
வேணாங்க எகத்தாளம்
ஏனிங்கே எந்நாளும் எப்போதும் கும்மாளம்
நான் வந்த பிற்பாடு ஏனுங்க கூப்பாடு
Clap your hands
Don't mock or sneer
Why is there revelry here always and every day?
Why is there a commotion after my arrival?
மாமா மானம் கெடலாமா
மாமா மானம் கெடலாமா
கள்ளோடுதே நாகரீகம் தள்ளாடுதே
கள்ளோடுதே நாகரீகம் தள்ளாடுதே
மாமா மானம் கெடலாமா.....
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
பப பபப் பா பப்பர பா
பப பபப் பா பப்பர பா
பபப் பா ஆ.....பபப் பா
பபப் பா ஆ.....பபப் பா...ஏய்....
Papa papap paa pappara paa
Papa papap paa pappara paa
Papap paa aa.....papap paa
அந்தி பசங்க
ஹேய்
தண்ணியடிக்க
ஹா
வந்த சனமோ நொண்டியடிக்க
Evening youngsters
Male : Hei
Female : Drinking alcohol
Male : Haa
Female : The crowd that came is limping around
மனைவிய எங்க
அஹான்
கண்டு பிடிக்க அங்கே
எவனெவனோ நண்டு பிடிக்க
Where is the wife?
Male : Ahaan
Female : Trying to find her there
Random men are groping around
பண்பாடு தெரியாத மந்தை
குர் குர்ர்
பணம் காசு வெலை போகும் சந்தை
குர் குர்ர்ரா
A herd that lacks cultural values
Male : Kur kurrr
Female : A market where money and value degrade
Male : Kur kurrra
பபபபா பாப்பா பாபா
பாபபபா பாப்பா பாபா
Papapapaa paappa paapaa
Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa
தெரியாது வெலவாசி
அதனாலே சொகவாசி
தண்ணியிலே சிக்காதே
புத்திக் கெட்டு சொக்காதே
எல்லாமே கோளாறு எங்க வரும் பாலாறு
Unaware of rising living costs
And so living a pleasure-seeking life
Don't get trapped in alcohol
Don't lose your senses and swoon
Everything is corrupt, where will a river of milk flow?
மாமா
ஹோ ஹோ
மானம் கெடலாமா
ஹோ ஹ
Uncle
Male : Ho ho
Female : Should honor be ruined like this?
Male : Ho ha
மாமா
ஹோ ஹோஹோ
மானம் கெடலாமா
ஹோ ஹேய்
Uncle
Male : Ho hoho
Female : Should honor be ruined like this?
Male : Ho hei
கள்ளோடுதே நாகரீகம் தள்ளாடுதே
கள்ளோடுதே நாகரீகம் தள்ளாடுதே
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
லாலா லல லல லாலா
லாலா லல லல லாலா.........
Kaalam ilamai kaalam
Time is the age of youth
Paadungalaen aahaa
Sing along, aha!
Aal maaththi aadungalaen
Swap partners and dance
Paadungalaen aahaa
Sing along, aha!
Aal maaththi aadungalaen yaa
Swap partners and dance, oh yes!
Mama maanam kedalaama
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Mama maanam kedalaama
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Mama maanam kedalaama
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Velichchamilla
Without light
Male :Aa
Male : Ah
Female :Anga iruttu
Female : Darkness over there
Male :Mm
Male : Mm
Female :Velakkirunthum inga iruttu
Female : Even with lamps, there is darkness here
Iruttukullae
Inside the dark
Male :Papap
Male : Papap
Female :Manju verattu
Female : The fog chases
Male :Haa
Male : Haa
Female :Ingu nadakkum kalla thiruttu
Female : Deceitful theft happens here
Eduththenae en kayil saattai
I took the whip in my hand
Male :Kur kurrr
Male : Kur kurrr
Female :Vanthenae viral vitta aatta
Female : I came to make them dance at my fingertips
Male: Kur kurrra
Male : Kur kurrra
Papapapaa paappa paapaa
Papapapaa paappa paapaa
Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa
Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa
Podunga kaiththaalam
Clap your hands
Venaanga egaththaalam
Don't mock or sneer
Yaeningae ennaalum eppothum kummaalam
Why is there revelry here always and every day?
Naan vantha pirpaadu yaenunga koopaadu
Why is there a commotion after my arrival?
Mama maanam kedalaama
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Mama maanam kedalaama
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Mama maanam kedalaama
Uncle, should honor be ruined like this?
Papa papap paa pappara paa
Papa papap paa pappara paa
Papa papap paa pappara paa
Papa papap paa pappara paa
Papap paa aa…..papap paa
Papap paa aa.....papap paa
Anthi pasanga
Evening youngsters
Male :Haei
Male : Hei
Female :Thanniyadikka
Female : Drinking alcohol
Male :Haa
Male : Haa
Female :Vantha sanamo nondiyadikka
Female : The crowd that came is limping around
Manaiviya enga
Where is the wife?
Male :Ahaan
Male : Ahaan
Female :Kandu pidikka angae
Female : Trying to find her there
Evanevano nandu pidikka
Random men are groping around
Panpaadu theriyaatha manthai
A herd that lacks cultural values
Male :Kur kurrr
Male : Kur kurrr
Female :Panam kaasu velai pogum santhai
Female : A market where money and value degrade
Male :Kur kurrra
Male : Kur kurrra
Papapapaa paappa paapaa
Papapapaa paappa paapaa
Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa
Paapapapaa paappaa paapaa
Theriyaathu velavaasi
Unaware of rising living costs
Athanaalae sogavaasi
And so living a pleasure-seeking life
Thanniyilae sikkaathae
Don't get trapped in alcohol
Puththi kettu sokkaathae
Don't lose your senses and swoon
Ellaamae kolaaru enga varum paalaaru
Everything is corrupt, where will a river of milk flow?
Maamaa
Uncle
Male: Ho ho
Male : Ho ho
Female :Maanam kedalaamaa
Female : Should honor be ruined like this?
Male :Ho ha
Male : Ho ha
Maamaa
Uncle
Male :Ho hoho
Male : Ho hoho
Female :Maanam kedalaamaa
Female : Should honor be ruined like this?
Male :Ho hei
Male : Ho hei
Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Kaloduthae naagareegam thalaaduthae
Culture is eroding, civilization is tottering
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song serves as a social commentary wrapped in a lively, upbeat rhythm. It satirizes the decline of traditional values and moral degradation in modern nightlife culture, where youth engage in reckless drinking, partner-swapping, and hedonistic pursuits while remaining oblivious to price rises and societal collapse.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaalam ilamai kaalam / Paadungalaen aahaa”
The second letters match across consecutive lines to create rhythmic harmony.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Yaeningae ennaalum eppothum kummaalam”
Ending lines with matching sounds like 'kaalam' and 'kummaalam'.
Metaphor
“Ellaamae kolaaru enga varum paalaaru”
'Paalaaru' (river of milk) is used metaphorically to represent prosperity and moral purity.
Did you know?
Trivia
The track from the 1984 film 'Thangamadi Thangam' features lyrics by Vairamuthu that blend playful rhythm with sharp social critique of modern westernized nightlife and moral erosion.
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