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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaiyai Thanthen

From Kathai Kathayam Karanamam · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Vani Jairam, P. Jayachandran
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kathai Kathayam Karanamam1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa…..aa….aa…..oo….oo….oo…Vocalizing (Aa... oo...)
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female
Kaiyai thanthaen thottu kollaI gave my hand for you to hold
Kannam thanthaen ittuk kollaI gave my cheek for you to place a kiss upon
Kaiyai thanthaen thottu kollaI gave my hand for you to hold
Kannam thanthaen ittuk kollaI gave my cheek for you to place a kiss upon
Male
Ennai thanthaen pinnik kollaI gave myself for us to entwine
Muththam thanthaen ennik kollaI gave kisses for you to count
Ennai thanthaen pinnik kollaI gave myself for us to entwine
Muththam thanthaen ennik kollaI gave kisses for you to count
Male
Angam engum thagam thaanaaIs there a thirst all over my body?
Illai yaanai thanthamthanOr is it like ivory from an elephant?
Female : Chinna pillaithaanFemale: He is just a child
Enakku thollaithaanHe is a trouble to me
Male
Anbe anbe naamMy love, my love, for us
Jadhi paadavae vazhiyillaiyaaIs there no way to sing the rhythmic beats?
Female :Kannaa kannaa namFemale: Oh my beloved, let our
Shruthi serattum thalli nillaiyaaLet our pitch blend, don't stand far away
Male
Aaa…aa….aa….aa….Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female :Ooo….oo…oo….oo…Female: Vocalizing (Oo...)
Male :Aaa…aa…Male: Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female :Ooo….oo…Female: Vocalizing (Oo...)
Male :Aaa…aa…Male: Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female :Ooo….oo…Female: Vocalizing (Oo...)
Female
Paavai meni vella kattiThis maiden's body is like a block of jaggery
Mallukatti paarunaTry wrestling with it and see
Male :Konjam nillungaMale: Wait a little while
Vilaiyenna sollungaTell me what the price is
Female
Yaedho paattu ittukattiCompose a random song
Mettukatti paadungaSet a tune and sing
Male :Nalla aalunga sangeetham kelungaMale: Good people, listen to the music
Female
Kanna kannaaOh my beloved
Naan thaalaattavae vazhi sollungaTell me a way for me to sing a lullaby
Male :Vetkkam ennaMale: Why be shy?
Naan vaalaattavae vazhi pannungaMake a way for me to play around
Female
Aaa…aa….aa….aa….Vocalizing (Aa...)
Male :Aaa…aa….aa….aa….Male: Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female :Ooo….oo…Female: Vocalizing (Oo...)
Male :Aaa…aa…Male: Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female :Ooo….oo…Female: Vocalizing (Oo...)
Male :Aaa…aa…Male: Vocalizing (Aa...)
Female :Ooo….oo…Female: Vocalizing (Oo...)
Female
Kaiyai thanthaen thottu kollaI gave my hand for you to hold
Kannam thanthaen ittuk kollaI gave my cheek for you to place a kiss upon
Male :Ennai thanthaen pinnik kollaMale: I gave myself to entwine
Muththam thanthaen ennik kollaI gave kisses for you to count

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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