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Idhayaththil Oru Idam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaaveri Gangaikku

From Idhayaththil Oru Idam · 1980

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Idhayaththil Oru Idam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
18 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaavaeri gangaikku melae
Kanniyar sangeetham polae
Raagangal maarum paadalgal maarum
Paadidum naan ondru thaan
Kaavaeri gangaikku melae
Kanniyar sangeetham polae
Raaraa raaraa raaraa
Raaraa raaraa raaraa
Raaraaraa raaraaraa
Raaraaraa raaraaraa
Naalukku naal ondru
Aanandha kolangal
Naalaikku verondru
Nadamaadum paarungal
Kaalangal konjam thaan
Vaazh naal konja thaan
Yaar thottamo yaar pushpamo
Naan sooduven
Pen endra sittukkal
Poo mullai mottukkal
Kannan leelaigal…
Kaavaeri gangaikku melae
Kanniyar sangeetham polae
Manjathil pala kodi
Malar kondu podungal
Kalaiyaadha selaigal
Azhagaaga vaarungal
Yaarukku yaar sondham
Naalellaam aanandham
Poo vaasamae pon megalai
Ennennavao
Raakkaala thottangal
Ketkaamal vaarungal
Odattum kaalangal…
Raaraaraa rararara rararara raa
Raaraaraa rararara rararara raa
Yenammaa raajaathi
Yen indha vetkam thaan
Irubadhu vayadhaanaal
Eppodhum sorgam thaan
Aadaigal maatrungal
Jaadaigal maatrungal
Thaenaatrilae paal ootruvom
Neeraaduvom
Pen endrum aan endrum
Undaakkum dheivathai
Ennaalum vaazhthungal…
Kaavaeri gangaikku melae
Kanniyar sangeetham polae
Raagangal maarum paadalgal maarum
Paadidum naan ondru thaan
Kaavaeri gangaikku melae
Kanniyar sangeetham polae
Across the Kaveri and the Ganga,
Like the sweet song of young women,
Ragas change, songs change,
Yet the singer remains the same.
Across the Kaveri and the Ganga,
Like the sweet song of young women,
Ra-ra ra-ra ra-ra
Ra-ra ra-ra ra-ra
Ra-ra-ra ra-ra-ra
Ra-ra-ra ra-ra-ra
Day by day, a new kind of
Joyful celebration unfolds,
Tomorrow brings another,
Look at them dancing by!
Time is so brief,
Our lifetime is so short,
No matter whose garden or flower it is,
I will wear it with joy!
Sparrow-like young women,
Buds of fragrant jasmine,
Playful games like Lord Krishna's...
Across the Kaveri and the Ganga,
Like the sweet song of young women,
Upon the bed, scatter
Millions of fresh flowers!
Dressed in neat, graceful sarees,
Come looking so beautiful!
Who really belongs to whom?
Every single day is pure joy!
The scent of flowers, golden waistbands,
And so many delightful things!
Into the gardens of the night,
Come along without asking,
Let time just drift away...
Ra-ra-ra ra-ra-ra-ra ra-ra-ra-ra ra
Ra-ra-ra ra-ra-ra-ra ra-ra-ra-ra ra
Why, my sweet princess,
Why all this shyness?
Once you turn twenty,
Life is always paradise!
Change your clothes,
Change your playful glances,
Let us pour milk into a river of honey
And bathe together!
The God who created us
As woman and man,
Praise Him every single day...
Across the Kaveri and the Ganga,
Like the sweet song of young women,
Ragas change, songs change,
Yet the singer remains the same.
Across the Kaveri and the Ganga,
Like the sweet song of young women,
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kaavaeri Gangaikku Melae is a vibrant and philosophical track that celebrates the exuberance of youth, romance, and the transient nature of time. The lyrics compare life to an ever-flowing stream where ragas and melodies continually evolve, yet the singer's inner soul remains constant. The song urges the listener to embrace joy without hesitation, cherish beauty, and live fully while time permits.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Kanniyar sangeetham polae”

Compares the ambient beauty and romance to the sweet song of young maidens using the word 'polae' (like/as).

Initial Rhyme (Moonaai)

“Kaavaeri gangaikku melae”

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in adjacent words, creating rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Thaenaatrilae paal ootruvom”

Uses 'pouring milk into a river of honey' as an exaggerated metaphor for supreme sweetness and romantic bliss.

Did you know?

Trivia

Idhayaththil Oru Idam (1980) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with memorable performances that capture the late 70s and early 80s Tamil film song aesthetic.

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