Kadavul Amaithu Vaitha
From Aval Oru Thodarkathai · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Aval Oru Thodarkathai1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The stage set up by God, |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Heyy hey eyyy haa haa haa | Heyy hey eyyy haa haa haa |
| Hmm hmmm mmm | Hmm hmmm mmm |
| Laalaalaaaa | Laalaalaaaa |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The stage set up by God, |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Innaarkku innaarendru | Who is destined for whom, |
| Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru | God wrote it down back on that day. |
| Innaarkku innaarendru | Who is destined for whom, |
| Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru | God wrote it down back on that day. |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The stage set up by God, |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Male | |
| Naan oru vigadakavi | I am a jester, |
| Indru naan oru kadhai solvaen | Today I will narrate a story. |
| Ongiya perum kaadu | A dense, vast forest, |
| Male | |
| Adhil uyarndhoru aalamaram | In which stood a tall banyan tree. |
| Aalamaraththinilae andha arpudha vanathinilae | Upon that banyan tree, inside that wonderful forest, |
| Male | |
| Aankili irandundu penkili irandundu | There were two male parrots and two female parrots. |
| Angaeyum aasai undu | Desires existed there as well. |
| Adhiloru pen kili adhanidam aankili | Among them, one female parrot and one male parrot, |
| Irandukkum mayakkam undu | Both fell deeply in love with each other. |
| Anbae…aaruyirae…en athaan | My love... my soul... my beloved... |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The stage set up by God, |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Innaarkku innaarendru | Who is destined for whom, |
| Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru | God wrote it down back on that day. |
| Innaarkku innaarendru | Who is destined for whom, |
| Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru | God wrote it down back on that day. |
| Male | |
| Kottum muzhakkangal | Resounding beatings of drums, |
| Kalyaana maelangal | Wedding pipe music, |
| Kondaattam kaettadhammaa | Sounds of celebration were heard, oh dear! |
| …………………………………….. | ................................ |
| Male | |
| Kottum muzhakkangal | Resounding beatings of drums, |
| Kalyaana maelangal | Wedding pipe music, |
| Kondaattam kaettadhammaa | Sounds of celebration were heard, oh dear! |
| Aasai vimaanathil aanandha maegathil | On the flight of desires, in the clouds of bliss, |
| Seer kondu vandhadhammaa | Auspicious gifts were brought! |
| Male | |
| Thaen mozhi mangaiyar | Maidens with sweet words, |
| Yaazhisai meettida | Plucking the strings of the harp, |
| Oorgoalam poanadhammaa | Went along in a grand procession! |
| Singaara kaalodu sangeetha thandhaigal | Musical elephants with decorative strides, |
| Santhosam paadudhammaa | Sang joyful tunes! |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The stage set up by God, |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Male | |
| Kanrodu pasu vanthu | A cow came along with its calf, |
| Kalyaana pen paarthu | Looked at the bride, |
| Vaazhththondru koorudhammaa | And uttered a blessing! |
| Maaa….aaa…. | Moo... aaa... |
| Male | |
| Conventu pillaigal pol vandha muyalgal | Rabbits arriving like convent school children, |
| Aangilam paadudhammaa | Began singing in English! |
| Wish u both a happy happy maried life | Wish you both a happy happy married life |
| …………………………….. | ........................... |
| Male | |
| Panbaana vedhathai kondaadum maangal | Deer that revere the noble scriptures, |
| Mandhiram odhudhamma | Chanted sacred mantras! |
| Mangalyam thantunaena | This sacred thread, essential for my life, |
| Mama jiivana hethuna | I tie around your neck, auspicious lady, |
| Kante badhnaami subhage | May you live happily for a hundred autumns. |
| Sanjiiva sarada chatam | Deer that revere the noble scriptures, |
| Male | |
| Panbaana vedhathai kondaadum maangal | Chanted sacred mantras! |
| Mandhiram odhudhamma | Palanquin-bearing ceremonial elephants, |
| Pallakku thookidum parivatta yaanaigal | Sang praises wishing long life! |
| Pallandu paadudhamma | The stage set up by God, |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | Holding hands together, parrot joining parrot, |
| Male | |
| Oru kili kaiyodu orukili kaisaerthu | They enter into family life. |
| Uravukkul nuzhaiyudhammaa | Sacrificing her joyful life for her family's sake, |
| Ullaasa vaazhkkaiyai uravukku koduthitta | One female parrot steps aside. |
| Oru kili odhungudhammaa | What the innocent male parrot misunderstood, |
| Male | |
| Appaavi aan kili thappaaga ninaithadhu | Was understood clearly at that moment. |
| Appodhu purindhadhammaa | She was never a free bird at all, |
| Adhu eppodhum kiliyalla | She was just a frog in the well, as realized now! |
| Kinatru thavalaidhaan ippodhu therindhadhamaa | The stage set up by God, |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | Who is destined for whom, |
| Innaarkku innaarendru | God wrote it down back on that day. |
| Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru | The stage set up by God, |
| Male | |
| Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai | The wedding garland that unites. |
| Inaikkum kalyaana maalai | |
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
ஏ ஹே ஹே...ஆ ஹா...ஹா...
