Kaaviriya Kaaviriya
From Desam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Madhushree
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Desam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaaviriya kaaviriya | Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery! |
| Manathukkul paayariya | Flowing gracefully into my mind, |
| Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal | Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers, |
| Kann vazhiyaa hoi | Through my eyes, oh! |
| Female | |
| Kan viralaal kan viralaal | With delicate fingers, with delicate fingers, |
| Penn uyirai meetturiya | To play the soul-music of this maiden, |
| Poo mudikkum mogathilae | In the longing to adorn my hair with flowers, |
| Nee variya hoi | Will you come to me, oh! |
| Female | |
| Naanaa unnai ninaithen | Did I ever think of you on my own? |
| Nedunaal vilagi irunthen | I stayed far away for a long time. |
| Thanaai ennai izhanthen | Automatically, I lost myself. |
| Thadukki unn mel vizhunthen | Stumbling, I fell in love with you. |
| Mayilin iragaal manathai | Like a peacock feather caressing the mind, |
| Neevuriyaa oh | Will you soothe me, oh? |
| Nee variyaa hoi | Will you come, oh! |
| Female | |
| Kaaviriya kaaviriya | Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery! |
| Manathukkul paayariya | Flowing gracefully into my mind, |
| Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal | Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers, |
| Kann vazhiyaa hoi | Through my eyes, oh! |
| Female | |
| Tharara rarara ra raa..aa..(2) | [Vocalizing music notes] |
| Female | |
| Un perai entha naalilum | Your name, on any given day, |
| Ullathil ezhuthavillaiyae | I had never written in my heart. |
| Enai oru vaarthai thaan | Without asking me even, |
| Ketkaamalae hoi | A single word, oh! |
| Female | |
| En jeevan unnai chernthathoo | Has my soul joined with yours? |
| Ennullae enna naernthathoo | What has happened within me? |
| Udhattinil naalellaam un paadalae | All day long, your song is on my lips. |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal varum | Love will arrive, |
| Thedhi kizhamai edhuvena | On which date or day, |
| Evarkkum calendar kattaathae.. | The calendar never shows to anyone... |
| Adhuvaaga vervida | For it to sprout on its own, |
| Anbai nee neer vidu | Pour your love like water! |
| Poo poovaai pookkum vannam | Blossoming flower by flower into full beauty, |
| Perinbam undaachoo | Has supreme bliss been created? |
| Pennpaavai unathaachoo | Has this maiden become truly yours? |
| Female | |
| Kaaviriya kaaviriya | Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery! |
| Manathukkul paayariya | Flowing gracefully into my mind, |
| Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal | Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers, |
| Kann vazhiyaa hoi | Through my eyes, oh! |
| Female | |
| Ohoo..oo..ooo….oooo | [Vocalizing] |
| Female | |
| Vaanam mudhal murai | Like the sky for the very first time, |
| Mazhai vaarkkum nilam ena | Pouring rain onto the thirsty land, |
| Nenjil oru seethanam kaaranam | Giving a precious gift to the heart, |
| Nee thaan nanbanae | You are the reason, my friend! |
| Female | |
| Yaarai mudhal murai | Like the joy of playing a stringed instrument, |
| Viral meettum sugam ena | With gentle fingers for the very first time, |
| Nenjil oru vaaganam kaaranam | Creating a blissful journey in my heart, |
| Nee thaan anbanae | You are the reason, my beloved! |
| Female | |
| Mangai alla malligai poovithu | This is not just a maiden, but a delicate jasmine flower! |
| Unai andri veru kaigal thodalaama | Can any hands other than yours touch it? |
| Mazhai konthal yen valarthen | Why did I grow my rain-like long tresses? |
| Poo mudikka naan valarthen | I grew them to be adorned with flowers by you! |
| Maalaiyittu poo mudikkum | Exchanging garlands and adorning flowers, |
| Mana naal thaan varumaa | Will that wedding day arrive? |
| Mana naal thaan varumaa | Will that wedding day arrive? |
| Female | |
| Kaaviriya kaaviriya | Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery! |
| Manathukkul paayariya | Flowing gracefully into my mind, |
| Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal | Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers, |
| Kann vazhiyaa hoi | Through my eyes, oh! |
காவிரியா காவிரியா
மனதுக்குள் பாயரியா
பூம்புனலாய் புகுந்ததினால்
கண் வழியா ஹோய்
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Through my eyes, oh!
