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Lyrics & meaning

Kaalam Mazhai

From Vidinja Kalyanam · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vidinja Kalyanam1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaalam mazhai kaalam thaanoIs this season a rainy season?
Kaatru puyal aanadhoHas the gentle breeze turned into a storm?
Naesam kuraiyaamal vaazhumLiving with unceasing affection,
Nenjam poraadudhoIs the heart struggling now?
Kanavan manaivi kudumba vaazhkkaiThe family life of husband and wife,
Kalaindhu poga kanneeril midhakkumAs it shatters, it floats in tears.
Male
Kaalam mazhai kaalam thaanoIs this season a rainy season?
Kaatru puyal aanadhoHas the gentle breeze turned into a storm?
Male
Oru noolil maalai polae uruvaana pookkalaeLike flowers crafted together on a single thread's garland,
Idhazh vaadi vaadi indru sarugaagi ponadhaeTheir petals withered away and turned into dry leaves today.
Naayagan naayagi andrilgal polLike the legendary lovebirds living in deep devotion,
Vaazhndhadhor vaazhkkai thaan kaanal neer polThe beautiful life they lived has turned into a mirage.
Dhevan dhevi kaadhal maeviLike a god and goddess overflowing with love,
Vaazhndha naatkal kanavaagi pogaAs those days they lived turn into a distant dream.
Male
Kaalam mazhai kaalam thaanoIs this season a rainy season?
Kaatru puyal aanadhoHas the gentle breeze turned into a storm?
Naesam kuraiyaamal vaazhumLiving with unceasing affection,
Nenjam poraadudhoIs the heart struggling now?
Male
Ival thaayin tholil saayum azhagaana paingiliShe is a beautiful parrot leaning on her mother's shoulder,
Mana maalai soodum naalaiA flowering vine that eagerly awaited
Edhir paartha poongodiThe day she would wear the wedding garland.
Aasaiyin oonjalil aadiya maanA gentle deer that swung on the swing of desires,
Indha naal ingu thaan vaadinaal yenWhy has she withered away on this very day?
Thaayum saeyum oomai polaeMother and child, like mute souls,
Vaartthai yaedhum pesaamal thavikkaSuffer in agony without uttering a single word.
Male
Kaalam mazhai kaalam thaanoIs this season a rainy season?
Kaatru puyal aanadhoHas the gentle breeze turned into a storm?
Naesam kuraiyaamal vaazhumLiving with unceasing affection,
Nenjam poraadudhoIs the heart struggling now?
Kanavan manaivi kudumba vaazhkkaiThe family life of husband and wife,
Kalaindhu poga kanneeril midhakkumAs it shatters, it floats in tears.
Male
Kaalam mazhai kaalam thaanoIs this season a rainy season?
Kaatru puyal aanadhoHas the gentle breeze turned into a storm?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This melancholic track from 'Vidinja Kalyanam' (1986) reflects deep sorrow over a falling marriage and broken domestic life. Vaali uses imagery of unexpected storms, withered flowers, and mirages to convey how a once-loving bond between husband and wife has descended into chaos and tears. The lyrics contrast past bliss—where the couple lived like divine beings and inseparable lovebirds—with present tragedy, where dreams have shattered. It also captures the helplessness of a mother and daughter suffering in silence as their hopes for a happy future crumble.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Nature Imagery

Kaatru puyal aanadho

Comparing sudden life tragedy to a gentle breeze turning into a destructive storm (Kaatru puyal aanadho).

Simile (Upamai)

Naayagan naayagi andrilgal pol

Comparing the happy married couple to mythical 'Andril' birds known for inseparable devotion.

Simile (Upamai)

Vaazhndhadhor vaazhkkai thaan kaanal neer pol

Comparing the lost golden days of love to a fleeting mirage ('kaanal neer').

Moonaay (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalam mazhai kaalam thaano / Kaatru puyal aanadho

Repetition of the 'Kaa' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines ('Kaalam' / 'Kaatru').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in some archives, 'Vidinja Kalyanam' (1986) features iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, starring Sathyaraj and Jayashree in lead roles. The emotional rendition of this tragic song is sung by K. J. Yesudas.

Keep listening

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