ம்..ஹு..ஹும்..
ல லா லா...
The stage set up by God,
The wedding garland that unites.
Heyy hey eyyy haa haa haa
Hmm hmmm mmm
Laalaalaaaa
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
இன்னார்க்கு இன்னாரென்று எழுதி
வைத்தானே தேவன் அன்று
ஹ..இன்னார்க்கு இன்னாரென்று
எழுதி வைத்தானே தேவன் அன்று
The stage set up by God,
The wedding garland that unites.
Who is destined for whom,
God wrote it down back on that day.
Who is destined for whom,
God wrote it down back on that day.
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
The stage set up by God,
The wedding garland that unites.
நான் ஒரு விகடகவி
இன்று நான் ஒரு கதை சொல்வேன்
ஓங்கிய பெரும் காடு ....
I am a jester,
Today I will narrate a story.
A dense, vast forest,
அதில் உயர்ந்தொரு ஆலமரம்
ஆலமரத்தினிலே அந்த அற்புத வனத்தினிலே
In which stood a tall banyan tree.
Upon that banyan tree, inside that wonderful forest,
ஆண்கிளி இரண்டுண்டு
பெண்கிளி இரண்டுண்டு
அங்கேயும் ஆசை உண்டு
அதிலொரு பெண் கிளி அதனிடம் ஆண்கிளி
இரண்டுக்கும் மயக்கம் உண்டு
அன்பே...ஆருயிரே...என் அத்தான்
There were two male parrots and two female parrots.
Desires existed there as well.
Among them, one female parrot and one male parrot,
Both fell deeply in love with each other.
My love... my soul... my beloved...
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
இன்னார்க்கு இன்னாரென்று
எழுதி வைத்தானே தேவன் அன்று
இன்னார்க்கு இன்னாரென்று
எழுதி வைத்தானே தேவன் அன்று
The stage set up by God,
The wedding garland that unites.
Who is destined for whom,
God wrote it down back on that day.
Who is destined for whom,
God wrote it down back on that day.
கொட்டும் முழக்கங்கள் கல்யாண மேளங்கள்
கொண்டாட்டம் கேட்டதம்மா ...
Resounding beatings of drums,
Wedding pipe music,
Sounds of celebration were heard, oh dear!
................................
கொட்டும் முழக்கங்கள் கல்யாண மேளங்கள்
கொண்டாட்டம் கேட்டதம்மா
ஆசை விமானத்தில் ஆனந்த வேகத்தில்
சீர் கொண்டு வந்ததம்மா
Resounding beatings of drums,
Wedding pipe music,
Sounds of celebration were heard, oh dear!
On the flight of desires, in the clouds of bliss,
Auspicious gifts were brought!
தேன் மொழி மங்கையர் யாழிசை மீட்டிட
ஊர்கோலம் போனதம்மா
சிங்கார காலோடு சங்கீத தண்டைகள்
சந்தோஷம் பாடுதம்மா
Maidens with sweet words,
Plucking the strings of the harp,
Went along in a grand procession!
Musical elephants with decorative strides,
Sang joyful tunes!
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
The stage set up by God,
The wedding garland that unites.
ஏ ஹே ஹே...ஆ ஹா...ஹா...
ம்..ஹு..ஹும்..ல லா லா...
