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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhala Kadhala

From Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Ilayaraja, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaadhala kaadhalaOh lover, oh lover
Kangalaal ennai theenduTouch me with your eyes
Male :Kaadhali kaadhaliMale: Oh beloved, oh beloved
Kangalaal ennai theenduTouch me with your eyes
Female
Kaadhal oru vedhamLove is a sacred scripture
Kangal adhai odhumThe eyes recite it
Male :Kaadhali kaadhaliMale: Oh beloved, oh beloved
Kangalaal ennai theenduTouch me with your eyes
Male
Neerodaiyin osaiyilIn the sound of the flowing stream
Undhan perai ketkkirenI hear your name
Poonjolaiyin pookalilIn the blossoms of the flower garden
Unnai naanum paarkkirenI see you as well
Female
Devanae unnilaeOh my Lord, within you
Ennai thedi paarkkirenI search for myself
Nee vidum moochilaeIn the breath that you exhale
Naanum konjam vaazhgirenI live a little too
Male
En dheviyae un pechilOh my goddess, in your speech
Yedho isai ketkkirenI hear a kind of music
Female
Kaadhala kaadhalaOh lover, oh lover
Kangalaal ennai theenduTouch me with your eyes
Female
Kannaa unnai ketkkirenOh my beloved, I ask you
Kaadhal enna theerumaWill love ever end?
Kaalangalum maaralaamEven eras may change
Gangai paadhai maarumaWill the course of the Ganges ever change?
Male
Dheviyae dheviyaeOh goddess, oh goddess
Enna kelvi ketkkiraaiWhat a question you ask!
Aavi neethaanadiYou are my very soul, my dear
Yaarai aazham paarkkiraaiWhose depth are you testing?
Female
Kaadhal nadhiyilIn the river of love
Naan mozhginenI sank deep
Neeyae karai serkkiraaiYou are the one who brings me to shore
Male
Kaadhali kaadhaliOh beloved, oh beloved
Kangalaal ennai theenduTouch me with your eyes
Female :Maalaigal soodinaalFemale: Once we exchange wedding garlands
Mannavaa ellai thaanduOh my king, cross the boundaries
Male
Kaadhal oru vedhamLove is a sacred scripture
Kangal adhai odhumThe eyes recite it
Female :Kaadhala kaadhalaFemale: Oh lover, oh lover
Kangalaal ennai theenduTouch me with your eyes

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song is an expression of profound love, spiritual connection, and romantic devotion between two lovers. The lyrics convey how love elevates perception, making the lovers see and hear each other in the beauty of nature—such as the sound of streams, blooming garden flowers, and gentle breezes. They view their bond not merely as romantic, but as a sacred Veda recited silently through the eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kaadhal oru vedham

Love is directly equated to a sacred Veda ('Kaadhal oru vedham') to emphasize its holy and eternal nature.

Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kaadhala kaadhala / Kangalaal ennai theendu

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive words and lines creates a rhythmic, musical quality.

Rhetorical Metaphor (Uvamai)

Gangai paadhai maaruma

The constancy of true love is compared to the unyielding course of the sacred river Ganges.

Extended Metaphor

Kaadhal nadhiyil / Naan mozhginen / Neeyae karai serkkiraai

Love is depicted as a vast river where one drowns emotionally, while the partner acts as the saving shoreline.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is featured in the 1986 Tamil film 'Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu', directed by Balachandra Menon and starring Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, and Pandiarajan. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu, featuring vocals by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki.

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