Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaintha Sinaiyum Meengal

From Madhura Geetham · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Madhura Geetham1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaaindha sinaiyum meengalaagumEven dried roe/branches revive like fish
Pudhiya vellam vandhadhumOnce the fresh floodwaters arrive
Saindha maramum pasumaiyaagumEven a fallen tree turns green again
Pudhiya vergal paaindhadhumOnce new roots spread deep
Male
Kaaindha sinaiyum meengalaagumEven dried roe/branches revive like fish
Pudhiya vellam vandhadhumOnce the fresh floodwaters arrive
Saindha maramum pasumaiyaagumEven a fallen tree turns green again
Pudhiya vergal paaindhadhumOnce new roots spread deep
Male
Naangu vaedham solvadhumWhat the four Vedas proclaim
Oomai kaayam kaayamaeIs that an unspoken wound is still a painful wound
Aana podhum penmaiyinEven so, for womanhood
Adutha vaazhvum nyaayamaeA second life in marriage is completely justified
Male
Thavaru seidhaal agaligaiWhen a mistake happened, Ahalya
Kadhaiyil kandom illaiyaaDid we not see her story in scripture?
Thavari seidhaal enbadhaalJust because it happened by mistake
Raman kaakaa villaiyaaDid Lord Rama not redeem and save her?
Raman kaakaa villaiyaaDid Lord Rama not redeem and save her?
Male
Kaaindha sinaiyum meengalaagumEven dried roe/branches revive like fish
Pudhiya vellam vandhadhumOnce the fresh floodwaters arrive
Saindha maramum pasumaiyaagumEven a fallen tree turns green again
Pudhiya vergal paaindhadhumOnce new roots spread deep
Male
Udalin pavam neerilaeThe physical sins of the body wash away in water
Udalum thaane thollaiyaeThe body itself is just a source of hardship
Mandhil paavam illaiyaelIf there is no sin in the mind
Vaazhvil paavam illaiyaeThere is no sin in life at all
Male
Kalandhu sendraan kallaiyaeHe who mingled and left a thief/stony heart
Pirandhu vandhaan pillaiyaeWas born as a child
Kadhaiyai meendum solgirenI recount the story once again
Karnan indha ellaiyaeKarna stands as the ultimate example here
Karnan indha ellaiyaeKarna stands as the ultimate example here
Male
Kaaindha sinaiyum meengalaagumEven dried roe/branches revive like fish
Pudhiya vellam vandhadhumOnce the fresh floodwaters arrive
Saindha maramum pasumaiyaagumEven a fallen tree turns green again
Pudhiya vergal paaindhadhumOnce new roots spread deep
Male
Vidhavaikkellam marumanamRemarriage for all widows
Vilundhu vittaal yen illaiIf one stumbles or falls, why shouldn't it exist?
Pudhumai kanda naatilaeIn a modern, progressive nation
Unakku thaana vazazhvillaiIs there no new life meant only for you?
Male
Nadhi pirindhaal kollidamWhen the river splits, it is called Kollidam
Meendum serndhal kaaveriWhen it rejoins, it is the sacred Kaveri again
Naduvil thane sri rangamSrirangam rests right in the middle
Nanmai theemai avanidamBoth good and evil ultimately lie with Him
Nanmai theemai avanidamBoth good and evil ultimately lie with Him
Male
Kaaindha sinaiyum meengalaagumEven dried roe/branches revive like fish
Pudhiya vellam vandhadhumOnce the fresh floodwaters arrive
Saindha maramum pasumaiyaagumEven a fallen tree turns green again
Pudhiya vergal paaindhadhumOnce new roots spread deep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This progressive philosophical song penned by Kannadasan advocates for widow remarriage, social forgiveness, and woman's right to a fresh start in life. Drawing metaphors from nature—such as dried branches coming alive with new floods and fallen trees greening with new roots—the lyricist argues that renewal is the law of nature. He cites mythological references like Rama redeeming Ahalya and the story of Karna to emphasize that human mistakes or tragic circumstances should not permanently condemn an innocent soul, particularly women suffering social stigma.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Kaaindha sinaiyum meengalaagum / Pudhiya vellam vandhadhum

Comparing the renewal of a woman's life after tragedy to dried branches regaining life with fresh floods and fallen trees growing new roots.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Udalin pavam neerilae / Udalum thaane thollaiyae

Rhyming of the second letter 'u' in 'Udalin' and 'Udalum', and 'a' in 'Mandhil' / 'Vaazhvil'.

Mythological Allusion (Puraana Kurippu)

Thavaru seidhaal agaligai / Kadhaiyil kandom illaiyaa

Reference to the Ramayana story of Ahalya being redeemed by Rama, used to justify second chances for women.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from 'Madhura Geetham' (1977), composed by Chandrabose, an underrated composer of 1970s and 80s Tamil cinema who later became well known for his iconic hits in films like 'Manidhan' and 'Raja Chinna Roja'. Rendered passionately by T. M. Soundararajan, this song stands out for Kannadasan's bold social reformist themes.

Keep listening

More from Madhura Geetham