Kaaval Purinthavan
From Vetri · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. N. Surendar, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Vetri1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…. | Vocalization (Aa... aa...) |
| Aaa…..aaa….aa….aaa….. | Vocalization (Aaa... aaa...) |
| Aaa…..aa…..aa…..aaa….aaa….. | Vocalization (Aaa... aa...) |
| Female | |
| Thaanana naanna naanana naanana | Vocal rhythm / Hummer (Thaanana...) |
| Thaanana naa naanananaa | Vocal rhythm / Hummer (Thaanana...) |
| Male :Thaanana naanna naanana naanana | Male: Vocal rhythm (Thaanana...) |
| Thaanana naa naanananaa | Male: Vocal rhythm (Thaanana...) |
| Chorus | |
| Aaa…aa….aa….aa… | Vocalization (Aaa...) |
| Female | |
| Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan | The one who stood guard, the one who understood love, |
| Yaarathu manmathanaa | Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid (Manmathan)? |
| Aayul varai oru kadhal sirai | To grant a lifetime prison of love, |
| Thara naerinil vanthavanaa | Has he come in person right in front of me? |
| Gangaiyodu mella mella | Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently |
| Kaveri saeraatho | Merge with the river Ganges? |
| Neerum neerum serumpothu | When water meets water, |
| Thaagamum theeraatho | Will not thirst be quenched? |
| Male | |
| Nagarum poovin kodi | O vine of a moving flower, |
| Konjam nadanthu vaa ippadi | Walk slowly towards me like this. |
| Enthan kannukkul nindraadum | Standing and dancing within my eyes, |
| Un pimbam ennaalum kalaiya koodaathadi | May your image never fade away, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Vizhiyin aanaippadi konjam | By the command of my eyes, |
| Vilzhagippo appadi | Move away a little bit like that. |
| Anbae en tholil pon maalai nee soodum | My love, on the day you place a golden garland on my shoulder, |
| Annaalil thazhuvu niyaayappadi | Embrace me on that day, as is right. |
| Male | |
| Naanam enna thozhi | Why shyness, my companion? |
| Saervom konja naazhi | Let us unite for a short while. |
| Female | |
| Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan | The one who stood guard, the one who understood love, |
| Yaarathu manmathanaa | Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid? |
| Male :Aayul varai oru kadhal sirai | Male: To grant a lifetime prison of love, |
| Thara nerinil vanthavanaa | Has he come in person right in front of me? |
| Female :Gangaiyodu mella mella | Female: Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently |
| Kaveri saeraatho | Merge with the river Ganges? |
| Male :Neerum neerum serumpothu | Male: When water meets water, |
| Thaagamum theeraatho | Will not thirst be quenched? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | (Music interlude) |
| Female | |
| Madurai maamanavaa | Is he the uncle/beloved from Madurai? |
| Unthan madiyil naanallavaa | Am I not on your lap? |
| Anbae sollaamal kollaamal nee killa | My love, when you pinch me without a word or warning, |
| Vanthaalae nazhuvum poovallaavaa | Is she not a delicate flower slipping away when approached? |
| Male | |
| Mayangi thaalaattaavaa | Shall I sing a lullaby in swoon? |
| Illai madiyil vaalaattavaa | Or play playfully on your lap? |
| Kannaae kalyaana kolangal naam kaanum | My precious, before we see our wedding decorations, |
| Munnaalae santhosam naam kaana vaa | Come, let us experience happiness beforehand. |
| Female | |
| Yaedho ondraikandu | Seeing something unknown, |
| Poovaikindum vandu | The beetle teases the flower. |
| Male | |
| Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan | The one who stood guard, the one who understood love, |
| Yaarathu manmathanaa | Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid? |
| Female :Aayul varai oru kadhal sirai | Female: To grant a lifetime prison of love, |
| Thara naerinil vanthavanaa | Has he come in person right in front of me? |
| Male :Gangaiyodu mella mella | Male: Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently |
| Kaveri saeraatho | Merge with the river Ganges? |
| Female :Neerum neerum serumpothu | Female: When water meets water, |
| Thaagamum theeraatho | Will not thirst be quenched? |
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆஅ...ஆ...
ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆ......ஆஅ......
ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆ......ஆஅ......அ அ அ
Vocalization (Aa... aa...)
Vocalization (Aaa... aaa...)
Vocalization (Aaa... aa...)
தானன நானன நானன நானன
தானன னா நானனனா
தானன நனனா நனனா நனனா
தானன னா நனனானா
Vocal rhythm / Hummer (Thaanana...)
Vocal rhythm / Hummer (Thaanana...)
