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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadavul Madhuvai

From Neelagiri Express · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Neelagiri Express1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaanGod made wine dance in the eyes,
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaanHe let women soak in the river of poetry,
Sivakkum idhazhil sengani saaru vaithaanHe placed red fruit juice on reddening lips,
Thavikkum manathil thaiyalai pottu veithaanHe placed stitches upon a yearning heart.
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaanGod made wine dance in the eyes,
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaanHe let women soak in the river of poetry.
Female
Mannil vilaiyaadum pengal oru kodiTen million women play on this earth,
Pennil vilaiyaadum kangal pala kodiMany millions of eyes play upon a woman,
Female
Mannil vilaiyaadum pengal oru kodiTen million women play on this earth,
Pennil vilaiyaadum kangal pala kodiMany millions of eyes play upon a woman.
Nenjil oru paatu nithiraiyil kettuHearing a song in the heart during sleep,
Nenjil oru paatu nithiraiyil kettuHearing a song in the heart during sleep,
Vandha vilaiyattu vanjiyargal koottuThis playful gathering of maidens arrived.
Female
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaanGod made wine dance in the eyes,
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaanHe let women soak in the river of poetry.
Female
Andhipattu vaanam chandranin veeduThe silken twilight sky is the abode of the moon,
Aasai konda ullam manmadhanin naaduA heart filled with desire is the realm of Kama,
Female
Andhipattu vaanam chandranin veeduThe silken twilight sky is the abode of the moon,
Aasai konda ullam manmadhanin naaduA heart filled with desire is the realm of Kama.
Kannangalin meedhu chinnanjiru koduA tiny line across the cheeks,
Kannangalin meedhu chinnanjiru koduA tiny line across the cheeks,
Ellaiyidum bodhu inbamum nooruWhen boundaries are drawn, joy multiplies a hundredfold.
Female
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaanGod made wine dance in the eyes,
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaanHe let women soak in the river of poetry,
Sivakkum idhazhil sengani saaru vaithaanHe placed red fruit juice on reddening lips,
Thavikkum manathil thaiyalai pottu veithaanHe placed stitches upon a yearning heart.
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaanGod made wine dance in the eyes,
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaanHe let women soak in the river of poetry.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kadavul Madhuvai' is a sensual and poetic celebration of feminine beauty, love, and divine creation. Kannadasan poetically portrays the Creator as a master artist who crafted women with intoxicating charm—placing wine in their eyes, red fruit nectar on their lips, and letting them immerse in poetry. The lyrics express how a woman's allure naturally captivates millions of admiring eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaan

Describing poetry as a river ('Kavithai nadhi') and twilight sky as silk ('Andhipattu vaanam').

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Mannil vilaiyaadum pengal oru kodi

Matching second consonant 'n' sound across lines ('Mannil' and 'Pennil').

Anaapora / Repetition

Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaan

Repetition of the refrain highlighting God's creation of intoxication and beauty.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Sivakkum idhazhil sengani saaru vaithaan

Matching ending words 'veithaan' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

This famous club/dance track from the 1968 suspense thriller 'Neelagiri Express' features iconic vocals by L. R. Eswari and music by T. K. Ramamoorthy, composing independently after his split from the legendary Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo. The song visually features actress Vijayalalitha.

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