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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalla Kalavaani

From Chekka Chivantha Vaanam · 2018

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Shakthisree Gopalan, Lady Kash
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Nee…vanthu sendranaiYou came and left
Enai…kandu sendranaiYou looked at me and left
Uyir…vendru sendranaiYou won my soul and left
Female
{Nee…nee nee nee{You... you, you, you
Kalavaani} (2)Thief} (x2)
Nana na na na na…Nana na na na na…
Female
{Nee…nee nee nee{You... you, you, you
Kalavaani} (2)Thief} (x2)
Nana na na na na…Nana na na na na…
Female
Nee…vanthu sendranaiYou came and left
Enai…kandu sendranaiYou looked at me and left
Uyir…vendru sendranaiYou won my soul and left
Female
Azhagiya maara vazhividuBeautiful hero, make way
Azhagiya maara adithoduBeautiful hero, touch my feet
Azhagiya maara vazhipaduBeautiful hero, worship
Azhagiya maara madithoduBeautiful hero, rest on my lap
Yeah yaa yeah yaaYeah yaa yeah yaa
Female
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Hey kalla kalavaaniHey cunning thief
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Female
Thirantha kannilaeIn open eyes
Imaiyai thirudumWho steals the eyelashes
Chella kalavaaniBeloved thief
Female
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Kalla kalla kalavaaniCunning cunning thief
Kalla kalavaaniCunning thief
Kalava kalavaaniThief of thieves
Hey kalla kalla kallaHey cunning cunning cunning
Kalla kalla kalavaaniCunning cunning thief
Female
Nee…vanthu sendranaiYou came and left
Enai…kandu sendranaiYou looked at me and left
Uyir…vendru sendranaiYou won my soul and left
Female
Azhagiya maara vazhividuBeautiful hero, make way
Azhagiya maara adithoduBeautiful hero, touch my feet
Azhagiya maara vazhipaduBeautiful hero, worship
Azhagiya maara madithoduBeautiful hero, rest on my lap
Yeah yaa yeah yaaYeah yaa yeah yaa
Female
Sutri sutri varumSwirling around
SoorakaathuThe whirlwind
Verum paththu viralukidaiyilBetween mere ten fingers
SikkathuWill not be caught
Female
Nezhinjodi varum karunjaaraiThe slithering black rat snake
Athu nezhivu suzhivu enna ariyaathaDoes it not know its own twists and turns?
Pidi pidi pidiyena thorathuraYou chase shouting 'catch, catch, catch'
Naan vidu vidu viduvena parakkurenI fly away saying 'leave me, leave me'
Iru iru iruvena irukkurenI remain saying 'wait, wait, wait'
Naan vazhu vazhu vazhuvenaSaying 'slippery, slippery, slippery'
VazhukkirenI keep slipping away
Female
Nee…vanthu sendranai
Enai…kandu sendranai
Uyir…vendru sendranai

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kalavaani' depicts a playful yet intense game of romantic cat-and-mouse. The protagonist addresses her elusive lover as a clever thief ('kalavaani') who stealthily steals her heart and soul—like someone stealing eyelashes from open eyes without being noticed. He is described as a force of nature, comparable to a whirlwind that cannot be trapped between ten fingers or a slithering snake navigating its own path. Despite the teasing game of chasing and slipping away, the lyrics express deep admiration and submission toward the lover, calling him a 'beautiful hero' ('azhagiya maara'). The song masterfully captures the thrill of love, fascination, and the irrepressible attraction between two individuals who constantly evade and draw near to one another.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Nee…vanthu sendranai / Enai…kandu sendranai / Uyir…vendru sendranai”

Repetition of the ending verb sound 'sendranai' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow and harmony.

Adukkuthodar (Reduplication)

“Pidi pidi pidiyena thorathura / Naan vidu vidu viduvena parakkuren”

Repetition of words like 'pidi', 'vidu', 'iru', and 'vazhu' for dramatic rhythm and emphasis on motion.

Atishayokthi (Hyperbole / Metaphor)

“Thirantha kannilae imaiyai thirudum chella kalavaani”

Stealing eyelashes from open eyes exaggerates extreme cunningness and stealthy charm.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Imagery)

“Sutri sutri varum soorakaathu verum paththu viralukidaiyil sikkathu”

Comparing the elusive lover to a whirlwind that cannot be held in hands and a slithering snake.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalavaani' is featured in Mani Ratnam's 2018 action drama film 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'. Composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, the track uniquely fuses modern electronic dance grooves with traditional Tamil folk vocals performed by Sunitha Sarathy, Senthil Ganesh, and Rajakumari.

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