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Lyrics & meaning

Kadalodu Nathikkenna Kobam

From Arthangal Aayiram · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Arthangal Aayiram1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?
Ilangaatru theendaatha solaiA grove untouched by the gentle breeze,
Ilangaatru theendaatha solaiA grove untouched by the gentle breeze,
Mannil engeyum paarthaaiyooHave you seen one anywhere on this earth?
En thotta poovaeOh flower touched by me!
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?
Male
{Neela vaanam megam polaLike clouds in the blue sky,
Kaadhal vaanil thavazhugirenI float in the sky of love.
Neerilaadum poovai polaLike a flower swaying in the water,
Aasai nenjam mayangugurenMy longing heart falls into a trance.
Odai meenae jaadai pesu} (2)Oh fish of the stream, speak through gestures! (Repeated)
Male
Vana mogini vanithamaniOh forest enchantress, gem among women,
Pudhumaangani suvaiyae thaniOh fresh mango, your taste is unique!
Pudhu vellam polae vaaraaiCome to me like a fresh flood!
Male
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?
Ilangaatru theendaatha solaiA grove untouched by the gentle breeze,
Ilangaatru theendaatha solaiA grove untouched by the gentle breeze,
Mannil engeyum paarthaaiyooHave you seen one anywhere on this earth?
En thotta poovaeOh flower touched by me!
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?
Male
Kulunga kulunga idaiyum kenja aaduDance till your waist sways and begs for mercy,
Salangai muzhanga nadaiyil thaalam poduKeep rhythm with your steps as anklets chime.
Kulunga kulunga idaiyum kenja aaduDance till your waist sways and begs for mercy,
Salangai muzhanga nadaiyil thaalam poduKeep rhythm with your steps as anklets chime.
Thazhuvidava alaiyenavaeShall I embrace you like a wave?
Thazhuvidava alaiyenavaeShall I embrace you like a wave?
Amudha mazhaiyil nanindhu inimai kaanavaeTo get drenched in nectarous rain and experience joy!
Male
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?
Male
Moga veenai endru unnaiCalling you a veena of desire,
Naanum meetti paadidavaaShall I strum and sing?
Paarijaadha maalai polaLike a garland of Parijaata flowers,
Mmaarbil unnai sodavaaShall I wear you close to my chest?
Bodhai neeyae maedai naanaeYou are the intoxication, I am the stage.
Manam veesidum kanai paainthidumFragrance wafts as cupid's arrow pierces,
Malar maeniyil kulir odai neeyae vaa vaaYou are a cool stream on a blossom-like body, come come!
Male
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?
Ilangaatru theendaatha solaiA grove untouched by the gentle breeze,
Ilangaatru theendaatha solaiA grove untouched by the gentle breeze,
Mannil engeyum paarthaaiyooHave you seen one anywhere on this earth?
En thotta poovaeOh flower touched by me!
Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobamWhy is the river angry with the sea?
Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanamWhy are your eyes shy to sing a love poem?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kadalodu Nadhikkenna Kobam is a classic romantic song from the 1981 Tamil film Arthangal Aayiram, written by the renowned lyricist Vaali. In this track, the protagonist gently coaxing his beloved to drop her shyness and embrace love. He uses rich, nature-inspired allegories, comparing her mock hesitation to a river's playfulness with the sea and describing her as a delicate flower untouched by breezes. Throughout the verses, the mood escalates into an expression of intense passion, music, and dance. The lyrics weave metaphors of streams, clouds, veena instruments, and sweet rain to capture the ecstatic feeling of romance and physical proximity between lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Kadalodu nadhikkenna kobam / Kaadhal kavi paada vizhikkenna naanam

The opening line asks why the river is angry at the ocean to poetically query the heroine's romantic shyness.

Simile (Upamai)

Neela vaanam megam pola / Neerilaadum poovai pola

The lyrics compare the floating feeling of love to clouds in the sky and floating blossoms using 'pola'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Moga veenai endru unnai / Naanum meetti paadidavaa

The beloved is metaphorically addressed as a instrument of desire ('Moga veenai') to be played by her lover.

Personification

Kulunga kulunga idaiyum kenja aadu / Odai meenae jaadai pesu

Attributes human traits of begging to the waist and speaking to the stream's fish.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Arthangal Aayiram (1981) featured music composed by legendary playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam during his notable phase as a film composer, with lyrics masterfully written by Vaali.

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