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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalaimagal Uravum Thirumagal

From Per Solla Oru Pillai · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Per Solla Oru Pillai1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalaimagal uravum thirumagal varavumRelationship with Goddess Saraswati and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,
Kalaimagal uravum thirumagal varavumRelationship with Goddess Saraswati and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,
Avaravar vithippadi iraivanin parisuAre God's gifts bestowed according to each person's fate.
Aaa….aaa….aa….aa…aah….aa….aa….Aaa....aaa....aa....aa...aah....aa....aa....
Female
Kalaimagal uravum thirumagal varavumRelationship with Goddess Saraswati and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,
Avaravar vithippadi iraivanin parisuAre God's gifts bestowed according to each person's fate.
Female
Varuvathu vayathu valarvathu manathuAge comes on its own, but the mind matures;
Varuvathu vayathu valarvathu manathuAge comes on its own, but the mind matures;
Tharuvathu kadhal peruvathu shanthiLove is what is given, and peace is what is received.
Kalakalavenum melaadai salasslavenum neerodaiThe rustling upper garment and the gushing stream,
Kalakalavenum melaadai salasslavenum neerodaiThe rustling upper garment and the gushing stream,
Kalikkum kuruvi kulikkum aruviThe joyful chirping bird and the cascading waterfall.
Female
Kalaimagal uravum thirumagal varavumRelationship with Goddess Saraswati and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,
Avaravar vithippadi iraivanin parisuAre God's gifts bestowed according to each person's fate.
Female
Oru murai siriththu oru murai anaiththuSmiling once, embracing once,
Kulamurai inaippu thalaimurai valarppuA union following family traditions and nurturing future generations.
Vidivathu varai shrungaaram mudiviniloru bhoopaalamErotic romance until dawn, ending with a dawn raaga,
Irandu karangal isaikkum swarangal…The musical notes played by two joined hands...
Female
………………[Interlude / Music]
Female
Kalaimagal uravum thirumagal varavumRelationship with Goddess Saraswati and the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi,
Avaravar vithippadi iraivanin parisuAre God's gifts bestowed according to each person's fate.
Female
Idhu oru ulagam malar anai kazhagamThis is a world that is an academy of flower beds,
Kanavugal athigam kalaivathu thilagamDreams are many, but it is the forehead vermilion that gets smudged.
Idhu oru ulagam malar anai kazhagamThis is a world that is an academy of flower beds,
Kanavugal athigam kalaivathu thilagamDreams are many, but it is the forehead vermilion that gets smudged.
Iravinil oru thaenaaru uravinil aganaanooruA river of honey at night, a classical saga of love in intimacy,
Kalakkum iruttil vilakku edharkkuIn the blending darkness, why does one even need a lamp?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Per Solla Oru Pillai (1978) is a soulful and philosophical romantic track penned by Kannadasan. It reflects on destiny, human maturity, conjugal love, and marital bliss. The song begins by observing that wisdom (symbolized by Kalaimagal/Saraswati) and wealth (symbolized by Thirumagal/Lakshmi) are divine gifts preordained by fate. As physical age advances, emotional maturity leads to giving love and receiving inner peace. Through serene nature imagery—rustling clothes, flowing streams, chirping birds, and cascading waterfalls—the lyricist captures the sensory delight of intimacy. Kannadasan weaves classical Tamil metaphors, comparing nighttime romance to 'Aganaanooru' (classical Sangam love literature) and a river of honey. In the darkness of deep union, external light becomes redundant, celebrating the physical and spiritual oneness of wedded life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi)

Kalakalavenum melaadai salasslavenum neerodai

The words 'Kalakalavenum' and 'Salasslavenum' imitate natural sound effects—the rustle of silk and the soft flow of a water stream.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edukku / Ethirai)

Kalaimagal uravum thirumagal varavum

The second letters 'lai' in Kalaimagal and 'ri'/'lai' across lines rhyme symmetrically, creating rhythmic harmony typical of classical Tamil verse.

Metaphor & Classical Allusion

Iravinil oru thaenaaru uravinil aganaanooru

'Thaenaaru' (river of honey) metaphorically represents sweet intimacy, while 'Aganaanooru' references classical Sangam literature dedicated to love affairs.

Rhetorical Question

Kalakkum iruttil vilakku edharkku

The singer asks why a lamp is needed when two lovers blend into darkness, emphasizing deep emotional and physical union.

Did you know?

Trivia

Per Solla Oru Pillai (1978) features music composed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar, a legendary composer primarily acclaimed in Kannada cinema who delivered selectively iconic soundtracks in Tamil. Kannadasan's lyrical reference to 'Aganaanooru' in this song stands out as a classic example of integrating ancient Sangam literary terminology into popular film music.

Keep listening

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