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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalayil Kettadhu

From Senthamizh Paattu · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Details
Senthamizh Paattu1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aa…ha…ha…ha…aa…aa…Aaha ha ha aa aa...
Aa.ha..ha..ha..aa..aa..aa..ha..haa..Aaha ha ha aa aa aa ha haa...
Aa.ha..ha..ha..aa..aa..aa..ha..haa..Aaha ha ha aa aa aa ha haa...
Male
Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmaniThe temple bell was heard in the morning.
Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmaniUpon hearing it, the apple of my eye blossomed.
Female
Paadhayil yaedhoru kaaval iniIs there any restriction on this path anymore?
Tholgalil saindhadhu kaadhal kaniThe fruit of love leaned upon the shoulders.
Male
Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmaniThe temple bell was heard in the morning.
Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmaniUpon hearing it, the apple of my eye blossomed.
Male
Mogam ennanna mandiram pottadhoWhat kind of spell did passion cast?
Dhegam engengum minnalgal paaindhadhooLightnings surged all over the body!
Male
Mogam ennanna mandiram pottadhoWhat kind of spell did passion cast?
Dhegam engengum minnalgal paaindhadhooLightnings surged all over the body!
Female
Devanin kaiviral paavaimel pattadhuThe lord's fingers touched the maiden.
Male
Deviyin kanvizhi baanam dhaan vittadhuThe goddess's gaze shot an arrow.
Female
Pudhuvidha anubavamA new kind of experience,
Male
Aa..aah.aahaa…Aa... aah... aahaa...
Female
Mudhal mudhal arimugamThe very first introduction,
Male
O..oho.ho…O... oho... ho...
Female
Pudhuvidha anubavamA new kind of experience,
Mudhal mudhal arimugamThe very first introduction,
Thaenum paalum thodathoda oorudhuHoney and milk flow as they touch.
Male
Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmaniThe temple bell was heard in the morning.
Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmaniUpon hearing it, the apple of my eye blossomed.
Female
Paadhayil yaedhoru kaaval iniIs there any restriction on this path anymore?
Tholgalil saindhadhu kaadhal kaniThe fruit of love leaned upon the shoulders.
Male
Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmaniThe temple bell was heard in the morning.
Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmaniUpon hearing it, the apple of my eye blossomed.
Chorus
Im..im..im..im..im..im..Mm... mm... mm... mm... mm... mm...
Im..im..im..im..im..im..Mm... mm... mm... mm... mm... mm...
Female
Thokkam kan vittu sendradhae raathiriSleep left my eyes during the night.
Nenjam punpattu nindradhae poochchediThe flower plant of my heart stood wounded.
Female
Thokkam kan vittu sendradhae raathiriSleep left my eyes during the night.
Nenjam punpattu nindradhae poochchediThe flower plant of my heart stood wounded.
Male
Yaekkamaa kanmani kaaindhadho sevvizhiWas it longing, my dear, that dried these red eyes?
Female
Kaadhalaa en manamOh my lover, my heart
Serndhadhae un vazhiHas joined your path.
Male
Ragasiyam purindhadhuThe secret was understood,
Female
Aa..aah.aahaa…Aa... aah... aahaa...
Male
Adhisayam therindhadhuThe wonder became known,
Female
O..oho.ho…O... oho... ho...
Male
Ragasiyam purindhadhuThe secret was understood,
Adhisayam therindhadhuThe wonder became known,
Kaatrum poovum kalanduravaadudhuThe wind and the flower merge and romance.
Male
Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmaniThe temple bell was heard in the morning.
Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmaniUpon hearing it, the apple of my eye blossomed.
Female
Paadhayil yaedhoru kaaval iniIs there any restriction on this path anymore?
Tholgalil saindhadhu kaadhal kaniThe fruit of love leaned upon the shoulders.
Male
Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmaniThe temple bell was heard in the morning.
Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmaniUpon hearing it, the apple of my eye blossomed.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaalaiyil Kettadhu Koyilmani is a soulful romantic song expressing the awakening of deep passion and affection between lovers. The ringing of the morning temple bell acts as a metaphor for spiritual and emotional awakening, triggering romantic longing. The lyrics capture the beauty of touch, intimacy, and the breakdown of all inner inhibitions as two hearts unite seamlessly. Lyricist Vaali uses vibrant imagery—lightnings surging through the body, arrows of gaze, and nature's harmony—to portray love as a divine experience. The song gracefully transitions from sleepless, yearning nights to the sweet realization and joy of ultimate togetherness, metaphorically pictured as the breeze playing with a blossoming flower.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmani / Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmani

The lines end with rhyming words 'koyilmani', 'kanninmani', 'ini', and 'kani', creating a soothing lyrical rhythm.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalaiyil kettadhu koyilmani / Kettadhum poothadhu kanninmani

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound in 'Kaalaiyil' and 'Kettadhum' at the beginning of consecutive lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Tholgalil saindhadhu kaadhal kani

'Kaadhal kani' (Fruit of love) metaphorically compares the lover or love itself to a sweet fruit resting on the shoulder.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Dhegam engengum minnalgal paaindhadhoo

Describing sensation as lightnings surging across the entire body ('Dhegam engengum minnalgal paaindhadhoo') highlights the intensity of romantic touch.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Senthamizh Paattu (1992), starring Prabhu and Sukanya, is notable for being a rare collaborative composition effort by legends M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja. This song in particular features vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.

Keep listening

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