Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaattil Maram

From Kavalai Illaadha Manithan · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, Chorus
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Kavalai Illaadha Manithan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaatil maram urangumTrees in the forest sleep
Kazhaniyilae nell urangumPaddy in the fields sleep
Paattil porul urangumMeaning lies dormant in a song
Paarkadalil meen urangumFish in the ocean sleep
Kaadhal iruvarkkum kann urangadhuNeither lover can sleep eyes shut
Adhil kaadhalan pirindhu vittaalIf the lover parts away in between
Penn urangathuThe woman cannot sleep at all
Chorus
Haa…aaa…aaa….Haa...aaa...aaa....
Haa….aa….aaa…hmm…mm..mmmHaa....aa....aaa...hmm...mm..mmm
Female
Kaatil maram urangumTrees in the forest sleep
Kazhaniyilae nell urangumPaddy in the fields sleep
Paattil porul urangumMeaning lies dormant in a song
Paarkadalil meen urangumFish in the ocean sleep
Kaadhal iruvarkkum kann urangadhuNeither lover can sleep eyes shut
Adhil kaadhalan pirindhu vittaalIf the lover parts away in between
Penn urangathuThe woman cannot sleep at all
Chorus
Hahahaa…aaa..haa…aa….Hahahaa...aaa..haa...aa....
Male
Hoo oo ooo oo ooo hoo oo hoiHoo oo ooo oo ooo hoo oo hoi
Chorus
Hmm mm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm mm
Female
Alai pongum kadal oramBy the side of the ocean with surging waves
Madhi thangam sindhum neramAt the hour when golden moonlight spills
Angum ingum oodumRunning here and there
Thunai engae endru thaedumSearching where the partner is
Malar kannaal adhai kandaalWhen the flower-eyed woman sees it
Ullam sangeethangal paadumThe heart sings melodies
Sangeethangal paadumSings melodies
Chorus :Hmm mm mm mm mmChorus : Hmm mm mm mm mm
Female :Nalla sugam naadumFemale : Seeking good comfort
Naadagam aadumEnacting a play
Female
Kaatil maram urangumTrees in the forest sleep
Kazhaniyilae nell urangumPaddy in the fields sleep
Paattil porul urangumMeaning lies dormant in a song
Paarkadalil meen urangumFish in the ocean sleep
Kaadhal iruvarkkum kann urangadhuNeither lover can sleep eyes shut
Adhil kaadhalan pirindhu vittaalIf the lover parts away in between
Penn urangathuThe woman cannot sleep at all
Male
Hoo oo ooo oo ooo hoo oo hoiHoo oo ooo oo ooo hoo oo hoi
Chorus
Hmm mm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm mm
Female
Valar kaalam sellum vegamIn the fast speed at which time grows and passes
Adhil kaadhal maarum pothuWhen love changes during that time
Maanam ennum selvamThe wealth called honor and dignity
Penn vaazhvil nindru kaakumWill stand and protect in a woman's life
Ondrae ullam endrum adhuThe heart is only one, and forever
Ondraai nindru vaazhumIt will remain and live as one
Ondraai nindru vaazhumIt will remain and live as one
Chorus :Hmm mm mm mm mmChorus : Hmm mm mm mm mm
Female :Kaadhalar vaazhgaFemale : Long live the lovers
Vaazhgavena paadiSinging 'Long live'
Female
Kaatil maram urangumTrees in the forest sleep
Kazhaniyilae nell urangumPaddy in the fields sleep
Paattil porul urangumMeaning lies dormant in a song
Paarkadalil meen urangumFish in the ocean sleep
Kaadhal iruvarkkum kann urangadhuNeither lover can sleep eyes shut
Adhil kaadhalan pirindhu vittaalIf the lover parts away in between
Penn urangathuThe woman cannot sleep at all
Chorus
Haa…aaa…aaa….Haa...aaa...aaa....
Haa….aa….aaa…hmm…mm..mmmHaa....aa....aaa...hmm...mm..mmm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song composed by lyricist Kannadasan depicts the deep emotional turbulence and longing experienced in love. It contrasts the tranquil rest found throughout nature—where trees in forests, paddy crops in fields, and fish in oceans sleep peacefully—with the sleepless anguish of lovers. The lyricist highlights that while all of nature can rest, a woman in love loses her sleep entirely when separated from her beloved. The poem further reflects on fidelity, female honor, and the unwavering oneness of a true heart across changing times.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaatil maram urangum / Kazhaniyilae nell urangum

In Tamil poetry, Monai and Etugai establish rhythmic flow. In the opening lines, 'Kaatil', 'Kazhaniyilae', 'Paattil', 'Paarkadalil' feature the repetition of similar sounds and rhythms.

Anaphora / Refrain

Kaatil maram urangum / Kazhaniyilae nell urangum / Paattil porul urangum / Paarkadalil meen urangum

The repetitive use of 'urangum' at the end of consecutive lines emphasizes the contrast between all sleeping elements in nature and the sleeplessness of lovers.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Maanam ennum selvam

The moon's light is described as spilling golden wealth ('Madhi thangam sindhum neram'), and dignity is described as a woman's ultimate wealth ('Maanam ennum selvam').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kavalai Illaadha Manithan' (1960) is a notable movie starring Chandrababu and Gemini Ganesan. The film's soundtrack featured memorable songs penned by Kannadasan, showcasing his philosophical depth regarding human emotions and love.

Keep listening

More from Kavalai Illaadha Manithan