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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaarkalam Idhu Kaarkalam

From Ilayapiravigal · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Ilayapiravigal1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaarkkaalam idhu kaarkkaalamThis is the rainy monsoon season, yes, the monsoon season
Mazhai neer megam varum oorkkolamRain-filled clouds arrive in a grand procession
Vaaraatho kulir vaadai thaalaattaWon't the cool northern breeze come to sing a lullaby?
Neeyum vara pakkam naanum varaAs you come closer and I come near
Adhil kadhal kavithai pirakkaMay a love poem be born from that union
Female
Kaarkkaalam idhu kaarkkaalamThis is the rainy monsoon season, yes, the monsoon season
Mazhai neer megam varum oorkkolamRain-filled clouds arrive in a grand procession
Vaaraatho kulir vaadai thaalaattaWon't the cool northern breeze come to sing a lullaby?
Neeyum vara pakkam naanum varaAs you come closer and I come near
Adhil kadhal kavithai pirakkaMay a love poem be born from that union
Male
Aattroram oru naanalA reed growing by the riverbank
Kaattrodu adhan oodalIts gentle lover's quarrel with the wind
Aattroram oru naanalA reed growing by the riverbank
Kaattrodu adhan oodalIts gentle lover's quarrel with the wind
Female
Naanal pol ingu naanaadaAs I sway gently here like that reed
Pudhu naanamthaan manam kondaadaMy heart celebrates a brand new shyness
Naanal pol ingu naanaadaAs I sway gently here like that reed
Pudhu naanamthaan manam kondaadaMy heart celebrates a brand new shyness
Male
Senthaazham poovum irukkaEven as the red screw-pine flower blooms with nectar
Thaen unnaamal vandum thavikkaThe bee suffers without partaking of its sweet honey
Female
Kaarkkaalam idhu kaarkkaalamThis is the rainy monsoon season, yes, the monsoon season
Mazhai neer megam varum oorkkolamRain-filled clouds arrive in a grand procession
Vaaraatho kulir vaadai thaalaattaWon't the cool northern breeze come to sing a lullaby?
Male :Neeyum vara pakkam naanum varaMale: As you come closer and I come near
Adhil kadhal kavithai pirakkaMay a love poem be born from that union
Female
Pothaatho oru paarvaiIsn't a single glance enough?
Puriyaatho adhan vaarththaiWon't its unspoken words be understood?
Pothaatho oru paarvaiIsn't a single glance enough?
Puriyaatho adhan vaarththaiWon't its unspoken words be understood?
Male
Kettaenae naan oru kelviI asked a question
Badhil pottaalae intha srideviThis goddess-like maiden provided the answer
Kettaenae naan oru kelviI asked a question
Badhil pottaalae intha srideviThis goddess-like maiden provided the answer
Female
Nenjodu achchamirukkaEven as fear lingers within the heart
Nee vaavendru ennai azhaikkaYou call out inviting me to come to you
Male
Kaarkkaalam idhu kaarkkaalamThis is the rainy monsoon season, yes, the monsoon season
Mazhai neer megam varum oorkkolamRain-filled clouds arrive in a grand procession
Vaaraatho kulir vaadai thaalaattaWon't the cool northern breeze come to sing a lullaby?
Female :Neeyum vara pakkam naanum varaFemale: As you come closer and I come near
Adhil kadhal kavithai pirakkaMay a love poem be born from that union
Male :Adhil kadhal kavithai pirakka….Male: May a love poem be born from that union...
Female :Adhil kadhal kavithai pirakka…Female: May a love poem be born from that union...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kaarkkaalam Idhu Kaarkkaalam' is a romantic duet set against the lush backdrop of the rainy monsoon season. The lovers describe how the arrival of dark rain clouds and cool breezes sets a romantic atmosphere, turning their proximity into poetic romance. The female lead compares her coy swaying and shyness to a riverbank reed fluttering in the wind, while expressing her bashful hesitation in fully embracing love despite the blossoming passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Aattroram oru naanal / Kaattrodu adhan oodal

The second letters of 'Aattroram' and 'Kaattrodu' match ('tt'), creating a pleasing Tamil poetic meter.

Upamai (Simile)

Naanal pol ingu naanaada

The heroine compares her gentle swaying and coy body language to a reed standing by the riverbank.

Anaphora / Repetition

Kaarkkaalam idhu kaarkkaalam

The repetition of 'Kaarkkaalam' emphasizes the central theme of the monsoon season establishing the mood.

Metaphor

Badhil pottaalae intha sridevi

The hero metaphorically refers to his beloved as 'Sridevi' (the goddess of beauty and fortune) who answers his implicit romantic query.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ilayapiravigal' (1983) is a lesser-known Tamil feature film starring Prabhu. Lyricist Vaali vividly uses nature imagery—such as rain clouds, northern winds, river reeds, and screw-pine flowers (Senthaazhai)—to evoke traditional Sangam landscape themes of 'Mullai' and 'Neithal' within a modern film song framework.

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