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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatre En Vaasal

From Rhythm · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Unnikrishnan, Kavitha Paudwal
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Rhythm2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaatrae en vaasal vanthaaiO wind, you came to my doorstep
Methuvaaga kathavu thiranthaaiGently opened the door
Kaatrae un perai ketten kaadhal endraaiO wind, I asked your name, you said 'Love'
Netru nee enghu irunthaai kaatraeO wind, where were you yesterday?
Nee solvaai endrenI thought you would answer
Swaasathil irunthadhaaga solli sendraaiYou said you were in my breath and departed
Female
Thulli varum kaatrae thulli varum kaatraeO bouncing wind, O bouncing wind
Thaai mozhi pesuSpeak in mother tongue
Nilavulla varaiyil nilamulla varaiyil nenjinil veesuBlow in my heart as long as the moon and earth exist
Thulli varum kaatrae thulli varum kaatraeO bouncing wind, O bouncing wind
Thaai mozhi pesu…Speak in mother tongue…
Kaatrae en vaasal vanthaaiO wind, you came to my doorstep
Methuvaaga kathavu thiranthaaiGently opened the door
Kaatrae un perai ketten kaadhal endraai..O wind, I asked your name, you said 'Love'..
Female
Seee…Seelay…seelay..seelay…seelaysay..(Vocalizations)
Seelay..seelay..seelay…seelay….seelay(Vocalizations)
Male
Kaarkaalam azhaikkumbothu olinthukolla nee vendumWhen the rainy season calls, I need you to hide with
Thaavani kudai pidippaayaa…aaaWill you hold your scarf like an umbrella?
Female
Anbae naan uranga vendum azhagaana idam vendumMy love, I need to sleep, I need a beautiful place
Kangalil idam koduppaayaa…Will you give me space in your eyes?
Male
Nee ennarugil vanthu neliyaAs you come close to me and squirm shyly
Naan un manathil sendru oliyaAs I go and hide within your heart
Nee un manathil ennuruvam kandupidippaayaa….aaaWill you find my image inside your heart?
Female
{ Pookkalukullae thaenulla varaiyil kaadhalar vaazhga} (2)Long live lovers as long as there is honey inside flowers
Male
Boomikku melae vaanulla varaiyil kaadhalum vaazhgaLong live love as long as the sky exists above the earth
Kaatrae en vaasal vanthaaiO wind, you came to my doorstep
Methuvaaga kathavu thiranthaaiGently opened the door
Kaatrae un perai ketten kaadhal endraaiO wind, I asked your name, you said 'Love'
Female
Mmmm…netru nee enghu irunthaai kaatraeMmmm… O wind, where were you yesterday?
Nee solvaai endrenI thought you would answer
Swaasathil irunthadhaaga solli sendraaiYou said you were in my breath and departed
Female
Seelay…seelay..seelay..(Vocalizations)
Female
Nedungaalam sippikkullae urundu nirkum muthupolLike a pearl rolling and forming inside an oyster for a long time
En penmai thirandu nirkirathae..My womanhood stands fully matured..
Male
Thirakaatha sippi ennai thiranthukolla solgirathaaIs this unopened shell asking me to open up?
En nenjam marundu nirkirathae..ae..My heart stands frightened..
Female
Naan siru kuzhanthai endru ninaithenI thought I was a little child
Un varugaiyinaal vayatharindenBecause of your arrival, I realized my maturity
Ennai marupadiyum siru pillaiyaai seivaayaa…aah..Will you make me a little child once again?
Male
{ Kattilidum vayathil thottilida sonnaalIf asked to place a cradle at an age made for a bed
Sariyaa sariyaa } (2)Is it right, is it right?
Female
Kattilil iruvarum kuzhandaigal aanaalIf both become children on the bed
Pizhaiyaa pizhaiyaaIs it a mistake, is it a mistake?
Male
Kaatrae en vaasal vanthaai methuvaaga..O wind, you came to my doorstep gently..
Female
Kaatrae un perai ketten kaadhal endraaiO wind, I asked your name, you said 'Love'
Thulli varum kaatrae thulli varum kaatraeO bouncing wind, O bouncing wind
Thaai mozhi pesuSpeak in mother tongue
Nilavulla varaiyil nilamulla varaiyilAs long as the moon exists, as long as the earth exists
Nenjinil veesuBlow within my heart
{ Thulli varum kaatrae thulli varum kaatraeO bouncing wind, O bouncing wind
Thaai mozhi pesu}(2)Speak in mother tongue

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaatrae En Vaasal from the album Rhythm personifies love as a gentle, refreshing wind that unexpectedly enters a person's life, opening the doors to profound romance and emotional awakening. The song explores the tender dialogue between lovers who express their surrender, devotion, and intimate desire using vivid natural imagery such as rain, honey, pearls, and the moon.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Kaatrae un perai ketten kaadhal endraai

The wind is personified as a visitor who opens the door, speaks, and introduces itself as Love.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Nedungaalam sippikkullae urundu nirkum muthupol

The maturation of womanhood and love is compared to a pearl gradually taking shape inside an oyster over time.

Alliteration (Monai)

Nilavulla varaiyil nilamulla varaiyil

Repetition of initial consonant sounds creates a soothing rhythmic and poetic flow across phrases.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rhythm (2000) is a conceptual soundtrack album composed by A. R. Rahman where each song represents one of the Pancha Bhoothas (Five Elements of Nature). Kaatrae En Vaasal represents the Air element. Sung by Unni Menon and Sujatha Mohan, Unni Menon won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his performance in this song.

Keep listening

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