Kadalile Ezhugira
From Chembaruthi · 1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala | Listen to the waves rising in the sea, |
| Keladi o maanae | Oh dear lady, |
| Meenavar padugindra avadhigal | The hardships faced by the fishermen, |
| Kooridum o maanae | They will tell you, oh dear lady. |
| Male | |
| Kadal thanni karikkithu | The sea water is salty, |
| Kaaranam irukkuthu o maanae | There is a reason for that, oh dear lady. |
| Udal vitta vervaigal | The sweat leaving their bodies, |
| Kadal vanthu kalakkuthu o maanae… | Flows and mixes into the sea, oh dear lady... |
| Chorus | |
| Thaiyyarae | Thaiyyarae |
| Thaiyyara thaiyyara | Thaiyyara thaiyyara |
| Thaiyya thaiyya | Thaiyya thaiyya |
| Thaiyyarae | Thaiyyarae |
| Thaiyyara thaiyyara | Thaiyyara thaiyyara |
| Thaiyya thaiyya | Thaiyya thaiyya |
| Male | |
| Poomarangal ethanaiyo | So many flowering trees |
| Boomiyila kaaikkuthu | Bear fruit on the earth. |
| Paaimaranthaan naanga konda | But only our sailboat |
| Pattiniya theerkkuthu | Solves the hunger we bear. |
| Male | |
| Pillaikutti engalukku | Our young children |
| Paasa valai veesuthu | Cast a net of affection on us. |
| Enga sanam meen pidikka | Our people, to catch fish, |
| Eera valai veesuthu | Cast their wet nets. |
| Male | |
| Oorai nambi vaazhnthidaamae | Without living relying on the village, |
| Neerai nambi vaazhurom | We live relying on the waters. |
| Kaal pidichu vaazhndhidaamae | Without living by groveling at someone's feet, |
| Meen pidichu vaazhurom | We live by catching fish. |
| Maanae… o… maanae… o… | Oh dear lady... oh... dear lady... oh... |
| Male | |
| Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala | Listen to the waves rising in the sea, |
| Keladi o maanae…oooohooo…. | Oh dear lady... oooohooo.... |
| Chorus | |
| Thaiyyarae | Thaiyyarae |
| Thaiyyara thaiyyara | Thaiyyara thaiyyara |
| Thaiyya thaiyya | Thaiyya thaiyya |
| Thaiyyarae | Thaiyyarae |
| Thaiyyara thaiyyara | Thaiyyara thaiyyara |
| Thaiyya thaiyya | Thaiyya thaiyya |
| Female | |
| Kudisaikku kulavilakku | A light for the home in the hut, |
| Venumunnu maamaa kettirukku | The uncle asked for one. |
| Chorus :Aamaaamaa aamaaamaa | Chorus: Yes, yes, yes |
| Aamaaamaa | Yes, yes |
| Female | |
| Kulavilakku athukkunnu | Saying that she is the light of the home, |
| Machaan poyi nilava koottivara | The cousin went and brought the moon! |
| Chorus :Aamaaamaa aamaaamaa | Chorus: Yes, yes, yes |
| Aamaaamaa | Yes, yes |
| Kudisaigalum jolikkuthu thaanaa… | The huts are shining on their own... |
| Ippo athisayanthaan | Now a miracle indeed, |
| Nadakkuthu thaanaa..aaaa… | Is happening automatically... ah... |
| Male | |
| Hooo…oo…oo…ooo..ooo… | Hooo...oo...oo...ooo..ooo... |
| Thoorakkadal ponavanai | For the one who went into the deep sea, |
| Thaaram ninnu theduvaa | The wife stands waiting and searching. |
| Thoni vanthu serum varai | Until the boat reaches the shore, |
| Aadiyae allaaduvaa | She tosses and turns anxiously. |
| Male | |
| Pethedutha pillaiyudan | Along with the child she gave birth to, |
