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Lyrics & meaning

Kalli Adi Kalli

From Nandha · 2001

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Anuradha Sriram, Srimathumitha, Chorus
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Nandha2001

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Kalli adi kalliOh playful girl, hey playful girl,
Engae kandaaiWhere did you meet him?
Mudhalil enna kadhaichaaiWhat did he speak about at first?
Unnmai ellaam solluTell me the entire truth.
Female
Sirithidum vaavi karaiyoramBeside the bank of the smiling pond,
Kaathu naan kidanthananI was lying in wait.
Pathungi mella vanthavanHe came stealthily and softly,
Pagudi pagudi yenna pongadiTeasingly calling out, 'Go on, girl!'
Chorus
Muzhu nilavu kaayumWhere the full moon shines,
Nilavil meengal vaadum thaennaaduIn the sweet land where fish wither under the moon,
Angae irunthu ingaeFrom there to here,
Vaazha vantha pennae nee paaduO girl who came to live, you sing!
Female
Nammai anaikka aalillaiThere was no one to embrace us,
Endru thanathi kidanthom nenjukkullaeSo we lay suffering alone within our hearts.
Chorus :Tamilar sontham naam ennaalum…Chorus: We Tamils are kin forever...
Chorus
Aaahaaah ….Aaahaaah ....
Nalloorin vidhiyendruAs the destiny of Nallur,
ThirinthomadiWe wandered, my dear,
Thaerin pinnae alainthomadiWe roamed behind the sacred chariot,
Chorus
Kadalondru naduvilaeThat there is no ocean dividing us in the middle,
Illai endru kolvinamLet us hold as our belief.
Engal naadum intha naadumOur native land and this land,
OndruthaanAre one and the same.
Tamilan….tamilanthaanA Tamilian... is truly a Tamilian.
Chorus
Aa…aaa…aaa…haa…aaaAa…aaa…aaa…haa…aaa
Aa…aaa…aaa…haa…aaaAa…aaa…aaa…haa…aaa
Aa…aaa…aaa…haa…aaaAa…aaa…aaa…haa…aaa
Chorus
Nammathu uravellaamAll our kin and relationships,
Nam naattilthaanExist only in our home country,
Endrum ninaithom thavaraagathaanWe always thought, but we were mistaken.
Ingum uravu ullathuKinship exists here as well,
Tamilar manathu periyathuThe heart of Tamils is vast and generous.
Female
Ada unakkenaHey, for your sake,
Vantha idathilIn the place I came to,
Marumagal aagi naanI have become a daughter-in-law.
Chorus
Aei pudhiya paalamHey, a new bridge
Kannil therigirathaeIs visible to our eyes!
Female
Entha kalangamumAny blemish or sorrow
Illai endru aaguthaeIs becoming nonexistent.
Therudi vaazhvaayaeLive with clarity and happiness!
Female
Kalli adi kalliOh playful girl, hey playful girl,
Ungal kaigal inaiyum antha poluthilAt the moment your hands unite,
Engal vaazhkai viriyumOur life will expand and blossom.
Merkkae marainthaalumEven if it sets in the west,
Kilakkae uthikkumIt rises in the east;
Antha kathirin sudaraaiLike the bright flame of that sun ray,
Engal vidiyal theriyumOur dawn will appear.
Female
Kanavugal enathu ena ninaithenI thought the dreams were mine alone,
Indru naan arinthananToday I have come to realize,
Irulin karam vilagumaeThe hand of darkness will retreat,
Ungal kanavum nanavaagumae…And your dream too will come true...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Nandha' portrays a tender emotional connection, cultural unity, and the shared heritage of Tamils across borders, particularly referencing Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora experience alongside Indian Tamil identity. Through playful exchanges between female characters, it explores themes of love, displacement, acceptance, and finding a sense of home in a new land.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kalli adi kalli

The second letters 'll' in 'Kalli' and 'Mulla' (implied rhythm pattern) or 'ng' in 'Engal' and 'Ondru' create a traditional Tamil poetic harmony.

Metaphor

Aei pudhiya paalam / Kannil therigirathae

'Pudhiya paalam' (a new bridge) serves as a metaphor for the union of hearts and cultural connection bridging separated Tamil communities.

Symbolism

Merkkae marainthaalum / Kilakkae uthikkum / Antha kathirin sudaraai

The setting sun in the west and rising sun in the east symbolize loss followed by renewal and hope for a bright future.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although lyricist Thamarai wrote this touching song, it was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for Bala's critically acclaimed film 'Nandha' (2001). The song highlights Sri Lankan Tamil cultural touchpoints, such as 'Nalloor' (Nallur Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna), reflecting the background of characters in the film.

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