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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrodu Kuzhalin

From Kodai Mazhai · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kodai Mazhai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Vocalizing (Ah...)
Haa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Vocalizing (Ha... ah...)
Aaaa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa..Vocalizing (Ah... ah...)
Female
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamae…The sound of the flute wafting in the wind...
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Kannan varum naeram yamunai karai oramAt the time Krishna arrives, by the banks of the Yamuna
Avan varum vazhi paarthu vazhi paarthuWatching the path he comes, watching the path
Thavikkum manathil inikka varuvadhuSweetly arriving into the yearning heart
Female
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamae…The sound of the flute wafting in the wind...
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Female
Vandaadum aravindha malar undhan kangalYour eyes are lotus flowers around which bees hover
Kandaadum enadhullam brundhaavanamMy heart, seeing them, dances like Brindavan
Vandaadum aravindha malar undhan kangalYour eyes are lotus flowers around which bees hover
Kandaadum enadhullam brundhaavanamMy heart, seeing them, dances like Brindavan
Vin meengal vaanil vilakkaetrum naeramAt the time when stars light up like lamps in the sky
Kannaa un maarbil vizhi mooda vaendumOh Krishna, I wish to close my eyes upon your chest
Thanga chilaikku andhi kalaikkuFor the golden statue, for the dusk's art
Vilakkam alikka azhaitha pozhudhinilWhen invited to offer light and explanation
Female
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Kannan varum naeram yamunai karai oramAt the time Krishna arrives, by the banks of the Yamuna
Avan varum vazhi paarthu vazhi paarthuWatching the path he comes, watching the path
Thavikkum manathil inikka varuvadhuSweetly arriving into the yearning heart
Female
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamae…The sound of the flute wafting in the wind...
Female
Paadhangal jathiyil aadumFeet dance to rhythmic dance steps
Thakadhimi thagavendruSounding rhythmic syllables 'Thakadhimi thaga'
Female
Paadhangal jathiyil aadumFeet dance to rhythmic dance steps
Thakadhimi thagavendruSounding rhythmic syllables 'Thakadhimi thaga'
Bhaavangal vizhiyil aadumEmotions dance in the eyes
Thagathaga thagavendruGleaming brightly like 'Thagathaga thaga'
Nayanam aadum oru navarasa naadagamThe eyes play a drama of nine emotions (Navarasa)
Nalinamaaga ini arangaerumGracefully it will now take the stage
Female
Nayanam aadum oru navarasa naadagamThe eyes play a drama of nine emotions (Navarasa)
Nalinamaaga ini arangaerumGracefully it will now take the stage
Female
Sariga nisari nisari garisani risanisaaSolfege notes (Sari ga ni sa ri...)
Padhani sagagaga riri sasasa ninini dhadhadhaSolfege notes (Pa dha ni sa ga ga ga...)
Paniriri sasasa ninini dhadhadha padhaniSolfege notes (Pa ni ri ri sa sa sa...)
Female
Kaar konda mazhai megamThe heavy rain-bearing clouds
Ver kondu pogumWill be uprooted and blown away
Kaiyodu unai vandhu varavaerkkavaeTo welcome you hand in hand
Kaar konda mazhai megamThe heavy rain-bearing clouds
Ver kondu pogumWill be uprooted and blown away
Kaiyodu unai vandhu varavaerkkavaeTo welcome you hand in hand
Female
Kanam kooda indru yugam aanadhennaWhy has even a single moment turned into an epoch today?
Marundhaana neeyae noyaanadhennaWhy did you, who were the cure, become the disease itself?
Indha thavippum indhat thudippumThis yearning and this throbbing beat
Enakku yedharkku thanikka ini varumWhy is it for me? Who will come to soothe it now?
Female
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamaeThe sound of the flute wafting in the wind
Kannan varum naeram yamunai karai oramAt the time Krishna arrives, by the banks of the Yamuna
Avan varum vazhi paarthu vazhi paarthuWatching the path he comes, watching the path
Thavikkum manathil inikka varuvadhuSweetly arriving into the yearning heart
Female
Kaatrodu kuzhalin naadhamae…The sound of the flute wafting in the wind...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaatrodu Kuzhalin Naadhamae from the movie Kodai Mazhai (1986) is a beautiful Classical-infused melody that expresses intense romantic yearning through the metaphor of Radha waiting for Lord Krishna by the banks of the Yamuna. The protagonist describes her eyes as blooming lotus flowers and her heart as Brindavan itself, eagerly waiting to rest her eyes on her beloved's chest as twilight sets in.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vandaadum aravindha malar undhan kangal / Kandaadum enadhullam brundhaavanam

Compares the eyes to lotus flowers visited by bees, and the heart to Brindavan.

Imagery (Kaatchi Uruvagam)

Vin meengal vaanil vilakkaetrum naeram

Creates a vivid visual image of stars illuminating the night sky like lit lamps.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Paadhangal jathiyil aadum / Bhaavangal vizhiyil aadum

The second letters 'daa' in Paadhangal and Bhaavangal rhyme perfectly.

Rhythmic Onomatopoeia (Jathi)

Thakadhimi thagavendru / Thagathaga thagavendru

Uses classical dance percussion syllables (jathis) to simulate the sound of dancing feet and expressive eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. S. Chithra, this song is considered one of Chithra's early vocal masterpieces in Tamil cinema, showcasing complex Carnatic swara patterns and classical dance rhythmics (jathis) flawlessly.

Keep listening

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