| Thathalichu vaaduvaa | She suffers and wilts in anguish. |
| Neththi pottai kaakka solli | Asking to protect her auspicious bindi, |
| Saamigalai venduvaa | She prays to the gods. |
| Male | |
| Meenavargal vaazhkkai endrum | The life of fishermen is always |
| Mullu mela vaazhaithaan | Like a plantain leaf on top of thorns. |
| Soorakkaathu aatti vaikkum | Shaken around by the violent wind, |
| Chinna thennambaalaithaan | Like a small tender coconut flower stalk. |
| Maanae… ooo…. maanae….oooo…. | Oh dear lady... ooo.... dear lady....oooo.... |
| Male | |
| Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala | Listen to the waves rising in the sea, |
| Keladi o maanae | Oh dear lady |
| Meenavar padugindra avadhigal | The hardships faced by the fishermen, |
| Kooridum o maanae | They will tell you, oh dear lady |
| Male | |
| Kadal thanni karikkithu | The sea water is salty, |
| Kaaranam irukkuthu o maanae | There is a reason for that, oh dear lady |
| Udal vitta vervaigal | The sweat leaving their bodies, |
| Kadal vanthu kalakkuthu o maanae… | Flows and mixes into the sea, oh dear lady... |
| Chorus | |
| {Thaiyyarae | {Thaiyyarae |
| Thaiyyara thaiyyara | Thaiyyara thaiyyara |
| Thaiyya thaiyya | Thaiyya thaiyya |
| Thaiyyarae | Thaiyyarae |
| Thaiyyara thaiyyara | Thaiyyara thaiyyara |
| Thaiyya thaiyya} (2) | Thaiyya thaiyya} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala | Listen to the waves rising in the sea, |
| Keladi o maanae…hooo..oo..ooo | Oh dear lady...hooo..oo..ooo |
கடலிலே
எழும்புற அலைகளை
கேளடி ஓ மானே
மீனவர் படுகின்ற அவதிகள்
கூறிடும் ஓ மானே
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Oh dear lady,
The hardships faced by the fishermen,
They will tell you, oh dear lady.
கடல் தண்ணி கரிக்கிது
காரணம் இருக்குது ஓ மானே
உடல் விட்ட வேர்வைகள்
கடல் வந்து கலக்குது ஓ மானே...
The sea water is salty,
There is a reason for that, oh dear lady.
The sweat leaving their bodies,
Flows and mixes into the sea, oh dear lady...
தையாரே
தையர தையர
தையா தையா
தையாரே
தையர தையர
தையா தையா
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
பூமரங்கள் எத்தனையோ
பூமியில காய்க்குது
பாய்மரந்தான் நாங்க கொண்ட
பட்டினிய தீர்க்குது
So many flowering trees
Bear fruit on the earth.
But only our sailboat
Solves the hunger we bear.
பிள்ளைகுட்டி எங்களுக்கு
பாச வலை வீசுது
எங்க சனம் மீன் பிடிக்க
ஈர வலை வீசுது
Our young children
Cast a net of affection on us.
Our people, to catch fish,
Cast their wet nets.
ஊரை நம்பி வாழ்ந்திடாமே
நீரை நம்பி வாழுறோம்
கால் பிடிச்சு வாழ்ந்திடாமே
மீன் பிடிச்சு வாழுறோம்
மானே...ஓ....மானே....ஓ.
Without living relying on the village,
We live relying on the waters.
Without living by groveling at someone's feet,
We live by catching fish.
Oh dear lady... oh... dear lady... oh...
கடலிலே
எழும்புற அலைகளை
கேளடி ஓ...மானே...ஓ...
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Oh dear lady... oooohooo....
தையாரே
தையர தையர
தையா தையா
தையாரே
தையர தையர
தையா தையா
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
குடிசைக்கு குலவிளக்கு
வேணுமுன்னு மாமா கேட்டிருக்கு
குழு : ஆமாம்மா ஆமாம்மா
ஆமாம்மா
A light for the home in the hut,
The uncle asked for one.
