Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyana Kovilin Sad

From Sathyam – 1976 Film · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Sathyam – 1976 Film
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
20 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kalyana kovilin deiveega kalasam
Kangalil therindhadhu thelivaaga
Vaanampattu megam vaana thattil eari
Aadudhu odudhu aanandham paadudhu kanna
Kalyana kovilin deiveega kalasam
Vaazhaiyum kamugum thorana pandhal
Manavarai manasangu mani dheepangal
Thozhiyar gaeli thogaiyar vaazhthu
Sorgathil undaagum suga raagangal
Andru nanavaandahu indru kanavanadhu
Andru nanavaandahu indru kanavanadhu
Adhu deivathin sodhanai
Sondhathin vaedhanai kanna
Kalyaana kovilin dheiveega kalasam
Mangalam neendhum kunguma chaandhu
Malligai malarmaalai kanneerilae
Kaigalil kaapu kaalgalil velli
Kanivuru thalaipaagai venneerile
Inba mananaal andru
Thunba thirunaal indru
Inba mananaal andru
Thunba thirunaal indru
Athu deivathin sodhanai
Sondhathin vaedhanai kanna……
Kalyana kovilin deiveega kalasam
Haaaa…aaaa…aaaa….
The sacred spire of the temple of marriage
appeared clearly before my eyes.
Silken clouds floating across the wide sky
dance, run, and sing of joy, oh Kanna!
The sacred spire of the temple of marriage...
The festive canopy adorned with banana and areca palms,
the wedding altar, the sacred conch, and glowing oil lamps,
the playful teasing of friends, the blessings of graceful women,
and the sweet melodies born from heaven—
what was real that day has turned into a dream today.
What was real that day has turned into a dream today.
It is a test sent by God,
a sorrow brought by my own family, oh Kanna.
The sacred spire of the temple of marriage...
The auspicious red kumkum paste
and the garland of jasmine flowers are drowning in tears.
The protective wedding thread on the wrist, the silver on the feet,
and the groom's tender turban are soaked in scalding tears.
That day was a joyful wedding day,
but today is a festival of sorrow.
That day was a joyful wedding day,
but today is a festival of sorrow.
It is a test sent by God,
a sorrow brought by my own family, oh Kanna...
The sacred spire of the temple of marriage...
Ah... aah...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song expresses the agonizing contrast between a woman's past dreams of a happy marriage and her present tragic reality. She visualizes marriage as a sacred temple crowned with a divine kalasam, surrounded by traditional celebrations such as decorated pandals, joyful songs, auspicious conches, and sacred lamps. However, destiny and betrayal from her own family transform those cherished visions into a mere dream submerged in tears. Kannadasan's evocative poetry highlights how a day that should have brought ultimate bliss has turned into a sorrowful ordeal, which she views as a trial imposed by God and an unbearable wound inflicted by her own relatives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Kalyana kovilin deiveega kalasam”

'Kalyana kovilin deiveega kalasam' compares the sanctity and beauty of marriage to the holy pinnacle (kalasam) of a divine temple.

Antithesis / Contrast (Ethir-inai)

“Inba mananaal andru / Thunba thirunaal indru”

'Inba mananaal andru / Thunba thirunaal indru' powerfully contrasts past joy ('inba' and 'andru') with present grief ('thunba' and 'indru').

Emonai / Monai (Alliteration & Rhyming)

“Andru nanavaandahu indru kanavanadhu”

'Andru' and 'Indru' feature temporal contrast reinforced through matching metrical patterns and sound harmony.

Visual Imagery

“Vaazhaiyum kamugum thorana pandhal”

Rich cultural motifs like 'Vaazhaiyum kamugum' (banana and areca trees) and 'Malligai malarmaalai' (jasmine garland) evoke a vivid picture of a traditional Tamil wedding.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sathyam' (1976) starring Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung by P. Susheela and written by Kannadasan, 'Kalyana Kovilin Deiveega Kalasam' stands out as a classic tragedy song, revered for Susheela's soulful vocal delivery and Kannadasan's poignant lyrics contrasting auspicious wedding symbols with deep heartbreak.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kalyana Kovilin1976
Sathyam – 1976 FilmDevotionDevotional
Yettil Ezhuthi Vaithen1963
VanambadiGriefFate
Vanaththai Parthen (Sad)1987
ManithanGriefFate
Paadhavathi2024
VaazhaiGriefLoss
Vaanam Thottu Pona1992
Thevar MaganGriefLoss
Nathaswara Oosaiyile1968
Poovum PottumWeddingDevotion

From the same album

More songs from Sathyam – 1976 Film

View album
Kalyana Kovilin1976
Sathyam – 1976 FilmCelebratory
Amma Mel Aanaiyitten1976
Sathyam – 1976 FilmPlayful
Azhagam Kodi Sirithu1976
Sathyam – 1976 FilmPlayful
Pottane Oru Podu1976
Sathyam – 1976 FilmMournful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.