Kaatrukkenna Veli
From Avargal · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Avargal1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Female :Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… | Female: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Chorus :Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Chorus: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Female :Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… | Female: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa… |
| Haa haa haa haa haa | Haa haa haa haa haa |
| Chorus :Haa haa haa haa haa | Chorus: Haa haa haa haa haa |
| Female | |
| Kaatrukkenna veli | Is there a boundary for the wind? |
| Kadalukkenna moodi | Is there a lid to cover the sea? |
| Gangai vellam sangukkullae | The vast rush of the Ganges river |
| Adangi vidaadhu | Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch! |
| Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu | When a woman's heart overflows with spirit, |
| Vilangugal yedhu | Where are the chains that can bind her? |
| Chorus | |
| Ahaa…aaa…haaa… | Ahaa…aaa…haaa… |
| Female | |
| Kaatrukkenna veli | Is there a boundary for the wind? |
| Kadalukkenna moodi | Is there a lid to cover the sea? |
| Gangai vellam sangukkullae | The vast rush of the Ganges river |
| Adangi vidaadhu | Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch! |
| Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu | When a woman's heart overflows with spirit, |
| Vilangugal yedhu | Where are the chains that can bind her? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………………. | ........................... |
| Female :Ahaaa…..ahaaaaa…. | Female: Ahaaa…..ahaaaaa…. |
| Female | |
| {Naan vaanilae | In the high sky, |
| Maegamaai paaduven | I shall sing like a drifting cloud, |
| Paadal ondru | A joyous melody! |
| Naan bhoomiyil | Upon this Earth, |
| Thogaipol aaduven | I shall dance like a peacock displaying its plume, |
| Aadal ondru} (2) | A joyous dance! |
| Female | |
| Kandrukkutti thullumbodhu | When a little calf leaps in boundless joy, |
| Kaalil enna kattuppaadu | What restrictions can shackle its feet? |
| Kaalam ennai vaazhthumbodhu | When time itself celebrates and blesses me, |
| Aasaikkenna thattuppaadu | Why should my desires face any scarcity? |
| Female | |
| Kaatrukkenna veli | Is there a boundary for the wind? |
| Kadalukkenna moodi | Is there a lid to cover the sea? |
| Gangai vellam sangukkullae | The vast rush of the Ganges river |
| Adangi vidaadhu | Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch! |
| Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu | When a woman's heart overflows with spirit, |
| Vilangugal yedhu | Where are the chains that can bind her? |
| Chorus | |
| Ahaa…aaa…haaa… | Ahaa…aaa…haaa… |
| Ahaa…aaa…haaa… | Ahaa…aaa…haaa… |
| ………………………………….. | ........................... |
| Female | |
| Thaer konduvaa | Bring forth a grand chariot, |
| Thendralae indru naan | O southern breeze, today I |
| Ennai kanden | Have truly discovered myself! |
| Seer konduvaa | Bring auspicious gifts, |
| Sondhamae indru dhaan | O my loved ones, for only today |
| Penmai konden | Have I truly embraced my womanhood! |
| Female | |
| Pillai petrum pillai aanen | Even after giving birth, I have become a child again; |
| Pesi pesi killai aanen | Chattering away endlessly, I have become a sweet parrot; |
| Kovil vittu kovil poven | I shall visit temple after temple freely, |
| Kutram enna yetru kolven | What fault is there in it? I will embrace whatever comes! |
| Female | |
| Kaatrukkenna veli | Is there a boundary for the wind? |
| Kadalukkenna moodi | Is there a lid to cover the sea? |
| Gangai vellam sangukkullae | The vast rush of the Ganges river |
| Adangi vidaadhu | Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch! |
| Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu | When a woman's heart overflows with spirit, |
| Vilangugal yedhu | Where are the chains that can bind her? |
| Chorus | |
| Ahaa…aaa…haaa… | Ahaa…aaa…haaa… |
| Ahaa…aaa…haaa… | Ahaa…aaa…haaa… |
| Ahaa…aaa…haaa… | Ahaa…aaa…haaa… |
ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆ
குழு :
ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஹா ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆ ஹா
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா
குழு :
ஹா ஹா ஹா
ஹா ஹா
Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Chorus: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Haa haa haa haa haa
Chorus: Haa haa haa haa haa
காற்றுகென்ன
வேலி கடலுக்கென்ன
மூடி கங்கை வெள்ளம்
சங்குக்குள்ளே அடங்கி
விடாது மங்கை நெஞ்சம்
பொங்கும் போது விலங்குகள்
ஏது
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Where are the chains that can bind her?
