Kadhal Oru
From Aasai Aasaiyai · 2003
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Sujatha
- Music director
- Mani Sharma
- Details
- Aasai Aasaiyai2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thinna thinnak thinathin | (Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin |
| Thinna thinnak thinathin | (Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin |
| Thinna thinnak thinathin | (Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin |
| Nakthinathin naa | (Rhythmic vocalization) Nakthinathin naa |
| Chorus | |
| Thinna thinnak thinathin | (Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin |
| Thinna thinnak thinathin | (Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin |
| Thinna thinnak thinathin | (Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin |
| Nakthinathin naa | (Rhythmic vocalization) Nakthinathin naa |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam | Love is a school |
| Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum | Eyes become the lesson within it |
| Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum | If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei… | You too must love... |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal… nam sondha swaasam | Love is our own breath |
| Kaadhal…nam aanma thaagam | Love is our soul's thirst |
| Kaadhal…. nam raththa ottam | Love is our blood flow |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei…. | You too must love... |
| Female | |
| Ulagathin jeeva sakthi | The life forces of this world |
| Pasi kaadhal rendum thaan…. | Are just hunger and love... |
| Pasi kooda theerndhu pogum | Even hunger will eventually be quenched |
| Theeraadhu kaadhal thaan…. | Only love remains unquenched... |
| Female | |
| Nee kaadhal seiga | May you love |
| Un jenmam velga… | May your birth triumph... |
| Nee kaadhal seiga…. | May you love... |
| Un jenmam velga ..aaga | May your birth triumph... ah |
| Nam kaadhal vazhga…. | May our love long live.... |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam | Love is a school |
| Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum | Eyes become the lesson within it |
| Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum | If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei…. | You too must love... |
| Female | |
| Uyir thandha.. udal thandha | Who gave life... who gave body |
| Un petrorai kaadhal sei… | Love your parents... |
| Mozhi thandha… vazhi thandha | Who gave language... who gave the path |
| Un guruvai nee kaadhal sei…. | Love your teacher... |
| Female | |
| Oru neram pasi thandha | Who fed you when you were hungry once |
| Un suttram nee kaadhal sei…. | Love your relatives... |
| Uyir thandhu uyir kaakkum | Who gives life to save life |
| Un natpai nee kaadhal sei…. | Love your friendship... |
| Female | |
| Megam ennum oru thaalil | On a sheet of paper called the cloud |
| Kadhai kirukkum siru minnal | The tiny lightning scribbles a story |
| Adhai kaadhal sei…. | Love that lightning... |
| Boomi ennum pon thattil | On the golden plate called the earth |
| Velli kaasaai vizhum mazhaiyai | Rain falls like silver coins |
| Nee kaadhal sei…. | Love that rain... |
| Female | |
| Udhirndhu udhirndhu pinnum | Even after shedding and falling |
| Valarndhu valarndhu vandhu | Growing and surging back again |
| Mulaikkum kozhundhinai kaadhal sei… | Love the tender sprout that germinates... |
| Kuraindhu kuraindhu dhinam | Waning and shrinking daily |
| Karaindhu karaindhu pinnum | Dissolving away, yet once more |
| Valarum pirayai nee kaadhal sei… | Love the crescent moon that grows... |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam | Love is a school |
| Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum | Eyes become the lesson within it |
| Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum | If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei…. | You too must love... |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal… nam sondha swaasam | Love is our own breath |
| Kaadhal…nam aanma thaagam | Love is our soul's thirst |
| Kaadhal…. nam raththa ottam | Love is our blood flow |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei…. | You too must love... |
| Female | |
| Parundhodu siru kozhi | With an eagle, a small hen |
| Parandhadikkuthae andha | Fights and pounces to protect her young |
| Kobathai kaadhal seiga…. | Love that motherly anger... |
| Female | |
