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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kai Varaintha Oviyathai

From Sisubalan · 1974

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Details
Sisubalan1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Female
Kann varaintha kaviyaththinCan the story of an epic poem
Kadhai maranthu pogumaasketched by the eyes ever be forgotten?
Kadhai maranthu pogumaaCan its story ever be forgotten?
Female
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Kann varaintha kaviyaththinCan the story of an epic poem
Kadhai maranthu pogumaasketched by the eyes ever be forgotten?
Kadhai maranthu pogumaaCan its story ever be forgotten?
Female
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Female
Thingalukku munnirukkaTo reflect before the moon,
Niyaaru ondru illaiyaais there not a river here?
Thingalukku munnirukkaTo reflect before the moon,
Niyaaru ondru illaiyaais there not a river here?
Thendralodu saernthirukkaTo be united with the gentle breeze,
Cholai ingu illaiyaais there not a garden grove here?
Female
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Kann varaintha kaviyaththinCan the story of an epic poem
Kadhai maranthu pogumaasketched by the eyes ever be forgotten?
Kadhai maranthu pogumaaCan its story ever be forgotten?
Female
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Female
Iru manathin uravinilaeIn the deep bond between two hearts,
Thirumanamum nadanthathammaaa sacred marriage took place, my dear.
Iru manathin uravinilaeIn the deep bond between two hearts,
Thirumanamum nadanthathammaaa sacred marriage took place, my dear.
Female
Intha mnam thudikkaiyilaeWhile this heart throbs with yearning,
Antha manam nadaiperumaawill that other heart simply walk away?
Intha mnam thudikkaiyilaeWhile this heart throbs with yearning,
Antha manam nadaiperumaawill that other heart simply walk away?
Male
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Kann varaintha kaviyaththinCan the story of an epic poem
Kadhai maranthu pogumaasketched by the eyes ever be forgotten?
Kadhai maranthu pogumaaCan its story ever be forgotten?
Male
Kai varaintha oviyaththaiWould one forget a painting drawn by hand
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?
Kann maranthu thedumaaand go searching for it with lost sight?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kai varaintha oviyaththai' is a soulful Tamil song that delves into themes of eternal love, memory, and emotional longing. Using vivid imagery from art and nature, the speaker compares deep love to a hand-drawn painting and a poem etched by the eyes, arguing that true emotional bonds can never be erased or forgotten. The lyrics contrast the natural harmony between the moon and the river, or the breeze and the grove, with the painful reality of a lover walking away despite a soulful spiritual union. Rendered with classical finesse by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, the song relies on poetic rhetorical questions to highlight the pain of separation and the permanence of true love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kai varaintha oviyaththai / Kann maranthu thedumaa

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' in 'Kai varaintha' and 'Kann maranthu' creates metrical rhythm.

Vinaa Ani (Rhetorical Question)

Kann maranthu thedumaa / Kadhai maranthu pogumaa

The frequent use of interrogative endings ('thedumaa', 'pogumaa', 'illaiyaa') serves to emphasize that true love cannot be forgotten.

Urvagam (Metaphor)

Kann varaintha kaviyaththin

Deep emotional memories created through gazes are metaphorically described as an epic poem sketched by the eyes ('Kann varaintha kaviyam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by classical virtuoso Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan, this song showcases rich Carnatic music influences. It was beautifully performed by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, one of the iconic Soolamangalam Sisters known for their classical and devotional renditions in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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