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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaangeyam Kaalaigale

From Indru Nee Nalai Naan · 1983

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Indru Nee Nalai Naan1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lallaaLalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lalalaa lallaa
Male
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaeO Kangayam bulls!
Odungadaa govermentu saalaiyilaeRun along the government road!
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaeO Kangayam bulls!
Odungadaa govermentu saalaiyilaeRun along the government road!
Kaalu vali theriyaamaWithout feeling the pain in my legs,
Naanum paattu paadikkittu vaarenI come along singing a song.
Kaalu vali theriyaamaWithout feeling the pain in my legs,
Naanum paattu paadikkittu vaarenI come along singing a song.
Male
Marudhannanukku kalyaanam pannaTo get my elder brother Marudhu married,
Ponna thaedikkittu porenI am going in search of a bride.
Onakku enna venum kelu thaarenAsk me what you want, and I shall give it to you!
Male
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaeO Kangayam bulls!
Odungadaa govermentu saalaiyilaeRun along the government road!
Kaalu vali theriyaamaWithout feeling the pain in my legs,
Naanum paattu paadikkittu vaarenI come along singing a song.
Female
{Yendaa pazhaniyappaa…{Hey Palaniyappa...
Eruma maadu maadhiri valandhirukkuriyaeYou have grown big like a buffalo!
Onakku eppa kannaalamWhen is your marriage?
Male
Enakkaa paatti…} (Dialogue)For me, grandma?...} (Dialogue)
Male
Vikkum velavaasiyilaeIn this soaring cost of living,
Yedhum illa osiyilaeNothing comes for free.
Vikkum velavaasiyilaeIn this soaring cost of living,
Yedhum illa osiyilaeNothing comes for free.
Vela mattum nallaa seivenI will work hard and well,
Vendiya mattum nalla thimbaenAnd eat as much as I need.
Sambalathukkaetha padiAccording to one's income,
Samsaaratha thaedikkanumOne should seek a life partner.
Sambalam illae kimbalam illaeNo salary, no bribes either,
Ponjaadhiyum thaevai illaeSo no need for a wife too!
Male
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaeO Kangayam bulls!
Odungadaa govermentu saalaiyilaeRun along the government road!
Kaalu vali theriyaama naanum paattu paa….Without feeling the pain in my legs, I sing a song...
Male
{Annae annae annae annae annae{Brother, brother, brother...
Ennannae gattu mooditteenga…Why brother, did you close the gate?...
Male
Aei kettu thaanae moodunenHey, I closed the railway gate, didn't I?
Kena payalaeYou fool!
Kekkaama moodunaa thaandaa thappuIt would be wrong only if I closed it without asking!
Pesaama vandiya oramaa niruthipputtuQuietly park your cart on the side,
Rayilu varudhu vaedikka paathuttu poA train is coming, watch the sight and then go!
Male
Aamaamaa…Oh yes...
Adhula yedhaavadhuLet me see if any girl is coming in that train!} (Dialogue)
Ponnu varudhaannu paakkuren} (Dialogue)Her facial features will be pleasant,
Male
Mookku muzhi nallaarukkumHer teeth like fine pearls.
Muthu muthaa pallirukkumHer facial features will be pleasant,
Mookku muzhi nallaarukkumHer teeth like fine pearls.
Muthu muthaa pallirukkumHer words will be sweet as pieces of halwa,
Pechum kooda halwaa thundaaIt will be wonderful if she is full of love.
Anbaarundhaa nallaarukkumWithout pointing out faults,
Kutham yedhum sollaamaeWithout complaining every day,
Nitham kora sollaamaeIf I find a girl beautiful to the eyes,
Kannukkazhagaa ponnu kedachaaI will surely fix the marriage!
Nichayamum panniduvenO Kangayam bulls!
Male
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaeRun along the government road!
Odungadaa govermentu saalaiyilaeThananat thananat thandhannaanaa
Thananat thananat thandhannaanaaThanana thananat thanana....
Thanana thananat thanana….{Brother, brother, brother...
Male
{Annae annae annae annae oo…Stop the cart!...
Male
Vandiya niruthu…Where are you heading this way?