| Nizhal neetta marakoottam | A cluster of trees extending shade |
| Veyil thaanguthae andha | Bears the scorching heat itself |
| Thiyagathai kaadhal seiga…. | Love that sacrifice... |
| Female | |
| Arivoottidum un varumaiyai | Your poverty that imparts wisdom |
| Nee kaadhal sei…. | Love that poverty... |
| Adhai neekkidum un thiramaiyai | Your skill that eradicates that poverty |
| Nee kaadhal sei…. | Love that skill... |
| Female | |
| {Naadu kaadu engum | {Across lands and forests everywhere |
| Narambai pola varum | Flowing like veins and nerves |
| Nadhigalai kaadhal seiga… | Love those rivers... |
| Annai eendravudam | As soon as our mother gave birth to us |
| Nammai yendhi konda | The land that held us in its lap |
| Mannai kaadhal seiga…. } (2) | Love this motherland... } (Repeat 2) |
| Female | |
| Dhesathukku por chinnam | The symbol of war for the nation |
| Dhesiya kodiyai kaadhal sei…. | Love the national flag... |
| Dhesiya kodikku vali sindhum | Enduring pain for the national flag |
| Sippaai padaiyai kaadhal sei… | Love the army of soldiers... |
| Female | |
| {Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam | {Love is a school |
| Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum | Eyes become the lesson within it |
| Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum | If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei…. | You too must love... |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal… nam sondha swaasam | Love is our own breath |
| Kaadhal…nam aanma thaagam | Love is our soul's thirst |
| Kaadhal…. nam raththa ottam | Love is our blood flow |
| Neeyum kaadhal sei….} (2) | You too must love...} (Repeat 2) |
தின்னா தின்னக் தினத்தின்
தின்னா தின்னக் தினத்தின்
தின்னா தின்னக் தினத்தின்
நக்தினத்தின் னா
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Nakthinathin naa
தின்னா தின்னக் தினத்தின்
தின்னா தின்னக் தினத்தின்
தின்னா தின்னக் தினத்தின்
நக்தினத்தின் னா
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Nakthinathin naa
காதல்....ஒரு பள்ளிக்கூடம்
கண்கள்.......அதில் பாடமாகும்
கற்றால்.....அது வேதமாகும்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....
Love is a school
Eyes become the lesson within it
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
You too must love...
காதல்.....நம் சொந்த சுவாசம்
காதல்....நம் ஆன்ம தாகம்
காதல் நம் ரத்த ஓட்டம்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....
Love is our own breath
Love is our soul's thirst
Love is our blood flow
You too must love...
உலகத்தின் ஜீவ சக்தி
பசி காதல் ரெண்டும்தான்......
பசி கூட தீர்ந்து போகும்
தீராது காதல்தான்......
The life forces of this world
Are just hunger and love...
Even hunger will eventually be quenched
Only love remains unquenched...
நீ காதல் செய்க
உன் ஜென்மம் வெல்க.....
நீ காதல் செய்க
உன் ஜென்மம் வெல்க.....ஆக
நம் காதல் வாழ்க....
May you love
May your birth triumph...
May you love...
May your birth triumph... ah
May our love long live....
காதல்....ஒரு பள்ளிக்கூடம்
கண்கள்.......அதில் பாடமாகும்
கற்றால்.....அது வேதமாகும்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....
Love is a school
Eyes become the lesson within it
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
You too must love...
உயிர் தந்த......உடல் தந்த
உன் பெற்றோரை காதல் செய்....
மொழி தந்த....வழி தந்த
உன் குருவை நீ காதல் செய்....
Who gave life... who gave body
Love your parents...
Who gave language... who gave the path
Love your teacher...
ஒரு நேரம் பசி தந்த
உன் சுற்றம் நீ காதல் செய்....
உயிர் தந்து உயிர் காக்கும்
உன் நட்பை நீ காதல் செய்.....
Who fed you when you were hungry once
Love your relatives...
Who gives life to save life
Love your friendship...
மேகம் என்னும் ஒரு தாளில்
காதல் கிறுக்கும் சிரு மின்னல்
அதை காதல் செய்....
பூமி என்னும் பொன் தட்டில்
வெள்ளி காசை விழும் மழையை
நீ காதல் செய்.....
On a sheet of paper called the cloud
The tiny lightning scribbles a story
Love that lightning...
On the golden plate called the earth
Rain falls like silver coins
Love that rain...
உதிர்ந்து உதிர்ந்து பின்னும்
வளர்ந்து வளர்ந்து வந்து
முளைக்கும் கொழுந்தினை காதல் செய்.....
குறைந்து குறைந்து தினம்
கரைந்து கரைந்து பின்னும்
வளரும் பிறையை நீ காதல் செய்......
Even after shedding and falling
Growing and surging back again
Love the tender sprout that germinates...
Waning and shrinking daily
Dissolving away, yet once more
Love the crescent moon that grows...
காதல்....ஒரு பள்ளிக்கூடம்
கண்கள்.......அதில் பாடமாகும்
கற்றால்.....அது வேதமாகும்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....
