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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadavul Thoongavillai

From Mannippu · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Mannippu
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
6 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paadhai therigindrathu avan
Payanam thodargindrathu
Yaar siriththaalum yaar azhuthaalum
Than vazhi nadakgindrathu
Kadavul thoongavillai
Avan kannil mayakkammillai…..eee….
Kadavul thoongavillai
Avan kannil mayakkammillai…..eee….
Unmai endra sollai
Avan maraiththu vaippathillai
Unmai endra sollai
Avan maraiththu vaippathillai
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..
Kannukkul aayiram kaatchi varum
Un nenjukkul aayiram ninaivu varum
Mannukkul udalai maraiththalum…mmm….
Mannukkul udalai maraiththalum.
Nee manathukkul maraiththathu veliyaagum
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..
Thoongavillai…..
Iruttil tharumam irukkindrathu
Athil kaalaththin velichcham vizhugindrathu
Iruttil tharumam irukkindrathu
Athil kaalaththin velichcham vizhugindrathu
Ulagaththin paarvaiyil padugindrathu
Ulagaththin paarvaiyil padugindrathu
Adhu ullaththin ninaivai thodugindrathu
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..
Thoongavillai…..
Ovvoru manithanum irakkiraan
Avan iruppavan kannai thirakkindraan
Ovvoru manithanum irakkiraan
Avan iruppavan kannai thirakkindraan
Arinthavan therinthae nadikkindraan
Arinthavan therinthae nadikkindraan
Avan aattaththin mudivil thudikkindraan
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..
Avan kannil mayakkammillai…..eee….
Kadavul thoongavillai
Unmai endra sollai
Avan maraiththu vaippathillai
Unmai endra sollai
Avan maraiththu vaippathillai
Kadavul thoongavillai….eee…..
Thoongavillai…..eee…..
The path is clear, and His
journey goes on.
No matter who laughs or who cries,
it moves along its own path.
God does not sleep.
His eyes are never clouded.
God does not sleep.
His eyes are never clouded.
The word called truth,
He never keeps hidden.
The word called truth,
He never keeps hidden.
God does not sleep.
A thousand sights may pass before your eyes,
a thousand thoughts may stir within your heart.
Even if a body is buried in the earth,
even if a body is buried in the earth,
what you hid in your mind will come to light.
God does not sleep.
He does not sleep.
Justice may remain in the dark,
but the light of time falls upon it.
Justice may remain in the dark,
but the light of time falls upon it.
It is revealed to the eyes of the world,
it is revealed to the eyes of the world,
and touches the conscience within.
God does not sleep.
He does not sleep.
Every man who dies
opens the eyes of those who live on.
Every man who dies
opens the eyes of those who live on.
The one who knows still knowingly pretends,
the one who knows still knowingly pretends,
but struggles in agony when the game ends.
God does not sleep.
His eyes are never clouded.
God does not sleep.
The word called truth,
He never keeps hidden.
The word called truth,
He never keeps hidden.
God does not sleep.
He does not sleep.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Did you know?

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.

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