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes
குலவிளக்கு அதுக்குன்னு
மச்சான் போயி நிலவ கூட்டிவர
குழு :
ஆமாம்மா ஆமாம்மா
ஆமாம்மா
குடிசைகளும் ஜொலிக்குது தானா....
இப்போ அதிசயம்தான்
நடக்குது தானா...
Saying that she is the light of the home,
The cousin went and brought the moon!
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes
Yes, yes
The huts are shining on their own...
Now a miracle indeed,
Is happening automatically... ah...
தூரக்கடல் போனவனை
தாரம் நின்னு தேடுவா
தோணி வந்து சேரும் வரை
ஆடியே அல்லாடுவா
Hooo...oo...oo...ooo..ooo...
For the one who went into the deep sea,
The wife stands waiting and searching.
Until the boat reaches the shore,
She tosses and turns anxiously.
பெத்தெடுத்த பிள்ளையுடன்
தத்தளிச்சு வாடுவா
நெத்திப் பொட்டை காக்க சொல்லி
சாமிகளை வேண்டுவா
Along with the child she gave birth to,
She suffers and wilts in anguish.
Asking to protect her auspicious bindi,
She prays to the gods.
மீனவர்கள் வாழ்க்கை என்றும்
முள்ளு மேல வாழைதான்
சூரக்காத்து ஆட்டி வைக்கும்
சின்ன தென்னம்பாலைதான்
மானே...ஓ....மானே....ஓ....
The life of fishermen is always
Like a plantain leaf on top of thorns.
Shaken around by the violent wind,
Like a small tender coconut flower stalk.
Oh dear lady... ooo.... dear lady....oooo....
கடலிலே
எழும்புற அலைகளை
கேளடி ஓ மானே
மீனவர் படுகின்ற அவதிகள்
கூறிடும் ஓ மானே
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Oh dear lady
The hardships faced by the fishermen,
They will tell you, oh dear lady
கடல் தண்ணி கரிக்கிது
காரணம் இருக்குது ஓ மானே
உடல் விட்ட வேர்வைகள்
கடல் வந்து கலக்குது ஓ மானே...
The sea water is salty,
There is a reason for that, oh dear lady
The sweat leaving their bodies,
Flows and mixes into the sea, oh dear lady...
{தையாரே
தையர தையர
தையா தையா
தையாரே
தையர தையர
தையா தையா} (2)
{Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya} (2)
கடலிலே
எழும்புற அலைகளை
கேளடி ஓ...மானே...ஓ...
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Oh dear lady...hooo..oo..ooo
Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Keladi o maanae
Oh dear lady,
Meenavar padugindra avadhigal
The hardships faced by the fishermen,
Kooridum o maanae
They will tell you, oh dear lady.
Kadal thanni karikkithu
The sea water is salty,
Kaaranam irukkuthu o maanae
There is a reason for that, oh dear lady.
Udal vitta vervaigal
The sweat leaving their bodies,
Kadal vanthu kalakkuthu o maanae…
Flows and mixes into the sea, oh dear lady...
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyya thaiyya
Poomarangal ethanaiyo
So many flowering trees
Boomiyila kaaikkuthu
Bear fruit on the earth.
Paaimaranthaan naanga konda
But only our sailboat
Pattiniya theerkkuthu
Solves the hunger we bear.
Pillaikutti engalukku
Our young children
Paasa valai veesuthu
Cast a net of affection on us.
Enga sanam meen pidikka
Our people, to catch fish,
Eera valai veesuthu
Cast their wet nets.
Oorai nambi vaazhnthidaamae
Without living relying on the village,
Neerai nambi vaazhurom
We live relying on the waters.
Kaal pidichu vaazhndhidaamae
Without living by groveling at someone's feet,
Meen pidichu vaazhurom
We live by catching fish.
Maanae… o… maanae… o…
Oh dear lady... oh... dear lady... oh...
Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Keladi o maanae…oooohooo….
Oh dear lady... oooohooo....