Love is a school
Eyes become the lesson within it
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
You too must love...
காதல்.....நம் சொந்த சுவாசம்
காதல்....நம் ஆன்ம தாகம்
காதல் நம் ரத்த ஓட்டம்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....
Love is our own breath
Love is our soul's thirst
Love is our blood flow
You too must love...
பருந்தொடு சிறு கோழி
பறந்தடிக்குதே அந்த
கோபத்தை காதல் செய்க....
With an eagle, a small hen
Fights and pounces to protect her young
Love that motherly anger...
நிழல் நீட்ட மரக்கூட்டம்
வெயில் தாங்குதே அந்த
தியாகத்தை காதல் செய்க.....
A cluster of trees extending shade
Bears the scorching heat itself
Love that sacrifice...
அறிவூட்டிடும் உன் வறுமையை
நீ காதல் செய்....
அதை நீக்கிடும் உன் திறமையை
நீ காதல் செய்.....
Your poverty that imparts wisdom
Love that poverty...
Your skill that eradicates that poverty
Love that skill...
{நாடு காடு எங்கும்
நரம்பை போல வரும்
நதிகளை காதல் செய்க....
அன்னை ஈன்றவுடன்
நம்மை ஏந்தி கொண்ட
மண்ணை காதல் செய்க....} (2)
{Across lands and forests everywhere
Flowing like veins and nerves
Love those rivers...
As soon as our mother gave birth to us
The land that held us in its lap
Love this motherland... } (Repeat 2)
தேசத்துக்கு போர் சின்னம்
தேசிய கொடியை காதல் செய்
தேசிய கொடிக்கு வலி சிந்தும்
சிப்பாய் படையை காதல் செய்.....
The symbol of war for the nation
Love the national flag...
Enduring pain for the national flag
Love the army of soldiers...
{காதல்....ஒரு பள்ளிக்கூடம்
கண்கள்.......அதில் பாடமாகும்
கற்றால்.....அது வேதமாகும்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....
{Love is a school
Eyes become the lesson within it
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
You too must love...
காதல்.....நம் சொந்த சுவாசம்
காதல்....நம் ஆன்ம தாகம்
காதல் நம் ரத்த ஓட்டம்
நீயும் காதல் செய்.....} (2)
Love is our own breath
Love is our soul's thirst
Love is our blood flow
You too must love...} (Repeat 2)
Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
Nakthinathin naa
(Rhythmic vocalization) Nakthinathin naa
Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
Thinna thinnak thinathin
(Rhythmic vocalization) Thinna thinnak thinathin
Nakthinathin naa
(Rhythmic vocalization) Nakthinathin naa
Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam
Love is a school
Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum
Eyes become the lesson within it
Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
Neeyum kaadhal sei…
You too must love...
Kaadhal… nam sondha swaasam
Love is our own breath
Kaadhal…nam aanma thaagam
Love is our soul's thirst
Kaadhal…. nam raththa ottam
Love is our blood flow
Neeyum kaadhal sei….
You too must love...
Ulagathin jeeva sakthi
The life forces of this world
Pasi kaadhal rendum thaan….
Are just hunger and love...
Pasi kooda theerndhu pogum
Even hunger will eventually be quenched
Theeraadhu kaadhal thaan….
Only love remains unquenched...
Nee kaadhal seiga
May you love
Un jenmam velga…
May your birth triumph...
Nee kaadhal seiga….
May you love...
Un jenmam velga ..aaga
May your birth triumph... ah
Nam kaadhal vazhga….
May our love long live....
Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam
Love is a school
Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum
Eyes become the lesson within it
Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
Neeyum kaadhal sei….
You too must love...
Uyir thandha.. udal thandha
Who gave life... who gave body
Un petrorai kaadhal sei…
Love your parents...
Mozhi thandha… vazhi thandha
Who gave language... who gave the path
Un guruvai nee kaadhal sei….
Love your teacher...
Oru neram pasi thandha
Who fed you when you were hungry once
Un suttram nee kaadhal sei….
Love your relatives...
Uyir thandhu uyir kaakkum
Who gives life to save life
Un natpai nee kaadhal sei….
Love your friendship...
Megam ennum oru thaalil
On a sheet of paper called the cloud
Kadhai kirukkum siru minnal
The tiny lightning scribbles a story
Adhai kaadhal sei….
Love that lightning...
