Kadhal Illamal
From Thaalam · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Sujatha, Srinivas, Anuradha Sriram, Palakkad Sriram
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Thaalam1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamalae saava | Or is dying without love a true death? |
| Female | |
| Thaenin iniyathu | Sweeter than honey |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Female :Uyir dhegam thanthathu | Female: That which gave life and body |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Female | |
| Nam uyirin arththam | The meaning of our life |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Female :Indha ulagam asaivathum | Female: That which moves this world |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Female | |
| ………………………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamalae saava | Or is dying without love a true death? |
| Male | |
| Ohooo..oooo | Ohooo..oooo |
| {Thaenin iniyathu | {Sweeter than honey |
| Kaadhalae | Love |
| Uyir dhegam thanthathu | That which gave life and body |
| Kaadhalae} (2) | Love} (2) |
| Male | |
| Nam uyirin arththam | The meaning of our life |
| Kaadhalae | Is love |
| Indha ulagam asaivathum | That which moves this world |
| Kaadhalae | Is love |
| Male | |
| {Kaadhal illamal | {Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Saavadhu saava} (2) | Is dying really dying?} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thaenin iniyathu | Sweeter than honey |
| Kaadhalae | Is love |
| Uyir dhegam thanthathu | That which gave life and body |
| Kaadhalae | Is love |
| Male | |
| Nam uyirin arththam | The meaning of our life |
| Kaadhalae | Is love |
| Indha ulagam asaivathum | That which moves this world |
| Kaadhalae | Is love |
| Female | |
| {Kaadhalin mozhiyil | {In the language of love |
| Oli kidaiyathu | There is no sound |
| Valarpirai valarnthal | When the waxing moon grows |
| Osaigal yethu} (2) | Are there any sounds?} (2) |
| Female | |
| Kaadhalin valiyil | In the pain of love |
| Vali kidaiyathu | There is no agony |
| Mottukkal udainthaal | When flower buds blossom |
| Kodi thudikkathu | The vine does not tremble |
| Female | |
| {Orr irulil therivathu | {That which shines in pitch darkness |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Female :Orr oliyil maraivathu | Female: That which hides in bright light |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae} (2) | Chorus: Is love!} (2) |
| Female | |
| …………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| {Kaadhal illamal | {Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Saavadhu saava} (2) | Is dying really dying?} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Thaenin iniyathu | {Sweeter than honey |
| Kaadhalae | Love |
| Uyir dhegam thanthathu | That which gave life and body |
| Kaadhalae} (2) | Love} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kaadhaliththal | If you fall in love |
| Puthu nesam varum | A new affection blossoms |
| Poo kodikalukkum | Even for flowering vines |
| Poo vasam varum | A sweet fragrance arrives |
| Male | |
| Andha kadavul iruppathu | That God resides in |
| Melulagam | The world above |
| Indha kaadhal iruppathu | This love resides in |
| Kilulagam | The world below |
| Male | |
| Kadavul iruppathu | God's existence is |
| Thooramada | Far away, my friend |
| Un kaadhal iruppathu | Your love's existence is |
| Anmaiyada | Right near you, my friend |
| Male | |
| Nee kadavulai adaivathu | Attaining God... |
| Saththiyama | Is that certain? |
| Illai kaadhalai adaivathu | Or is attaining love... |
| Saththiyama | Truly certain? |
| Nee kaadhalai adaivathu | You attaining love |
| Saththiyamae saththiyamae | Is the absolute truth, absolute truth |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamalae saava | Or is dying without love a true death? |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamalae saava | Or is dying without love a true death? |
| Male | |
| Thaenin iniyathu | Sweeter than honey |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Male :Uyir dhegam thanthathu | Male: That which gave life and body |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Male | |
| Nam uyirin arththam | The meaning of our life |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Male :Indha ulagam asaivathum | Male: That which moves this world |
| Chorus :Kaadhalae | Chorus: Is love! |
| Female | |
| …………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| {Kaadhal illamal | {Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Saavadhu saava} (2) | Is dying really dying?} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Thaenin iniyathu | {Sweeter than honey |
| Kaadhalae | Love |
| Uyir dhegam thanthathu | That which gave life and body |
| Kaadhalae} (2) | Love} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kaadhalae…4 | Love…4 |
| Female :…………………… | Female: ... |
| Male | |
| {Kaadhal illamal | {Without love |
| Vazhvathum vazhvaa | Is living really living? |
| Kaadhal illamal | Without love |
| Saavadhu saava} (2) | Is dying really dying?} (2) |
| Male | |
| {Thaenin iniyathu | {Sweeter than honey |
| Kaadhalae | Love |
| Uyir dhegam thanthathu | That which gave life and body |
| Kaadhalae} (2) | Love} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kaadhalae…16 | Love…16 |
| Female :…………………… | Female: ... |
காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமலே
சாவா
Without love
Is living really living?
Or is dying without love a true death?
