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Isaimozhi
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatu Vazhi

From Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam · 2005

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam
Movie release year
2005
Lyrics added on
4 Mar 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaatu vazhi kaal nadaiya
Pora thambi
Kaatu vazhi kaal nadaiya
Pora thambi
Pozhuthaagum munnae pora idam
Serndhuvidu
Kaalayilae ila veiyulu kadumai illa
Un kaal adiyil karuthu vecha kavalai illa
Pogum vazhi mela
Pudhu pudhusa paadam varum
Gavanam irundhaalae
Ethirkaalam kai koodum
Manasonnuthaan manushannukku
Thunai irukkum
Kaatu vazhi kaal nadaiya
Pora thambi
Pozhuthaagum munnae pora idam
Serndhuvidu
Vathaadha jeeva nadhi
Vaazhkai ada
Nambikkai thaan
Iru pakkamum karaigalada
Nikkama odatummae
Odavidu
Vazhi adacha thengividum
Tharandhu vidu
Nadhi pol vegathilae
Andha naalum oduthada
Oru nimidam ponaalum
Thirumbaadhu therunjikkada
Indha ilavayasil
Muzhuchikitta vazhi irukku
Kanavinilae oruthi angae
Vandhaala
Nalla kanivodu oru pechu
Sonnaala
Kaalam ellam thunai irupen
Endraala
Ada kan muzhicha kai vilagi
Ponaala
Nenaivum kanavaaga
Inga nejama nadandhiduma
Dhenamum andha nenaipil
Un vaazhvum thodarndhiduma
Vaazhkai kanavilla nenaivillai
Unmaiadaa….
Kaatu vazhi kaal nadaiya
Pora thambi
Pozhuthaagum munnae pora idam
Serndhuvidu
La la la la….
La la la la….
La la la la….
La la la la….
Walking down the forest path
on foot, little brother,
walking down the forest path
on foot, little brother,
before daylight fades, the place you are headed,
reach it soon.
The morning sun is gentle and not harsh;
pay attention to each step and there is no worry.
Along the path you walk,
brand new lessons will appear.
As long as you stay mindful,
your future will surely fall into place.
One's own heart and mind alone
will stand as a true companion.
Walking down the forest path
on foot, little brother,
before daylight fades, the place you are headed,
reach it soon.
An endless, living river,
that is what life is, my friend!
Hope and faith
are the banks on both sides.
Let it flow without stopping;
let it run free!
If you block its course, it will stagnate;
so open up the way!
Swift as a rushing river,
our days are speeding away!
Even if a single minute is lost,
it will never return—understand this!
In this youthful age of yours,
if you wake up, there is a path ahead.
Did a girl appear
in your dream?
Did she speak words
with deep tenderness?
"I will be with you for a lifetime,"
did she tell you that?
Ah, but once you opened your eyes, letting go of your hand,
did she walk away and disappear?
If thoughts stay only as dreams,
will they ever happen for real here?
Living in that thought every single day,
can your life truly carry on?
Life is not a dream or mere imagination;
it is reality, my friend!
Walking down the forest path
on foot, little brother,
before daylight fades, the place you are headed,
reach it soon.
La la la la...
La la la la...
La la la la...
La la la la...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kaatu Vazhi Kaal Nadaiya' from Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam is a deeply philosophical advisory song written by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Using the metaphor of a traveler journeying on foot through a dense forest, the song offers wisdom to a young man about navigating life's challenges. It emphasizes the importance of staying alert, moving forward before time (symbolized by daylight) runs out, and understanding that every experience along the way serves as a vital lesson for building one's future. The second half compares life to a perennial flowing river guided by faith. It cautions against losing oneself in romantic fantasies, dreams, or static memories. The song highlights that life is an ongoing reality that requires action, resilience, and realistic focus during one's youth rather than dwelling on illusions that vanish upon waking up.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Vathaadha jeeva nadhi Vaazhkai ada”

Life is directly compared to an unceasing perennial river ('Vathaadha jeeva nadhi / Vaazhkai ada') where faith serves as the riverbanks on both sides ('Nambikkai thaan / Iru pakkamum karaigalada').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Kaatu vazhi kaal nadaiya”

The repetition of the 'Ka' sound across words in the same line creates a rhythmic flow characteristic of traditional Tamil prosody.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Kanavinilae oruthi angae Vandhaala ... Sonnaala ... Endraala ... Ponaala”

The verse employs repetitive rhyming endings ('Vandhaala', 'Sonnaala', 'Endraala', 'Ponaala') to create a rhythmic, questioning cadence regarding dreams.

Symbolism

“Pozhuthaagum munnae pora idam Serndhuvidu”

'Pozhuthaagum munnae' (before daylight fades/dusk falls) symbolizes the passing of youth and time, urging immediate focus before it is too late.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam' (2005) was directed by acclaimed veteran filmmaker Balu Mahendra and starred Dhanush and Priyamani. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja not only composed the musical score but also penned the lyrics for this song, infusing it with his trademark philosophical depth regarding time, youth, and human existence.

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