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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadalile Thanimaiyile

From Chembaruthi · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Nagore E. M. Hanifa
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chembaruthi1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadalilae thanimaiyil ponaalum…Even if I go alone into the sea...
Kanmaniyin ninaivil kalaippaaruvenI will relax in the sweet memories of my beloved.
Alaigalil thathalithaalumEven if I struggle amidst the waves,
Aval ninaivil mukkulippenaeI will dive deep into her memories.
Adiyae amuthae ithuvae pothum…Oh my sweet love, my nectar, this alone is enough...
Male
Natta nadu kadal meethuIn the middle of the deep ocean,
Naan paadum paattuThe song that I sing,
Chittu aval kaadhoramNear the ears of that little bird-like girl,
Serkkaatho kaathuWon't the wind deliver it?
Male
Niththam unai kaanaathuWithout seeing you every day,
Niththiraiyum thonaathuSleep does not come to me.
Chithiramae muthu radhamaeOh picture-like beauty, oh pearl chariot!
Etti etti ponaalumEven if we move far, far away,
Kettu manam pogaathuThe heart will not be ruined.
Arputhamae annakkiliyaeOh wonder, oh swan-like bird!
Male
Pirinthathu uyiralla udalthaan…What is separated is not the soul, but only the body...
Vittu vilagaathu uyir kaadhalaeTrue soulful love will never part away.
Karaiyilae kanni thudithaalaeOn the shore, the maiden suffered in distress,
Kattu maram meethu kaalai thavithaanaeOn the catamaran, the young man yearned in longing.
Ithu thaan kaadhalil idai velai..This is merely an intermission in love..
Male
Vandhavargal povaargalPeople who come will go,
Pogaathu kaadhalBut love will never perish.
Vangakkadal meethaanaiSwear upon the Bay of Bengal,
Theiaathu kaadhalLove will never fade away.
Male
Suththi varum puyalennaWhat if a swirling storm comes?
Kottugindra idi ennaWhat if striking thunder falls?
Anbu vilakkendrum eriyumThe lamp of love will always burn bright.
Deivathirkku thirai ennaWhy put a curtain for God?
Kaadhalukku maraivennaWhy veil love?
Ungalukku endru puriyumWhen will you all understand this?
Male
Aattrilae ikkaraiyil nindru…uu..Standing on this bank of the river...
Akkaraikku thoothu vida koodalaamOne can send a messenger to the other bank.
Ennaththai solla nadu aazhiyilBut what can I say in the middle of the deep sea?
Anna paravaiyai naan engu theduvenWhere will I search for the swan bird here?
Adiyae amuthae varunthaathae…Oh my love, my nectar, do not grieve...
Male
Vittu ini pogathuIt will not leave us anymore,
Vidivelli thooramThe morning star is not far away.
Kattu maram kadal aadiThe catamaran, after dancing on the sea,
Karai yerum neramIs about to reach the shore.
Male
Uppedukkum neram ondruHarvesting salt was a past time,
Muththedukkum neram indruHarvesting pearls is today's moment.
Sithiramae seppu kudamaeOh beautiful picture, oh bronze pot!
Kattum undu kaavalum unduThere are restrictions and there is security,
Nammai enna seiyum indruBut what can they do to us today?
Niththilamae muthu radhamaeOh flawless pearl, oh pearl chariot!
Male
Natta nadu kadal meethuIn the middle of the deep ocean,
Naan paadum paattuThe song that I sing,
Chittu aval kaadhoramNear the ears of that little bird-like girl,
Serkkaatho kaathuWon't the wind deliver it?
Male
Niththam unai kaanaathuWithout seeing you every day,
Niththiraiyum thonaathuSleep does not come to me.
Chithiramae muthu radhamaeOh picture-like beauty, oh pearl chariot!
Etti etti ponaalumEven if we move far, far away,
Kettu manam pogaathuThe heart will not be ruined.
Arputhamae annakkiliyaeOh wonder, oh swan-like bird!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kadalilae Thanimaiyil Ponaalum from the 1992 film Chembaruthi, featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali, expresses the deep emotional bond between two lovers separated by distance and societal obstacles. The male protagonist, out at sea on a catamaran, finds comfort in his lover's memories, affirming that physical distance can never sever spiritual love. Using vivid marine metaphors like waves, salt harvesting, and pearl diving, the song highlights the resilient nature of love that withstands life's storms and restrictions, promising a joyful reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Natta nadu kadal meethu / Naan paadum paattu

Repetition of the initial 'N' sound in 'Natta', 'Nadu', and 'Naan' creates melodic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbu vilakkendrum eriyum

Love is poetically compared to an eternal lamp ('Anbu vilakku') that continues to burn through storms.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kattum undu kaavalum undu

The second consonant 'tt' matches in 'Kattum' and 'Niththilamae', adding rhythm to the stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chembaruthi (1992) was a major musical hit directed by R. K. Selvamani, starring Prashanth and Roja. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the soundtrack gained immense popularity for its rich orchestration and coastal folk melded with classical melodies.

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