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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalam Maaralaam

From Vaazhkai · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazhkai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaaaaa…aaaaa….Ahaaaaa…aaaaa….
Female :Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa…Female vocalization: Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa…
Male :Ahaaaaa…aaaaa….Male vocalization: Ahaaaaa…aaaaa….
Female :Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa…Female vocalization: Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa…
Male :Hmmm…mmm..Male vocalization: Hmmm…mmm..
Female :Hmmmm….Female vocalization: Hmmmm….
Male
Kaalam maaralaamTime may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Kaalam maaralaamTime may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Thadaigal thondrumbodhumWhen obstacles arise,
Thalaivi paarvai podhumA glance from my beloved is enough.
Female
Ini varum kaalam maaralaamThe coming times may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Kaalam maaralaamTime may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Thadaigal thondrumbodhumWhen obstacles arise,
Thalaivan paadham podhumThe presence at my beloved's feet is enough.
Male
Ini varum kaalam maaralaamThe coming times may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Male
Endhan tholil nee saaindhaaiYou leaned against my shoulder,
Innum enna mounamoWhy is there still this silence?
Female :Pullin meedhu poo veezhndhaalFemale: If a blossom falls upon the grass,
Osai enna ketkumaaWhat sound would ever be heard?
Male
Malligai kodiThe jasmine vine
Tholaich chutrudhaeTwines around the shoulder.
Female :Devan thottadhaalFemale: Touched by the Divine,
Bhoomi sutrudhaeThe Earth spins around.
Male
Udalil gaandham konduCarrying magnetism within the body,
Thazhuvum thangam ondruA piece of gold embraces.
Female :Idhazhgalil eeramanadhu indruFemale: Today, the lips have grown moist.
Female
Ini varum kaalam maaralaamThe coming times may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Kaalam maaralaamTime may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Male :Thadaigal thondrumbodhumMale: When obstacles arise,
Thalaivi paarvai podhumA glance from my beloved is enough.
Male
Ini varum kaalam maaralaamThe coming times may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Female
Kaalamennum thaenaatrilIn the honeyed river of time,
Naamirandu odangalWe two are floating boats.
Male :Vaazhndhu kaattum nam vaazhkkaiMale: The life we live together
Vaiyagaththin paadangalWill serve as lessons for the world.
Female
UllangkaigalaalWith my palms,
Unnai mooduvenI shall shield and cover you.
Male :Unnai kaakkavaeMale: Just to protect you,
Mannil vaazhuvenI shall live upon this earth.
Female
Vaazhum kaalam yaavumFor all the time I live,
Madiyiil saaindhaal podhumResting in your lap is enough.
Male :Tholgalil thoongum paarijaadhamMale: A Parijatha flower sleeping on my shoulders.
Male
Ini varum kaalam maaralaamThe coming times may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Kaalam maaralaamTime may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Female :Thadaigal thondrumbodhumFemale: When obstacles arise,
Thalaivan paadham podhumThe presence at my beloved's feet is enough.
Female
Ini varum kaalam maaralaamThe coming times may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaaWill our love ever change?
Male & Female :Kaalam maaralaamMale & Female: Time may change,
Nam kaadhal maarumaa….Will our love ever change?…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaalam Maaralaam is a romantic duet expressing the eternal and unyielding bond between two lovers. They proclaim that even if time changes and hardships emerge, their deep affection and devotion will remain immutable. The lovers draw comfort from each other's presence, describing their quiet, intimate connection through natural imagery like flowers softly landing on grass and boats floating together down the river of time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupakam)

Kaalamennum thaenaatril / Naamirandu odangal

Compares time to a river of honey (thaenaaru) and the lovers to two boats (odangal) navigating through it.

Imagery & Visual Analogy

Pullin meedhu poo veezhndhaal / Osai enna ketkumaa

Uses the subtle, silent image of a flower falling on soft grass to describe gentleness, love, and quiet intimacy.

Emonai (Initial Alliteration)

Thadaigal thondrumbodhum / Thalaivi paarvai podhum

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' across consecutive lines for poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Kaalam Maaralaam' from the 1984 film 'Vaazhkai' features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu and vocal renditions by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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