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyya thaiyya
Kudisaikku kulavilakku
A light for the home in the hut,
Venumunnu maamaa kettirukku
The uncle asked for one.
Chorus :Aamaaamaa aamaaamaa
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes
Aamaaamaa
Yes, yes
Kulavilakku athukkunnu
Saying that she is the light of the home,
Machaan poyi nilava koottivara
The cousin went and brought the moon!
Chorus :Aamaaamaa aamaaamaa
Chorus: Yes, yes, yes
Aamaaamaa
Yes, yes
Kudisaigalum jolikkuthu thaanaa…
The huts are shining on their own...
Ippo athisayanthaan
Now a miracle indeed,
Nadakkuthu thaanaa..aaaa…
Is happening automatically... ah...
Hooo…oo…oo…ooo..ooo…
Hooo...oo...oo...ooo..ooo...
Thoorakkadal ponavanai
For the one who went into the deep sea,
Thaaram ninnu theduvaa
The wife stands waiting and searching.
Thoni vanthu serum varai
Until the boat reaches the shore,
Aadiyae allaaduvaa
She tosses and turns anxiously.
Pethedutha pillaiyudan
Along with the child she gave birth to,
Thathalichu vaaduvaa
She suffers and wilts in anguish.
Neththi pottai kaakka solli
Asking to protect her auspicious bindi,
Saamigalai venduvaa
She prays to the gods.
Meenavargal vaazhkkai endrum
The life of fishermen is always
Mullu mela vaazhaithaan
Like a plantain leaf on top of thorns.
Soorakkaathu aatti vaikkum
Shaken around by the violent wind,
Chinna thennambaalaithaan
Like a small tender coconut flower stalk.
Maanae… ooo…. maanae….oooo….
Oh dear lady... ooo.... dear lady....oooo....
Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Keladi o maanae
Oh dear lady
Meenavar padugindra avadhigal
The hardships faced by the fishermen,
Kooridum o maanae
They will tell you, oh dear lady
Kadal thanni karikkithu
The sea water is salty,
Kaaranam irukkuthu o maanae
There is a reason for that, oh dear lady
Udal vitta vervaigal
The sweat leaving their bodies,
Kadal vanthu kalakkuthu o maanae…
Flows and mixes into the sea, oh dear lady...
{Thaiyyarae
{Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyya thaiyya
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyarae
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyyara thaiyyara
Thaiyya thaiyya} (2)
Thaiyya thaiyya} (2)
Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala
Listen to the waves rising in the sea,
Keladi o maanae…hooo..oo..ooo
Oh dear lady...hooo..oo..ooo
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kadalila Ezhumbura Alaigala is a poignant Tamil folk-style song from the 1992 film Chembaruthi. Written by lyricist Vaali, the song depicts the life, dignity, and constant peril of the fishing community. It poetically attributes the saltiness of the sea water to the relentless sweat of hard-working fishermen, highlighting their refusal to bow down to others or rely on handouts, choosing instead to earn a living honestly from the ocean. The lyrics also shift to the emotional burden borne by the fishermen's families on land. Wives and children anxiously await the return of their loved ones from the deep sea, praying constantly for their safe return. Vaali uses powerful allegories to describe their fragile existence, comparing a fisherman's life to a delicate banana leaf placed on sharp thorns or a tender shoot tossed about by wild winds.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbole & Visual Imagery
“Udal vitta vervaigal / Kadal vanthu kalakkuthu o maanae”
The lyricist poetically exaggerates that the sea gets its salty water from the immense sweat shed by hardworking fishermen.
Simile / Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Meenavargal vaazhkkai endrum / Mullu mela vaazhaithaan”
Compares the precarious, dangerous life of fishermen to a banana leaf resting on top of sharp thorns.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kadalila ezhumbura alaigala / Keladi o maanae”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' across lines for rhythmic beat and folk musicality.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the prompt lists details as unknown, the music for Chembaruthi (1992) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and this track was sung by Mano and K. S. Chithra. The film marked the acting debut of Prashanth and Unni Mary's daughter Roja.
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