Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyanathai Manadhil

From Nyayam Ketkirom · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Nyayam Ketkirom1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kalyaanathai manathil vaiththuWith marriage in my mind,
Kaiyai thottu paarkkavaaMay I touch your hand and see?
Kamban sonna vaarthai ellaamAll the poetic words spoken by Kamban,
Naan sollavaa kannaeShall I recite to you, my dear?
Naan sollavaa….Shall I tell you...
Female
Kalyaanathai manathil vaiththuWith marriage in my mind,
Kaiyai thottu paarkkavaaMay I touch your hand and see?
Kamban sonna vaarthai ellaamAll the poetic words spoken by Kamban,
Naan sollavaa kannaeShall I recite to you, my dear?
Naan sollavaa….Shall I tell you...
Female
Kalyaanathai manathil vaiththuWith marriage in my mind,
Kaiyai thottu paarkkavaaMay I touch your hand and see?
Male
Kuzhal panjanai aagaathoWill your soft hair not become a cushioned bed?
Vandu sangathi sollaathoWill the bee not sing a melody?
Angu chanthiran vanthu manthiram sollumThere, will the moon not come and chant a spell?
Sambavam neraathoWill that event not happen?
Antha sambavam neraathoWill that event not happen?
Female
Kalyaanathai manathil vaiththuWith marriage in my mind,
Kaiyai thottu paarkkavaaMay I touch your hand and see?
Female
Urukku thangam vadiththa kannamCheeks like melted gold,
Kaalam thanthathuGifted by time,
Unakku mattum kodukka solliAsking to give it only to you,
Deivam sonnathuAs commanded by God.
Male
Adhil muththirai vaipenoShall I place a seal upon them?
Siru siththiram seivenoShall I paint a small portrait?
Illai paththiramaaga palliyil vaiththuOr keep it safely in school,
Paadam solvenoAnd teach a lesson?
Antha paadam solvenoShall I teach that lesson?
Female
Kalyaanathai manathil vaiththuWith marriage in my mind,
Kaiyai thottu paarkkavaaMay I touch your hand and see?
Male
Azhagaiyellaam ondraai kandaalIf all beauty is seen at once,
Nenjam aarumoWill the heart be calmed?
Female :Pazhagavillai konjam endraalFemale: If we don't get acquainted even a little,
Panjam theerumoWill the longing subside?
Male
Maalai thantha pin kondaaduCelebrate after giving the wedding garland,
Female :Adhu pennukku panpaaduFemale: That is the virtue for a woman.
Male :Pinnaal maalaiyil ennaMale: Later in the evening or whatever,
Kaalaiyil enna maan vizhi unnoduIn the morning or whenever, oh deer-eyed one, with you.
Female
Kalyaanathai manathil vaiththuWith marriage in my mind,
Kaiyai thottu paarkkavaaMay I touch your hand and see?
Male :Kamban sonna vaarthai ellaamMale: All the poetic words spoken by Kamban,
Naan sollavaa kannaeShall I recite to you, my dear?
Naan sollavaa….Shall I tell you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a classic romantic duet between lovers where the hero eagerly expresses his affection, asking permission to touch her hand while keeping thoughts of marriage in mind. He invokes the romantic literary heritage of the poet Kamban to woo her, painting imaginative pictures of intimacy, soft tresses, and cheeks made of refined gold. The heroine responds with modesty and traditional restraint, reminding him that true propriety calls for celebration only after the formal wedding garland is exchanged, while the hero lovingly counters that time matters little when he is with her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Kurippedu)

Kamban sonna vaarthai ellaam

Reference to the ancient Tamil poet Kamban ('Kamban sonna vaarthai'), symbolizing epic classical romance and poetic eloquence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Urukku thangam vadiththa kannam

Comparing the heroine's golden cheeks to melted pure gold ('Urukku thangam vadiththa kannam').

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Adhil muththirai vaipeno / Siru siththiram seiveno

Rhyming line endings with identical suffix sounds (-eno).

Epithet (Uvamai)

Kaalaiyil enna maan vizhi unnodu

Describing the heroine's eyes as gentle as a deer's eyes ('maan vizhi').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nyayam Ketkirom' (1973) features music by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. Kannadasan frequently referenced classical Tamil literature, particularly Kamban, to elevate the romantic tone of film songs into timeless poetry.

Keep listening

More from Nyayam Ketkirom