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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kandane Engum

From Kaatrinile Varum Geetham · 1978

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kaatrinile Varum Geetham1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aaa….aa…Melodic vocalization
Haa….aa…aa…aa…aa…Melodic vocalization
Female
Aaa….aaa….aa…Melodic vocalization
Haa….aa…aa…aa…aa…Melodic vocalization
Female
Haa….aa…..aaa….aa…aa…aa…Melodic vocalization
Female
Kandaen engum poo magal naattiyamI saw everywhere the dance of the flower maiden
Kaanbadhellaamae adhisayam aanandhamEverything I see is wonder and bliss
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Female
Kandaen engum poo magal naattiyamI saw everywhere the dance of the flower maiden
Kaanbadhellaamae adhisayam aanandhamEverything I see is wonder and bliss
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Female
Thottu thottu paesum thendralThe breeze touches gently and whispers
Thottil katti aadum ullam…My heart sways like a child's cradle...
Thottu thottu paesum thendralThe breeze touches gently and whispers
Thottil katti aadum ullamMy heart sways like a child's cradle
Kaadhalinaalae thullugindra penmai ingaeWomanhood leaps with love here
Alli kolla mannan engaeWhere is the king to embrace her?
Ninaithaenae azhaithaenae varuvaaiI thought of you and called out, please come
Anbae endru munbae indruCalling 'My love', come before me today
Adhisayam aanandham kaatrinilae varum geethamWonder and bliss, a song floating in the breeze
Female
Kandaen engum poo magal naattiyamI saw everywhere the dance of the flower maiden
Kaanbadhellaamae adhisayam aanandhamEverything I see is wonder and bliss
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Female
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Melodic vocalization
Vana kiliyae yaekkam yaenoO forest parrot, why this longing?
Karunguyilae mogam thaanoO black cuckoo, is it passion?
Thookkamum illai thuvaludhu mullaiThere is no sleep, and the jasmine droops
Thazhuvida thaanae thavikkudhu pillaiThe innocent child yearns for a warm embrace
Pani vaadai vilagaadho ninaithaalWill the chilly winter wind not fade away, I wonder?
Sorgam ingae kannil unduHeaven itself resides right here in my eyes
Adhisayam aanandham kaatrinilae varum geethamWonder and bliss, a song floating in the breeze
Female
Kallam illai kabadam illaiThere is no guile, no deceit
Kaavalukku yaarum illaiThere is no guardian keeping watch
Yaar varuvaaro kanigalum pazhuthadhammaaWho will come? The fruits have ripened now
Kodi mottu malarndhadhammaaA million buds have blossomed into flowers
En veedu idhu thaanae engumEvery place around here is my home
Endhan ullam sondham kollumMy heart claims ownership over all of nature
Adhisayam aanandham kaatrinilae varum geethamWonder and bliss, a song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze
Kaatrinilae varum geethamA song floating in the breeze

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaatrinile Varum Geetham' from the movie Nizhal Nijamagiradhu (1978) is a poetic celebration of nature, youth, and blossoming love. The protagonist feels deeply attuned to nature, observing blossoms sway like dancing maidens and hearing songs carried by the gentle breeze. The lyrics express an inner restlessness brought on by romantic yearning and youthful innocence, where every natural element reflects her emotional state. As the song progresses, the imagery shifts to themes of maturity, desire, and openness. Nature's ripening fruits and blooming buds symbolize her own readiness for love and togetherness. The protagonist sees the entire natural world as her sanctuary, expressing a pure, untamed love that yearns for her partner to arrive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)

Thottu thottu paesum thendral / Thottil katti aadum ullam…

'Thottu' and 'Thottil' share the second consonant 'tta', creating melodic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kandaen engum poo magal naattiyam

'Poo magal naattiyam' compares flowers swaying in the breeze to the classical dance of a maiden.

Personification

Thottu thottu paesum thendral

The southern breeze ('thendral') is personified as a gentle lover touching and conversing with her.

Apostrophe / Nature Imagery

Vana kiliyae yaekkam yaeno / Karunguyilae mogam thaano

Directly addressing birds of the wild ('Vana kiliyae', 'Karunguyilae') to voice her inner romantic longing.

Monaia (Initial letter alliteration)

Kallam illai kabadam illai / Kaavalukku yaarum illai

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound in 'Kallam', 'Kabadam', and 'Kaavalukku'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Kaatrinile Varum Geetham' from K. Balachander's 'Nizhal Nijamagiradhu' (1978) was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung beautifully by S. Janaki. The track became an enduring classic in Tamil film music due to its rich classical orchestration, expressive vocal nuances, and Panchu Arunachalam's evocative lyrical imagery.

Keep listening

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