Boomi ennum pon thattil
On the golden plate called the earth
Velli kaasaai vizhum mazhaiyai
Rain falls like silver coins
Nee kaadhal sei….
Love that rain...
Udhirndhu udhirndhu pinnum
Even after shedding and falling
Valarndhu valarndhu vandhu
Growing and surging back again
Mulaikkum kozhundhinai kaadhal sei…
Love the tender sprout that germinates...
Kuraindhu kuraindhu dhinam
Waning and shrinking daily
Karaindhu karaindhu pinnum
Dissolving away, yet once more
Valarum pirayai nee kaadhal sei…
Love the crescent moon that grows...
Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam
Love is a school
Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum
Eyes become the lesson within it
Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
Neeyum kaadhal sei….
You too must love...
Kaadhal… nam sondha swaasam
Love is our own breath
Kaadhal…nam aanma thaagam
Love is our soul's thirst
Kaadhal…. nam raththa ottam
Love is our blood flow
Neeyum kaadhal sei….
You too must love...
Parundhodu siru kozhi
With an eagle, a small hen
Parandhadikkuthae andha
Fights and pounces to protect her young
Kobathai kaadhal seiga….
Love that motherly anger...
Nizhal neetta marakoottam
A cluster of trees extending shade
Veyil thaanguthae andha
Bears the scorching heat itself
Thiyagathai kaadhal seiga….
Love that sacrifice...
Arivoottidum un varumaiyai
Your poverty that imparts wisdom
Nee kaadhal sei….
Love that poverty...
Adhai neekkidum un thiramaiyai
Your skill that eradicates that poverty
Nee kaadhal sei….
Love that skill...
{Naadu kaadu engum
{Across lands and forests everywhere
Narambai pola varum
Flowing like veins and nerves
Nadhigalai kaadhal seiga…
Love those rivers...
Annai eendravudam
As soon as our mother gave birth to us
Nammai yendhi konda
The land that held us in its lap
Mannai kaadhal seiga…. } (2)
Love this motherland... } (Repeat 2)
Dhesathukku por chinnam
The symbol of war for the nation
Dhesiya kodiyai kaadhal sei….
Love the national flag...
Dhesiya kodikku vali sindhum
Enduring pain for the national flag
Sippaai padaiyai kaadhal sei…
Love the army of soldiers...
{Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam
{Love is a school
Kangal.. adhil paadamaagum
Eyes become the lesson within it
Kattraal… adhu vedhamaagum
If learned, it becomes a sacred scripture
Neeyum kaadhal sei….
You too must love...
Kaadhal… nam sondha swaasam
Love is our own breath
Kaadhal…nam aanma thaagam
Love is our soul's thirst
Kaadhal…. nam raththa ottam
Love is our blood flow
Neeyum kaadhal sei….} (2)
You too must love...} (Repeat 2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This anthem-like song expands the definition of 'love' far beyond romantic affection. Written by Vairamuthu, the lyricist frames love as a fundamental school of life and an inherent human drive akin to breathing and blood circulation. Rather than restricting love to romantic partners, the song urges people to love parents, teachers, friends, nature, hardship, and the motherland. Through vivid imagery—such as lightning scribbling on cloud-paper, rain acting as silver coins on earth's golden plate, a mother hen defending her chicks, and soldiers bleeding for the flag—the lyrics elevate love to an all-encompassing philosophy of empathy, resilience, patriotism, and gratitude.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)
“Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam”
Compares love to a school ('Kaadhal.. oru pallikoodam'), breath ('sondha swaasam'), and blood circulation ('raththa ottam').
Metaphor & Imagery
“Megam ennum oru thaalil”
Depicts clouds as paper ('Megam ennum oru thaalil') and lightning as a pen scribbling a story ('Kadhai kirukkum siru minnal').
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Neeyum kaadhal sei…”
Repeated call to action 'Neeyum kaadhal sei' / 'kaadhal seiga' creates an instructive, inspiring rhythm.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Arivoottidum un varumaiyai / Adhai neekkidum un thiramaiyai”
Rhyming of second consonant 'r' in 'Arivoottidum' and 'Adhai neekkidum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kaadhal Oru Pallikoodam' is from the 2003 Tamil film 'Aasai Aasaiyai', which marked the debut of actor Jiiva (son of veteran producer R. B. Choudary). The soundtrack was composed by Mani Sharma, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song stands out for transforming a typical youth film soundtrack into a philosophical discourse on universal love.
Keep listening
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