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Isaimozhi
E album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Enbathu

From E · 2006

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
Srikanth Deva
Movie name
E
Movie release year
2006
Lyrics added on
22 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaeiii….
Kaadhal enbadhu bodhi maram
Kaayam pattaal gnyanam varum
Kaadhal enbadhu paalai vanam
Aaanal angum nilavu varum
Idhu kannalae pesi…
Ohhhh….ho….
Idhu kannalae pesi
Iru idhayam
Dhinam aadi paarkira dhaayamada
Kannadi pola kaadhal dhaan
Kayil edukayil gavanamada
Kaadhal enbadhu bodhi maram
Kaayam pattaal gnyanam varum
Kaadhal enbadhu paalai vanam
Aaanal angum nilavu varum
Parikaamal kaatil
Udhirkindra pookkal
Virumbaadha kaadhal
Idhu thaanada
Ohh…
Kaayathin melae
Irai thedum eekal
Porundhadha kaamam
Adhu thaanada
Kaatrodu pogum
Sarugaagha vazhkai
Povathu evvidam
Puriyumaa..
Nilayatrathu vaazhvhu thaan
Kaadhalaal nigazhkaalathai vaazhada…
Kaadhal enbadhu bodhi maram
Kaayam pattaal gnyanam varum
Kaadhal enbadhu paalai vanam
Aaanal angum nilavu varum
Varalaaru ellaam
Rathathin vaasam
Yuthangal ellaam
Edhanaalada….
Ohhh…
Bhoomikku ullae
Pudhaiyundadhellam
Pallandu kaadhal
Vali thaanada
Thanneerai ketkum
Kaayangal kootum
Aayinum kaadhalum
Saagumaa…
Unnodu nee modhidum
Porkalam
Adhuthaanappa ..kaadhalum ..
Yeah-ee-ee...
Love is a Bodhi tree,
wisdom dawns when you get hurt.
Love is a desert,
yet even there, the moon will shine.
Speaking through the eyes...
Oh-oh-oh... ho...
Speaking through the eyes,
two hearts play
a game of dice every single day, my friend.
Love is fragile like glass,
be careful when you hold it in your hand.
Love is a Bodhi tree,
wisdom dawns when you get hurt.
Love is a desert,
yet even there, the moon will shine.
Unpicked in the forest,
the flowers that fall to the ground
are like unrequited love,
that is what this is, my friend.
Oh...
Flies searching for food
over an open wound
are like ill-matched lust,
that is what that is, my friend.
Drifting with the wind
like a dry, fallen leaf,
where life is heading—
do you understand?
Life itself is fleeting,
so live in the present through love, my friend...
Love is a Bodhi tree,
wisdom dawns when you get hurt.
Love is a desert,
yet even there, the moon will shine.
All through history
lingers the smell of blood;
all those wars,
why did they happen, my friend?
Oh-oh-oh...
Buried deep
beneath this earth
is the centuries-old pain
born of love, my friend.
It makes you beg for water,
it multiplies your wounds,
and yet, can love
ever die?
A battlefield where
you fight against yourself—
that is truly what love is, my friend...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie 'E' (2006) offers a deeply philosophical meditation on love, pain, and human existence. It compares love to a Bodhi tree under which enlightenment is attained through suffering and heartbreak. Though love is likened to a harsh desert, it still holds moments of serene beauty like moonlight. The song cautions that love is fragile like glass and must be handled with utmost care, contrasting genuine love with temporary physical lust.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Kaadhal enbadhu bodhi maram

Compares love directly to a Bodhi tree (tree of enlightenment) to convey that love brings wisdom through pain.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Kaadhal enbadhu paalai vanam

Compares love to a desert (paalai vanam), depicting its harsh and lonely nature.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kannadi pola kaadhal dhaan

Uses 'pola' (like) to compare love to delicate glass that can easily break if handled carelessly.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Kaadhal enbadhu bodhi maram / Kaayam pattaal gnyanam varum

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sound 'Kaa' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is featured in the 2006 Tamil action drama film 'E', directed by S. P. Jananathan and starring Jiiva and Nayanthara. The musical score for the film was composed by Srikanth Deva.

Keep listening

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Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.