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Kavikkuyil album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Oviyam

From Kavikkuyil · 1977

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
Sujatha Mohan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kavikkuyil
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
18 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmm…mmm…mm…
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Manachcholaiyin
Kaaviyamae
Unnai naalum naalum
Vendugiren
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Maamarathottaththu nilalil
Oru maalai poluthinilae..ae….ae……ae….
Maamarathottaththu nilalil
Oru maalai poluthinilae
Antha maran aruginilae
Poonthendral thavalnthu vara
Naan ennai marenthenae…
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Koonthalil vaasanai malargal
Avan soodum alaginilae
Koonthalil vaasanai malargal
Avan soodum alaginilae
Enna sugamo theriyavillai
En thoolai thoduvathenna
Ponmaeni silir pathenna
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Maargali madhathu paniyil
En dhaegam kothipathenna
Maargali madhathu paniyil
En dhaegam kothipathenna
Avan paarvai kulirvathenna
Oru paasam pirappathenna
Angu naanam thadupathenna
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Manachcholaiyin kaaviyamae
Unnai naalum naalum vendugiren
Kaadhal oviyam kanden
Kanavo ninaivo
Hmm… mmm… mm…
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
In the garden of my heart,
O living poem,
every single day,
I long for you.
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
In the shade of the mango grove,
on a gentle evening...
In the shade of the mango grove,
on a gentle evening,
beside that tree,
as a soft breeze drifted in,
I forgot myself completely...
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
Fragrant flowers in my hair,
as he tucked them in so tenderly,
Fragrant flowers in my hair,
as he tucked them in so tenderly,
I cannot tell what sweet joy this is,
why does a touch upon my shoulder
send shivers through my body?
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
In the cold mist of Margazhi (winter),
why is my body burning with heat?
In the cold mist of Margazhi (winter),
why is my body burning with heat?
Why is his gaze so soothingly cool?
Why is such tender love born?
Why does my shyness hold me back?
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
O poem born in my heart's garden,
I yearn for you every single day.
I saw a painting of love,
is it a dream or reality?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Kaadhal Oviyam Kanden' captures the euphoric confusion of a woman falling deeply in love, wondering if her intense feelings are real or part of an exquisite dream. She compares her lover and her feelings to a cherished masterpiece created within the garden of her heart, praying daily for this bond to remain eternal. Through vivid imagery of mango groves, dusk breezes, and the freezing mist of the winter month of Margazhi, the song contrasts physical coolness with the burning warmth of passion inside her. She describes how her lover's touch, affectionate gaze, and tender gestures make her body shiver with bliss while her inner shyness gently restrains her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kaadhal oviyam kanden

Compares love to a visual painting ('Kaadhal oviyam') and the mind/heart to a blooming garden ('Manachcholai').

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Kanavo ninaivo

Uses questioning to highlight inner emotional conflicts and sensory overload brought on by romantic feelings.

Oxymoron / Contrast (Muran Aani)

Maargali madhathu paniyil / En dhaegam kothipathenna

Contrasts the extreme cold of Margazhi dew ('paniyil') with the inner fever/warmth of passion ('kothipathenna').

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Maamarathottaththu nilalil / Oru maalai poluthinilae

Repetition of the initial letter 'M' sound across words ('Maamarathottaththu', 'Maalai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kavikkuyil (1977) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Sridevi, Rajinikanth, and Sivakumar, and is celebrated for its evergreen classical melodies.

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