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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatarutha Thendrale

From Kannan Varuvaan · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Shankar Mahadevan, Sundar
Music director
Sirpi
Details
Kannan Varuvaan2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaaa…haaa..haaaaa….ahaaa..haa….Ahaaa…haaa..haaaaa….ahaaa..haa….
Male
Kaatarutha thendralaeOh breeze that cuts through the wilderness,
Kaalai nera thendralaeOh morning breeze,
Konduvandha paadal enna paaduSing the song that you brought with you.
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Paadugindra thendralodu aaduDance along with the singing breeze.
Nee paadugindra thendralodu aaduYou dance along with the singing breeze.
Male
Kaatarutha thendralaeOh breeze that cuts through the wilderness,
Kaalai nera thendralaeOh morning breeze,
Konduvandha paadal enna paaduSing the song that you brought with you.
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Paadugindra thendralodu aaduDance along with the singing breeze.
Nee paadugindra thendralodu aaduYou dance along with the singing breeze.
Chorus
Ye ye ye yeYe ye ye ye
Ye ye ye ye ye ye ye yeYe ye ye ye ye ye ye ye
Male
Thanni kullae kendai meengalWhen the carp fish inside the water
Thullum podhilaeLeap and splash,
Kai valayal osai valayal osaiHaven't you heard the sound of bangles, the sound of bangles,
KettadhillayaaHaven't you heard?
Nee kettadhillayaa nee kettadhillayaaHaven't you heard, haven't you heard?
Male
Vandu vandhu paadugindraWhen listening to the song
Paadal ketkayilSung by the visiting bees,
Ilam pookkalukku pullarikkumThe young flowers get goosebumps,
PaarththadhillayaaHaven't you seen it?
Nee paarthadhillaya nee paarthadhillayaHaven't you seen it, haven't you seen it?
Male
Paaraikullum therai unduThere is a toad living inside a rock,
KettadhillayaaHaven't you heard?
Bhoomi kullum paadal unduThere is music inside the Earth too,
Unmai illayaaIsn't that true?
Male
Kaatru mandalamThe atmosphere
Vaasal aanadhuBecame an open doorway,
Moochizhukkum podhu paattuAs I inhaled, a song
Ul nuzhaindhadhuEntered inside me.
Male
Kaatarutha thendralaeOh breeze that cuts through the wilderness,
Kaalai nera thendralaeOh morning breeze,
Konduvandha paadal enna paaduSing the song that you brought with you.
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Paadugindra thendralodu aaduDance along with the singing breeze.
Nee paadugindra thendralodu aaduYou dance along with the singing breeze.
Male
Sa ga sa ni sa ga sa niSa ga sa ni sa ga sa ni
Sa ga ma pa ni pa saSa ga ma pa ni pa sa
Chorus :Thom thom tharigidathaamChorus: Thom thom tharigidathaam
Thakathimi thagirgidathathamThakathimi thagirgidathatham
Thagirgidathatham thagirgidathathamThagirgidathatham thagirgidathatham
Male
Pa ni sa ri pa ni sa ri pa maPa ni sa ri pa ni sa ri pa ma
Chorus :Tharigadhaam tharigidadhaamChorus: Tharigadhaam tharigidadhaam
Thatheem kinatha thatheemkinathaThatheem kinatha thatheemkinatha
Male
Ga ga ri ri sa ga ri sa ni paGa ga ri ri sa ga ri sa ni pa
Pa pa sa sa sa sa ri ri ri riPa pa sa sa sa sa ri ri ri ri
Ga ri sa ni pa ga ma pa ni saGa ri sa ni pa ga ma pa ni sa
Male
Pa ni sa ri saPa ni sa ri sa
Pa ni sa ga sa ri saPa ni sa ga sa ri sa
Male
Merku vaanam manjal poosaAs the western sky painted itself yellow,
Paattu vandhadhuA song came to me.
Ennai mella mella thendral theendaAs the gentle breeze touched me softly,
Paattu vandhadhuA song came to me.
Pudhu paattu vandhadhuA new song came.
Paattu vandhadhuA song came.
Male
Mottu vitta poovai paarththuLooking at the flower bursting from its bud,
Paattu vandhadhuA song came to me.
Kulir theenda theenda kulikkum podhuWhile bathing as the chill touched me,
Paattu vandhadhuA song came.
Paattu vandhadhuA song came.
Muzhu paattu vandhadhuA complete song came.
Male
Jennaloram nilavu paarthuWatching the moon from the window edge,
Paattu vandhadhuA song came.
Salasalakka mazhai adikkaAs the rustling rain beat down,
Paattu vandhadhuA song came.
Male
Medai yeravumMusic is not sung
Maalai soodavumJust to climb the stage
Paadi paadi paarppadhillaiOr wear garland wreaths;
Paattu enbadhuMusic is an expression of the pure soul.
Male
{Kaatarutha thendralaeOh breeze that cuts through the wilderness,
Kaalai nera thendralaeOh morning breeze,
Konduvandha paadal enna paaduSing the song that you brought with you.
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Kanvizhiththa pookkalaeOh flowers that have awakened,
Paadugindra thendralodu aaduDance along with the singing breeze.
Nee paadugindra thendralodu aadu} (2)You dance along with the singing breeze.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaatarutha Thendralae is a poetic celebration of the innate connection between nature and music. The protagonist calls upon the morning breeze and freshly bloomed flowers to join in a dance of nature, expressing how melody flows effortlessly from every natural occurrence—from the splashing of fish resembling bangles to the breeze and rain inspiring song. Ultimately, lyricist Vairamuthu conveys that true music is not crafted merely for accolades, stage performances, or garlands, but is a natural, spontaneous expression of life itself that enters through breath and flows continuously through human experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Maanthuruvagam)

Paadugindra thendralodu aadu

The breeze is attributed with the human quality of singing, while flowers are invited to dance with it.

Hyperbole / Personification

Ilam pookkalukku pullarikkum

Describing young flowers getting goosebumps upon hearing the song of the bee.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaatarutha thendralae / Kaalai nera thendralae

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in consecutive lines for rhythmic flow.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Paattu vandhadhu

The phrase 'Paattu vandhadhu' (A song came) is repeated across several lines to emphasize the spontaneous arrival of music through various everyday natural moments.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannan Varuvaan (2000) was directed by Sundar C., starring Prashanth, Devayani, and Soundarya. The soundtrack for the film was composed by Sirpy, with all song lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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