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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhalukku Kangal Illai

From Nadodi Pattukkaran · 1992

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nadodi Pattukkaran1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhalukku kangal illae maanaeLove has no eyes, my dear deer-like girl.
Kaadhaluku kangal illae maanaeLove has no eyes, my dear deer-like girl.
Kannukkulla unna vechen naanaeI have placed you inside my eyes.
Kaadhal oru thunba kadhaiyoIs love a tale of sorrow?
Kaalam thandha maaya valaiyoIs it an illusionary net spun by time?
Gangai vellam kannil konden naanaeI have gathered floods of Ganges tears in my eyes.
Male
Kaadhalukku kangal illae maanaeLove has no eyes, my dear deer-like girl.
Kannukkulla unna vechen naanaeI have placed you inside my eyes.
Male
En raagam ellaam ingae needhaanaeAll my melodies here are you alone.
Unai ennaadha naal yedhu poo maanaeIs there any day I do not think of you, flower-like maiden?
Adi unnodu naanum vandhu seraadhuWithout coming to join you,
En dhegam mannil ingae saayaadhuMy body shall not rest in this soil.
Male
Gangaikkoru karai kattalaamOne can build a bank for the Ganges river.
Kaavirikkum anai kattalaamOne can build a dam across the Kaveri river.
Kaadhalukku veli kattalaamaBut can anyone build a fence around love?
Hey mannil vachu moodumHey, every seed that is buried in the soil
Vidhai yaavum payir aagumWill eventually sprout into a crop.
Mazhai megam neruppaagiRain clouds will never turn into fire,
PogaathammaMy dear woman!
Female
Kaadhalukku kangal illae raasaLove has no eyes, my prince.
Kannukullae unna vechaa rosaaThe rose who kept you inside her eyes.
Kaadhalukku kangal illae raasaLove has no eyes, my prince.
Female
Thanneeril neendhi chellum meen ondruA fish swimming freely in cool water,
Sudum venneeril vizhundhaalae ennaagumWhat happens if it falls into scalding hot water?
Ilam panneeril aadum thanga roja pooA golden rose dancing in gentle rosewater,
Adhu mul meedhu vizhundhaalae pollaappuTrouble ensues if it falls upon thorns.
Female
Eppozhudhum manasil unnai enniWho here can put an obstacle
Enni irukkum ennaiTo me, who constantly keeps thinking
Thadaithaan seivaaringae yaaruOf you in my heart at all times?
Mella thulli varum kaathuThe breeze that gently bounces along
Thadai paathu thayangaathuDoes not hesitate upon seeing an obstacle.
Ennaalum un nesam maaraadhaiyaaMy love for you will never change, my dear.
Male
Kaadhaluku kangal illae maanaeLove has no eyes, my dear deer-like girl.
Kannukkulla unna vechen naanaeI have placed you inside my eyes.
Kaadhal oru thunba kadhaiyoIs love a tale of sorrow?
Kaalam thandha maaya valaiyoIs it an illusionary net spun by time?
Gangai vellam kannil konden naanaeI have gathered floods of Ganges tears in my eyes.
Male
Kaadhalukku kangal illae maanaeLove has no eyes, my dear deer-like girl.
Kannukkulla unna vechen naanaeI have placed you inside my eyes.
Kaadhalukku kangal illae maanaeLove has no eyes, my dear deer-like girl.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Nadodi Pattukkaran' expresses the deep, unconditional, and unyielding nature of love between two soulmates facing trials. The lovers convey that true love is blind to social barriers and physical constraints. Through vivid imagery of rivers, seeds, and breeze, they argue that love is a force of nature that cannot be fenced or restrained by human intervention.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaadhal oru thunba kadhaiyo / Kaalam thandha maaya valaiyo

Compares love directly to a sad story and a net of illusion created by time.

Rhetorical Question

Kaadhalukku veli kattalaama

Uses rhetorical questioning to emphasize that while natural rivers can be dammed, love cannot be fenced or controlled.

Analogy

Thanneeril neendhi chellum meen ondru / Sudum venneeril vizhundhaalae ennaagum

Compares the suffering in love to a fish unexpectedly falling from cool water into boiling water.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Gangaikkoru karai kattalaam / Kaavirikkum anai kattalaam

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Gangaikkoru' and 'Kaavirikkum' creates melodic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nadodi Pattukkaran (1992) stars Prashanth and Bhanupriya in the lead roles, with iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and soulful lyrics crafted by Muthulingam.

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