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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Enbathu

From Kizhakku Mugam · 1996

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Adhithyan
Music director
Adhithyan
Details
Kizhakku Mugam1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhal enbathu kattrai ponddrathuLove is like the air
Kaattrillaamalae engae vaazhvathuHow can one live without air?
Sol manamae….ae….Tell me, oh mind...
Sol manamae….ae….Tell me, oh mind...
Male
Ponnum aanum illaamalWithout woman and man
Bhoomiyil sambavam kidaiyaathuNo event takes place on earth
Mannil kadhal illamalWithout love on earth
Povil vaasam kidaiyaathuThere is no fragrance in a flower
Kadhalar seththu poga koodumLovers may die
Kadhal saagaathuLove will never die
Male
Mazhai kettu ponaalumEven if the rains fail
Kadal vatri pogaathuThe sea will not dry up
Adi suttu podum pothumEven when scorched by burning heat
Kadhal pattu pogaathuLove will not wither away
Male
Oo….oo….oo….oo….Oo....oo....oo....oo....
Male
Antha kaalamum intha kalamumNeither that era nor this era
Kadhalai vaazhththavillaiEver blessed love
Adi entha kaalamum vaazhththuvathaalaeYet love does not survive merely
Kathalum vaazhvathillaiBecause any era praises it
Male
Kaththigal thookkuk kayirugal koodaKnives and hanging ropes
Kadhalai veezhththavillaiHave never defeated love
Intha kattu kavalum veliyumThese strict guards and fences
Namathu kadhalai ooippathillaiWill not destroy our love
Male
Ponnum aanum illamalWithout woman and man
Bhoomiyil sambavam kidaiyaathuNo event takes place on earth
Mannil kadhal illamalWithout love on earth
Povil vaasam kidaiyaathuThere is no fragrance in a flower
Kadhalar seththu poga koodumLovers may die
Kadhal saagaathuLove will never die
Male
Mazhai kettu ponaalumEven if the rains fail
Kadal vatri pogaathuThe sea will not dry up
Adi suttu podum pothumEven when scorched by burning heat
Kadhal pattu pogaathuLove will not wither away
Male
Pachchai kiliyin siragil vannamJust as colors were painted
Poosiyathu eppadiyoOn the wings of a green parrot
Parantha vaanil neela nirangalJust as blue colors spread
Paraviyathu eppadiyaeAcross the vast expanse of the sky
Male
Salavai seithaal antha nirangalEven if washed, those colors
Saayam povathillaiWill never fade away
Ada saththiyam seithaen engal kadhalAh, I swear that our love
Saaya povathillaiWill never fade
Male
Kadhal enbathu kattrai ponddrathuLove is like the air
Kaattrillaamalae engae vaazhvathuHow can one live without air?
Sol manamae….ae….Tell me, oh mind...
Sol manamae….ae….Tell me, oh mind...
Male
Ponnum aanum illaamalWithout woman and man
Bhoomiyil sambavam kidaiyaathuNo event takes place on earth
Mannil kadhal illamalWithout love on earth
Povil vaasam kidaiyaathuThere is no fragrance in a flower
Kadhalar seththu poga koodumLovers may die
Kadhal saagaathuLove will never die
Male
Mazhai kettu ponaalumEven if the rains fail
Kadal vatri pogaathuThe sea will not dry up
Adi suttu podum pothumEven when scorched by burning heat
Kadhal pattu pogaathu….Love will not wither away...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an eloquent tribute to the eternal and indestructible nature of love. Drawing powerful parallels from nature—such as air, ocean, sky, and flowers—the lyricist emphasizes that love is as essential to human existence as breath is to life and fragrance is to a blossom. Although individual lovers may perish or face societal opposition, love itself remains immortal, invincible to threats like weapons, guards, or time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Kadhal enbathu kattrai ponddrathu

Compares love directly to air/wind ('kattrai ponddrathu'), establishing love as an indispensable element for human survival.

Analogy

Mannil kadhal illamal / Povil vaasam kidaiyaathu

Draws an analogy between love on earth and fragrance in a flower, indicating that life without love lacks essence.

Antithesis / Contrast

Kadhalar seththu poga koodum / Kadhal saagaathu

Contrasts the mortal nature of lovers with the immortality of love itself ('Kadhalar seththu poga koodum / Kadhal saagaathu').

Monai (Alliteration)

Pachchai kiliyin siragil vannam / Poosiyathu eppadiyo

Repetition of initial 'P' sound ('Pachchai', 'Poosiyathu', 'Parantha', 'Paraviyathu') creating poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack of 'Kizhakku Mugam' (1996) was composed by Adithyan with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The film starred Karthik and Reshma in leading roles.

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