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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadavul Madhuvai

From Neelagiri Express · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Neelagiri Express
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
28 Dec 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaan
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaan
Sivakkum idhazhil sengani saaru vaithaan
Thavikkum manathil thaiyalai pottu veithaan
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaan
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaan
Mannil vilaiyaadum pengal oru kodi
Pennil vilaiyaadum kangal pala kodi
Mannil vilaiyaadum pengal oru kodi
Pennil vilaiyaadum kangal pala kodi
Nenjil oru paatu nithiraiyil kettu
Nenjil oru paatu nithiraiyil kettu
Vandha vilaiyattu vanjiyargal koottu
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaan
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaan
Andhipattu vaanam chandranin veedu
Aasai konda ullam manmadhanin naadu
Andhipattu vaanam chandranin veedu
Aasai konda ullam manmadhanin naadu
Kannangalin meedhu chinnanjiru kodu
Kannangalin meedhu chinnanjiru kodu
Ellaiyidum bodhu inbamum nooru
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaan
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaan
Sivakkum idhazhil sengani saaru vaithaan
Thavikkum manathil thaiyalai pottu veithaan
Kadavul madhuvai kangalil aada veithaan
Kavithai nadhiyil pengalai oora veithaan
God made intoxicating wine dance in the eyes,
and soaked women in a river of poetry.
On their reddening lips, he placed sweet fruit nectar,
and placed a woman inside the aching heart.
God made intoxicating wine dance in the eyes,
and soaked women in a river of poetry.
Ten million women play upon the earth,
and countless millions of eyes play upon women.
Ten million women play upon the earth,
and countless millions of eyes play upon women.
Hearing a song in the heart while asleep,
Hearing a song in the heart while asleep,
a playful gathering of women came together.
God made intoxicating wine dance in the eyes,
and soaked women in a river of poetry.
The silky evening sky is the home of the moon,
and a longing heart is the kingdom of the god of love.
The silky evening sky is the home of the moon,
and a longing heart is the kingdom of the god of love.
A tiny little mark upon the cheeks,
A tiny little mark upon the cheeks,
when drawing a boundary, brings a hundred pleasures.
God made intoxicating wine dance in the eyes,
and soaked women in a river of poetry.
On their reddening lips, he placed sweet fruit nectar,
and placed a woman inside the aching heart.
God made intoxicating wine dance in the eyes,
and soaked women in a river of poetry.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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