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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatril Eeram

From Veppam · 2011

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Karthik, Sricharan
Music director
Joshua Sridhar
Details
Veppam2011

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaattril eeram adhai yaar thanthadhoWho gave this moisture to the breeze?
Kaalgal nadanam ida yaar sonnadhoWho told my feet to dance?
Bhoomi mudiyum andha ellai varai povomaaShall we go to the edge where the Earth ends?
Netru naalai adhu poiyaanadhoDid yesterday and tomorrow become a lie?
Indru mattum ingu mei aanadhoHas only today become the truth here?
Megam alaiyum andha vaanam varai povomaaShall we go up to that sky where clouds wander?
Male
Indrenna ithanai inbamWhat is this immense joy today?
Idhaya koottil neendhiduthaeSwimming inside the cage of my heart...
Nadai paathai pookkal ellaamAll the flowers along the footpath,
Kaigal neettiduthaeAre extending their hands towards us.
Neengaatha punnagai ondruAn unfading smile
Udhattin meelae poothiduthaeBlooms upon my lips.
Vaazhkaiyai pidikkirathaeI am falling in love with life!
Male
Kaattril eeram adhai yaar thanthadhoWho gave this moisture to the breeze?
Kaalgal nadanam ida yaar sonnadhoWho told my feet to dance?
Bhoomi mudiyum andha ellai varai povomaaShall we go to the edge where the Earth ends?
Netru naalai adhu poiyaanadhoDid yesterday and tomorrow become a lie?
Indru mattum ingu mei aanadhoHas only today become the truth here?
Megam alaiyum andha vaanam varai povomaaShall we go up to that sky where clouds wander?
Male
Oh oru naal indha oru naalOh, even if I live for just this one day,
Uyirodu irundhaalum vaazhumIt will feel like a life fully lived.
Payanam indha payanamThis journey, this beautiful journey,
Ithu thodarnthida vendumMust continue forever.
Male
Arugil unadharugil naan vaazhumLiving right beside you, near you,
Nigazh kaalam podhumThis present moment is more than enough.
Nimidam indha nimidamThis minute, this exact minute,
Idhu uraindhida vendumShould freeze in time forever.
Male
Hmm mounathil sila neramHmm, a few moments spent in silence,
Mayakkathil sila neramA few moments spent in trance,
Thayakkathil sila neramA few moments spent in hesitation,
Idhu ennavo pudhu unarvingaeWhat is this brand new feeling here?
Male
Kannarugil sila thooramA short distance near the eyes,
Kai arugil sila thooramA short distance near the hands,
Vazhi thunaiyai kaetkirathae vaa vaa…..It asks for a companion along the way; come, come...
Male
Oh ..nam nenjathin oramOh, in the corner of our hearts,
Yen ingu ithanai eeramWhy is there so much moisture and tenderness?
Oh nam kangalil oramOh, in the corner of our eyes,
Vaa pudhu kanavugal oorumCome, new dreams are welling up.
Idhu enna idhu ennaWhat is this? What is this?
Indha naal thaan thirunaalaa..Is today a grand festive day?
Idharkaaga idharkkaagaIs it for this moment, for this very day,
Kaathirunthom vegu naalaa…That we waited for so long?
Male
Indrenna ithanai inbamWhat is this immense joy today?
Idhaya koottil neendhiduthaeSwimming inside the cage of my heart...
Nadai paathai pookkal ellaamAll the flowers along the footpath,
Kaigal neettiduthaeAre extending their hands towards us.
Neengaatha punnagai ondruAn unfading smile
Udhattin meelae poothiduthaeBlooms upon my lips.
Vaazhkaiyai pidikkirathaeI am falling in love with life!
Male
Kaattril eeram adhai yaar thanthadhoWho gave this moisture to the breeze?
Kaalgal nadanam ida yaar sonnadhoWho told my feet to dance?
Bhoomi mudiyum andha ellai varai povomaaShall we go to the edge where the Earth ends?
Netru naalai adhu poiyaanadhoDid yesterday and tomorrow become a lie?
Indru mattum ingu mei aanadhoHas only today become the truth here?
Megam alaiyum andha vaanam varai povomaaShall we go up to that sky where clouds wander?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaattril Eeram is an uplifting and euphoric song about embracing the present moment, falling in love with life, and experiencing the sweet warmth of companionship. The protagonist marvels at how nature seems to celebrate alongside them, as the breeze carries moisture and the flowers along the roadside stretch out like welcoming hands. The lyrics express a desire to abandon worries about yesterday and tomorrow, choosing instead to live fully in the beauty of 'today'.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaattril eeram adhai yaar thanthadho / Kaalgal nadanam ida yaar sonnadho

Matching initial consonants 'Kaa' in consecutive lines creating a rhythmic musical start.

Personification

Nadai paathai pookkal ellaam / Kaigal neettiduthae

Flowers on the walkway are personified as extending their hands to welcome the protagonist.

Metaphor

Neengaatha punnagai ondru / Udhattin meelae poothiduthae

A smile is metaphorically described as a flower blooming on the lips.

Antithesis / Oxymoron

Netru naalai adhu poiyaanadho / Indru mattum ingu mei aanadho

Contrasting the unreality of yesterday and tomorrow ('poiyaanadho') with the absolute reality of today ('mei aanadho').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaattril Eeram' from the 2011 film Veppam was composed by Joshua Sridhar with lyrics by Na. Muthu Kumar. The song became a fan favorite for its acoustic, breezy composition and youthful energy, perfectly reflecting Na. Muthu Kumar's signature style of finding poetic wonder in simple everyday moments.

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