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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhai Sollum

From Karathe Kamala · 1978

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Karathe Kamala1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhai sollum….Telling a story...
Female :SilaigalFemale: Sculptures
Male :Manmathan vidumMale: Shot by Manmatha
Female :KanaigalFemale: Arrows
Male :Moththam arupaththu naangu vagaigalMale: Totaling sixty-four types
Female :Avai aan penn pazgum anantha kalaigalFemale: They are joyful arts practiced by man and woman
Male :Kalaigal….Male: Arts...
Male
Kadhai sollum….Telling a story...
Female :SilaigalFemale: Sculptures
Male :Manmathan vidumMale: Shot by Manmatha
Female :KanaigalFemale: Arrows
Male :Moththam arupaththu naangu vagaigalMale: Totaling sixty-four types
Female :Avai aan penn pazgum anantha kalaigalFemale: They are joyful arts practiced by man and woman
Male :Kalaigal….Male: Arts...
Female
Oru maeni yaekkam konduAs one body longs in desire
Perumoochchu vaangaAnd breathes heavily
Oru maeni yaekkam konduAs one body longs in desire
Perumoochchu vaangaAnd breathes heavily
Maru maeni kaigal konduWith the hands of the other body
Thirumaeni thaangaTo embrace and hold the divine body
Male
Saththam indri muththam ondru nee sinthuSilently shower a kiss
Innum konjam enthan pakkam nee vanthuCome a little closer to my side
Saththam indri muththam ondru nee sinthuSilently shower a kiss
Innum konjam enthan pakkam nee vanthuCome a little closer to my side
Male
Kadhai sollum….Telling a story...
Female :SilaigalFemale: Sculptures
Male :Manmathan vidumMale: Shot by Manmatha
Female :KanaigalFemale: Arrows
Male :Moththam arupaththu naangu vagaigalMale: Totaling sixty-four types
Female :Avai aan penn pazgum anantha kalaigalFemale: They are joyful arts practiced by man and woman
Male :Kalaigal….Male: Arts...
Male
Kadhai sollum….Telling a story...
Female :Silaigal……silaigal…..silaigal…..silaigal…..Female: Sculptures... sculptures... sculptures... sculptures...
Male :Manmathan vidumMale: Shot by Manmatha
Female :Kanaigal…..kanaigal….kanaigal…..kanaigalFemale: Arrows... arrows... arrows... arrows
Male
Srungaara leelai solliSpeaking of romantic sports
Sirigindra sirpam angaeThere stands a smiling sculpture
Srungaara leelai solliSpeaking of romantic sports
Sirigindra sirpam angaeThere stands a smiling sculpture
Adharkaana neram kanduFinding the right moment for it
Malargindra pushpam ingaeHere blooms a flower
Adharkaana neram kanduFinding the right moment for it
Malargindra pushpam ingaeHere blooms a flower
Female
Otti kondumClinging together
Katti kondum konjaEmbracing and coaxing
Intha ullam rendumThese two hearts
Ondraiyondru kenjaPleading with each other
Male
Kadhai sollum….Telling a story...
Female :SilaigalFemale: Sculptures
Male :Manmathan vidumMale: Shot by Manmatha
Female :KanaigalFemale: Arrows
Male :Moththam arupaththu naangu vagaigalMale: Totaling sixty-four types
Female :Avai aan penn pazgum anantha kalaigalFemale: They are joyful arts practiced by man and woman
Male :Kalaigal….Male: Arts...
Male
Kadhai sollum….Telling a story...
Female :Silaigal……silaigal…..silaigal…..silaigal…..Female: Sculptures... sculptures... sculptures... sculptures...
Male :Manmathan vidumMale: Shot by Manmatha
Female :Kanaigal…..kanaigal….kanaigal…..kanaigalFemale: Arrows... arrows... arrows... arrows

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet uses rich classical literary metaphors to express the intimate physical and emotional union of two lovers. The lyrics draw parallels between romantic affection and the traditional sixty-four arts (Arupaththu Naangu Kalaigal) as well as temple sculptures that depict eternal love and beauty. Through imagery of heavy breathing, silent kisses, and blooming flowers, the lovers express their longing for closeness, describing how their hearts plead with one another in moments of affectionate bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Oru maeni yaekkam kondu / Maru maeni kaigal kondu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound between lines, creating melodic balance ('ru' in Oru/Maru and 'tti' in Otti/Katti).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Saththam indri muththam ondru nee sinthu / Innum konjam enthan pakkam nee vanthu

Rhyming endings of adjacent lines ('sinthu' and 'vanthu').

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Male :Manmathan vidum / Female :Kanaigal

Comparing the physical expressions of romantic love to arrows fired by Manmatha (the god of love) and referring to the beloved as a blooming flower.

Alliteration / Monai

Srungaara leelai solli / Sirigindra sirpam angae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('S' in Srungaara and Sirigindra) adding poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Pulamaipithan and set to music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh, the song makes a poetic reference to the ancient Indian concept of the 64 arts (Arupathu Naangu Kalaigal), blending classical Tamil literary concepts with contemporary 1970s film music orchestration.

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