Kaanal Alaigalile
From Kalyana Agathigal · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. S. Narasimhan
- Details
- Kalyana Agathigal1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaanal alaigalilae | O boats sailing upon |
| Pogum padakukalae | the mirage-like waves, |
| Vaazhkkai ingae sila varusham | Life here lasts a few years, |
| Vaazhuvatho sila nimisham | yet we truly live only for a few moments. |
| Karaiyai thedungalaen | Go search for the shore! |
| Female | |
| Kaanal alaigalilae | O boats sailing upon |
| Pogum padakukalae | the mirage-like waves, |
| Female | |
| Vaanavil Naadagam | To stage a rainbow drama, |
| Nadaththa vanthom | we have come here. |
| Vaazhvenum kumizhikkul | Inside a bubble called life, |
| Vasikka vanthom | we have come to dwell. |
| Vithiyinai vellum pillai | A child who conquers fate |
| Jadhagam engum illai | does not exist in any horoscope. |
| Saavuvuyir saavathillai | Does that which dies never truly die? |
| Therinthaal sollungalaen…. | If you know the answer, please tell me... |
| Female | |
| Kaanal alaigalilae | O boats sailing upon |
| Pogum padakukalae | the mirage-like waves, |
| Vaazhkkai ingae sila varusham | Life here lasts a few years, |
| Vaazhuvatho sila nimisham | yet we truly live only for a few moments. |
| Karaiyai thedungalaen | Go search for the shore! |
| Female | |
| Kaanal alaigalilae | O boats sailing upon |
| Pogum padakukalae | the mirage-like waves, |
| Female | |
| Ilaigalin panithuli | The dewdrop on the leaves |
| Urundu vizhum | rolls down and falls. |
| Ilaigalum pazhuththa pin | And the leaves themselves, once matured, |
| Uthirththu vidum | wither and drop away. |
| Female | |
| Bhoomiyae maaya velai | This Earth is a magical illusion, |
| Poigalin paadasaalai | a schoolhouse of lies. |
| Kaalamae enna leelai | O Time, what playful game is this? |
| Therinthaal sollungalaen…. | If you know the answer, please tell me... |
| Female | |
| Kaanal alaigalilae | O boats sailing upon |
| Pogum padakukalae | the mirage-like waves, |
| Vaazhkkai ingae sila varusham | Life here lasts a few years, |
| Vaazhuvatho sila nimisham | yet we truly live only for a few moments. |
| Karaiyai thedungalaen | Go search for the shore! |
| Female | |
| Kaanal alaigalilae | O boats sailing upon |
| Pogum padakukalae | the mirage-like waves. |
கானல் அலைகளிலே ....
போகும் படகுகளே....
வாழ்க்கை இங்கே சில வருஷம்
வாழுவதோ சில நிமிஷம்
கரையை தேடுங்களேன்.........
O boats sailing upon
the mirage-like waves,
Life here lasts a few years,
yet we truly live only for a few moments.
Go search for the shore!
கானல் அலைகளிலே ....
போகும் படகுகளே....
O boats sailing upon
the mirage-like waves,
வானவில் நாடகம்
நடத்த வந்தோம்
வாழ்வெனும் குமிழிக்குள்
வசிக்க வந்தோம்
விதியினை வெல்லும் பிள்ளை
ஜாதகம் எங்கும் இல்லை
சாவுயிர் சாவதில்லை
தெரிந்தால் சொல்லுங்களேன்........
To stage a rainbow drama,
we have come here.
Inside a bubble called life,
we have come to dwell.
A child who conquers fate
does not exist in any horoscope.
Does that which dies never truly die?
If you know the answer, please tell me...
கானல் அலைகளிலே ....
போகும் படகுகளே....
வாழ்க்கை இங்கே சில வருஷம்
வாழுவதோ சில நிமிஷம்
கரையை தேடுங்களேன்.........
O boats sailing upon
the mirage-like waves,
Life here lasts a few years,
yet we truly live only for a few moments.
Go search for the shore!
கானல் அலைகளிலே ....
போகும் படகுகளே....
O boats sailing upon
the mirage-like waves,
இலைகளின் பனித்துளி
உருண்டு விழும்
இலைகளும் பழுத்த பின்
உதிர்ந்து விடும்
The dewdrop on the leaves
rolls down and falls.
And the leaves themselves, once matured,
wither and drop away.
இலைகளின் பனித்துளி
உருண்டு விழும்
இலைகளும் பழுத்த பின்
உதிர்ந்து விடும்
This Earth is a magical illusion,
a schoolhouse of lies.
O Time, what playful game is this?
If you know the answer, please tell me...
