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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kallile Kalai Vannam

From Kumudham · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kumudham1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Iru kan paarvai maraindhaalumEven if the vision in two eyes fades away
Kaanum vagai thanthaanHe gave us a way to see
Male
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Iru kan paarvai maraindhaalumEven if the vision in two eyes fades away
Kaanum vagai thanthaanHe gave us a way to see
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Male
Pallavar kon kanda mallai polaLike Mahabalipuram created by the Pallava king
Paarengum thaedinum oorondrum illaiThere is no other town like this anywhere in the world
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Male
Pennondru aanondru seidhaanHe sculpted a woman and a man
Avar pechaiyum moochaiyumTheir speech and their breath
Paarvaiyil vaithaanHe placed in their gaze
Pennondru aanondru seidhaanHe sculpted a woman and a man
Avar pechaiyum moochaiyumTheir speech and their breath
Paarvaiyil vaithaanHe placed in their gaze
Male
Kannaana idam thaedi vandhomWe came searching for a precious place
Kannaana idam thaedi vandhomWe came searching for a precious place
En kannodu kannae un kan vaithu paarppaaiMy dear, look with your eyes aligned with mine
Male
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Iru kan paarvai maraindhaalumEven if the vision in two eyes fades away
Kaanum vagai thanthaanHe gave us a way to see
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaan – 2He found artistic beauty in stone - 2
Male
Paruvathil ila maeni pongaWith youthful body brimming in vitality
Oru pakkathil innisai melam muzhangaWith sweet musical drums resounding on one side
Paruvathil ila maeni pongaWith youthful body brimming in vitality
Oru pakkathil innisai melam muzhangaWith sweet musical drums resounding on one side
Male
Arangaeri nadamaadum mangaiA maiden dancing on the stage
Arangaeri nadamaadum mangai polaLike a maiden who ascends the stage to dance
Anbae en idhayathil nee aadugindraaiMy love, you are dancing inside my heart
Male
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Male
Udalaalum manadhaalum unnaiWith body and mind, you
En uyiraaga serthu naan vaazhgiren kannaeI live accepting you as my very life, my dear
Udalaalum manadhaalum unnaiWith body and mind, you
En uyiraaga serthu naan vaazhgiren kannaeI live accepting you as my very life, my dear
Male
Kadal vatri ponaalum pogumEven if the ocean dries up completely
Kadal vatri ponaalum pogumEven if the ocean dries up completely
Konda kadamaiyum aasaiyumThe duty and desire held
MaaraadhennaalumWill never change forever
Male
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone
Iru kan paarvai maraindhaalumEven if the vision in two eyes fades away
Kaanum vagai thanthaanHe gave us a way to see
Kallilae kalai vannam kandaanHe found artistic beauty in stone

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kallilae Kalai Vannam Kandaan is a timeless Tamil song from the 1961 film Kumudham, featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music by K. V. Mahadevan. The song pays homage to the ancient sculptors of Tamil Nadu who brought inanimate stone to life, specifically referencing the architectural marvels of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) built during the Pallava dynasty. It draws a poetic connection between physical sculptures and the inner vision of love. Throughout the track, the lyrics transition from praising historical art to expressing profound devotion between lovers. The protagonist describes how the beloved resides and dances within their heart like an artiste on stage, vowing that their love and sense of duty will remain immutable even if the vast oceans dry up.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kallilae kalai vannam kandaan

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' consonant sound across 'Kallilae', 'kalai', and 'kandaan' creates rhythmic harmony.

Upamai (Simile)

Pallavar kon kanda mallai pola

Uses 'pola' (like) to compare the location's beauty to the historic rock-cut architecture of Mamallapuram created by Pallava kings.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kadal vatri ponaalum pogum

An exaggeration asserting that even if the immense ocean completely dries up, their love and commitment will never fade.

Did you know?

Trivia

Picturised around the historic shore temples and monolithic rock structures of Mahabalipuram, this song became an iconic anthem celebrating ancient Tamil architecture and sculpture. Composed by K. V. Mahadevan, it features powerful vocal renditions by Seerkazhi Govindarajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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