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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalai Nila Aadinal

From Kaman Pandigai · 1983

Lyricist
Madhuri Pachaiappan
Singer
Dr. Balamuralikrishna
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kaman Pandigai1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Om… guru bramma guru vishnuOm, Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu
Guru dhevo mageswarahaGuru is the Supreme Lord Shiva (Maheswara)
Guru saakshaath parabrammahGuru is indeed the ultimate Supreme Being (Parabrahma)
Dhasmai sri guruvae namahaSalutations to that revered Guru
Male
Maaran kanaiyaalBy the arrows of Manmatha (the god of love)
Mayangugindra oorvasiyaalOorvasi, who becomes enchanted
Mannan vikramaadhithanin thol kandaalUpon seeing the broad shoulders of King Vikramaditya
Maiyal kondaal thuvalugindraalFalls deep in love and sways in passion
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Karumpenum villendhiHolding a sugarcane bow
Kaaman seidha leelaiyaal..Due to the divine play of Lord Kamadeva...
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Karumpenum villendhiHolding a sugarcane bow
Kaaman seidha leelaiyaal..Due to the divine play of Lord Kamadeva...
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Male
Kaarmugilaam kuzhal kaatrinilaadidaAs her dark cloud-like hair sways in the wind
Kaalgal thallaadaHer feet falter gently as she dances
Male
Kaarmugilaam kuzhal kaatrinilaadidaAs her dark cloud-like hair sways in the wind
Kaalgal thallaadaHer feet falter gently as she dances
Kaaviya naayagan perazhagil avalEnraptured by the immense beauty of her epic hero
Nenjam sathiraadaHer heart dances in ecstasy
Kaniyisai paada kaan mayil vaadaAs sweet melodic music plays, the wild peacock wilts in envy
Kaniyisai paada kaan mayil vaadaAs sweet melodic music plays, the wild peacock wilts in envy
Karumpennum villendhiHolding a sugarcane bow
Kaaman seidha leelaiyaal..Due to the divine play of Lord Kamadeva...
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Karumpenum villendhiHolding a sugarcane bow
Kaaman seidha leelaiyaal..Due to the divine play of Lord Kamadeva...
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Aadinaal aadinaal aadinaalShe danced, she danced, she danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Male
Muthu pani malar kothum madhiyamumPearls of dew, clusters of flowers, and the shining moon
Kathum karunguyilumThe calling black cuckoo
Satham ezhu kadal kathum kili mozhiThe sound of seven seas and the parrot-like sweet speech
Methai tharum sugamumAnd the bliss offered by a cozy bed
Male
Muthu pani malar kothum madhiyamumPearls of dew, clusters of flowers, and the shining moon
Kathum karunguyilumThe calling black cuckoo
Satham ezhu kadal kathum kili mozhiThe sound of seven seas and the parrot-like sweet speech
Methai tharum sugamumAnd the bliss offered by a cozy bed
Kanniyai vaattum kadum pagaiyaagaHave all turned into severe enemies tormenting the maiden
Kanniyai vaattum kadum pagaiyaagaHave all turned into severe enemies tormenting the maiden
Karumpennum villendhiHolding a sugarcane bow
Kaaman seidha leelaiyaal…Due to the divine play of Lord Kamadeva...
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aadaAs her fish-like eyes swim in the river of love
Karumpenum villendhiHolding a sugarcane bow
Kaaman seidha leelaiyaal..Due to the divine play of Lord Kamadeva...
Male
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced
Kalai nila aadinaalThe artistic, moon-like maiden danced

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song opens with a traditional Sanskrit invocation to the Guru, establishing a solemn classical atmosphere. It then transitions into a poetic narration of love and classical dance centered on Urvashi's enchantment with King Vikramaditya under the influence of Kamadeva (the Hindu god of love). Describing her breathtaking elegance, the lyrics detail how her fish-like eyes, flowing hair, and delicate footsteps reflect the intense agony and ecstasy of romantic longing (Viraha). As Kamadeva shoots his arrows using his symbolic sugarcane bow, pleasant elements of nature like the glowing moon, dew drops, flowers, and singing cuckoos turn into cruel tormentors for the longing maiden. Sang brilliantly by Carnatic maestro Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna, the song blends classical raga nuances with vivid imagery of Indian mythology and classical dance aesthetics.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile

Kayal vizhi kaadhal nadhiyinil aada

'Kayal vizhi' compares her eyes to fish, and 'Kalai nila' compares her radiance and artfulness to the moon.

Mondhana / Initial Rhyme (Moonaai / Etukai)

Kaarmugilaam kuzhal kaatrinilaadida

Repetition of initial consonants/sounds 'Ka' in consecutive phrases 'Kaarmugilaam', 'Kaalgal', 'Kaaviya'.

Oxymoron / Irony (Viraha Bhava)

Kanniyai vaattum kadum pagaiyaaga

Usually comforting elements like flowers, moon, and cozy bed are described as 'kadum pagai' (harsh enemies) due to love-sickness.

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Trivia

This track features the legendary Carnatic vocalist Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna singing a film song composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh. The song blends classical Sanskrit slokas with rich Tamil literary imagery, illustrating the pangs of love experienced by celestial maiden Urvashi.

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