Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrai Niruthi

From Panchalankuruchi · 1996

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Details
Panchalankuruchi1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaatrai niruthi ketkkirenI stop the wind and ask,
Enna idhu enna idhuWhat is this, what is this?
Kadalai azhaithu ketkkirenI call the sea and ask,
Enna idhu enna idhuWhat is this, what is this?
Pookalai thirandhu ketkkirenI open the flowers and ask,
Enna idhu enna idhuWhat is this, what is this?
Female
Sooriyan enna iravil kaayudhuWhy is the sun shining in the night?
Vaanavil enna tharaiyil aaduthuWhy is the rainbow dancing on the ground?
Thaavani enna siragaai ponadhuHow did my half-saree turn into wings?
Vinnmeenellaam nilavaai aanadhuHow did all the stars turn into moons?
Female
Manadhum vayadhum thadumaariyadhaeMy mind and my age have stumbled,
Mannum vinnum idamaariyadhaeThe earth and the sky have swapped places.
Idhuthaan idhuthaan kaadhal endraeSaying 'This is it, this is love',
Inbam kaavil kuyil kooviyadhaeA cuckoo sang in the grove of joy.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the innocent wonder and euphoria of a young woman experiencing love for the first time. Overwhelmed by new sensations, she questions nature—the wind, the sea, and the flowers—about the surreal changes occurring around and within her. The world appears completely inverted and magical: the sun shines at night, stars multiply into moons, and her traditional attire feels light enough to act as wings. Ultimately, nature itself confirms through the song of a cuckoo bird in a blissful grove that this wondrous transformation is indeed love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Kaatrai niruthi ketkkiren

Addressing natural elements like the wind, ocean, and blossoms as sentient companions capable of listening and answering.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Enna idhu enna idhu

The recurring question 'Enna idhu enna idhu' highlights the protagonist's persistent state of bewilderment and wonder.

Hyperbole (Uruvagamm / Exaggeration)

Sooriyan enna iravil kaayudhu

Using impossible natural occurrences like the sun shining at night to describe the intense internal brightness brought by romance.

Metaphor

Thaavani enna siragaai ponadhu

Comparing the half-saree (thaavani) to wings, representing weightlessness, freedom, and emotional flight.

Rhyme / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Manadhum vayadhum thadumaariyadhae

Matching rhyming suffixes ('thadumaariyadhae' and 'idamaariyadhae') which enhance the lyrical flow and musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Panchalankuruchi (1996) is a rural drama directed by Seeman, starring Prabhu and Madhoo. This track showcases K. S. Chithra's expressive vocal delivery set to Deva's rustic melodic style, featuring Vairamuthu's signature use of nature imagery to express romantic awakening.

Keep listening

More from Panchalankuruchi