கண் விரலால் கண் விரலால்
பெண் உயிரை மீட்டுரியா
பூ முடிக்கும் மோகத்திலே
நீ வரியா ஹோய்
With delicate fingers, with delicate fingers,
To play the soul-music of this maiden,
In the longing to adorn my hair with flowers,
Will you come to me, oh!
நானா உன்னை நினைத்தேன்
நெடுநாள் விலகி இருந்தேன்
தானாய் என்னை இழந்தேன்
தடுக்கி உன் மேல் விழுந்தேன்
மயிலின் இறகால் மனதை நீவிரியா
நீ வரியா ஹோய்
Did I ever think of you on my own?
I stayed far away for a long time.
Automatically, I lost myself.
Stumbling, I fell in love with you.
Like a peacock feather caressing the mind,
Will you soothe me, oh?
Will you come, oh!
காவிரியா காவிரியா
மனதுக்குள் பாயரியா
பூம்புனலாய் புகுந்ததினால்
கண் வழியா ஹோய்
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Through my eyes, oh!
...............................
[Vocalizing music notes]
உன் பெயரை எந்த நாளிலும்
உள்ளத்தில் எழுதவில்லையே
இணை ஒரு வார்த்தைதான்
கேட்காமலே ஹோய்
Your name, on any given day,
I had never written in my heart.
Without asking me even,
A single word, oh!
என் ஜீவன் உன்னை சேர்ந்ததோ
என்னுள்ளே என்ன நேர்ந்ததோ
உதட்டினில் நாளெல்லாம் உன் பாடலே
Has my soul joined with yours?
What has happened within me?
All day long, your song is on my lips.
காதல் வரும் தேதி கிழமை
எதுவென எவர்க்கும்
காலண்டர் காட்டாதே ..
அதுவாக வேர்விட
அன்பை நீ நீர் விடு
பூ பூவாய் பூக்கும் வண்ணம்
பேரின்பம் உண்டாச்சோ
பெண்பாவை உனது ஆச்சோ
Love will arrive,
On which date or day,
The calendar never shows to anyone...
For it to sprout on its own,
Pour your love like water!
Blossoming flower by flower into full beauty,
Has supreme bliss been created?
Has this maiden become truly yours?
காவிரியா காவிரியா
மனதுக்குள் பாயரியா
பூம்புனலாய் புகுந்ததினால்
கண் வழியா ஹோய்
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Through my eyes, oh!
.................................
[Vocalizing]
வானம் முதல் முறை
மழை வார்க்கும் நிலம் என
நெஞ்சில் ஒரு சீதனம்
காரணம் நீ தான் நண்பனே
Like the sky for the very first time,
Pouring rain onto the thirsty land,
Giving a precious gift to the heart,
You are the reason, my friend!
யாரை முதல் முறை
விரல் மீட்டும் சுகம் என
நெஞ்சில் ஒரு வாகனம்
காரணம் நீ தான் அன்பனே
Like the joy of playing a stringed instrument,
With gentle fingers for the very first time,
Creating a blissful journey in my heart,
You are the reason, my beloved!
மங்கை அல்ல
மல்லிகை பூவிது
உனை அன்றி வேறு
கைகள் தொடலாமா
This is not just a maiden, but a delicate jasmine flower!
Can any hands other than yours touch it?
Why did I grow my rain-like long tresses?
I grew them to be adorned with flowers by you!
Exchanging garlands and adorning flowers,
Will that wedding day arrive?
Will that wedding day arrive?
மழை கூந்தல் ஏன் வளர்த்தேன்
பூ முடிக்க நான் வளர்த்தேன்
மாலையிட்டு பூ முடிக்கும்
மணநாள் தான் வருமா...
மணநாள் தான் வருமா....
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Through my eyes, oh!
காவிரியா காவிரியா
மனதுக்குள் பாயரியா
பூம்புனலாய் புகுந்ததினால்
கண் வழியா ஹோய் ...
Kaaviriya kaaviriya
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Manathukkul paayariya
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Kann vazhiyaa hoi
Through my eyes, oh!
Kan viralaal kan viralaal
With delicate fingers, with delicate fingers,
Penn uyirai meetturiya
To play the soul-music of this maiden,
Poo mudikkum mogathilae
In the longing to adorn my hair with flowers,
Nee variya hoi
Will you come to me, oh!
Naanaa unnai ninaithen
Did I ever think of you on my own?
Nedunaal vilagi irunthen
I stayed far away for a long time.
Thanaai ennai izhanthen
Automatically, I lost myself.
Thadukki unn mel vizhunthen
Stumbling, I fell in love with you.
