Kalamithu Kalamithu
From Chithi · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Chithi1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Pennaaga pirandhavarkku | For those born as women |
| Kannurakkam irandu murai | Sleep comes only twice in life |
| Pirappil oru thookkam | One sleep at birth |
| Irappil maru thookkam | Another sleep at death |
| Ippodhu vittu vittaal | If you let go of sleep now |
| Eppodhum thookkam illai | There will never be sleep again |
| Ennariya kanmaniyae | Oh my priceless darling |
| Kannurangu kannurangu | Sleep my child, sleep |
| Female | |
| Aariraariri aarira raaro | Aariraariri aarira raaro |
| Aari raariraaro… | Aari raariraaro... |
| Aariraariri aariri aaro | Aariraariri aariri aaro |
| Aari raaririro… | Aari raaririro... |
| Female | |
| Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu | Now is the time, now is the time |
| Kannurangu magalae | Sleep, my daughter |
| Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal | If you miss this time |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Female | |
| Naalu vayadhaana pinnae | After reaching four years of age |
| Palli vilayaadal | Playing games at school |
| Naalu vayadhaana pinnae palli vilayaadal | After reaching four years of age, playing games at school |
| Naal muzhudhum paada chollum | Asked to recite all day long |
| Thellu thamizh paadal | Clear Tamil songs |
| Ennirandu vayadhu vandhaal | When reaching sixteen years of age |
| Kannurakkam illaiyadi | There is no sleep in the eyes, my girl |
| Ennirandu vayadhu vandhaal | When reaching sixteen years of age |
| Kannurakkam illaiyadi | There is no sleep in the eyes, my girl |
| Eeraezhu mozhigaludan | With fourteen languages |
| Poraada chollumadi theeraadha thollaiyadi | Told to struggle, an endless trouble |
| Female | |
| Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu | Now is the time, now is the time |
| Kannurangu magalae | Sleep, my daughter |
| Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal | If you miss this time |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Female | |
| Maarum kanni manam maarum | Changes, a young maiden's heart changes |
| Kannan mugam thaedum | Searches for her beloved's face |
| Yekkam varum podhu | When yearning sets in |
| Thookkamenbadhaedhu | Where is sleep then? |
| Thaan ninaitha kaadhalanai | The lover she envisioned |
| Sera varum podhu | When coming to join him |
| Thaan ninaitha kaadhalanai | The lover she envisioned |
| Sera varum podhu | When coming to join him |
| Thandhai adhai maruthu vittaal | If her father refuses permission |
| Kannurakkam yedhu kannurakkam yedhu | Where is sleep? Where is sleep? |
| Female | |
| Maalaiyitta thalaivan vandhu | When the wedded husband arrives |
| Selai thodum podhu | And touches her drape |
| Mangaiyarin thaen nilavil | In a woman's honeymoon night |
| Kannurakkam yedhu kannurakkam yedhu | Where is sleep? Where is sleep? |
| Female | |
| Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu | Now is the time, now is the time |
| Kannurangu magalae | Sleep, my daughter |
| Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal | If you miss this time |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Female | |
| Aiirandu thingalilum | During the ten months of pregnancy |
| Pillai perum podhum | And when delivering a baby |
| Annai endru vandha pinnum | Even after attaining motherhood |
| Kannurakkam pogum kannurakkam pogum | Sleep vanishes, sleep vanishes |
| Kai nadungi kan maraindhu | With hands trembling and vision fading |
| Kaalam vandhu thaedum | When time comes searching for death |
| Kai nadungi kan maraindhu | With hands trembling and vision fading |
| Kaalam vandhu thaedum | When time comes searching for death |
| Kaanaadha thookkam ellaam | All the sleep that was missed |
| Thaanaaga serum thaanaaga serum | Will automatically return, automatically return |
| Female | |
| Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu | Now is the time, now is the time |
| Kannurangu magalae | Sleep, my daughter |
| Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal | If you miss this time |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Thookkamillai magalae | There is no sleep, my daughter |
| Female | |
| Aariraariri aarira raaro | Aariraariri aarira raaro |
| Aari raariraaro… | Aari raariraaro... |
| Aariraariri aarira raaro | Aariraariri aarira raaro |
| Aari raariraaro aari raariraaro… | Aari raariraaro aari raariraaro... |
பெண்ணாகப் பிறந்தவர்க்கு
கண்ணுறக்கம் இரண்டு முறை
பிறப்பில் ஒரு தூக்கம்
இறப்பில் மறு தூக்கம்
இப்போது விட்டு விட்டால்
எப்போதும் தூக்கம் இல்லை
என்னரிய கண்மணியே
கண்ணுறங்கு கண்ணுறங்கு
For those born as women
Sleep comes only twice in life
One sleep at birth
Another sleep at death
If you let go of sleep now
There will never be sleep again
Oh my priceless darling
Sleep my child, sleep
ஆரிராரிரி ஆரிர ராரோ
ஆரி ராரிராரோ...