Enga indha pakkamI'm going to the weekly market, brother...
Male
Sandhaikku porennae…Going to the market...
Male
Sandhaikku poyi…I am going to look for a bride for my brother!
Male
Engannanukku ponnuHey you crazy fellow...
Paakka porenIn the market, people buy cattle and calves,
Male
Yendaa kirukku payalae…Would anyone buy a sister-in-law there?...
Sandhaiyila maadu kannu thaanWho would give a bride to your brother?
VaanguvaangaHe has no job or work,
Madhaniyumaa vaanguvaanga…And keeps roaming around shouting party slogans!
Ongannanukku evandaa ponnu koduppaanHey... 'We will capture power,'
Avan vaela vetti illaamaDon't go to Karaikudi side and say 'We will capture power!',
Katchi katchinnu suthikkittirukkaanThey will beat you up!
Daei… aachiya pudikkirenOh, come on brother...
Aachiya pudikkirennuWhat is lacking in my elder brother?...} (Dialogue)
Karakkudi pakkam poi sollida poraandaaPiles of assets and property,
Pottu adichu puduvaaga…Male: Oho!
Male
Ada neenga onnunnae…Wetlands and drylands on all four sides!
Engannanukku enna korachal…} (Dialogue)Male: Is that so?
Male
Sothu pathu ekkachakkamPiles of assets and property,
Male :OhoWetlands and drylands on all four sides,
Male :Nanja punja naalu pakkamCardamom hill forests exist,
Male :ApdiyaaHouses exist, everything exists!
Male
Sothu pathu ekkachakkamIf my elder brother stands in the election,
Nanja punja naalu pakkamIt is our party that wins!
Yelamala kaadugal unduIf brother wins, he becomes a minister,
Veedugal undu ellaam unduAnd the governance will be in our hands!
Thaerdhalilae annan ninnaaO Kangayam bulls!
Jeyikkiradhu enga katchiRun along the government road!
Annan jeyichaa mandhiriyadaaWithout feeling the pain in my legs,
Aatchi enga kayiladaaI come along singing a song.
Male
Kaangaeyam kaalaigalaeTo get my elder brother Marudhu married,
Odungadaa govermentu saalaiyilaeI am going in search of a bride.
Kaalu vali theriyaamaAsk me what you want, and I shall give it to you, yes!
Naanum paattu paadikkittu vaarenI am going in search of a bride.
Male
Marudhannanukku kalyaanam pannaAsk me what you want, and I shall give it to you, yes!
Ponna thaedikkittu poren
Onakku enna venum kelu thaaren aamaa
Ponna thaedikkittu poren
Onakku enna venum kelu thaaren aamaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted, narrative folk song from 'Indru Nee Nalai Naan' (1983) follows a cheerful protagonist traveling in a bullock cart pulled by prized Kangayam bulls. He sings joyfully to distract himself from fatigue as he ventures out to find a suitable bride for his elder brother, Marudhu. Along his journey, he engages in humorous, conversational banter with villagers, a railway gatekeeper, and bystanders. The song vividly paints rural Tamil culture, blending comedy, everyday social observations about inflation and politics, and affectionate family loyalty. The singer humorously highlights what ideal traits a bride should possess while boasting grandly about his brother's political ambitions and vast land ownership.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Vikkum velavaasiyilae / Yedhum illa osiyilae

Matching second consonants in successive lines, such as 'Kaangaeyam' and 'Odungadaa' (letter 'nga'/ 'du') or 'Vikkum' / 'Yedhum'.

Monaai (Alliteration / First-letter matching)

Mookku muzhi nallaarukkum / Muthu muthaa pallirukkum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the line ('Mookku' / 'Muthu').

Metaphor / Simile

Pechum kooda halwaa thundaa

Comparing sweet speech to pieces of halwa ('Pechum kooda halwaa thundaa') and teeth to fine pearls ('Muthu muthaa pallirukkum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although credited as 'Music: Unknown' in some basic lyric sheets, the soundtrack for 'Indru Nee Nalai Naan' (1983) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The movie was directed by legendary actor-director Major Sundarrajan and starred Sivakumar, Lakshmi, and Sulakshana.

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