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Kadhal Paduthumpadu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaavalum Illaamal

From Kadhal Paduthumpadu · 1966

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Kadhal Paduthumpadu
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
15 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaavalum illaamal veliyum illaamal
Dharmam kalanguthamma
Paadhai puriyaamal poga mudiyaamal
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Kaavalum illaamal veliyum illaamal
Dharmam kalanguthamma
Paadhai puriyaamal poga mudiyaamal
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Aadavum paadavum aasaiyai sumandha pen
Vaazhavum thudikuthumma
Indha paaviyin kooda piranthadharkaaga
Ulagae verukkudhamma
Avalai ulagai verukkudhamma
Kaavalum illaamal veliyum illaamal
Dharmam kalanguthamma
Paadhai puriyaamal poga mudiyaamal
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Thoranam illamal vasanam illamal
Thunbam nulaiyuthamma
Ingu karanam illamal yaarukkum sollamal
Inbam vilagudhamma
Inbam vilagudhamma
Kaavalum illaamal veliyum illaamal
Dharmam kalanguthamma
Paadhai puriyaamal poga mudiyaamal
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
Kaalgal thayangudhamma
En kaalgal thayangudhamma
She has no guardian and no way out,
Justice itself hesitates, oh mother.
Not knowing the path, unable to walk on,
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
She has no guardian and no way out,
Justice itself hesitates, oh mother.
Not knowing the path, unable to walk on,
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
The girl who carried the desire to dance and sing,
Now struggles just to live, oh mother.
Just for being born alongside this sinner,
Her own body shrinks in grief, oh mother.
Her very body detests her, oh mother.
She has no guardian and no way out,
Justice itself hesitates, oh mother.
Not knowing the path, unable to walk on,
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
Without welcome garlands, without a single word,
Sorrow enters, oh mother.
Without any reason, without telling a soul,
Happiness slips away, oh mother.
Happiness slips away, oh mother.
She has no guardian and no way out,
Justice itself hesitates, oh mother.
Not knowing the path, unable to walk on,
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
The feet hesitate, oh mother.
My feet hesitate, oh mother.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful track expresses deep grief and moral dilemma faced by a protagonist grappling with misfortune and societal rejection. The song portrays life as an unprotected field where righteousness (Dharmam) loses its way due to lack of support. The speaker laments how an innocent sister or loved one suffers social contempt merely due to her association with him, turning simple human desires for happiness into a struggle for basic survival. The lyrics evoke a poignant feeling of helplessness as joy unceremoniously vanishes while suffering arrives unannounced.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Rhyming refrain)

“Dharmam kalanguthamma”

The line-ending suffix 'amma' is repeatedly used across stanzas to create a melancholic rhythmic tone resembling a mournful plea.

Metaphor

“Kaavalum illaamal veliyum illaamal”

Comparing a life lacking moral backing or social safety to a plot of land without a guard or boundary fence ('Kaavalum illaamal veliyum illaamal').

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Thoranam illamal vasanam illamal / Thunbam nulaiyuthamma”

Repetition of the 'Th' consonant sound in 'Thoranam' and 'Thunbam' to highlight the contrast between celebration and grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics by Mayavanathan, 'Kadhal Paduthumpadu' (1966) features T. M. Soundararajan lending his emotionally rich vocal texture to express intense pathos and existential crisis.

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