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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrinilae Varum Geetham

From Meera (1945) Film · 1945

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Movie name
Meera (1945) Film
Movie release year
1945
Lyrics added on
16 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaatrinilae…
Ae..ae… ae..varum geetham
Kaatrinilae
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Kangal panithida pongum geetham
Kallum kaniyum geetham
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Pattamarangal thalirkkum geetham
Pannoli konjidum geetham
Kaattu vilangum kaettae mayangum
Madhura mohana geetham
Nenjinilae nenjinil
Inbakkanalai ezhuppi
Ninaivazhikkum geetham
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Sunai vandudan solaikkuyilum
Managuvindhidavum
Vaanavelithanil thaaraaganangal
Thayangi nindridavum
Aa en solven maayappillai
Venguzhal pozhigeetham
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Nilaa malarndha iravinil thendral
Ulaavidum nadhiyil
Neela nirathu baalagan oruvan
Kuzhal oodhi nindraan
Neela nirathu baalagan oruvan
Kuzhal oodhi nindraan
Kaalamellaam kaalamellaam
Avan kaadhalai enni
Urugumo yen ullam
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Kaatrinilae varum geetham
Kaatrinilae…
On the breeze...
Ah... a melody that comes floating...
On the breeze...
A melody that comes floating on the breeze,
A melody that comes floating on the breeze,
A melody overflowing to bring tears to the eyes,
A melody that softens even stone,
A melody that comes floating on the breeze.
A melody that makes withered trees sprout new leaves,
A melody overflowing with radiant music,
Even wild animals are enchanted upon hearing it,
A sweet, enchanting melody!
Deep within the heart, in the heart,
Kindling a flame of sweet joy,
A melody that fills the mind with memories,
A melody that comes floating on the breeze.
The bees by the spring and the cuckoos in the grove
Listen in deep, quiet focus,
And the stars across the open sky
Pause in their paths and stand still,
Ah, what can I say of that magical boy,
And the music pouring from his bamboo flute!
A melody that comes floating on the breeze,
A melody that comes floating on the breeze.
On a night blossoming with moonlight,
By the river where the soft breeze wanders,
A blue-complexioned young boy
Stood playing his flute.
A blue-complexioned young boy
Stood playing his flute.
For all time, through all the ages,
Thinking of his love,
Will my heart go on melting?
A melody that comes floating on the breeze,
A melody that comes floating on the breeze,
On the breeze...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic devotional composition captures the transcendental magic of Lord Krishna's flute music floating through the night air. The divine melody possesses a cosmic power capable of evoking blissful tears, melting hard stones, bringing dead trees back to life, and enchanting wild animals and nature alike.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Pattamarangal thalirkkum geetham

The second letters of 'Kaatrinilae', 'Pattamarangal', and 'Kaattu' share similar consonant harmonies, creating a rhythmic flow across lines.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Kallum kaniyum geetham

Describing the flute's music as powerful enough to make dried, dead trees sprout leaves ('Pattamarangal thalirkkum') and melt stones ('Kallum kaniyum').

Personification

Vaanavelithanil thaaraaganangal Thayangi nindridavum

Attributing human traits like lingering hesitantly ('Thayangi nindridavum') to stars in the sky upon hearing the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although written by Kalki Krishnamurthy for M. S. Subbulakshmi's iconic film Meera (1945) with music composed by S. V. Venkatraman, the lyrics are deeply rooted in classical Tamil literary motifs of Bakthi literature, depicting the enchanting power of Krishna's Venugana.

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