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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyanamam Kacheriyam

From Mohana Punnagai · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Mohana Punnagai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kalyaanamaam katcheriyaamIt is said to be a wedding, it is said to be a concert
Ponnoonjalaam poo maalaiyaamIt is said to be a golden swing, it is said to be a flower garland
Jo jo jo jojajoLullaby refrain (Jo jo jo jojajo)
Male
Kalyaanamaam katcheriyaamIt is said to be a wedding, it is said to be a concert
Ponnoonjalaam poo maalaiyaamIt is said to be a golden swing, it is said to be a flower garland
Jo jo jo jojajoLullaby refrain (Jo jo jo jojajo)
Kalyaaniyil aalaapanaiAn elaboration of melody in Kalyani raga
Kanneeril aaraathanaiWorship offered through tears
Male
Naan valarththa poonguruvi veridanthediThe little bird I nurtured sought another place
Naan valarththa poonguruvi veridanthediThe little bird I nurtured sought another place
Solla ninaiththa udanAs soon as I thought of expressing it
Amainthathammaa atharkoru jodiA suitable match was found for it, my dear
Solla ninaiththa udanAs soon as I thought of expressing it
Amainthathammaa atharkoru jodiA suitable match was found for it, my dear
Male
Nizhal padamaai oduthuRunning like a motion picture
En ninaivugal kodiAre my millions of memories
Antha ninaivugalaalWith those very memories
Vaazhkkaiyilae kaaviyam paadiSinging an epic through life
Male
Kalyaanamaam katcheriyaamIt is said to be a wedding, it is said to be a concert
Ponnoonjalaam poo maalaiyaamIt is said to be a golden swing, it is said to be a flower garland
Jo jo jo jojajoLullaby refrain (Jo jo jo jojajo)
Male
Yaededuththaen ezhuthi vaiththaen naanoru paattuI took a palm leaf scroll and wrote a song
Yaededuththaen ezhuthi vaiththaen naanoru paattuI took a palm leaf scroll and wrote a song
Adhai unakkaliththaen paaduka nee raagaththai pottuI gave it to you; sing it by composing a melody
Amaithiyai naan vaangi kolvenI shall attain peace
Iravanai kettu avan ninaippathu polBy praying to God, as He intends
Manam mudippaan maalaiyai soottiHe will unite hearts by placing the garland
Male
Kalyaanamaam katcheriyaamIt is said to be a wedding, it is said to be a concert
Ponnoonjalaam poo maalaiyaamIt is said to be a golden swing, it is said to be a flower garland
Jo jo jo jojajoLullaby refrain (Jo jo jo jojajo)
Kalyaaniyil aalaapanaiAn elaboration of melody in Kalyani raga
Kanneeril aaraathanaiWorship offered through tears
Male
Kaaviyaththil oviyaththil iruppathu kadhalLove exists in epics and in paintings
Kaaviyaththil oviyaththil iruppathu kadhalLove exists in epics and in paintings
Adhu nadaimuraiyil en varaiyil oru vagai kadhalIn practical life, as far as I am concerned, love is of a different kind
Thanimaramaai iruppatharkkae piranthavan naanaeI am the one born to remain like a solitary tree
Unathan thalaivanudan nalam pera nee vaazhiyammaanaeMay you live blessed with good fortune alongside your leader
Male
Kalyaanamaam katcheriyaamIt is said to be a wedding, it is said to be a concert
Ponnoonjalaam poo maalaiyaamIt is said to be a golden swing, it is said to be a flower garland
Jo jo jo jojajoLullaby refrain (Jo jo jo jojajo)
Kalyaaniyil aalaapanaiAn elaboration of melody in Kalyani raga
Kanneeril aaraathanaiWorship offered through tears

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses selfless love, sacrifice, and deep sorrow amidst a celebratory setting. The narrator reflects on the wedding of his beloved or someone he lovingly nurtured, watching her embark on a new chapter with her partner. While the surroundings are filled with auspicious festivities like raga renditions, garlands, and swings, his heart performs a tearful prayer of farewell. He accepts his lonely destiny, comparing himself to a solitary tree ('Thanimaram'), and blesses the newly married bride for a prosperous and happy life. Vaali's lyrics brilliantly contrast outer wedding joy with inner tragic heartbreak, rendered powerfully through T. M. Soundararajan's emotional vocals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naan valarththa poonguruvi veridanthedi

Compares the beloved girl to a bird raised with care that leaves for another branch ('Naan valarththa poonguruvi veridanthedi').

Juxtaposition / Antithesis

Kalyaaniyil aalaapanai / Kanneeril aaraathanai

Contrasts the festive musical elaboration in Kalyani raga with tearful emotional worship.

Symbolism

Thanimaramaai iruppatharkkae piranthavan naanae

'Thanimaram' (solitary tree) symbolizes complete isolation, loneliness, and resignation to fate.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kalyaanamaam katcheriyaam / Ponnoonjalaam poo maalaiyaam

Repetition of the rhythmic suffix '-aam' creates a playful yet ironic musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the film 'Mohana Punnagai' (1981) starring Sivaji Ganesan, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) and lyrics by Vaali. The iconic combination of TMS and MSV created several legendary tragic ballads for Sivaji Ganesan, and this track stands out for blending wedding rhythms with melos and deep melancholy.

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