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Bommai Nayagi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kadar Kara Kaathu

From Bommai Nayagi · 2023

Lyricist
Sithan Jayamoorthy
Singer
Rockstar Ramani Ammal
Music director
Sundaramurthy KS
Movie name
Bommai Nayagi
Movie release year
2023
Lyrics added on
4 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthae
Yaarala…
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthae
Indha oorala…
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthae
Yaarala…
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthae
Indha oorala…
Moonu pogam
Velaichal tharum kolasaami
Vallalaara koduthathum
Indha boomi
Kaadu munthiri kaadu
Palaa pazhukkum kaadu
Koodalooru enga ooru thaan…
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthae
Yaarala…
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthae
Indha oorala…
Aadhi kudi naanga thaan
Poiya vaazha maattonga
Poorva kudi naanga thaan
Aandaan adimai illaninga
Uppu kaatha mondhaalum
Morappa sutha maattonga
Kaasu panam vanthaalum
Anba koraikka maattonga
Andha neyveli currentu
Velicham pola thaan
Nalladha seithiduvom
Ada iruppadhai kondu
Inbuttru naanga
Vaazhkaiyai jeyichi kaattiduvom
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthae
Yaarala…
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthae
Indha oorala…
Moonu pogam
Velaichal tharum kolasaami
Vallalaara koduthathum
Indha boomi
Kaadu munthiri kaadu
Palaa pazhukkum kaadu
Koodalooru enga ooru thaan…
Kadar kara kaathu veesuthae
Yaarala…
Alaiyaththi kaadum pesuthae
Indha oorala…
The sea breeze is blowing...
Because of whom?
Even the mangrove forest speaks...
Because of this town!
The sea breeze is blowing...
Because of whom?
Even the mangrove forest speaks...
Because of this town!
Three harvests a year,
Rich crops blessed by our family deity,
And Vallalar (Tamil saint-poet) was given to us
By this very soil!
Groves of cashew trees,
Woods where jackfruits ripen,
Cuddalore is our hometown!
The sea breeze is blowing...
Because of whom?
Even the mangrove forest speaks...
Because of this town!
We are the original people of this land,
We will never live a false life.
We are the ancient native folk,
There are no masters or slaves among us.
Even if we breathe the salty sea wind,
We never walk with arrogant frowns.
Even if riches and money come our way,
We will never reduce our love.
Just like the electric power of Neyveli
Spreading its bright light,
We will keep doing good deeds.
Content with whatever little we have,
Living with cheerful hearts,
We will prove ourselves and win in life!
The sea breeze is blowing...
Because of whom?
Even the mangrove forest speaks...
Because of this town!
Three harvests a year,
Rich crops blessed by our family deity,
And Vallalar (Tamil saint-poet) was given to us
By this very soil!
Groves of cashew trees,
Woods where jackfruits ripen,
Cuddalore is our hometown!
The sea breeze is blowing...
Because of whom?
Even the mangrove forest speaks...
Because of this town!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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