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Kalaivanan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Silai

From Kalaivanan · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Movie name
Kalaivanan
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
14 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaadhal silai aadudhe
Undhan kangal kavipaadudhe
Unadhu kaadhal silai aadudhe
Undhan kangal kavipaadudhe
Unadhu kaadhal silai aadudhe..haa..aaa..aa..
Madhalam pugazh theera malarkanai sugumaara
Madhalam pugazh theera malarkanai sugumaara
Manam polae sugam kanave
Vedhanai ariyaayoo viragamum unaraayoo
Vedhanai ariyaayoo viragamum unaraayoo
Kaadhal silai aadudhe
Kaadhal silai aadudhe
Madhu malar maevum maruvum vandinam polae
Magizhndhida viraindhodivaa swaami
Madhu malar maevum maruvum vandinam polae
Magizhndhida viraindhodivaa swaami
Pudhunilai amudhaale..haa..aa..aa..
Pudhunilai amudhaale ponnudan olipolae
Vaazhvilae ennaalumae
Manam unai dhianm ninaithidave
Kaadhal silai aadudhe
Kaadhal silai aadudhe
Vaanthin vil polae vasanthathin sugam polae
Vaalibam maraindhodumae swaami
Vaanthin vil polae vasanthathin sugam polae
Vaalibam maraindhodumae swaami
Maanvizhi kanaiyaale…haa..aa..aa..
Maanvizhi kanaiyaale maaranai akndaale
Yengiye villa yendhiye
Ennai thaanghiyae enavae mayangiduvaai
Maayava unakkidhu murai aagumo
Manakkurai ini theerumo idhaya nilai maarumaa
Meghavaanil mayil mogham kondu
Anuragha leelai pera aaval meeruthae
Madhivadhanaa inipiriyaa thunaiyae
Malaranai sugam pera azhaikkudhae
Satha undhan padhampujam maraven
Eerudal ooruyir inburavae
Ilamai thanadhu nilaimai izhandhu
Adimai enavae kalaiyil mayanghi
Kaadhal silai aadudhae
Undhan kangal kavipaadudhe kalai sekara
Unadhu kaadhal silai aadudhe..haa..aaa..aa..
The statue of love is dancing,
Your eyes are singing poetry.
Your statue of love is dancing,
Your eyes are singing poetry.
Your statue of love is dancing... ha... aa... aa...
O brave hero praised by drums, O handsome youth with flower arrows,
O brave hero praised by drums, O handsome youth with flower arrows,
To find the joy our hearts desire,
Do you not know my pain? Do you not feel my longing?
Do you not know my pain? Do you not feel my longing?
The statue of love is dancing,
The statue of love is dancing!
Like a swarm of bees embracing nectar-sweet blossoms,
Come running quickly to rejoice, my lord!
Like a swarm of bees embracing nectar-sweet blossoms,
Come running quickly to rejoice, my lord!
With fresh sweet nectar... ha... aa... aa...
Like fresh sweet nectar, like the glow upon gold,
In this life, through all my days,
As my heart keeps thinking of you every day,
The statue of love is dancing,
The statue of love is dancing!
Like a rainbow in the sky, like the joy of spring,
Youth will slip away and fade, my lord!
Like a rainbow in the sky, like the joy of spring,
Youth will slip away and fade, my lord!
With the arrows of deer-like eyes... ha... aa... aa...
Struck by the arrows of deer-like eyes, seeing the god of love,
Yearning as you hold your bow,
You will hold me close and swoon in love!
O charming enchanter, is this fair of you?
Will the ache in my heart finally end? Will my restless heart find peace?
Like a peacock filled with passion beneath a cloudy sky,
My longing overflows to join in the sweet games of romance!
O moon-faced one, my lifelong companion,
The bed of flowers calls us to share bliss,
I will never forget your lotus feet,
As two bodies become one soul in happiness,
Youth losing all its restraint,
Surrendering like a slave, enchanted by art,
The statue of love is dancing,
Your eyes are singing poetry, O master of arts!
Your statue of love is dancing... ha... aa... aa...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classical song from Kalaivanan (1959), rendered by M. L. Vasanthakumari, expresses the deep passion, longing, and artistic devotion of a dancer to her beloved. The protagonist compares herself to a graceful statue of love dancing in ecstasy, invoking vivid imagery of nature—bees hovering over nectar-rich flowers, a rainbow appearing fleetingly in the sky, and a peacock dancing under cloudy skies—to emphasize the transience of youth and the urgency of romantic union. She appeals to her beloved, addressing him as a moon-faced treasure of art, yearning for two bodies to unite into a single soul. Through rich lyrical poetry by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass set to Pendyala Nageswara Rao's Carnatic-infused music, the song weaves together classical dance aesthetic, romantic yearning, and emotional surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupaka)

“Kaadhal silai aadudhe”

The protagonist describes herself metaphorically as a 'Kaadhal silai' (sculpture of love) and her beloved as 'Madhivadhanaa' (moon-faced).

Simile (Uvamai)

“Vaanthin vil polae vasanthathin sugam polae”

Uses 'polae' (like) to compare youth and joy to a rainbow in the sky and the pleasant warmth of springtime.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Vaanthin vil polae vasanthathin sugam polae”

Traditional Tamil poetic rhyme matching the second consonant across lines ('Madhu' and 'Magizhndhida', 'Vaanthin' and 'Vaalibam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalaivanan (1959) was a classical art-centric film starring A. Nageswara Rao and Anjali Devi. The song showcases M. L. Vasanthakumari's mastery over Carnatic classical vocal technique, tailored for a dance performance sequence.

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