தேனின் இனியது
குழு :
காதலே
உயிர் தேகம் தந்தது
குழு :
காதலே
Sweeter than honey
Chorus: Is love!
Female: That which gave life and body
Chorus: Is love!
நம் உயிரின்
அர்த்தம்
குழு :
காதலே
இந்த உலகம்
அசைவதும்
குழு :
காதலே
The meaning of our life
Chorus: Is love!
Female: That which moves this world
Chorus: Is love!
................................
...
காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமலே
சாவா
Without love
Is living really living?
Or is dying without love a true death?
ஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
{ தேனின் இனியது
காதலே உயிர் தேகம்
தந்தது காதலே } (2)
Ohooo..oooo
{Sweeter than honey
Love
That which gave life and body
Love} (2)
நம் உயிரின்
அர்த்தம் காதலே
இந்த உலகம்
அசைவதும் காதலே
The meaning of our life
Is love
That which moves this world
Is love
{ காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமல்
சாவது சாவா } (2)
{Without love
Is living really living?
Without love
Is dying really dying?} (2)
தேனின் இனியது
காதலே உயிர் தேகம்
தந்தது காதலே
Sweeter than honey
Is love
That which gave life and body
Is love
நம் உயிரின்
அர்த்தம் காதலே
இந்த உலகம்
அசைவதும் காதலே
The meaning of our life
Is love
That which moves this world
Is love
{ காதலின் மொழியில்
ஒளி கிடையாது வளர்பிறை
வளர்ந்தால் ஓசைகள் ஏது } (2)
{In the language of love
There is no sound
When the waxing moon grows
Are there any sounds?} (2)
காதலின் வலியில்
வழி கிடையாது மொட்டுக்கள்
உடைந்தால் கொடி துடிக்காது
In the pain of love
There is no agony
When flower buds blossom
The vine does not tremble
{ ஓர் இருளில் தெரிவது
குழு :
காதலே
ஓர் ஒளியில் மறைவது
குழு :
காதலே } (2)
{That which shines in pitch darkness
Chorus: Is love!
Female: That which hides in bright light
Chorus: Is love!} (2)
...................................
...
{ காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமல்
சாவது சாவா } (2)
{Without love
Is living really living?
Without love
Is dying really dying?} (2)
{ தேனின் இனியது
காதலே உயிர் தேகம்
தந்தது காதலே } (2)
{Sweeter than honey
Love
That which gave life and body
Love} (2)
காதலித்தால் புது
நேசம் வரும் பூ கொடி
களுக்கும் பூ வாசம் வரும்
If you fall in love
A new affection blossoms
Even for flowering vines
A sweet fragrance arrives
அந்த கடவுள் இருப்பது
மேலுலகம் இந்த காதல்
இருப்பது கீழுலகம்
That God resides in
The world above
This love resides in
The world below
கடவுள் இருப்பது
தூரமடா உன் காதல்
இருப்பது அண்மையடா
God's existence is
Far away, my friend
Your love's existence is
Right near you, my friend
நீ கடவுளை அடைவது
சாத்தியமா இல்லை காதலை
அடைவது சாத்தியமா நீ காதலை
அடைவது சாத்தியமே சாத்தியமே
Attaining God...
Is that certain?
Or is attaining love...
Truly certain?
You attaining love
Is the absolute truth, absolute truth
காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமலே
சாவா
Without love
Is living really living?
Or is dying without love a true death?
காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமலே
சாவா
Without love
Is living really living?
Or is dying without love a true death?
தேனின் இனியது
குழு :
காதலே
உயிர் தேகம் தந்தது
குழு :
காதலே
Sweeter than honey
Chorus: Is love!
Male: That which gave life and body
Chorus: Is love!
நம் உயிரின்
அர்த்தம்
குழு :
காதலே
இந்த உலகம்
அசைவதும்
குழு :
காதலே
The meaning of our life
Chorus: Is love!
Male: That which moves this world
Chorus: Is love!
........................
...
{ காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமல்
சாவது சாவா } (2)
{Without love
Is living really living?
Without love
Is dying really dying?} (2)
{ தேனின் இனியது
காதலே உயிர் தேகம்
தந்தது காதலே } (2)
{Sweeter than honey
Love
That which gave life and body
Love} (2)
காதலே ...4
....................
Love…4
Female: ...
{ காதல் இல்லாமல்
வாழ்வதும் வாழ்வா
காதல் இல்லாமல்
சாவது சாவா } (2)
{Without love
Is living really living?
Without love
Is dying really dying?} (2)
{ தேனின் இனியது
காதலே உயிர் தேகம்
தந்தது காதலே } (2)
{Sweeter than honey
Love
That which gave life and body
Love} (2)
காதலே ...16
....................
Love…16
Female: ...
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamalae saava
Or is dying without love a true death?
Thaenin iniyathu
Sweeter than honey
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Female :Uyir dhegam thanthathu
Female: That which gave life and body
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Nam uyirin arththam
The meaning of our life
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Female :Indha ulagam asaivathum
Female: That which moves this world
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
…………………………
...
