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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatril Varum

From Oru Naal Oru Kanavu · 2005

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Bhavatharani, Hariharan, Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oru Naal Oru Kanavu2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaaDo you know my Krishna?
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaa….Do you know my Krishna?
Female
Avan vai kulalil alagagaa….Beautifully from his bamboo flute...
Aaaa…..aaaaAaaa...aaaa
Amutham thathumbum isayagaaAs music brimming with nectar
Malarnthai nadanthaiYou blossomed, you walked
Alai pol mithanthuFloating like a wave
Female
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaaDo you know my Krishna?
Female
Pasu ariyum antha sisu ariyumThe cow knows it, that infant knows it
Paalai maranthu antha pambariyumForgetting its milk, that snake knows it too
Pasu ariyum antha sisu ariyumThe cow knows it, that infant knows it
Paalai maranthu antha pambariyumForgetting its milk, that snake knows it too
Female
Varunthum uyirkuuuu…uuuuFor a suffering soul...
Aaaaa…aaaa…Aaaaa...aaaa...
Chorus :Varunthum uyirku oruChorus: For a suffering soul, it is
MarunthagumA medicine
Isai arunthum mugam malarumThe face that drinks music will bloom
ArumbagaumLike a flower bud
Isayin payanae iraivan thaanaeThe ultimate purpose of music is God Himself
Chorus
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaaDo you know my Krishna?
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaaDo you know my Krishna?
Female
Athara sruthi anthaThat foundational pitch (Sruti)
Annai endrenI call my mother
Male :Athukettra layam enthanMale: The rhythm (Laya) matching it
Thanthai enbenI call my father
Female
Suthi layangal thannai sutrumPitch and rhythm surrounding themselves
Swarangal ellamAll the musical notes (Swaras)
Male :Uravaga amaintha nallaMale: Formed as a lovely bond
Isai kudumbamA musical family
Chorus
Thirantha kathavu endrumThe open door will never
MoodathuBe closed
Ingu sirantha isai virunthuHere, the grand feast of music
KuraiyathuWill never diminish
Ithu pol illam ethu sollu tholiWhich home is like this, tell me my friend?
Male
Pa ma ri ga ri ga ri ga ni tha tha niPa ma ri ga ri ga ri ga ni tha tha ni
Chorus :Pa ma ri ga ri ga ri ga ni tha tha niChorus: Pa ma ri ga ri ga ri ga ni tha tha ni
Male
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaaDo you know my Krishna?
Chorus :Avan vai kulalil alagagaaChorus: Beautifully from his bamboo flute
Male :Amutham thathumbum isayagaaMale: As music brimming with nectar
Chorus :Malarnthai nadanthaiChorus: You blossomed, you walked
Alai pol midhanthuFloating like a wave
Female
Katril varum geethamaeO song carried by the wind
En kannanai arivayaa….Do you know my Krishna?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Katril Varum Geethame' is a serene classical composition that celebrates the divine power of music and its intimate connection with Lord Krishna's flute. The song highlights how music transcends logical boundaries, captivating cows, infants, and even snakes, while serving as a healing medicine for grieving souls. Vaali's lyrics emphasize that the true ultimate end of music is reaching God Himself. In the latter stanzas, music is poetically depicted as a complete family where the pitch (Sruti) acts as the mother, rhythm (Laya) as the father, and the musical notes (Swaras) as relatives, hosting an eternal feast of harmony where the doors are forever open to all listeners.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Katril varum geethamae / En kannanai arivayaa

Addressing the song floating in the wind as a person capable of knowing Krishna.

Simile (Upamai)

Alai pol mithanthu

Comparing the graceful movement of music in the air to ocean waves floating.

Iyebu (End Rhyme / Repetition)

Pasu ariyum antha sisu ariyum / Paalai maranthu antha pambariyum

Repetition of 'ariyum' at line endings creating a rhythmic lyrical flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Athara sruthi antha Annai endren... Isai kudumbam

Metaphorically structuring musical concepts (Sruti, Laya, Swaras) as a literal family system.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 2005 film 'Oru Naal Oru Kanavu' directed by Fazil, this song is celebrated for its intricate classical arrangements. Written by Vaali, it features vocals by Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Vijay Yesudas, and Bhavatharini.

Keep listening

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