A cow came along with its calf,
Looked at the bride,
And uttered a blessing!
Moo... aaa...
கன்றோடு பசு வந்து கல்யாணப் பெண் பார்த்து
வாழ்த்தொன்று கூறுதம்மா
Rabbits arriving like convent school children,
Began singing in English!
Wish you both a happy happy married life
...........................
கான்வென்ட்டுப் பிள்ளைகள் போல்
வந்த முயல்கள் ஆங்கிலம் பாடுதம்மா
Deer that revere the noble scriptures,
Chanted sacred mantras!
This sacred thread, essential for my life,
I tie around your neck, auspicious lady,
May you live happily for a hundred autumns.
Deer that revere the noble scriptures,
பண்பான வேதத்தை கொண்டாடும்
மான்கள் மந்திரம் ஓதுதம்மா ......
Chanted sacred mantras!
Palanquin-bearing ceremonial elephants,
Sang praises wishing long life!
The stage set up by God,
பண்பான வேதத்தை கொண்டாடும்
மான்கள் மந்திரம் ஓதுதம்மா
பல்லாக்கு தூக்கிடும் பரிவட்ட யானைகள்
பல்லாண்டு பாடுதம்மா
The wedding garland that unites.
Holding hands together, parrot joining parrot,
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
They enter into family life.
Sacrificing her joyful life for her family's sake,
One female parrot steps aside.
What the innocent male parrot misunderstood,
ஒரு கிளி கையோடு ஒரு கிளி
கைசேர்த்து உறவுக்குள் நுழையுதம்மா
உல்லாச வாழ்க்கையை உறவுக்குக் கொடுத்திட்ட
ஒரு கிளி ஒதுங்குதம்மா
Was understood clearly at that moment.
She was never a free bird at all,
She was just a frog in the well, as realized now!
The stage set up by God,
அப்பாவி ஆண் கிளி தப்பாக நினைத்தது
அப்போது புரிந்ததம்மா
அது எப்போதும் கிளியல்ல கிணற்றுத் தவளை தான்
இப்போது தெரிந்ததம்மா
The wedding garland that unites.
Who is destined for whom,
God wrote it down back on that day.
The stage set up by God,
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
இன்னார்க்கு இன்னாரென்று
எழுதி வைத்தானே தேவன் அன்று
The wedding garland that unites.
கடவுள் அமைத்து வைத்த மேடை
இணைக்கும் கல்யாண மாலை
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The stage set up by God,
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
The wedding garland that unites.
Heyy hey eyyy haa haa haa
Heyy hey eyyy haa haa haa
Hmm hmmm mmm
Hmm hmmm mmm
Laalaalaaaa
Laalaalaaaa
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The stage set up by God,
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
The wedding garland that unites.
Innaarkku innaarendru
Who is destined for whom,
Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru
God wrote it down back on that day.
Innaarkku innaarendru
Who is destined for whom,
Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru
God wrote it down back on that day.
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The stage set up by God,
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
The wedding garland that unites.
Naan oru vigadakavi
I am a jester,
Indru naan oru kadhai solvaen
Today I will narrate a story.
Ongiya perum kaadu
A dense, vast forest,
Adhil uyarndhoru aalamaram
In which stood a tall banyan tree.
Aalamaraththinilae andha arpudha vanathinilae
Upon that banyan tree, inside that wonderful forest,
Aankili irandundu penkili irandundu
There were two male parrots and two female parrots.
Angaeyum aasai undu
Desires existed there as well.
Adhiloru pen kili adhanidam aankili
Among them, one female parrot and one male parrot,
Irandukkum mayakkam undu
Both fell deeply in love with each other.
Anbae…aaruyirae…en athaan
My love... my soul... my beloved...
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The stage set up by God,
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
The wedding garland that unites.
Innaarkku innaarendru
Who is destined for whom,
Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru
God wrote it down back on that day.
Innaarkku innaarendru
Who is destined for whom,
Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru
God wrote it down back on that day.
Kottum muzhakkangal
Resounding beatings of drums,
Kalyaana maelangal
Wedding pipe music,
Kondaattam kaettadhammaa
Sounds of celebration were heard, oh dear!
……………………………………..
................................
