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Isaimozhi
Vasantha Maligai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kalaimagal Song Lyircs

From Vasantha Maligai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Vasantha Maligai
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
16 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaaa….aaa…aaaa….aaa…
Aaaa…aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…
Kalaimagal kai porulae
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo
Vilai illaa maaligaiyil
Unnai meettavum viral illaiyo..oo
Kalaimagal kai porulae
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo
Unnidam aayiram raagangalae
Endrum unakkul aayiram geethangalae
Unnidam aayiram raagangalae
Endrum unakkul aayiram geethangalae
Isai arinthoorgal meetungalen
Isai arinthoorgal meetungalen
Illai yenakkenum vazhi kaatungalen
Kalaimagal kai porulae
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo
Naan yaar unnai meetta
Varum nanmaikkum theemaikkum
Vazhi kaatta
Naan yaar unnai meetta
Varum nanmaikkum theemaikkum
Vazhi kaatta
Yeno thudikkindren
Yeno thudikkindren
Athan inam theriyamal thavikkindren
Vilai illaa maaligaiyil
Unnai meettavum viral illaiyo
Kalaimagal kai porulae
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo
Sorgamum naragamum nam vasamae
Naan solvadhai un manam ketkattumae
Sorgamum naragamum nam vasamae
Naan solvadhai un manam ketkattumae
Sathiyam dharmangal nilaikkattumae
Sathiyam dharmangal nilaikkattumae
Idhu thaaymayin kuralai olikkattumae
Kalaimagal kai porulae
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo
Vilai illaa maaligaiyil
Unnai meettavum viral illaiyo..oo
Kalaimagal kai porulae
Aah... aa... aah... aa...
Aah... aa... aah... aa... aa...
O treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
is there no one to care for you?
In this priceless mansion,
are there no fingers to play your strings?
O treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
is there no one to care for you?
You hold a thousand melodies within you,
and a thousand songs forever inside you.
You hold a thousand melodies within you,
and a thousand songs forever inside you.
You who know music, please come play it!
You who know music, please come play it!
If not, at least show me the way!
O treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
is there no one to care for you?
Who am I to play your strings,
to guide you through
the good and bad ahead?
Who am I to play your strings,
to guide you through
the good and bad ahead?
Yet my heart aches for some reason,
yet my heart aches for some reason,
and I struggle, not knowing what this feeling is.
In this priceless mansion,
are there no fingers to play your strings?
O treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
is there no one to care for you?
Heaven and hell are in our own hands,
so let your heart listen to what I say.
Heaven and hell are in our own hands,
so let your heart listen to what I say.
May truth and righteousness endure,
may truth and righteousness endure!
Let this echo as the voice of a mother's care!
O treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
is there no one to care for you?
In this priceless mansion,
are there no fingers to play your strings?
O treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Kalaimagal Kai Porulae' addresses a Veena—the divine musical instrument of Goddess Saraswati—left unattended in a grand palace. The narrator reflects on how an instrument containing endless ragas and melodies remains neglected without an artist to play it, drawing a deeper metaphor for human life, talent, and morality left unguided in opulent isolation. As the song progresses, the singer calls upon wise individuals to lead the way and establish truth and righteousness (dharma). The lyrics touch upon moral choices, maternal warmth, and the duality of heaven and hell residing in human choices, ultimately expressing a maternal desire to see goodness, truth, and virtue resound through the halls of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Kalaimagal kai porulae”

Compares the human soul or the instrument directly to 'Kalaimagal kai porul' (the treasure in Goddess Saraswati's hand).

Rhetorical Question

“Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo”

The speaker asks 'Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo' (Is there no one to care for you?) to highlight neglect and isolation.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Unnidam aayiram raagangalae / Endrum unakkul aayiram geethangalae”

Rhyming ends 'raagangalae' and 'geethangalae' creating melodic symmetry.

Antithesis / Contradiction

“Sorgamum naragamum nam vasamae”

Juxtaposes contrasting concepts like 'good and evil' (nanmai / theemai) and 'heaven and hell' (sorgam / naragam).

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, rendered by legendary playback singer P. Susheela with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri in iconic lead roles.

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