Male: Vocal rhythm (Thaanana...)
Male: Vocal rhythm (Thaanana...)
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ....
Vocalization (Aaa...)
காவல் புரிந்தவன் காதல் அறிந்தவன்
யாரது மன்மதனா
ஆயுள் வரை ஒரு காதல் சிறை
தர நேரினில் வந்தவனா
கங்கையோடு மெல்ல மெல்ல
காவிரி சேராதோ
நீரும் நீரும் சேரும் போது
தாகமும் தீராதோ......
The one who stood guard, the one who understood love,
Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid (Manmathan)?
To grant a lifetime prison of love,
Has he come in person right in front of me?
Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently
Merge with the river Ganges?
When water meets water,
Will not thirst be quenched?
ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ....
O vine of a moving flower,
Walk slowly towards me like this.
Standing and dancing within my eyes,
May your image never fade away, my dear.
காவல் புரிந்தவன் காதல் அறிந்தவன்
யாரது மன்மதனா
ஆயுள் வரை ஒரு காதல் சிறை
தர நேரினில் வந்தவனா
கங்கையோடு மெல்ல மெல்ல
காவிரி சேராதோ
நீரும் நீரும் சேரும் போது
தாகமும் தீராதோ......
By the command of my eyes,
Move away a little bit like that.
My love, on the day you place a golden garland on my shoulder,
Embrace me on that day, as is right.
நகரும் பூவின் கொடி
கொஞ்சம் நடந்துவா இப்படி
எந்தன் கண்ணுக்குள் நின்றாடும்
உன் பிம்பம் எந்நாளும் கலையக் கூடாதடி
Why shyness, my companion?
Let us unite for a short while.
விழியின் ஆணைப்படி கொஞ்சம்
விலகிப்போ அப்படி
அன்பே என் தோளில் பொன்மாலை நீ சூடும்
அந்நாளில் தழுவு நியாயப்படி
The one who stood guard, the one who understood love,
Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid?
Male: To grant a lifetime prison of love,
Has he come in person right in front of me?
Female: Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently
Merge with the river Ganges?
Male: When water meets water,
Will not thirst be quenched?
நாணம் என்ன தோழி
சேர்வோம் கொஞ்ச நாழி.....
(Music interlude)
காவல் புரிந்தவன் காதல் அறிந்தவன்
யாரது மன்மதனா
ஆயுள் வரை ஒரு காதல் சிறை
தர நேரினில் வந்தவனா
கங்கையோடு மெல்ல மெல்ல
காவிரி சேராதோ
நீரும் நீரும் சேரும் போது
தாகமும் தீராதோ......
Is he the uncle/beloved from Madurai?
Am I not on your lap?
My love, when you pinch me without a word or warning,
Is she not a delicate flower slipping away when approached?
.................................
Shall I sing a lullaby in swoon?
Or play playfully on your lap?
My precious, before we see our wedding decorations,
Come, let us experience happiness beforehand.
மதுரை மாமன்னவா
உந்தன் மடியில் நானல்லவா
அன்பே சொல்லாமல் கொள்ளாமல் நீ கிள்ள
வந்தாலே நழுவும் பூவல்லவா
Seeing something unknown,
The beetle teases the flower.
மயங்கித் தாலாட்டவா
இல்லை மடியில் வாலாட்டவா
கண்ணே கல்யாண கோலங்கள் நாம் காணும்
முன்னாலே சந்தோஷம் நாம் காண வா
The one who stood guard, the one who understood love,
Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid?
Female: To grant a lifetime prison of love,
Has he come in person right in front of me?
Male: Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently
Merge with the river Ganges?
Female: When water meets water,
Will not thirst be quenched?
ஏதோ ஒன்றைக்கண்டு
பூவைக்கிண்டும் வண்டு...
காவல் புரிந்தவன் காதல் அறிந்தவன்
யாரது மன்மதனா
ஆயுள் வரை ஒரு காதல் சிறை
தர நேரினில் வந்தவனா
கங்கையோடு மெல்ல மெல்ல
காவிரி சேராதோ
நீரும் நீரும் சேரும் போது
தாகமும் தீராதோ......
...............................
Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa….
Vocalization (Aa... aa...)
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aaa…..
Vocalization (Aaa... aaa...)
Aaa…..aa…..aa…..aaa….aaa…..
Vocalization (Aaa... aa...)
Thaanana naanna naanana naanana
Vocal rhythm / Hummer (Thaanana...)
Thaanana naa naanananaa
Vocal rhythm / Hummer (Thaanana...)
