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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalamagal Madiyinile

From Odumnadhi · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Odumnadhi
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
8 Oct 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi
Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi
Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi
Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi
Nadhiyodu vandha vellam oorukkaaga en
Vidhiyodu sellum ullam yaarukkaaga
Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi
Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi
Thanneeril valarndha kodi
Mannil undu undu
Kanneril valarndha kodi pennil undu
Thanneeril valarndha kodi
Mannil undu undu
Kanneril valarndha kodi pennil undu
Manam thaedi aadugindra malarum undu undu
Manam thaedi aadugindra malarum undu
Nalla manam thaedi vaadugindra pennum undu undu
Manam thaedi vaadugindra pennum undu
Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi
Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi
Gangai varum neerinilae punidham undu undu
Mangaiyaval nenjinilae deivam undu
Deepam ulla maaligaiyil oliyum undu undu
Deivamae kann thirandhaal vaazhvum undu undu
Deivamae kann thirandhaal vaazhvum undu
Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi
Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi
Uyirae nee vaaduvadhu yaarukkaaga
Udalodu saerndhu vandha uravukkaaga
Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi
Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi
A river runs across the lap of Mother Time,
While fate plays its game in a young woman's path.
A river runs across the lap of Mother Time,
While fate plays its game in a young woman's path.
The flood that comes with the river is for the village,
But for whose sake does my heart drift along with fate?
A river runs across the lap of Mother Time,
While fate plays its game in a young woman's path.
A vine that grows in water
can truly be found on this earth,
Just as a woman raised on tears exists.
A vine that grows in water
can truly be found on this earth,
Just as a woman raised on tears exists.
There are flowers that sway in search of sweet fragrance,
There are flowers that sway in search of sweet fragrance,
And there are women who wither away searching for a good heart,
There are women who wither away searching for a good heart.
A river runs across the lap of Mother Time,
While fate plays its game in a young woman's path.
There is purity in the flowing waters of the Ganga,
And inside a woman's heart, a divine presence lives.
There is light in a home blessed with a lamp,
And if only God opens His eyes, a good life will surely follow,
If only God opens His eyes, a good life will surely follow.
A river runs across the lap of Mother Time,
While fate plays its game in a young woman's path.
O my soul, for whom are you suffering so?
For the bond that was born alongside this body!
A river runs across the lap of Mother Time,
While fate plays its game in a young woman's path.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song draws a deep philosophical parallel between a river flowing endlessly in the lap of Mother Time and a young woman navigating the unpredictable course of fate. Through evocative imagery, lyricist Kannadasan compares the altruism of nature with the sorrow and quiet sacrifices inherent in a woman's life, questioning the ultimate purpose of human suffering and destiny. The lyrics contrast physical vines grown in water with metaphorical vines nurtured by tears inside a woman's heart. By utilizing wordplay on 'manam' (fragrance and mind/heart), the song reflects on a woman's search for genuine love and emotional peace, concluding with a plea for divine intervention and acceptance of the bonds formed in human existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kaalamagal madiyinilae oodum nadhi”

Time is metaphorically depicted as a mother ('Kaalamagal') holding a flowing river in her lap, comparing life's passage to a river's flow.

Personification

“Kanni magal vazhiyinilae aadum vidhi”

Fate ('Vidhi') is personified as an entity dancing along the path of a maiden.

Wordplay / Pun (Sledai)

“Manam thaedi aadugindra malarum undu undu / Nalla manam thaedi vaadugindra pennum undu undu”

The Tamil word 'Manam' is ingeniously used with a dual meaning: 'fragrance' when referring to flowers, and 'mind/heart' when referring to human emotion.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Gangai varum neerinilae punidham undu undu / Mangaiyaval nenjinilae deivam undu”

The second consonant sound 'ng' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Gangai' / 'Mangai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, this song showcases P. Susheela's mastery in delivering deep emotional nuance. Kannadasan's use of simple nature metaphors to express profound human angst remains one of his signature lyrical hallmarks in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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Aadi Pizhaithaalum Paadi Pizhaithaalum1960
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