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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
Details
Meera (1945) Film1945

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaatrinilae…In the breeze...
Ae..ae… ae..varum geethamOh... the song that floats in...
KaatrinilaeIn the breeze...
Female
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Kangal panithida pongum geethamA song that swells, bringing tears of joy to the eyes...
Kallum kaniyum geethamA song that melts even stones into sweet fruit...
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Female
Pattamarangal thalirkkum geethamA song that makes dried-up trees sprout green leaves...
Pannoli konjidum geethamA song where musical notes lisp lovingly...
Kaattu vilangum kaettae mayangumEven wild beasts are mesmerized upon hearing it...
Madhura mohana geethamA sweet and enchanting melody...
Nenjinilae nenjinilDeep within the heart, deep within...
Inbakkanalai ezhuppiIgniting the spark of pure bliss...
Ninaivazhikkum geethamA song that erases all other thoughts...
Female
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Female
Sunai vandudan solaikkuyilumThe bees of the stream and the cuckoos of the grove...
ManaguvindhidavumLose themselves in ecstasy...
Vaanavelithanil thaaraaganangalThe celestial stars in the wide sky...
Thayangi nindridavumHesitate and linger in amazement...
Aa en solven maayappillaiAh, what can I say of this magical child's...
Venguzhal pozhigeethamMelody pouring from his bamboo flute...
Female
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Female
Nilaa malarndha iravinil thendralOn a night blooming with moonlight, as the breeze...
Ulaavidum nadhiyilStrolls along the river...
Neela nirathu baalagan oruvanA young boy of blue complexion...
Kuzhal oodhi nindraanStood playing his flute...
Neela nirathu baalagan oruvanA young boy of blue complexion...
Kuzhal oodhi nindraanStood playing his flute...
Kaalamellaam kaalamellaamFor all of time, for all of eternity...
Avan kaadhalai enniPondering his divine love...
Urugumo yen ullamWill my heart melt away?
Female
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Kaatrinilae varum geethamThe song floating in the breeze...
Kaatrinilae…In the breeze...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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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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