Male :Thaanana naanna naanana naanana
Male: Vocal rhythm (Thaanana...)
Thaanana naa naanananaa
Male: Vocal rhythm (Thaanana...)
Aaa…aa….aa….aa…
Vocalization (Aaa...)
Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan
The one who stood guard, the one who understood love,
Yaarathu manmathanaa
Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid (Manmathan)?
Aayul varai oru kadhal sirai
To grant a lifetime prison of love,
Thara naerinil vanthavanaa
Has he come in person right in front of me?
Gangaiyodu mella mella
Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently
Kaveri saeraatho
Merge with the river Ganges?
Neerum neerum serumpothu
When water meets water,
Thaagamum theeraatho
Will not thirst be quenched?
Nagarum poovin kodi
O vine of a moving flower,
Konjam nadanthu vaa ippadi
Walk slowly towards me like this.
Enthan kannukkul nindraadum
Standing and dancing within my eyes,
Un pimbam ennaalum kalaiya koodaathadi
May your image never fade away, my dear.
Vizhiyin aanaippadi konjam
By the command of my eyes,
Vilzhagippo appadi
Move away a little bit like that.
Anbae en tholil pon maalai nee soodum
My love, on the day you place a golden garland on my shoulder,
Annaalil thazhuvu niyaayappadi
Embrace me on that day, as is right.
Naanam enna thozhi
Why shyness, my companion?
Saervom konja naazhi
Let us unite for a short while.
Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan
The one who stood guard, the one who understood love,
Yaarathu manmathanaa
Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid?
Male :Aayul varai oru kadhal sirai
Male: To grant a lifetime prison of love,
Thara nerinil vanthavanaa
Has he come in person right in front of me?
Female :Gangaiyodu mella mella
Female: Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently
Kaveri saeraatho
Merge with the river Ganges?
Male :Neerum neerum serumpothu
Male: When water meets water,
Thaagamum theeraatho
Will not thirst be quenched?
……………….
(Music interlude)
Madurai maamanavaa
Is he the uncle/beloved from Madurai?
Unthan madiyil naanallavaa
Am I not on your lap?
Anbae sollaamal kollaamal nee killa
My love, when you pinch me without a word or warning,
Vanthaalae nazhuvum poovallaavaa
Is she not a delicate flower slipping away when approached?
Mayangi thaalaattaavaa
Shall I sing a lullaby in swoon?
Illai madiyil vaalaattavaa
Or play playfully on your lap?
Kannaae kalyaana kolangal naam kaanum
My precious, before we see our wedding decorations,
Munnaalae santhosam naam kaana vaa
Come, let us experience happiness beforehand.
Yaedho ondraikandu
Seeing something unknown,
Poovaikindum vandu
The beetle teases the flower.
Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan
The one who stood guard, the one who understood love,
Yaarathu manmathanaa
Who is that? Is he Lord Cupid?
Female :Aayul varai oru kadhal sirai
Female: To grant a lifetime prison of love,
Thara naerinil vanthavanaa
Has he come in person right in front of me?
Male :Gangaiyodu mella mella
Male: Will not the river Kaveri slowly and gently
Kaveri saeraatho
Merge with the river Ganges?
Female :Neerum neerum serumpothu
Female: When water meets water,
Thaagamum theeraatho
Will not thirst be quenched?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kaaval Purinthavan from the 1984 Tamil film Vetri is a romantic duet expressing deep romantic desire, longing, and affectionate teasing between lovers. The song uses poetic metaphors of sacred rivers joining together (Ganges and Kaveri) and water quenching thirst to symbolize the emotional and physical unification of two souls. The lovers express their eagerness for marriage and romantic intimacy while playfully navigating shyness, restraint, and sweet affection. The lyrics evoke mythological romantic imagery comparing the lover to Manmathan (Lord Cupid) and describing love as a sweet, lifelong imprisonment.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urubagam)
“Gangaiyodu mella mella Kaveri saeraatho”
Compares the meeting of the two lovers to the natural confluence of the sacred Ganges and Kaveri rivers.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)
“Neerum neerum serumpothu Thaagamum theeraatho”
Uses a rhetorical question about water quenching thirst to emphasize the inevitability of love fulfilling emotional and physical longing.
Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Edhugai)
“Kaaval purinthavan kadhal arinthavan”
Features Tamil poetic rhythm and matching consonant sounds between Kaaval and Kadhal.
Did you know?
Trivia
Vetri (1984) is a Tamil action-drama film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar, starring Vijayakanth and Viji in prominent roles. The soundtrack was composed by K. Chakravarthy with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.
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