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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Illaathathu

From Mani Rathnam · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Adithyan
Movie name
Mani Rathnam
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
7 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa
Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa
Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa
Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa
Pennai thodaadhadhu oru perumaiyaagumaa
Mutham sindhaamalae adhu muzhumaiyaagumaa
Muzhumaiyaagumaa
Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa
Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa
………………………….
Dhaanam vaeru kannae kaadhal vaeru pennae
Dhaegam thaedum kaamam deivam thaedum kaadhal
Kaadhal endru sollil kaamam konjam undu
Idaiyil chinnathodu ada adhu dhaan romba paadu
Kodu podu adhai thaanda maatten
Female :Thaanda cholli unnai thoonda maatten
Unnodu kattil sammadham vaangum varaiyilum
Kaaman pandigai kondaadamaatten
Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa
Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa
……………………………….
Kadhirgal mutri ponaal kalathil saera vaendum
Kaadhal mttri ponaal adhu engae saera vaendum
Malargal konjam saaindhaal ilaigal thaanga vaendum
Mangai konjam saaindhaal en maarbil thaanga vaendum
Ondril ondraai maara vaendum
Male :Unnil ennai thaeda vaendum
Eppodhum idai vidaamalum
Nagam padaamalum
Katti poovai nee kaiyaala vaendum
{Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa
Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa} (2)
Pennai thodaadhadhu oru perumaiyaagumaa
Mutham sindhaamalae adhu muzhumaiyaagumaa
Muzhumaiyaagumaa
Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa
Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa
Can a life without love ever be a true life?
Can a scene appear without eyes to see it?
Can a life without love ever be a true life?
Can a scene appear without eyes to see it?
Is not touching a woman a matter of pride?
Without spilling kisses, can it ever be complete?
Can it ever be complete?
Can a life without love ever be a true life?
Can a scene appear without eyes to see it?
.......................
Charity is different, my darling; love is different, my lady.
Lust searches for the body; love searches for God.
In the word called love, there is a bit of lust.
With a minor itch in between, oh, that is the real struggle!
Draw a line, I will not cross it.
Female: I will not urge you to cross it.
Until I get consent for the marital bed with you,
I will not celebrate the festival of love.
Can a life without love ever be a true life?
Can a scene appear without eyes to see it?
...........................
When the grains mature, they must reach the threshing floor.
When love matures, where must it reach?
When flowers droop a little, the leaves must support them.
When the maiden leans a little, my chest must support her.
We must merge into one another.
Male: I must search for myself within you.
Forever without any distance,
And without fingernails scratching,
You must handle this bundle of flowers with care.
{Can a life without love ever be a true life?
Can a scene appear without eyes to see it?} (2)
Is not touching a woman a matter of pride?
Without spilling kisses, can it ever be complete?
Can it ever be complete?
Can a life without love ever be a true life?
Can a scene appear without eyes to see it?
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Female
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Female
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Female
Chorus
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Female
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Chorus
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic duet explores the essential nature of love and physical affection in human life, comparing life without love to a world without vision. The lovers engage in a playful yet respectful dialogue regarding the balance between physical desire (kaamam) and spiritual love (kaadhal), establishing boundaries and mutual respect until marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kangal illamalae oru kaatchi thondrumaa

Comparing vision without eyes to life without love highlights how love is indispensable to living fully.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Dhaanam vaeru kannae kaadhal vaeru pennae

The second letter '' (na) matches across 'Dhaanam' and 'Dhaegam', adding rhythmic harmony.

Rhetorical Question

Kaadhal illaadhadhu oru vaazhkaiyaagumaa

The repeated interrogative ending 'aagumaa' poses questions to emphasize the emotional truth that life requires love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1994 Tamil film 'Mani Rathnam', directed by Keyaar and starring Napoleon. The soundtrack was composed by Sirpy, featuring lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

Keep listening

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