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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalloda Kal Orasa

From Sabash (1984) · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
T. K. S. Natarajan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Sabash (1984)
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
8 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kalloda kal orasa kadaloda meen orasa
Unnodu naan orasa
Odi vaaraen unnaithedi
Naanum neeyum odi enna maranthudaathadi
Mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
Aalavizhuthu pola aththa maga thalaimayiru
Thookki mudinjittaalum thookkaanakkaa kuruvikkoodu
Naanum neeyum jodi enna maranthudaathadi
Mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
Santhana kumbaavula saatham pottu unnayilae
Unna nenaikkaiyilae orakkam vara marukkuthadi
Naanum neeyum jodi enna maranthudaathadi
Ai mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
Thannippaana thalaiyil vachchu
Thadam paarththu pora pennae
Kodaththa konjam erakki vaiyi
Konda thaagam theerththu vayi
Naanum neeyum odi enna maranthudaathadi
Ai mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
Jaadikkeththa moodi pola sarasam panna neeyum vaadi
Vaarisu venuminnaa varusham onnu pogattumae
Naanum neeyum odi enna maranthudaathadi
Ai mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
Kalloda kal orasa kadaloda meen orasa
Unnodu naan orasa
Odi vaaraen unnaithedi
Naanum neeyum odi enna maranthudaathadi
Ai mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
Mamaraththu kuyilae unna thodarnthu vaaraendi
As stones rub against each other, as fish brush against the sea,
To brush close against you,
I come running in search of you!
You and I running together, don't you forget me, girl!
O cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
Like the aerial roots of a banyan tree is my cousin's long hair,
Even when tied up in a bun, it looks like a weaver bird's nest!
You and I are a pair, don't you forget me, girl!
O cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
Even while eating rice served in a sandalwood bowl,
When I think of you, sleep refuses to come!
You and I are a pair, don't you forget me, girl!
Hey, cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
Carrying a water pot upon your head,
O girl walking carefully along the path,
Set the pot down for a moment,
And quench the burning thirst in my heart!
You and I running together, don't you forget me, girl!
Hey, cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
Like a perfect lid for a jar, come flirt with me!
If we want to raise a child, let a year pass by first!
You and I running together, don't you forget me, girl!
Hey, cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
As stones rub against each other, as fish brush against the sea,
To brush close against you,
I come running in search of you!
You and I running together, don't you forget me, girl!
Hey, cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
O cuckoo of the mango tree, I am following behind you!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic folk song depicts a man expressing his passionate love and playful longing for his beloved. Using rustic metaphors and rural imagery, he compares her features to banyan roots and bird nests while calling her his mango-tree cuckoo. He entreats her not to forget their bond and playfully imagines a life together with affection and harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

“Aalavizhuthu pola aththa maga thalaimayiru”

Comparing the heroine's long hair to the hanging aerial roots of a banyan tree ('Aalavizhuthu pola').

Metaphor / Imagery

“Thookki mudinjittaalum thookkaanakkaa kuruvikkoodu”

Visual imagery depicting her bun tied up high as resembling a weaver bird's nest ('thookkaanakkaa kuruvikkoodu').

Monai / Etukai (Rhyme & Assonance)

“Kalloda kal orasa kadaloda meen orasa”

Repetitive rhythmic end-rhyme ('orasa') and internal alliteration creating a folk rhythm.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Jaadikkeththa moodi pola sarasam panna neeyum vaadi”

Comparing their ideal romantic compatibility to a lid that perfectly fits a jar ('Jaadikkeththa moodi pola').

Did you know?

Trivia

T. K. S. Natarajan was a legendary character actor and folk singer in Tamil cinema, celebrated for his iconic, high-energy rustic tracks in the 1970s and 1980s. His unique vocal delivery gave this song composed by Shankar-Ganesh a distinct rural charm.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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