- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, P. Jayachandran
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Kathai Kathayam Karanamam
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Apr 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Kaiyai Thanthaen' from 'Kathai Kathayam Karanamam' (1987) is a playful, romantic duet featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu. The lovers engage in a playful back-and-forth exchange, using musical terms like rhythm (jadhi) and pitch (shruthi) as metaphors for physical intimacy and romantic harmony. The lyrics blend sweet affection with lighthearted teasing, highlighting the joy of surrender and companionship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Kaiyai thanthaen thottu kolla / Kannam thanthaen ittuk kolla”
The repeated use of 'thanthaen' ('I gave') across consecutive lines creates rhythmic symmetry and emphasizes the act of romantic giving.
Metaphor (Urvakam)
“Paavai meni vella katti”
The line compares the maiden's body directly to a block of jaggery ('vella katti') to symbolize sweetness and attraction.
Initial Rhyme (Monai)
“Kaiyai thanthaen thottu kolla / Kannam thanthaen ittuk kolla”
Matching initial consonant sounds ('K') in adjacent lines ('Kaiyai' and 'Kannam') enhance the melodic rhythm of the verse.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kathai Kathayam Karanamam (1987) is an ensemble Tamil comedy-drama directed by Y. G. Mahendran. The film's soundtrack features lyrics by Vairamuthu, combining humorous situational dialogue with romantic duet compositions typical of late 1980s Tamil cinema.
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