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Lyrics & meaning

Kanavu Palithathu Kadhavu

From Vetri Padigal · 1991

Lyricist
Siva
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vetri Padigal1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Listen there are onlyListen, there are only
Three words in englishThree words in English,
You want to know that i love youYou want to know that 'I love you',
There is no way to goThere is no way to go.
Female
Kanavu palithadhu kadhavu thirakkudhuThe dream has come true, the door opens,
Medalai sumandha maarbilOn the chest that bore medals,
Poo madalai anindhu pazhaguGet accustomed to wearing a garland of flower petals.
Pirambai suzhatri veesuTwirl and brandish the cane,
Andha karumbu thanusai thaeduLook for that sugarcane bow of Cupid.
Nagara kaavala ennai viratta mudinjuthaO city guard, were you able to chase me away?
Idhaya sirai irukku idhil kambhi enna vaaThere is a prison in the heart; come, what iron bars are here?
Female
Kanavu palithadhu kadhavu thirakkudhuThe dream has come true, the door opens,
Kanavu palithadhu kadhavu thirakkudhuThe dream has come true, the door opens.
Chorus
…………………….
Female
Raasa unnodu rasichu pazhagaamaO king, without enjoying your company and bonding,
Manasu neraiyavillaiyaeMy heart is not satisfied.
Laesa paarthaalum nerukkam kidaikkadhaEven if you glance gently, won't intimacy be gained?
Nenappu porukkavillaiyaeThis yearning is unbearable.
Female
Kavalkaararae vaanga kanavu solaiyai thaangaO guard, come and support this garden of dreams,
Nesam kaatinaa podhum pasa raagamaai oorumIf you show love, affection will flow like a sweet melody.
Male :Nilavai izhukkalaama oliyil kulikkalaamaMale: Shall we pull down the moon? Shall we bathe in its light?
Alandhu mudikkalaama asanju kodukkalaamaShall we measure it all? Shall we sway and yield?
Female :Unadhu kadhaiyum enadhu kadhaiyumFemale: Your story and my story
PorundhiyadhaeHave harmoniously matched!
Male
Kanavu palithadha kadhavu thirandhadhaDid the dream come true? Did the door open?
Male
Kanavu palithadha kadhavu thirandhadhaDid the dream come true? Did the door open?
Chorus
…………………………….
Male
Koothum illaadha paattu padikkadhaWithout drama and without singing songs,
Vaazhkai inithu vidumaWill life ever be sweet?
Noolae illaama thiriyai asaikkirathuCan waving a lamp wick without thread
Saelai neidhu tharumaWeave and yield a saree?
Female
Kaadhal ondru thaan vaazhkkaiLove alone is life,
Manadhin magarandha serkkaiThe pollination of two minds,
Aani verilae pookkalFlowers blooming at the taproot,
Ngyaana boomiyil naatkalDays spent on the land of wisdom.
Male
Kilaiyai vilakkalaama malarai parikkalaamaShall we push aside the branch? Shall we pluck the flower?
Nadanthu mudinja piragu kanakku edukkalaamaAfter events have transpired, shall we settle accounts?
Siriya kadhaiyai mudinja varaikkum thodaranamaeWe must continue this short story as long as we can.
Female
Kanavu palithadhu kadhavu thirakkudhuThe dream has come true, the door opens,
Medalai sumandha maarbilOn the chest that bore medals,
Poo madalai anindhu pazhaguGet accustomed to wearing a garland of flower petals.
Pirambai suzhatri veesuTwirl and brandish the cane,
Andha karumbu thanusai thaeduLook for that sugarcane bow of Cupid.
Male :Nagara azhagiyae ini nagara mudiyuma ho hoMale: O city beauty, can you move away now? Ho ho!
Idhaya siraiyilae nee nazhuva mudiyuma haaCan you slip away from this prison of the heart? Haa!
Female
Kanavu palithadhu kadhavu thirakkudhuThe dream has come true, the door opens,
Male :Kanavu palithadha kadhavu thirandhadhaMale: Did the dream come true? Did the door open?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a romantic interplay between two lovers who metaphorically view love as a playful lockup and prison. The female lead taunts the male lead (a guard/officer figure), suggesting that his heroic chest decorated with medals should now wear soft flower garlands of romance. She invites him into the 'prison of her heart' where there are no real iron bars, claiming that love completes life's true purpose. The male lead responds playfully, joining in the fantasy of pulling down the moon and sharing a life full of passion and poetic harmony. Through vibrant allegories of nature, sugarcane bows, and woven fabrics, the lovers celebrate their union, declaring that love is the true essence of living.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Idhaya sirai irukku idhil kambhi enna vaa

Compares the heart to a prison ('Idhaya sirai'), suggesting being trapped delightfully in love.

Cultural Imagery & Mythology

Andha karumbu thanusai thaedu

Refers to 'Karumbu thanusu' (sugarcane bow), which is the traditional bow carried by Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love.

Iyaibu (Rhyming end scheme)

Nilavai izhukkalaama oliyil kulikkalaama

Uses matching rhyming endings 'izhukkalaama', 'kulikkalaama', 'mudikkalaama', 'kodukkalaama' to build rhythmic flow.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Manadhin magarandha serkkai

Compares love to 'magarandha serkkai' (pollen transfer / cross-pollination of minds), symbolising fertility and natural blending.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track opens with an English spoken-word preamble before transitioning into traditional Tamil romantic lyrics penned by lyricist Siva for the 1991 film 'Vetri Padigal'.

Keep listening

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