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Lyrics & meaning

Kaalamillatha Kaalathile

From Kadan Vangi Kalyanam · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Susheela, P. Leela
Music director
S. Rajeswara Rao
Details
Kadan Vangi Kalyanam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Madhuvaedhum malargalum malaramalaeWithout nectar-filled flowers blooming,
Mayilaadum solai azhagae illaiThe peacock-dancing grove holds no beauty.
Magizhndhu kanindhaadi manadhil uravaadumJoyfully dancing and forming sweet bonds in the heart,
Vasantha rudhuvae varave illaiThe spring season has not arrived at all.
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Kuyil paaduvadhum edhanaaleWhy is the cuckoo bird singing?
Female
Neramilladha nerathilaeAt an untimely hour,
Nilai maaruvadhum edhanaaleWhy is the state of things changing?
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Kuyil paaduvadhum edhanaaleWhy is the cuckoo bird singing?
Female
Premaiyin vegamae pongiyae geethamaaiThe surge of love overflowing into a melody
Pesidudhae indha veenaiyilaeSpeaks through this veena.
Female
Unadhaasai kaadhalanai paarthadhinaalaeBecause you caught sight of your beloved lover,
Ullamae vasandha rudhuvaanadhaeYour heart itself transformed into the spring season.
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Kuyil paaduvadhum adhanaaleThat is why the cuckoo bird is singing!
Female
Neramilladha nerathilaeAt an untimely hour,
Nilai maaruvadhum adhanaaleThat is why the state of things is changing!
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Kuyil paaduvadhum adhanaaleThat is why the cuckoo bird is singing!
Female
Eedilla thaaravin sudarodu thavazhndhadumCrawling alongside the radiance of matchless stars,
Iravae innum varavae illaiThe night has not arrived yet.
Female
Neela vaanagam mael neendhiyae vilaiyaadumSwimming and playing across the blue sky,
Vennilaavae innum varavae illaiThe bright moon has not arrived yet.
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Nilavum vandhadhu edhanaaleWhy has the moon arrived?
Female
Neramilladha nerathilaeAt an untimely hour,
Nilai maaruvadhum edhanaaleWhy is the state of things changing?
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Nilavum vandhadhu edhanaaleWhy has the moon arrived?
Female
Enniya ennangal inidhaagumae endruThinking that cherished thoughts will turn sweet,
Thannai marandhae ullam pongidudhaeThe heart overflows, forgetting itself.
Female
Kanavae dhinam kaanum kanni pengalukkaeFor young maiden girls who dream every day,
Kaadhalanae venn nilavum aavaanThe beloved lover himself becomes the bright white moon.
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Nilavum vandhadhu adhanaaleThat is why the moon arrived!
Female
Neramilladha nerathilaeAt an untimely hour,
Nilai maaruvadhum adhanaaleThat is why the state of things is changing!
Female
Kaalamillaadha kaalathilaeIn an unseasonable, unexpected time,
Nilavum vandhadhu adhanaaleThat is why the moon arrived!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This delightful duet from Kadan Vangi Kalyanam (1958) is structured as a musical conversation between two companions. One singer expresses wonder at natural phenomena happening out of their usual time, such as a cuckoo singing before spring or the moon shining bright prematurely, questioning why nature is acting so unusually. The second singer answers these queries with romantic philosophy, explaining that love alters all perception. Seeing one's beloved turns the mind into spring and makes the lover appear as the bright moon, causing the heart to overflow with joy and nature itself to seem enchanted.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Madhuvaedhum malargalum malaramalae

Repetition of the 'm' sound at the beginning of consecutive words for rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor

Ullamae vasandha rudhuvaanadhae

Comparing the heart directly to the spring season ('vasandha rudhu') when one falls in love.

Metaphor

Kaadhalanae venn nilavum aavaan

Directly equating the lover to the bright full moon in the eyes of a maiden.

Rhyme and Anaphora

Kaalamillaadha kaalathilae / Neramilladha nerathilae

Repetition of structured questioning phrasing ('Kaalamillaadha kaalathilae' / 'Neramilladha nerathilae') to establish a persistent musical refrain.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kadan Vangi Kalyanam' (1958) was directed by L. V. Prasad and produced simultaneously alongside its Telugu counterpart 'Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu'. The song features legendary singers P. Susheela and P. Leela in a celebrated vocal duet composed by S. Rajeswara Rao.

Keep listening

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