ஆஹா
ஆஆ ஹா
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
காற்றுகென்ன
வேலி கடலுக்கென்ன
மூடி கங்கை வெள்ளம்
சங்குக்குள்ளே அடங்கி
விடாது மங்கை நெஞ்சம்
பொங்கும் போது விலங்குகள்
ஏது
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Where are the chains that can bind her?
......................................
ஆஹா ஆஹா
...........................
Female: Ahaaa…..ahaaaaa….
{ நான் வானிலே
மேகமாய் பாடுவேன்
பாடல் ஒன்று நான்
பூமியில் தோகை போல்
ஆடுவேன் ஆடல் ஒன்று } (2)
In the high sky,
I shall sing like a drifting cloud,
A joyous melody!
Upon this Earth,
I shall dance like a peacock displaying its plume,
A joyous dance!
கன்று குட்டி
துள்ளும் போது காலில்
என்ன கட்டு பாடு காலம்
என்னை வாழ்த்தும் போது
ஆசைக்கென்ன தட்டு பாடு
When a little calf leaps in boundless joy,
What restrictions can shackle its feet?
When time itself celebrates and blesses me,
Why should my desires face any scarcity?
காற்றுகென்ன
வேலி கடலுக்கென்ன
மூடி கங்கை வெள்ளம்
சங்குக்குள்ளே அடங்கி
விடாது மங்கை நெஞ்சம்
பொங்கும் போது
விலங்குகள் ஏது
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Where are the chains that can bind her?
ஆஹா ஆஆ ஹா
ஆஹா ஆஆ ஹா
......................................
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
...........................
தேர் கொண்டு
வா தென்றலே இன்று
நான் என்னை கண்டேன்
சீர் கொண்டு வா சொந்தமே
இன்று தான் பெண்மை
கொண்டேன்
Bring forth a grand chariot,
O southern breeze, today I
Have truly discovered myself!
Bring auspicious gifts,
O my loved ones, for only today
Have I truly embraced my womanhood!
பிள்ளை பெற்றும்
பிள்ளை ஆனேன் பேசி
பேசி கிள்ளை ஆனேன்
கோவில் விட்டு கோவில்
போவேன் குற்றம் என்ன
ஏற்று கொள்வேன்
Even after giving birth, I have become a child again;
Chattering away endlessly, I have become a sweet parrot;
I shall visit temple after temple freely,
What fault is there in it? I will embrace whatever comes!
காற்றுகென்ன
வேலி கடலுக்கென்ன
மூடி கங்கை வெள்ளம்
சங்குக்குள்ளே அடங்கி
விடாது மங்கை நெஞ்சம்
பொங்கும் போது
விலங்குகள் ஏது
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Where are the chains that can bind her?
ஆஹா ஆஆ ஹா
ஆஹா ஆஆ ஹா
ஆஹா ஆஆ ஹா
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female :Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Female: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Chorus :Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Chorus: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female :Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Female: Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Haa haa haa haa haa
Haa haa haa haa haa
Chorus :Haa haa haa haa haa
Chorus: Haa haa haa haa haa
Kaatrukkenna veli
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Kadalukkenna moodi
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
Gangai vellam sangukkullae
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Adangi vidaadhu
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Vilangugal yedhu
Where are the chains that can bind her?
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Kaatrukkenna veli
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Kadalukkenna moodi
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
Gangai vellam sangukkullae
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Adangi vidaadhu
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Vilangugal yedhu
Where are the chains that can bind her?
……………………………….
...........................
Female :Ahaaa…..ahaaaaa….
Female: Ahaaa…..ahaaaaa….
{Naan vaanilae
In the high sky,
Maegamaai paaduven
I shall sing like a drifting cloud,
Paadal ondru
A joyous melody!