Mayilin iragaal manathai
Like a peacock feather caressing the mind,
Neevuriyaa oh
Will you soothe me, oh?
Nee variyaa hoi
Will you come, oh!
Kaaviriya kaaviriya
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Manathukkul paayariya
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Kann vazhiyaa hoi
Through my eyes, oh!
Tharara rarara ra raa..aa..(2)
[Vocalizing music notes]
Un perai entha naalilum
Your name, on any given day,
Ullathil ezhuthavillaiyae
I had never written in my heart.
Enai oru vaarthai thaan
Without asking me even,
Ketkaamalae hoi
A single word, oh!
En jeevan unnai chernthathoo
Has my soul joined with yours?
Ennullae enna naernthathoo
What has happened within me?
Udhattinil naalellaam un paadalae
All day long, your song is on my lips.
Kaadhal varum
Love will arrive,
Thedhi kizhamai edhuvena
On which date or day,
Evarkkum calendar kattaathae..
The calendar never shows to anyone...
Adhuvaaga vervida
For it to sprout on its own,
Anbai nee neer vidu
Pour your love like water!
Poo poovaai pookkum vannam
Blossoming flower by flower into full beauty,
Perinbam undaachoo
Has supreme bliss been created?
Pennpaavai unathaachoo
Has this maiden become truly yours?
Kaaviriya kaaviriya
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Manathukkul paayariya
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Kann vazhiyaa hoi
Through my eyes, oh!
Ohoo..oo..ooo….oooo
[Vocalizing]
Vaanam mudhal murai
Like the sky for the very first time,
Mazhai vaarkkum nilam ena
Pouring rain onto the thirsty land,
Nenjil oru seethanam kaaranam
Giving a precious gift to the heart,
Nee thaan nanbanae
You are the reason, my friend!
Yaarai mudhal murai
Like the joy of playing a stringed instrument,
Viral meettum sugam ena
With gentle fingers for the very first time,
Nenjil oru vaaganam kaaranam
Creating a blissful journey in my heart,
Nee thaan anbanae
You are the reason, my beloved!
Mangai alla malligai poovithu
This is not just a maiden, but a delicate jasmine flower!
Unai andri veru kaigal thodalaama
Can any hands other than yours touch it?
Mazhai konthal yen valarthen
Why did I grow my rain-like long tresses?
Poo mudikka naan valarthen
I grew them to be adorned with flowers by you!
Maalaiyittu poo mudikkum
Exchanging garlands and adorning flowers,
Mana naal thaan varumaa
Will that wedding day arrive?
Mana naal thaan varumaa
Will that wedding day arrive?
Kaaviriya kaaviriya
Oh Cauvery river-like girl, Oh Cauvery!
Manathukkul paayariya
Flowing gracefully into my mind,
Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal
Having entered like a fresh stream laden with flowers,
Kann vazhiyaa hoi
Through my eyes, oh!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kaaviriya is a soulful romantic song portraying the sudden awakening of love in a young woman's heart. She compares her emotions to the river Cauvery, flowing silently into her thoughts through her eyes. Surprised by how effortlessly she fell in love without planning, she reflects on the spontaneous nature of love, which follows no calendar or set rules but blooms when nurtured with affection. In the latter half, she speaks of her purity and beauty, metaphorically referring to herself as a delicate jasmine flower waiting only for her beloved's touch. Longing for their ultimate union, she eagerly anticipates the sacred wedding day when he will adorn her hair with flowers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile)
“Poompunalaai pugunthathinaal”
Compares love entering the heart to a fresh stream flowing with flowers (Poompunal).
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Mangai alla malligai poovithu”
Directly compares the young woman to a delicate jasmine flower that shouldn't be touched by anyone else.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Vaanam mudhal murai mazhai vaarkkum nilam ena”
Compares love's arrival to the sky showering rain on the dry earth for the very first time.
Ethirai & Monai (Rhyme & Alliteration)
“Naanaa unnai ninaithen / Nedunaal vilagi irunthen”
Use of matching initial sounds and rhythmic cadence across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is from the movie 'Desam' (2002), which is the Tamil dubbed soundtrack of Ashutosh Gowariker's critically acclaimed Hindi film 'Swades'. Composed by A.R. Rahman, the original Hindi song is 'Saanwariya Saanwariya' (sung by Alka Yagnik with lyrics by Javed Akhtar). Lyricist Vaali adapted the lyrics in Tamil, beautifully capturing the Indian cultural essence and pastoral metaphors.
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