Kottum muzhakkangal
Resounding beatings of drums,
Kalyaana maelangal
Wedding pipe music,
Kondaattam kaettadhammaa
Sounds of celebration were heard, oh dear!
Aasai vimaanathil aanandha maegathil
On the flight of desires, in the clouds of bliss,
Seer kondu vandhadhammaa
Auspicious gifts were brought!
Thaen mozhi mangaiyar
Maidens with sweet words,
Yaazhisai meettida
Plucking the strings of the harp,
Oorgoalam poanadhammaa
Went along in a grand procession!
Singaara kaalodu sangeetha thandhaigal
Musical elephants with decorative strides,
Santhosam paadudhammaa
Sang joyful tunes!
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The stage set up by God,
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
The wedding garland that unites.
Kanrodu pasu vanthu
A cow came along with its calf,
Kalyaana pen paarthu
Looked at the bride,
Vaazhththondru koorudhammaa
And uttered a blessing!
Maaa….aaa….
Moo... aaa...
Conventu pillaigal pol vandha muyalgal
Rabbits arriving like convent school children,
Aangilam paadudhammaa
Began singing in English!
Wish u both a happy happy maried life
Wish you both a happy happy married life
……………………………..
...........................
Panbaana vedhathai kondaadum maangal
Deer that revere the noble scriptures,
Mandhiram odhudhamma
Chanted sacred mantras!
Mangalyam thantunaena
This sacred thread, essential for my life,
Mama jiivana hethuna
I tie around your neck, auspicious lady,
Kante badhnaami subhage
May you live happily for a hundred autumns.
Sanjiiva sarada chatam
Deer that revere the noble scriptures,
Panbaana vedhathai kondaadum maangal
Chanted sacred mantras!
Mandhiram odhudhamma
Palanquin-bearing ceremonial elephants,
Pallakku thookidum parivatta yaanaigal
Sang praises wishing long life!
Pallandu paadudhamma
The stage set up by God,
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The wedding garland that unites.
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
Holding hands together, parrot joining parrot,
Oru kili kaiyodu orukili kaisaerthu
They enter into family life.
Uravukkul nuzhaiyudhammaa
Sacrificing her joyful life for her family's sake,
Ullaasa vaazhkkaiyai uravukku koduthitta
One female parrot steps aside.
Oru kili odhungudhammaa
What the innocent male parrot misunderstood,
Appaavi aan kili thappaaga ninaithadhu
Was understood clearly at that moment.
Appodhu purindhadhammaa
She was never a free bird at all,
Adhu eppodhum kiliyalla
She was just a frog in the well, as realized now!
Kinatru thavalaidhaan ippodhu therindhadhamaa
The stage set up by God,
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The wedding garland that unites.
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
Who is destined for whom,
Innaarkku innaarendru
God wrote it down back on that day.
Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru
The stage set up by God,
Kadavul amaithu vaitha maedai
The wedding garland that unites.
Inaikkum kalyaana maalai
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic song from K. Balachander's 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai' is presented as a puppet show/storytelling performance by the character played by Kamal Haasan. Through the allegory of parrots living on a banyan tree, the narrator allegorically unfolds the complex family relationships, sacrifices, and destiny of the protagonist, Kavitha (played by Sujatha). The song humorously yet poignantly depicts a forest wedding involving animals and birds, reflecting the societal pressure and destiny surrounding marriage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory (Uvamaani / Urubagam)
“Aankili irandundu penkili irandundu”
The entire song uses forest animals (parrots, rabbits, deer, cows) as an allegory for human characters and social roles in the protagonist's life.
Metaphor (Uruvagak Kurippu)
“Kinatru thavalaidhaan ippodhu therindhadhamaa”
Refers to the protagonist realizing her limitations as a 'frog in a well' (kinatru thavalai) trapped by family responsibilities rather than a free bird.
Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Innaarkku innaarendru / Ezhudhi vaithaanae dhaevan andru”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds ('Innaarkku' and 'Ezhudhi') enhancing rhythmic flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song features Kamal Haasan performing a famous mime and puppet-style storytelling act on screen. The song prominently incorporates Sanskrit mangalashtakam slokas and humorously includes English greetings ('Wish u both a happy happy married life') within a traditional Tamil cinematic format.
Keep listening
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