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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kakkai Siraginile Nandhalala

From Purusha Lakshanam · 1993

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Deva
Details
Purusha Lakshanam1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaakkai siraginilaeIn the crow's feathers
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you arrived?
Kannam rendum sivanthathennaWhy did both cheeks turn red?
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you gave a kiss?
Male
Aa…..poovaalae meththai virichchu hoiAh... spreading a mattress made of flowers, hoi!
Thenoorum muththam thelichchu…aa….aangSprinkling honey-sweet kisses... ah... aang!
Naalaachchi naalaachchi vaanguthu mael moochchuFour days have passed, four days, breathing heavily!
Kaalodu kaal thaeichchu aasaiyum soodaachchuRubbing leg against leg, desire has also become hot!
Onnodu onnaaga ennodu neeyaachchuOne with the other, you have become one with me!
Female
Kaakkai siraginilaeIn the crow's feathers
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you arrived?
Kannam rendum sivanthathennaWhy did both cheeks turn red?
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you gave a kiss?
Male
Thoongi kidantha ullaamThe heart that lay asleep
Thogai viriththu konduSpreading its peacock feathers
Yaengi thavippathu indu yaaraalaeWho is the reason for its longing and struggling today?
Female :Thaangi pidikkum ennamFemale: The feeling of holding and supporting
Thaalam adikkum vannamIn a way that beats a rhythm
Ongi valarnthiruntha poovaalaeOh flower that grew up tall and grand!
Male
Azhagaanam mangaiA beautiful maiden
Oru adhikaalai gangaiAn early morning Ganges river
Adi unakkae en inbam moththamaeHey girl, my entire happiness belongs to you!
Female :Kaadhoram kaadhoram mealum kooru aadhaaramFemale: Near the ears, near the ears, speak more proof of love!
Male
Kaakkai siraginilaeIn the crow's feathers
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you arrived?
Kannam rendum sivanthathennaWhy did both cheeks turn red?
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you gave a kiss?
Female
Aakka poruththa manamThe mind that waited to cook
Aara porukkalaiyaeHas no patience to let it cool down
Mookku sivappathenna veenaagaWhy is your nose turning red in vain?
Male :Kantham izhukkuthadi kadhalvazhukkuthadiMale: The magnet is pulling, love is slipping
Neenthi pidikka vanthaen naanaagaI came on my own to swim and catch you
Female
Uyirodu thanjamRefuge with my soul
En udal podum manjumAnd the bed that my body makes
Nee thinanthorum muththu kulikkaFor you to dive for pearls every single day
Male :Thaaralam thaaraalamMale: Generous, so generous
Thaagam manathinil yaeraalaamThe thirst in the heart is immense
Male
Kaakkai siraginilaeIn the crow's feathers
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you arrived?
Kannam rendum sivanthathennaWhy did both cheeks turn red?
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaaOh Nanthalaala, is it because you gave a kiss?
Female
Poovaalae meththai virichchu hoiSpreading a mattress made of flowers, hoi!
Thenoorum muththam thelichchuSprinkling honey-sweet kisses
Naalaachchi naalaachchi vaanguthu mael moochchuFour days have passed, four days, breathing heavily
Kaalodu kaal thaeichchu aasaiyum soodaachchuRubbing leg against leg, desire has also become hot
Onnodu onnaaga ennodu neeyaachchuOne with the other, you have become one with me
Female
Kaakkai siraginilae nanthalaalaaIn the crow's feathers, oh Nanthalaala
Female :Nee vanthathalaaFemale: Because you arrived
Kannam rendum sivanthathenna nanthalaalaaWhy did both cheeks turn red, oh Nanthalaala?
Male :Mmmhoom…hoom….hoom….Male: Mmmhoom... hoom... hoom...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet draws heavy lyrical inspiration from Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's iconic poem 'Kaakkai Siraginilae Nandalala', recontextualizing its divine themes into an intimate expression of marital love and passion. The lovers exchange playful and affectionate banter, comparing their overwhelming desire and physical closeness to beds of flowers, honeyed kisses, and refreshing waters. Throughout the song, both characters describe their deep romantic connection, feeling as though two distinct souls have intertwined into one.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Kaakkai siraginilae Nanthalaalaa

Directly borrows the opening motif from Subramania Bharati's famous poem 'Kaakkai Siraginilae Nandalala', applying Krishna's imagery to romantic longing.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thoongi kidantha ullaam Thogai viriththu kondu

Compares the sudden awakening of love in a sleeping heart to a peacock spreading its vibrant feathers.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Etai / Second Class Rhyme)

Thaangi pidikkum ennam / Thaalam adikkum vannam

Uses matching 'ng' sound patterns across consecutive lines ('Thaangi', 'Thaalam', 'Ongi') to create melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening line pays homage to Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's celebrated devotional poem where he sees Lord Krishna's dark hue in a crow's feathers. In 'Purusha Lakshanam' (1993), lyricist Kalidasan adapted this famous line into a popular mainstream romantic song scored by Deva.

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