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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Silai

From Kalaivanan · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Kalaivanan1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaadhal silai aadudheThe statue of love sways and dances
Undhan kangal kavipaadudheYour eyes sing poetic verses
Unadhu kaadhal silai aadudheYour statue of love sways and dances
Undhan kangal kavipaadudheYour eyes sing poetic verses
Unadhu kaadhal silai aadudhe..haa..aaa..aa..Your statue of love sways and dances..haa..aaa..aa..
Female
Madhalam pugazh theera malarkanai sugumaaraO handsome youth with flower-arrows, famed by the drums
Madhalam pugazh theera malarkanai sugumaaraO handsome youth with flower-arrows, famed by the drums
Manam polae sugam kanaveDream of bliss according to your heart's wish
Vedhanai ariyaayoo viragamum unaraayooWill you not know my agony? Will you not feel my longing in separation?
Vedhanai ariyaayoo viragamum unaraayooWill you not know my agony? Will you not feel my longing in separation?
Kaadhal silai aadudheThe statue of love sways and dances
Kaadhal silai aadudheThe statue of love sways and dances
Female
Madhu malar maevum maruvum vandinam polaeLike swarms of bees lingering around nectar-rich flowers
Magizhndhida viraindhodivaa swaamiCome running quickly to rejoice, my Lord
Madhu malar maevum maruvum vandinam polaeLike swarms of bees lingering around nectar-rich flowers
Magizhndhida viraindhodivaa swaamiCome running quickly to rejoice, my Lord
Pudhunilai amudhaale..haa..aa..aa..With new flowing nectar..haa..aa..aa..
Pudhunilai amudhaale ponnudan olipolaeWith new flowing nectar, like the golden gleam
Vaazhvilae ennaalumaeAlways in life
Manam unai dhianm ninaithidaveSo that my heart contemplates you every day
Kaadhal silai aadudheThe statue of love sways and dances
Kaadhal silai aadudheThe statue of love sways and dances
Female
Vaanthin vil polae vasanthathin sugam polaeLike the bow in the sky, like the joy of spring
Vaalibam maraindhodumae swaamiYouth will fade and run away, my Lord
Vaanthin vil polae vasanthathin sugam polaeLike the bow in the sky, like the joy of spring
Vaalibam maraindhodumae swaamiYouth will fade and run away, my Lord
Maanvizhi kanaiyaale…haa..aa..aa..With the arrow of deer-like eyes…haa..aa..aa..
Maanvizhi kanaiyaale maaranai akndaaleWith the arrow of deer-like eyes, seeing Manmatha
Yengiye villa yendhiyeLonging and holding the bow
Ennai thaanghiyae enavae mayangiduvaaiEmbracing me, you will swoon in love
Maayava unakkidhu murai aagumoO elusive one, is this fair to you?
Manakkurai ini theerumo idhaya nilai maarumaaWill the grief in my heart end now? Will my heart's condition change?
Female
Meghavaanil mayil mogham konduLike a peacock in the cloudy sky filled with passion
Anuragha leelai pera aaval meeruthaeEagerness overflows to experience the play of love
Madhivadhanaa inipiriyaa thunaiyaeO moon-faced one, my inseparable companion
Malaranai sugam pera azhaikkudhaeInviting you to taste the comfort of a flower bed
Satha undhan padhampujam maravenI shall forever remember your lotus feet
Eerudal ooruyir inburavaeTwo bodies rejoicing as one soul
Ilamai thanadhu nilaimai izhandhuYouth losing its transient nature
Adimai enavae kalaiyil mayanghiCaptivated in art like a devoted slave
Kaadhal silai aadudhaeThe statue of love sways and dances
Undhan kangal kavipaadudhe kalai sekaraYour eyes sing poetic verses, O treasure of art
Unadhu kaadhal silai aadudhe..haa..aaa..aa..Your statue of love sways and dances..haa..aaa..aa..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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