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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadavul Thoongavillai

From Mannippu · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Mannippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paadhai therigindrathu avanThe path is visible, his
Payanam thodargindrathujourney continues.
Yaar siriththaalum yaar azhuthaalumWhether someone laughs or someone cries,
Than vazhi nadakgindrathuit walks along its own path.
Male
Kadavul thoongavillaiGod does not sleep,
Avan kannil mayakkammillai…..eee….there is no daze or confusion in His eyes.
Kadavul thoongavillaiGod does not sleep,
Avan kannil mayakkammillai…..eee….there is no daze or confusion in His eyes.
Male
Unmai endra sollaiThe word called truth,
Avan maraiththu vaippathillaiHe does not keep it hidden.
Unmai endra sollaiThe word called truth,
Avan maraiththu vaippathillaiHe does not keep it hidden.
Male
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..God does not sleep...
Male
Kannukkul aayiram kaatchi varumA thousand sights appear before the eyes,
Un nenjukkul aayiram ninaivu varuma thousand memories arise in your heart.
Male
Mannukkul udalai maraiththalum…mmm….Even if the body is buried under the earth...
Mannukkul udalai maraiththalum.Even if the body is buried under the earth,
Nee manathukkul maraiththathu veliyaagumwhatever you hid in your mind will be revealed.
Male
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..God does not sleep...
Thoongavillai…..Does not sleep...
Male
Iruttil tharumam irukkindrathuRighteousness exists even in darkness,
Athil kaalaththin velichcham vizhugindrathuand the light of time falls upon it.
Iruttil tharumam irukkindrathuRighteousness exists even in darkness,
Athil kaalaththin velichcham vizhugindrathuand the light of time falls upon it.
Male
Ulagaththin paarvaiyil padugindrathuIt comes into the view of the world,
Ulagaththin paarvaiyil padugindrathuit comes into the view of the world,
Adhu ullaththin ninaivai thodugindrathuand it touches the thoughts of the inner mind.
Male
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..God does not sleep...
Thoongavillai…..Does not sleep...
Male
Ovvoru manithanum irakkiraanEvery human being dies,
Avan iruppavan kannai thirakkindraanand he opens the eyes of those who remain.
Ovvoru manithanum irakkiraanEvery human being dies,
Avan iruppavan kannai thirakkindraanand he opens the eyes of those who remain.
Male
Arinthavan therinthae nadikkindraanThe one who knows acts deliberately,
Arinthavan therinthae nadikkindraanthe one who knows acts deliberately,
Avan aattaththin mudivil thudikkindraanand at the end of his game, he suffers.
Male
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..God does not sleep...
Avan kannil mayakkammillai…..eee….there is no daze or confusion in His eyes...
Kadavul thoongavillaiGod does not sleep,
Male
Unmai endra sollaiThe word called truth,
Avan maraiththu vaippathillaiHe does not keep it hidden.
Unmai endra sollaiThe word called truth,
Avan maraiththu vaippathillaiHe does not keep it hidden.
Male
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..God does not sleep...
Thoongavillai…..eee…..Does not sleep...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song from 'Mannippu' (1969) reflects on divine justice, truth, and the inexorable nature of karma. It emphasizes that God is ever-watchful, vigilant, and unblinded by human deceit. No matter what a person tries to conceal in their mind or take to their grave, truth eventually comes to light through time's cosmic order. The lyrics warn that hypocrites and deceivers will ultimately suffer when their drama ends, reminding humanity that death serves as a awakening lesson for the living.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Repetition (Anaphora)

Kadavul thoongavillai

The line 'Kadavul thoongavillai' is repeated throughout the song to anchor the central theme of divine vigilance.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paadhai therigindrathu avan Payanam thodargindrathu

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Paadhai' and 'Payanam'.

Metaphor

Athil kaalaththin velichcham vizhugindrathu

'Kaalaththin velichcham' (the light of time) serves as a metaphor for truth and wisdom prevailing over time.

Antithesis / Contrast

Iruttil tharumam irukkindrathu Athil kaalaththin velichcham vizhugindrathu

Contrasting 'Iruttil' (darkness) with 'Velichcham' (light) to depict righteousness emerging from obscurity.

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Trivia

'Kadavul Thoongavillai' from Mannippu (1969) features music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and lyrics written by Vaali. Rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan, this track remains one of the iconic philosophical songs of late 1960s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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