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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatha Naatha

From Maanasthan · 2004

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Maanasthan2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmm…mmmmHumming
Ahaa…aaa…aaa..Vocalizing
Oh ho…ooo..ohooho..hooVocalizing
Female
Kaaththa naaththaLike the wind and the sapling
Naama onnu sentha mannulaIn the land where we came together
Ippo vella kaadaIs it now a flooded field?
Poova poovaLike flowers blooming together
Naama pooththiruntha bhoomiyumThe land where we once flourished
Ellaam tharisal medaHas it all turned into a barren hill?
Female
Vedha nellu kottum engaWhere seed paddy is stored
PaththayaththulaInside our granary
Aasa kotti vechchen thenamI poured out my desires daily
Un nenappulaIn fond thoughts of you
Athu ippothu kaanavilla..aaa…Are those missing now?
.Female: Like the wind and the sapling
Female :Kaaththa naaththaIn the land where we came together
Naama onnu sentha mannulaIs it now a flooded field?
Ippo vella kaadaLike flowers blooming together
Poova poovaThe land where we once flourished
Naama pooththiruntha bhoomiyumHas it all turned into a barren hill?
Ellaam tharisal meda
Chorus
………………..
Female
Kannukku mai vechchenI applied kohl to my eyes
Kai viral venaannuRefusing my own fingers to touch
Oosiya kondu vanthuThey brought a sharp needle
Theetta chonnaangaAnd asked to line my eyes with it
Female
Koonthalil poo vechchenI placed flowers in my hair
Un sontham venaannuRejecting your relationship with me
Thee pantham kondu vanthuThey brought a flaming torch
Sootta chonnangaAnd told me to burn it away
Female
Unakkuthaan naanaaganumI should belong only to you
Illaiyinna mannaaganumOtherwise, I must turn to dust
Manasu enna maavelakkaayaIs my heart a flour lamp
Renda odachchu thallaTo break into two pieces?
Nenja valichchathennaWhy did my heart ache like this?
Female
Kaaththa naaththaLike the wind and the sapling
Naama onnu sentha mannulaIn the land where we came together
Ippo vella kaadaIs it now a flooded field?
Poova poovaLike flowers blooming together
Naama pooththiruntha bhoomiyumThe land where we once flourished
Ellaam tharisal medaHas it all turned into a barren hill?
Female
Nanjaiyil molachchaSprouted in the wetland field
Kadalaiya odachchuBreaking open the groundnuts
Onnu nee onnu naannu"One for you, one for me"
Solli thirinjenI used to wander around sharing
Female
Aaththukku pakkaththilBeside the river
Ayyanaar silaikkuBehind the deity Ayyanar's statue
Pinnalae maaman madiOn my beloved's lap
Saainju kedanthenI used to lie leaning back
Female
Aasathaan en nenjilaDesire fills my heart
Aaru kalanthaan en kannulaWhile a river of tears flows from my eyes
Usura maranthu pogura pothuWhen my soul leaves this body
Neethaan somakka venumYou are the one who should carry me
Antha varamum venumI ask for that blessing as well
Female
Kaaththa naaththaLike the wind and the sapling
Naama onnu sentha mannulaIn the land where we came together
Ippo vella kaadaIs it now a flooded field?
Poova poovaLike flowers blooming together
Naama pooththiruntha bhoomiyumThe land where we once flourished
Ellaam tharisal medaHas it all turned into a barren hill?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Kaaththa Naaththa" is a deeply emotional folk-infused sorrowful song from the movie Maanasthan. The lyrics express the profound pain of separation between two lovers who shared a deep, childhood bond rooted in rustic village life. The imagery shifts between cherished memories of sharing simple joys in fields and rivers, and the harsh reality of opposition from family and society who seek to sever their connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kaaththa naaththa / Manasu enna maavelakkaaya

Compares the lovers' bond to wind and a young crop ('Kaaththa naaththa') and their heart to a fragile flour lamp ('Maavelakku').

Contrast / Juxtaposition

Naama pooththiruntha bhoomiyum / Ellaam tharisal meda

Contrasts past lush blooming land ('pooththiruntha bhoomi') with current barren wasteland ('tharisal meda') to depict emotional loss.

Etukai (Second letter rhyming)

Kaaththa naaththa / Naama onnu sentha mannula

Rhyming of the second letter across lines ('Kaaththa' / 'Naama', 'Nanjaiyil' / 'Kadalaiya').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is set in a rural backdrop and features music composed by Deva, with poignant lyrics penned by Pa. Vijay that effectively use agricultural metaphors native to Tamil Nadu's countryside.

Keep listening

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