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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
Movie name
Purusha Lakshanam
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
9 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaakkai siraginilae
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaa
Kannam rendum sivanthathenna
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaa
Aa…..poovaalae meththai virichchu hoi
Thenoorum muththam thelichchu…aa….aang
Naalaachchi naalaachchi vaanguthu mael moochchu
Kaalodu kaal thaeichchu aasaiyum soodaachchu
Onnodu onnaaga ennodu neeyaachchu
Kaakkai siraginilae
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaa
Kannam rendum sivanthathenna
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaa
Thoongi kidantha ullaam
Thogai viriththu kondu
Yaengi thavippathu indu yaaraalae
Female :Thaangi pidikkum ennam
Thaalam adikkum vannam
Ongi valarnthiruntha poovaalae
Azhagaanam mangai
Oru adhikaalai gangai
Adi unakkae en inbam moththamae
Female :Kaadhoram kaadhoram mealum kooru aadhaaram
Kaakkai siraginilae
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaa
Kannam rendum sivanthathenna
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaa
Aakka poruththa manam
Aara porukkalaiyae
Mookku sivappathenna veenaaga
Male :Kantham izhukkuthadi kadhalvazhukkuthadi
Neenthi pidikka vanthaen naanaaga
Uyirodu thanjam
En udal podum manjum
Nee thinanthorum muththu kulikka
Male :Thaaralam thaaraalam
Thaagam manathinil yaeraalaam
Kaakkai siraginilae
Nanthalaalaa nee vanthathalaa
Kannam rendum sivanthathenna
Nanthalaalaa muththam thanthathaalaa
Poovaalae meththai virichchu hoi
Thenoorum muththam thelichchu
Naalaachchi naalaachchi vaanguthu mael moochchu
Kaalodu kaal thaeichchu aasaiyum soodaachchu
Onnodu onnaaga ennodu neeyaachchu
Kaakkai siraginilae nanthalaalaa
Female :Nee vanthathalaa
Kannam rendum sivanthathenna nanthalaalaa
Male :Mmmhoom…hoom….hoom….
In the crow's dark wing,
Oh Nandalala, is it because you arrived?
Why did both my cheeks blush red?
Oh Nandalala, is it because you kissed me?
Ah... spreading a bed of flowers, ah,
Sprinkling honey-sweet kisses... ah... aah,
Days have flown by, catching deep breaths,
With our feet rubbing together, desire turned warm,
You and I have become one together.
In the crow's dark wing,
Oh Nandalala, is it because you arrived?
Why did both my cheeks blush red?
Oh Nandalala, is it because you kissed me?
The heart that lay fast asleep,
Now spreading its feathers wide,
Who is making it yearn and ache today?
The thought of holding you close,
Beating like a rhythm,
Is all because of this fully blossomed flower!
A lovely young woman,
Like the Ganga river in the early dawn,
Hey, all my happiness belongs only to you!
Whisper near my ear, give me more proof!
In the crow's dark wing,
Oh Nandalala, is it because you arrived?
Why did both my cheeks blush red?
Oh Nandalala, is it because you kissed me?
The heart had the patience for the meal to cook,
Yet it cannot wait for it to cool!
Why is your nose turning red in anger for no reason?
A magnet is pulling me and love is sweeping me away,
I came swimming on my own to hold you!
A refuge for your life,
My body will make a bed,
For you to dive for pearls every single day!
With all my heart! Most gladly!
There is so much thirst in my soul!
In the crow's dark wing,
Oh Nandalala, is it because you arrived?
Why did both my cheeks blush red?
Oh Nandalala, is it because you kissed me?
Spreading a bed of flowers, ah,
Sprinkling honey-sweet kisses,
Days have flown by, catching deep breaths,
With our feet rubbing together, desire turned warm,
You and I have become one together.
In the crow's dark wing, Nandalala,
Is it because you arrived?
Why did both my cheeks blush red, Nandalala?
Mmhmm... hmm... hmm...
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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Karthigai Matham Vanthaal1999
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