ஆரிராரிரி ஆரிரி ஆரோ
ஆரி ராரிரிரோ...
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aari raariraaro...
Aariraariri aariri aaro
Aari raaririro...
காலமிது காலமிது
கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதை தவற விட்டால்
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
Now is the time, now is the time
Sleep, my daughter
If you miss this time
There is no sleep, my daughter
There is no sleep, my daughter
நாலு வயதான பின்னே
பள்ளி விளையாடல்
நாலு வயதான பின்னே
பள்ளி விளையாடல்
நாள் முழுதும் பாடச் சொல்லும்
தெள்ளுத் தமிழ் பாடல்
எண்ணிரண்டு வயது வந்தால்
கண்ணுறக்கம் இல்லையடி
எண்ணிரண்டு வயது வந்தால்
கண்ணுறக்கம் இல்லையடி
ஈரேழு மொழிகளுடன்
போராடச் சொல்லுமடி தீராத தொல்லையடி
After reaching four years of age
Playing games at school
After reaching four years of age, playing games at school
Asked to recite all day long
Clear Tamil songs
When reaching sixteen years of age
There is no sleep in the eyes, my girl
When reaching sixteen years of age
There is no sleep in the eyes, my girl
With fourteen languages
Told to struggle, an endless trouble
காலமிது காலமிது
கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதை தவற விட்டால்
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
Now is the time, now is the time
Sleep, my daughter
If you miss this time
There is no sleep, my daughter
There is no sleep, my daughter
மாறும் கன்னி மனம் மாறும்
கண்ணன் முகம் தேடும்
ஏக்கம் வரும் போது
தூக்கமென்பதேது
தான் நினைத்த காதலனை
சேர வரும் போது
தான் நினைத்த காதலனை
சேர வரும் போது
தந்தை அதை மறுத்து விட்டால்
கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது
Changes, a young maiden's heart changes
Searches for her beloved's face
When yearning sets in
Where is sleep then?
The lover she envisioned
When coming to join him
The lover she envisioned
When coming to join him
If her father refuses permission
Where is sleep? Where is sleep?
மாலையிட்ட தலைவன் வந்து
சேலை தொடும் போது
மங்கையரின் தேன் நிலவில்
கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது கண்ணுறக்கம் ஏது
When the wedded husband arrives
And touches her drape
In a woman's honeymoon night
Where is sleep? Where is sleep?
காலமிது காலமிது
கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதை தவற விட்டால்
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
Now is the time, now is the time
Sleep, my daughter
If you miss this time
There is no sleep, my daughter
There is no sleep, my daughter
ஐயிரண்டு திங்களிலும்
பிள்ளை பெறும் போதும்
அன்னை என்று வந்த பின்னும்
கண்ணுறக்கம் போகும் கண்ணுறக்கம் போகும்
கை நடுங்கி கண் மறைந்து
காலம் வந்து தேடும்
கை நடுங்கி கண் மறைந்து
காலம் வந்து தேடும்
காணாத தூக்கம் எல்லாம்
தானாக சேரும் தானாக சேரும்
During the ten months of pregnancy
And when delivering a baby
Even after attaining motherhood
Sleep vanishes, sleep vanishes
With hands trembling and vision fading
When time comes searching for death
With hands trembling and vision fading
When time comes searching for death
All the sleep that was missed
Will automatically return, automatically return
காலமிது காலமிது
கண்ணுறங்கு மகளே
காலமிதை தவற விட்டால்
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
தூக்கமில்லை மகளே
Now is the time, now is the time
Sleep, my daughter
If you miss this time
There is no sleep, my daughter
There is no sleep, my daughter
ஆரிராரிரி ஆரிர ராரோ
ஆரி ராரிராரோ...
ஆரிராரிரி ஆரிரி ஆரோ
ஆரி ராரிரிரோ......ஆரி ராரிரிரோ...
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aari raariraaro...
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aari raariraaro aari raariraaro...
