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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalloori Salai

From Kadhal Desam · 1996

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Hariharan, Aslam Mustafa
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kadhal Desam1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaaa……aaaaa…Aaaa... aaaaa...
Aaaa…..aaaa……aaaa….aaaa….Aaaa... aaaa... aaaa... aaaa...
Male
Inbaththai karuvaakkinaal pennWoman created happiness in the womb
Inbaththai karuvaakkinaal pennWoman created happiness in the womb
Ulagaththil manithanai uruvaakkinaal pennWoman created man in this world
Ulagaththil manithanai uruvaakkinaal pennWoman created man in this world
Male
Vinnavarkum mannavarkkumFor the heavenly beings and earthly kings
Vilayatra selvam pennWoman is a priceless treasure
Vilayatra selvam pennWoman is a priceless treasure
Male
Hey… pasiyai marandhomHey... we forgot our hunger
Pennai kanduUpon seeing a woman
Kavalai marandhomWe forgot our worries
Pennai kanduUpon seeing a woman
Kavidhai varaindhomWe composed poetry
Pennai kandu – hoiUpon seeing a woman - hoi
Male
Ka ka ka….ka ka…Ka ka ka... ka ka...
Kalluri saalaiCollege street
Kalluri saalaiCollege street
Ka ka ka kalluri saalaiKa ka ka college street
Kalluri saalaiCollege street
Ka ka ka kalluri saalaiKa ka ka college street
Kalluri saalaiCollege street
Male
Ka ka ka kalluri saalai……eeee…heiiiiKa ka ka college street... eeee... heiiii
Female :Um..hey..um..hey..um..hey..Um.. hey.. um.. hey.. um.. hey..
Male
Ummm..Ummm..
Kaalai mudhal maaalai varaiFrom morning until evening
Saalai engum kaadhal mazhaiLove rains everywhere on the street
Kashmir roja thottamA Kashmir rose garden
Catwalk ingae kaatttumDisplays a catwalk here
Ennaaalum fashion showEvery day is a fashion show
Kalluri saalaiCollege street
Male
Yo kalloori saalaiYo college street
Hotter than a summer dayHotter than a summer day
Bus stopBus stop
Tea shopTea shop
In the middle of the non stopIn the middle of the non-stop
Cutie beauty andCutie beauty and
As sweet as candyAs sweet as candy
Am madI am mad
Am badI am bad
Am a romeo babyI am a Romeo baby
I love you ladyI love you lady
Dont judge my mindDon't judge my mind
Male
I am a never goin with theI am never going with the
Girl your beautifulGirl, you're beautiful
Jasmine…daisyJasmine... daisy
Roja ..sunshineRose... sunshine
Forget me not girlForget-me-not girl
So crazySo crazy
Male
Kangal silicon graphicsEyes are like silicon graphics
Girls vanthaalae jam aagum trafficTraffic gets jammed when girls arrive
V-channel choice-ilOn Channel V's choice
Un dolby voice-ilIn your Dolby voice
Male
Lightning kannangal laserCheeks like lightning laser
Enthan love matter sollaatha pagerWon't a pager tell my love story?
Naan kaadhal computerI am a love computer
Needhaanae softwareYou are the software
Male
Cellular phone-ai polaLike a cellular phone
Neengal irunthaalIf you were
Baggi pant packet kullaInside the baggy pant pocket
Naangal vaithukkolvomWe would keep you
Male
Contact lens-ai polaLike contact lenses
Neengal irunthaalIf you were
Kannukkul compact aagaCompagntly inside the eye
Naangal vaithukolvomWe would keep you
Male
Azhagaana pennA beautiful woman
Endrum oru inspirationIs always an inspiration
Munneralaam kandaaalOur generation can progress
Engal generationIf we see her
Male
Kalluri chaalai engumEvery college street
Kaadhal thozhirchaalai thaanaeIs indeed a love factory
Male
Dating kaaga daily collegeDaily for dating, at the college
Gate-inil kaathiruppomGate we will wait
OK endraal san franciscoIf you say OK, to a San Francisco
Disco poi varuvomDisco we will go and return
Male
Boys and girlsBoys and girls
Rock and roll aadiyaeDancing to rock and roll
Kondaadum saalai inba saalaiThe street of celebration is a blissful street
Everyday love seasonEvery day is love season
New fashionNew fashion
Naam vaazhum desamThe country we live in
Kaadhal desam thaanIs indeed the land of love
Male
Ka ka ka ka ka kalluri saalaiKa ka ka ka ka college street
Ka kalluri saalaiKa college street

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kalloori Saalai' from the movie Kadhal Desam is a high-energy youth anthem celebrating youth, college life, romance, and modern culture of the late 90s. The opening verses pay tribute to women as the source of happiness, creation, and priceless beauty. As the track progresses, it transitions into a vibrant narrative of college life, where every street becomes a runway of fashion, fun, and blossoming love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Tech-Imagery

Kangal silicon graphics / Naan kaadhal computer Needhaanae software

Compares human features and emotions to modern 90s technological innovations (Silicon Graphics, Software, Computer, Dolby voice, Laser, Cellular phone).

Simile (Upamai)

Cellular phone-ai pola... Contact lens-ai pola...

Compares women to daily utility accessories such as contact lenses and cellular phones, emphasizing closeness and affection.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Ethirai)

Hey... pasiyai marandhom / Pennai kandu / Kavalai marandhom

Uses rhythmic Tamil sound play such as 'pasiyai marandhom / kavalai marandhom / kavidhai varaindhom'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics written by the legendary Vaali, 'Kalloori Saalai' perfectly captured the techno-craze and youth culture of 1990s India by incorporating then-emerging technology terms like 'Silicon Graphics', 'Pager', 'Software', and 'Cellular phone' into mainstream Tamil lyricism.

Keep listening

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