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Lyrics & meaning

Kadhaliye En Kanmani

From Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham · 1982

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhaliyae en kanmaniyaeOh beloved, the apple of my eye!
Kadhaliyae…aa….aa…en kanmaniyaeOh beloved... ah... ah... apple of my eye!
I love you amaraavathi neeyae enthan premaavathiI love you Amaravathi, you are my goddess of love.
I love you amaraavathi neeyae enthan premaavathiI love you Amaravathi, you are my goddess of love.
Kamban magan indru kavithai malar konduToday, as Kamban's son, bringing flowers of poetry,
Archchikka vanthaenadi naan archikka vanthaenadiI have come to worship you, yes, I have come to worship you.
Female
English mozhiyodu innisai kavipaadaTo sing sweet musical poetry with the English language,
Maru jenmam eduththaayaiyyaaYou have taken a rebirth, my lord!
Enthan manathai pariththaayaiyyaaYou have stolen my heart, my lord!
Female
Thaerodu vaaraamal carodu vanthaaiInstead of coming on a chariot, you arrived in a car.
L -board edharkkaagavo ennaiWhy is there an 'L' board? Is it to tell me
Love pannum porul kooravoThe true meaning of loving someone?
I love you ambigapathiI love you Ambikapathy!
Male :I love you amaravathiMale: I love you Amaravathi!
Female
I love you oh my dear romeyoI love you oh my dear Romeo!
I love you oh my dear romeyoI love you oh my dear Romeo!
Ennai anbodu nee alla kolla vaariyaaWill you come to embrace me with love?
You are beautyfull love is wonderfulYou are beautiful, love is wonderful.
Ennai vaangikol nenjil thaangi kolAccept me, hold me close to your heart.
Male
Aaraaro endru enai thaalaattuLull me to sleep singing 'Aaraaro',
Anantham paadi enai paaraattuPraise me while singing with joy!
I love you oh my dear julietI love you oh my dear Juliet!
I love you oh my dear julietI love you oh my dear Juliet!
Female
Thaen polae paadum isaiyinilaeIn the music that sings sweet like honey,
Mazhai sinthi vizhum pongi ezhumRain showers down, surges up,
Sugam thangi vidumAnd blissful pleasure lingers.
Male :Paal polae vellai udaiyinilMale: Dressed in white attire like milk,
Varum thangaratham lilly poovil kannamA golden chariot arrives, with cheeks soft like lily flowers,
Cherry polum vannam mayakkampirakkumaeAnd a complexion hue like cherry, creating an enchanting intoxication!
Female
I love you oh my dear romeyoI love you oh my dear Romeo!
Male :I love you oh my dear julietMale: I love you oh my dear Juliet!
Female :My dear romeyoFemale: My dear Romeo!
Male :Oh my dear julietMale: Oh my dear Juliet!
Male
I love you oh mary lailaaI love you oh Mary, my Laila!
Anbaal azhaiththaen odi vaaraaiI called out with affection, come running to me!
Female :Aaa….aa….aa….pirai polum sir nettruFemale: Ah... ah... ah... with a forehead like a crescent moon,
Idhazh muththam tharum neram varuvaen naan majnuWhen the time comes to give a kiss on the lips, I will come, my Majnu!
Ennai naan tharuvaenI will give myself to you!
Male
Kaleer endra naatham kaettaenI heard a jingling musical sound,
Adhil unthan paatham paarthathaeIn that sound, I envisioned your feet.
Female :Mazhai sinthum megam paarththaenFemale: I saw the cloud showering rain,
Adhil unthan raagam kaettaenIn that cloud, I heard your melody.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from 'Thambathiyam Oru Sangeetham' (1982) features a playful exchange between two lovers expressing their deep affection by referencing classical and modern romantic icons. By intertwining Tamil literary legends like Ambikapathy and Amaravathi with Western and Middle Eastern archetypes like Romeo, Juliet, Laila, and Majnu, the song bridges cultural and temporal boundaries in a lighthearted, modern musical format. The song captures the bliss of young love through vivid imagery of music, nature, and affectionate banter, set to a fusion of traditional Indian melody and contemporary Western musical influences composed by M. S. Viswanathan.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion

I love you amaraavathi neeyae enthan premaavathi

References legendary romantic pairs across Tamil, English, and Persian traditions: Ambikapathy-Amaravathi, Romeo-Juliet, and Laila-Majnu.

Simile (Uvamai)

Paal polae vellai udaiyinil / Cherry polum vannam

Compares the skin hue to cherry and dress color to milk ('Paal polae', 'Cherry polum').

Metaphor

Mazhai sinthum megam paarththaen / Adhil unthan raagam kaettaen

Compares the lover's eyes/presence to sweet musical melodies and rain-bearing clouds.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, this track is famous for blending Tamil folk melody and modern pop lyricism by Pulamaipithan, humorously integrating English phrases like 'L-board' and 'I love you' alongside classical Tamil literary references like Kamban's son Ambikapathy.

Keep listening

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