Pennaaga pirandhavarkku
For those born as women
Kannurakkam irandu murai
Sleep comes only twice in life
Pirappil oru thookkam
One sleep at birth
Irappil maru thookkam
Another sleep at death
Ippodhu vittu vittaal
If you let go of sleep now
Eppodhum thookkam illai
There will never be sleep again
Ennariya kanmaniyae
Oh my priceless darling
Kannurangu kannurangu
Sleep my child, sleep
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aari raariraaro…
Aari raariraaro...
Aariraariri aariri aaro
Aariraariri aariri aaro
Aari raaririro…
Aari raaririro...
Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu
Now is the time, now is the time
Kannurangu magalae
Sleep, my daughter
Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal
If you miss this time
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Naalu vayadhaana pinnae
After reaching four years of age
Palli vilayaadal
Playing games at school
Naalu vayadhaana pinnae palli vilayaadal
After reaching four years of age, playing games at school
Naal muzhudhum paada chollum
Asked to recite all day long
Thellu thamizh paadal
Clear Tamil songs
Ennirandu vayadhu vandhaal
When reaching sixteen years of age
Kannurakkam illaiyadi
There is no sleep in the eyes, my girl
Ennirandu vayadhu vandhaal
When reaching sixteen years of age
Kannurakkam illaiyadi
There is no sleep in the eyes, my girl
Eeraezhu mozhigaludan
With fourteen languages
Poraada chollumadi theeraadha thollaiyadi
Told to struggle, an endless trouble
Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu
Now is the time, now is the time
Kannurangu magalae
Sleep, my daughter
Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal
If you miss this time
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Maarum kanni manam maarum
Changes, a young maiden's heart changes
Kannan mugam thaedum
Searches for her beloved's face
Yekkam varum podhu
When yearning sets in
Thookkamenbadhaedhu
Where is sleep then?
Thaan ninaitha kaadhalanai
The lover she envisioned
Sera varum podhu
When coming to join him
Thaan ninaitha kaadhalanai
The lover she envisioned
Sera varum podhu
When coming to join him
Thandhai adhai maruthu vittaal
If her father refuses permission
Kannurakkam yedhu kannurakkam yedhu
Where is sleep? Where is sleep?
Maalaiyitta thalaivan vandhu
When the wedded husband arrives
Selai thodum podhu
And touches her drape
Mangaiyarin thaen nilavil
In a woman's honeymoon night
Kannurakkam yedhu kannurakkam yedhu
Where is sleep? Where is sleep?
Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu
Now is the time, now is the time
Kannurangu magalae
Sleep, my daughter
Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal
If you miss this time
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Aiirandu thingalilum
During the ten months of pregnancy
Pillai perum podhum
And when delivering a baby
Annai endru vandha pinnum
Even after attaining motherhood
Kannurakkam pogum kannurakkam pogum
Sleep vanishes, sleep vanishes
Kai nadungi kan maraindhu
With hands trembling and vision fading
Kaalam vandhu thaedum
When time comes searching for death
Kai nadungi kan maraindhu
With hands trembling and vision fading
Kaalam vandhu thaedum
When time comes searching for death
Kaanaadha thookkam ellaam
All the sleep that was missed
Thaanaaga serum thaanaaga serum
Will automatically return, automatically return
Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu
Now is the time, now is the time
Kannurangu magalae
Sleep, my daughter
Kaalamidhai thavara vittaal
If you miss this time
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Thookkamillai magalae
There is no sleep, my daughter
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aari raariraaro…
Aari raariraaro...
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aariraariri aarira raaro
Aari raariraaro aari raariraaro…
Aari raariraaro aari raariraaro...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kannadasan's profound philosophical lullaby 'Kaalamidhu Kaalamidhu' from the film Chithi (1966) explores the entire lifespan of a woman through the motif of sleep. The mother gently lulls her baby girl, advising her to sleep peacefully while she can as an infant, because a woman truly sleeps only twice in her life: at birth and at death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Pirappil oru thookkam / Irappil maru thookkam”
Rhyming of the second consonant across lines to create rhythmic symmetry, such as 'Pirappil' and 'Irappil'.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Kaalamidhu kaalamidhu / Kannurangu magalae”
Repetition of phrases to emphasize emotional depth and urgency in a lullaby context.
Metaphor
“Pennaaga pirandhavarkku kannurakkam irandu murai”
Sleep ('Thookkam') is used as a metaphor for innocence, freedom from worries, and absolute peace throughout life's stages.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by P. Susheela, this song is regarded as one of Kannadasan's masterworks in Tamil cinema literature, encapsulating the societal expectations and life phases of women in Tamil culture.
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