பூமியே மாய வேலை
பொய்களின் பாடசாலை
காலமே என்ன லீலை
தெரிந்தால் சொல்லுங்களேன்....
O boats sailing upon
the mirage-like waves,
Life here lasts a few years,
yet we truly live only for a few moments.
Go search for the shore!
கானல் அலைகளிலே ....
போகும் படகுகளே....
வாழ்க்கை இங்கே சில வருஷம்
வாழுவதோ சில நிமிஷம்
கரையை தேடுங்களேன்.........
O boats sailing upon
the mirage-like waves.
கானல் அலைகளிலே ....
போகும் படகுகளே....
Kaanal alaigalilae
O boats sailing upon
Pogum padakukalae
the mirage-like waves,
Vaazhkkai ingae sila varusham
Life here lasts a few years,
Vaazhuvatho sila nimisham
yet we truly live only for a few moments.
Karaiyai thedungalaen
Go search for the shore!
Kaanal alaigalilae
O boats sailing upon
Pogum padakukalae
the mirage-like waves,
Vaanavil Naadagam
To stage a rainbow drama,
Nadaththa vanthom
we have come here.
Vaazhvenum kumizhikkul
Inside a bubble called life,
Vasikka vanthom
we have come to dwell.
Vithiyinai vellum pillai
A child who conquers fate
Jadhagam engum illai
does not exist in any horoscope.
Saavuvuyir saavathillai
Does that which dies never truly die?
Therinthaal sollungalaen….
If you know the answer, please tell me...
Kaanal alaigalilae
O boats sailing upon
Pogum padakukalae
the mirage-like waves,
Vaazhkkai ingae sila varusham
Life here lasts a few years,
Vaazhuvatho sila nimisham
yet we truly live only for a few moments.
Karaiyai thedungalaen
Go search for the shore!
Kaanal alaigalilae
O boats sailing upon
Pogum padakukalae
the mirage-like waves,
Ilaigalin panithuli
The dewdrop on the leaves
Urundu vizhum
rolls down and falls.
Ilaigalum pazhuththa pin
And the leaves themselves, once matured,
Uthirththu vidum
wither and drop away.
Bhoomiyae maaya velai
This Earth is a magical illusion,
Poigalin paadasaalai
a schoolhouse of lies.
Kaalamae enna leelai
O Time, what playful game is this?
Therinthaal sollungalaen….
If you know the answer, please tell me...
Kaanal alaigalilae
O boats sailing upon
Pogum padakukalae
the mirage-like waves,
Vaazhkkai ingae sila varusham
Life here lasts a few years,
Vaazhuvatho sila nimisham
yet we truly live only for a few moments.
Karaiyai thedungalaen
Go search for the shore!
Kaanal alaigalilae
O boats sailing upon
Pogum padakukalae
the mirage-like waves.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This soulful song from 'Kalyana Agathigal' meditates on the transient, illusory nature of human existence. Comparing human beings to small boats navigating deceptive mirage waves, the lyricist Vairamuthu reflects on how short life truly is—while chronological time spans years, meaningful living lasts only moments. The verses draw upon vivid nature imagery, such as ephemeral rainbows, fleeting water bubbles, rolling dewdrops, and falling leaves, to emphasize mortality and impermanence. Ultimately, the song poses deep existential questions about fate, mortality, and time's incomprehensible play ('leelai'). It describes Earth as a school of illusions where no horoscope can grant immunity from destiny. The speaker calls out to fellow travelers in life to seek ultimate truth or a metaphorical shore, highlighting the universal struggle to find purpose amidst life's short-lived theater.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)
“Vaazhvenum kumizhikkul”
Life is metaphorically compared to a mirage ('Kaanal'), a rainbow drama ('Vaanavil Naadagam'), and a soap bubble ('Kumizhi') to emphasize its temporary and deceptive nature.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Vithiyinai vellum pillai”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'V' in 'Vithiyinai' and 'Vellum'.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Bhoomiyae maaya velai / Poigalin paadasaalai”
Rhyming of the second letter 'y'/'i' in 'Bhoomiyae' and 'Poigalin', creating rhythmic harmony.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Nadaththa vanthom / Vasikka vanthom”
Matching end sounds in successive lines such as 'vanthom' and 'vanthom', or 'velai', 'paadasaalai', and 'leelai'.
Personification
“Kaalamae enna leelai”
Addressing 'Time' ('Kaalamae') directly as a sentient entity engaging in games or play ('leelai').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kalyana Agathigal' (1985) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander, marking his 65th film. The film famously introduced actress Saranya Ponvannan in her lead debut role. The soundtrack was composed by V. S. Narasimhan, featuring evocative lyrics by Vairamuthu.
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