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamalae saava
Or is dying without love a true death?
Ohooo..oooo
Ohooo..oooo
{Thaenin iniyathu
{Sweeter than honey
Kaadhalae
Love
Uyir dhegam thanthathu
That which gave life and body
Kaadhalae} (2)
Love} (2)
Nam uyirin arththam
The meaning of our life
Kaadhalae
Is love
Indha ulagam asaivathum
That which moves this world
Kaadhalae
Is love
{Kaadhal illamal
{Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Saavadhu saava} (2)
Is dying really dying?} (2)
Thaenin iniyathu
Sweeter than honey
Kaadhalae
Is love
Uyir dhegam thanthathu
That which gave life and body
Kaadhalae
Is love
Nam uyirin arththam
The meaning of our life
Kaadhalae
Is love
Indha ulagam asaivathum
That which moves this world
Kaadhalae
Is love
{Kaadhalin mozhiyil
{In the language of love
Oli kidaiyathu
There is no sound
Valarpirai valarnthal
When the waxing moon grows
Osaigal yethu} (2)
Are there any sounds?} (2)
Kaadhalin valiyil
In the pain of love
Vali kidaiyathu
There is no agony
Mottukkal udainthaal
When flower buds blossom
Kodi thudikkathu
The vine does not tremble
{Orr irulil therivathu
{That which shines in pitch darkness
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Female :Orr oliyil maraivathu
Female: That which hides in bright light
Chorus :Kaadhalae} (2)
Chorus: Is love!} (2)
………………………….
...
{Kaadhal illamal
{Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Saavadhu saava} (2)
Is dying really dying?} (2)
{Thaenin iniyathu
{Sweeter than honey
Kaadhalae
Love
Uyir dhegam thanthathu
That which gave life and body
Kaadhalae} (2)
Love} (2)
Kaadhaliththal
If you fall in love
Puthu nesam varum
A new affection blossoms
Poo kodikalukkum
Even for flowering vines
Poo vasam varum
A sweet fragrance arrives
Andha kadavul iruppathu
That God resides in
Melulagam
The world above
Indha kaadhal iruppathu
This love resides in
Kilulagam
The world below
Kadavul iruppathu
God's existence is
Thooramada
Far away, my friend
Un kaadhal iruppathu
Your love's existence is
Anmaiyada
Right near you, my friend
Nee kadavulai adaivathu
Attaining God...
Saththiyama
Is that certain?
Illai kaadhalai adaivathu
Or is attaining love...
Saththiyama
Truly certain?
Nee kaadhalai adaivathu
You attaining love
Saththiyamae saththiyamae
Is the absolute truth, absolute truth
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamalae saava
Or is dying without love a true death?
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamalae saava
Or is dying without love a true death?
Thaenin iniyathu
Sweeter than honey
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Male :Uyir dhegam thanthathu
Male: That which gave life and body
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Nam uyirin arththam
The meaning of our life
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
Male :Indha ulagam asaivathum
Male: That which moves this world
Chorus :Kaadhalae
Chorus: Is love!
……………………
...
{Kaadhal illamal
{Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Saavadhu saava} (2)
Is dying really dying?} (2)
{Thaenin iniyathu
{Sweeter than honey
Kaadhalae
Love
Uyir dhegam thanthathu
That which gave life and body
Kaadhalae} (2)
Love} (2)
Kaadhalae…4
Love…4
Female :……………………
Female: ...
{Kaadhal illamal
{Without love
Vazhvathum vazhvaa
Is living really living?
Kaadhal illamal
Without love
Saavadhu saava} (2)
Is dying really dying?} (2)
{Thaenin iniyathu
{Sweeter than honey
Kaadhalae
Love
Uyir dhegam thanthathu
That which gave life and body
Kaadhalae} (2)
Love} (2)
Kaadhalae…16
Love…16
Female :……………………
Female: ...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song from 'Thaalam' is a soulful philosophical celebration of love as the supreme force governing human existence. It questions whether life or death holds any significance in the absence of love, elevating love as something sweeter than honey and essential to the soul, body, and universe itself.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)
“Kaadhal illamal / Vazhvathum vazhvaa”
The opening lines question whether living without love can truly be called living, emphasizing love's indispensability.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thaenin iniyathu / Kaadhalae”
Love is directly equated to honey's sweetness and the true essence/meaning of human life.
Contrast / Antithesis (Muran Ani)
“Andha kadavul iruppathu / Melulagam / Indha kaadhal iruppathu / Kilulagam”
Contrasts God residing in the high distant heavens ('Melulagam') with love residing right here on Earth ('Kilulagam').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Thaalam' (1999) is the Tamil dubbed version of Subhash Ghai's smash hit Bollywood film 'Taal'. The original Hindi song 'Ishq Bina' was composed by A.R. Rahman, and poet Vairamuthu penned the Tamil lyrics to fit Rahman's iconic melody while adding distinct Tamil poetic nuances.
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