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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadar Kara Kaathu

From Bommai Nayagi · 2023

Lyricist
Sithan Jayamoorthy
Singer
Rockstar Ramani Ammal
Music director
Sundaramurthy KS
Details
Bommai Nayagi2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthaeThe coastal breeze is blowing
Yaarala…Because of whom?
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthaeThe mangrove forest is talking too
Indha oorala…Because of this town...
Female
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthaeThe coastal breeze is blowing
Yaarala…Because of whom?
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthaeThe mangrove forest is talking too
Indha oorala…Because of this town...
Female
Moonu pogamThree cropping seasons of
Velaichal tharum kolasaamiYield given by our family deity
Vallalaara koduthathumGiven like a generous philanthropist
Indha boomiIs this land
Kaadu munthiri kaaduCashew forests everywhere
Palaa pazhukkum kaaduForests where jackfruits ripen
Koodalooru enga ooru thaan…Cuddalore is our native town...
Female
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthaeThe coastal breeze is blowing
Yaarala…Because of whom?
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthaeThe mangrove forest is talking too
Indha oorala…Because of this town...
Female
Aadhi kudi naanga thaanWe are the indigenous people
Poiya vaazha maattongaWe will not live deceitfully
Poorva kudi naanga thaanWe are the ancient inhabitants
Aandaan adimai illaningaThere is no master or slave here
Female
Uppu kaatha mondhaalumEven if we breathe in the salty sea air
Morappa sutha maattongaWe won't walk around with arrogance
Kaasu panam vanthaalumEven if wealth and money come to us
Anba koraikka maattongaWe won't lessen our love
Female
Andha neyveli currentuJust like the electricity from Neyveli
Velicham pola thaanGiving bright light
Nalladha seithiduvomWe will do good deeds
Ada iruppadhai konduHey, with whatever we have
Inbuttru naangaJoyfully, we
Vaazhkaiyai jeyichi kaattiduvomWill win at life and show you
Female
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthaeThe coastal breeze is blowing
Yaarala…Because of whom?
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthaeThe mangrove forest is talking too
Indha oorala…Because of this town...
Female
Moonu pogamThree cropping seasons of
Velaichal tharum kolasaamiYield given by our family deity
Vallalaara koduthathumGiven like a generous philanthropist
Indha boomiIs this land
Kaadu munthiri kaaduCashew forests everywhere
Palaa pazhukkum kaaduForests where jackfruits ripen
Koodalooru enga ooru thaan…Cuddalore is our native town...
Female
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthaeThe coastal breeze is blowing
Yaarala…Because of whom?
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthaeThe mangrove forest is talking too
Indha oorala…Because of this town...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk song celebrates the geography, culture, and deep-rooted values of Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu. The lyrics vividly describe the local ecology—from coastal breezes and mangrove forests (Pichavaram) to fertile agricultural lands producing triple harvests, cashews, and jackfruits. The people are presented as resilient, honest, and proud working-class natives who reject social hierarchies ('no master or slave') and maintain contentment and humility despite hardship or prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthae

Attributing the human trait of speaking to the mangrove forests.

Simile

Andha neyveli currentu Velicham pola thaan Nalladha seithiduvom

Comparing the good deeds performed by the local people to the brightness spread by electricity from Neyveli.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Aadhi kudi naanga thaan / Poorva kudi naanga thaan

Rhyming of the second syllable in consecutive lines ('Aadhi' / 'Poorva' pattern with 'dhi' and 'rva' sound resonance in native Tamil meter).

Anaphora (Refrain)

Kadar kara kaathu veesuthae... Yaarala...

Repetition of chorus lines throughout the song to anchor the coastal aesthetic and rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song references real landmarks and agricultural staples of Cuddalore district, including cashew farming, the Pichavaram mangrove forest, and the Neyveli Lignite Corporation power station. It features the powerful folk vocals of Rockstar Ramani Ammal, a popular Tamil folk singer who passed away in 2023.

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