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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Oru Vazhi Payanam

From Kilinjalgal · 1981

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Kilinjalgal1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kilaiyillaa marangalilOh souls searching for shade in branchless trees,
Nizhal thedum manangalaeOh souls searching for shade,
Azhivillaa kadhalilIn immortal love,
Azhugindra malargalaeOh weeping flowers,
Aa….azhugindra malargalaeAh... oh weeping flowers,
Male
Kadhal oru vazhi padhai payanamLove is a journey on a one-way path,
Adhil nuzhaivathu enbathu sulapamEntering it is easy,
Pinbu thirumbida ninaippathu paavamTo think of returning back is a sin,
Pinbu thirumbida ninaippathu paavamTo think of returning back is a sin,
Adhu aattrida mudiyaa kaayamIt is an unhealable wound,
Kadhal aattrida mudiyaa kaayam….Love is an unhealable wound...
Male
Kadhal oru vazhi padhai payanamLove is a journey on a one-way path,
Adhil nuzhaivathu enbathu sulapamEntering it is easy,
Male
Megangal pottidum kolamPatterns drawn by the clouds,
Adhu kaattrinil kalainthida sogamIt brings sorrow when dissolved by the wind,
Megangal pottidum kolamPatterns drawn by the clouds,
Adhu kaattrinil kalainthida sogamIt brings sorrow when dissolved by the wind,
Male
Kaalai kadhiravan azhiththidum panipolLike the morning dew dissolved by the sun,
Kaalai kadhiravan azhiththidum panipolLike the morning dew dissolved by the sun,
Kadhal vithiyavan sidhaiththidum kanavoIs love a dream shattered by fate?
Kadhal vithiyavan sidhaiththidum kanavoIs love a dream shattered by fate?
Male
Kadhal oru vazhi padhai payanamLove is a journey on a one-way path,
Adhil nuzhaivathu enbathu sulapamEntering it is easy,
Male
Kodaiyil kaainthidum nadhigalRivers dry up during summer,
Entha nilaiyilum kaayaatha vizhigalYet these eyes never dry up in any situation,
Kodaiyil kaainthidum nadhigalRivers dry up during summer,
Entha nilaiyilum kaayaatha vizhigalYet these eyes never dry up in any situation,
Male
Kadhai saagindra varaiyum thodarumIt continues until the story dies,
Kadhai saagindra varaiyum thodarumIt continues until the story dies,
Kattai vegindra pothum malarumIt blooms even when the pyre burns,
Kattai vegindra pothum malarumIt blooms even when the pyre burns,
Male
Kadhal oru vazhi padhai payanamLove is a journey on a one-way path,
Adhil nuzhaivathu enbathu sulapamEntering it is easy,
Pinbu thirumbida ninaippathu paavamTo think of returning back is a sin,
Pinbu thirumbida ninaippathu paavamTo think of returning back is a sin,
Adhu aattrida mudiyaa kaayamIt is an unhealable wound,
Kadhal aattrida mudiyaa kaayam….Love is an unhealable wound...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the film 'Kilinjalgal' reflects on the irreversible and tragic nature of love. T. Rajendar portrays love as a one-way journey that is effortless to enter but impossible to escape without suffering deep, permanent wounds. Using vivid metaphors of nature—such as shade-less trees, cloud patterns swept away by wind, and dew melted by the morning sun—the song emphasizes how fate often destroys romantic dreams. Ultimately, it depicts love as an enduring passion that persists even through relentless grief, staying alive until death and the funeral pyre.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kadhal oru vazhi padhai payanam

Love is directly compared to a one-way journey ('Kadhal oru vazhi padhai payanam') and an unhealable wound ('aattrida mudiyaa kaayam').

Simile (Upamai)

Kaalai kadhiravan azhiththidum panipol

Love destroyed by destiny is compared to morning dew evaporating in the warmth of the sun ('Kaalai kadhiravan azhiththidum panipol').

Personification / Metaphor

Azhugindra malargalae

Grieving lovers are addressed metaphorically as 'weeping flowers' ('azhugindra malargalae') searching for shade under branchless trees.

Contrast (Muran)

Kodaiyil kaainthidum nadhigal / Entha nilaiyilum kaayaatha vizhigal

Contrasts rivers drying up in summer against eyes filled with eternal tears that never dry up.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kilinjalgal' (1981), starring Mohan and Poornima Bhagyaraj, was a major commercial hit. The soundtrack was entirely composed and written by T. Rajendar, solidifying his reputation for deeply emotional, rhyming lyrics and melancholic melodies rendered brilliantly by P. Jayachandran.

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