Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Vaazhvil Naane

From Genova · 1953

Lyricist
Suratha
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, M. S. Gnanamani, T. A. Kalyanam
Details
Genova1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadhal vaazhvil kaniyaana kathiraeO sweet ray of light in the life of love,
Kannaana kannae karumaa maniyaeO precious eye of my eyes, dark gem of my soul,
Kadhal vaazhvil kaniyaana kathiraeO sweet ray of light in the life of love,
Kannaana kannae karumaa maniyaeO precious eye of my eyes, dark gem of my soul,
Female
Aasaiyellaam veenaagumaa aa….Will all our desires go to waste? Ah...
Aasaiyellaam veenaagumaaWill all our desires go to waste?
Igavaazhvilinbam kaanumaaWill we ever experience joy in this earthly life?
Aasaiyellaam veenaagumaaWill all our desires go to waste?
Igavaazhvilinbam kaanumaaWill we ever experience joy in this earthly life?
Female
Puvi raajapudhalvaa nee sirai vaazhvathaamoO prince of the earth, must you live in a prison?
Puvi raajapudhalvaa nee sirai vaazhvathaamoO prince of the earth, must you live in a prison?
Papam Aagum paarilthaanaeIs love considered a sin in this world?
Female
Kadhal vaazhvil kaniyaana kathiraeO sweet ray of light in the life of love,
Kannaana kannae karumaa maniyaeO precious eye of my eyes, dark gem of my soul,
Female
Singaara poovil sonthamillaathaalWithout any claim over the beautiful flower,
Kannaana kannae karumaa maniyaeO precious eye of my eyes, dark gem of my soul,
Thaniyaaga naamae vithiyaalae thaano…oo…oo…Are we left completely alone due to fate?
Thaniyaaga naamae vithiyaalae thaanoAre we left completely alone due to fate?
Nankooraae illaathathanaalBecause there is no anchor to hold us,
Nankooraae illaathathanaalBecause there is no anchor to hold us,
Thadumaari aadum thoniyai polLike a boat tossing and swaying without balance,
Nankooraae illaathathanaalBecause there is no anchor to hold us,
Thadumaari aadum thoniyai polLike a boat tossing and swaying without balance,
Female
Sodhanaithaano vedhanaiyaeIs this merely a trial? Oh, what agony!
Sodhanaithaano vedhanaiyaeIs this merely a trial? Oh, what agony!
Anaathi ennaathi jothiO eternal and supreme divine light,
Sugam kaanum naalae inimae varaathaaWill a day of experiencing happiness never come in the future?
Female
Kadhal vaazhvil kaniyaana kathiraeO sweet ray of light in the life of love,
Kannaana kannae karumaa maniyaeO precious eye of my eyes, dark gem of my soul.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lamentation from the 1953 film 'Genova' captures the deep sorrow and anguish of separation. The heroine mourns the plight of her beloved prince, who has been unjustly imprisoned, and despairs over whether their hopes and love will ever find fulfillment in this world. She questions why love is punished as a sin on earth and laments the harshness of fate that has separated them. Expressing helpless agony, she compares their life to an unanchored boat tossing helplessly on turbulent waters. Praying to the supreme divine light, she wonders if happiness will ever return to their lives, filling the melody with profound pathos and romantic longing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaram)

Kadhal vaazhvil kaniyaana kathirae

The lover is metaphorically called a 'kaniyaana kathirae' (sweet ray of light) and 'karumaa maniyae' (precious gem/apple of the eye).

Simile (Upamai)

Thadumaari aadum thoniyai pol

The speaker compares their helpless, drifting life to a boat swaying wildly without an anchor ('Nankooraae illaathathanaal / Thadumaari aadum thoniyai pol').

Alliteration (Monai)

Puvi raajapudhalvaa nee sirai vaazhvathaamo

Initial consonant alliteration with the letter 'P' in 'Puvi' and 'Papam'.

Rhetorical Questions (Vinaa Ani)

Aasaiyellaam veenaagumaa

Despair and emotional dilemma are conveyed through repeated rhetorical questions asking if desires will end in vain and if joy will ever return.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Genova' (1953) is a historic film notable for being one of M. G. Ramachandran's (MGR) early releases as a lead hero before his rise to ultimate stardom, and it was produced as a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual. The soundtrack is special as it brought together early musical efforts from legend M. S. Viswanathan alongside M. S. Gnanamani and T. A. Kalyanam, featuring evocative lyrics penned by acclaimed Tamil poet Suratha.

Keep listening

More from Genova