Naan bhoomiyil
Upon this Earth,
Thogaipol aaduven
I shall dance like a peacock displaying its plume,
Aadal ondru} (2)
A joyous dance!
Kandrukkutti thullumbodhu
When a little calf leaps in boundless joy,
Kaalil enna kattuppaadu
What restrictions can shackle its feet?
Kaalam ennai vaazhthumbodhu
When time itself celebrates and blesses me,
Aasaikkenna thattuppaadu
Why should my desires face any scarcity?
Kaatrukkenna veli
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Kadalukkenna moodi
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
Gangai vellam sangukkullae
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Adangi vidaadhu
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Vilangugal yedhu
Where are the chains that can bind her?
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
…………………………………..
...........................
Thaer konduvaa
Bring forth a grand chariot,
Thendralae indru naan
O southern breeze, today I
Ennai kanden
Have truly discovered myself!
Seer konduvaa
Bring auspicious gifts,
Sondhamae indru dhaan
O my loved ones, for only today
Penmai konden
Have I truly embraced my womanhood!
Pillai petrum pillai aanen
Even after giving birth, I have become a child again;
Pesi pesi killai aanen
Chattering away endlessly, I have become a sweet parrot;
Kovil vittu kovil poven
I shall visit temple after temple freely,
Kutram enna yetru kolven
What fault is there in it? I will embrace whatever comes!
Kaatrukkenna veli
Is there a boundary for the wind?
Kadalukkenna moodi
Is there a lid to cover the sea?
Gangai vellam sangukkullae
The vast rush of the Ganges river
Adangi vidaadhu
Cannot be contained inside a tiny conch!
Mangai nenjam pongumbodhu
When a woman's heart overflows with spirit,
Vilangugal yedhu
Where are the chains that can bind her?
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Ahaa…aaa…haaa…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kaatrukkenna Veli' from K. Balachander's 1977 masterpiece 'Avargal' is a soaring anthem of female liberation, self-discovery, and emotional emancipation. Lyricist Kannadasan utilizes vivid elements of nature—the boundless wind, the vast ocean, and the unstoppable rush of the Ganges—as metaphors for a woman's spirit breaking free from societal shackles and abusive relationships. The song captures the joyous euphoria of regaining one's autonomy and innocence, comparing the protagonist to a drifting cloud, a dancing peacock, and a playful calf. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered with exuberance by S. Janaki, the song serves as a pivotal psychological turning point for the protagonist, Sujatha. It celebrates her triumph over past trauma, asserting that a woman's joy and self-worth cannot be boxed in by regressive social norms. Through poetic imagery and rhythmic vitality, the track remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic songs celebrating women's freedom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Metaphorical Inquiry)
“Kaatrukkenna veli / Kadalukkenna moodi”
Kannadasan opens with rhetorical questions comparing human freedom to untamable elements of nature, asserting that freedom is natural and irrepressible.
Hyperbole / Visual Metaphor
“Gangai vellam sangukkullae / Adangi vidaadhu”
Contrasting the vastness of the Ganges with the tiny space of a conch shell symbolizes the impossibility of confining an expansive mind.
Monorhyme and Alliteration (Edugai & Moinai)
“Kandrukkutti thullumbodhu / Kaalil enna kattuppaadu”
Repetition of sound patterns like 'Kandrukkutti' and 'Kattuppaadu', as well as 'Kaalam' and 'Aasaikkenna', creates an energetic poetic rhythm.
Simile (Upamai)
“Maegamaai paaduven / Thogaipol aaduven”
Comparing the protagonist's free-spirited expression to clouds singing in the sky and peacocks dancing on earth.
Paradox
“Pillai petrum pillai aanen”
Expressing how becoming a mother did not age her spirit, but instead restored her youthful innocence and sense of wonder.
Did you know?
Trivia
In the film 'Avargal' (1977), directed by K. Balachander, this song accompanies a famous sequence where Sujatha plays a classical guitar and dances joyfully, expressing her newfound freedom after escaping a toxic marriage with Ramanathan (played by Rajinikanth). The song was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by S. Janaki, winning immense praise for its vocal agility and empowering lyricism.
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