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Chembaruthi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kadalile Thanimaiyile

From Chembaruthi · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Nagore E. M. Hanifa
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chembaruthi
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
19 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadalilae thanimaiyil ponaalum…
Kanmaniyin ninaivil kalaippaaruven
Alaigalil thathalithaalum
Aval ninaivil mukkulippenae
Adiyae amuthae ithuvae pothum…
Natta nadu kadal meethu
Naan paadum paattu
Chittu aval kaadhoram
Serkkaatho kaathu
Niththam unai kaanaathu
Niththiraiyum thonaathu
Chithiramae muthu radhamae
Etti etti ponaalum
Kettu manam pogaathu
Arputhamae annakkiliyae
Pirinthathu uyiralla udalthaan…
Vittu vilagaathu uyir kaadhalae
Karaiyilae kanni thudithaalae
Kattu maram meethu kaalai thavithaanae
Ithu thaan kaadhalil idai velai..
Vandhavargal povaargal
Pogaathu kaadhal
Vangakkadal meethaanai
Theiaathu kaadhal
Suththi varum puyalenna
Kottugindra idi enna
Anbu vilakkendrum eriyum
Deivathirkku thirai enna
Kaadhalukku maraivenna
Ungalukku endru puriyum
Aattrilae ikkaraiyil nindru…uu..
Akkaraikku thoothu vida koodalaam
Ennaththai solla nadu aazhiyil
Anna paravaiyai naan engu theduven
Adiyae amuthae varunthaathae…
Vittu ini pogathu
Vidivelli thooram
Kattu maram kadal aadi
Karai yerum neram
Uppedukkum neram ondru
Muththedukkum neram indru
Sithiramae seppu kudamae
Kattum undu kaavalum undu
Nammai enna seiyum indru
Niththilamae muthu radhamae
Natta nadu kadal meethu
Naan paadum paattu
Chittu aval kaadhoram
Serkkaatho kaathu
Niththam unai kaanaathu
Niththiraiyum thonaathu
Chithiramae muthu radhamae
Etti etti ponaalum
Kettu manam pogaathu
Arputhamae annakkiliyae
Even if I go alone into the sea...
I will find rest in the memories of my darling.
Even if I struggle amidst the waves,
I will plunge deep into her thoughts.
Oh my sweet darling, this alone is enough...
In the middle of the open sea,
the song that I sing,
to the ears of my sweet bird,
won't the wind carry it?
Without seeing you every day,
sleep does not come to me.
Oh portrait of beauty, oh chariot of pearls!
Even if we drift far apart,
my heart will never go astray.
Oh wondrous one, my graceful swan!
It is only our bodies that are parted, not our souls...
What never leaves is our true, living love.
On the shore, the young girl suffered in longing,
while on the catamaran, the young man tossed in distress.
This is only an intermission in love...
Those who arrive will eventually leave,
but love will never depart.
I swear upon the Bay of Bengal,
our love will never fade.
What can a swirling storm do?
What can crashing thunder do?
The lamp of love will burn forever.
What curtain can veil God?
What secret can hide true love?
When will all of you understand this?
Standing on this bank of the river,
one could send a message to the other side.
But what can I do in the middle of the deep sea?
Where can I search for a swan to carry my word?
Oh my sweet love, do not despair...
No longer will it stay away,
the morning star is near.
After dancing on the ocean waves, the catamaran
is ready to reach the shore.
There is a time to harvest salt,
and today is the time to gather pearls.
Oh picture of beauty, oh graceful one!
There are barriers and there are guards,
but what can they do to us today?
Oh precious pearl, oh chariot of pearls!
In the middle of the open sea,
the song that I sing,
to the ears of my sweet bird,
won't the wind carry it?
Without seeing you every day,
sleep does not come to me.
Oh portrait of beauty, oh chariot of pearls!
Even if we drift far apart,
my heart will never go astray.
Oh wondrous one, my graceful swan!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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