Kangale Kadhal Seithale
From Dharmam · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. Janaki, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Usha Khanna
- Details
- Dharmam1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaa……aa…..aa….aa….aa…..aa…. | [Vocalizing] |
| Female | |
| Kangalae kadhal seithaalae paavam | If the eyes fall in love, it is a sin. |
| Kaanal neeraalae theeraathu dhaagam | Thirst can never be quenched by a mirage. |
| Nenjamae anbu vaiththaalae sogam | If the heart harbours affection, it brings sorrow. |
| Adhu nilaikkaamal kalaigindra megam | It is like a passing cloud that does not stay. |
| Female | |
| Kangalae kadhal dheiveega raagam | When eyes love, it is a divine melody. |
| Kaanal neeralla kaaveri aagum | It is not a mirage, but turns into the perennial river Cauvery. |
| Nenjamae anbu vaiththaalae paasam | If the heart holds affection, it becomes enduring love. |
| Adhu pirinthaalum maraiyaatha vaasam | Even if parted, its fragrance never fades. |
| Female | |
| Kadhal penmaikku pagaiyaanathu | Love has turned into an enemy to womanhood. |
| Kaanum unmaikku purampaanathu | It stands contrary to the visible truth. |
| Female | |
| Kadhal kann pesum mozhiyaavathu | Love is the language spoken by the eyes. |
| Inba vaazhvukku vazhiyaavathu | It is the pathway to a life of joy. |
| Female | |
| Pothum pothum alai paayum ullam | Enough, enough of this restless, surging heart. |
| Enna kadhal orae soga vellam | What is love but an overwhelming flood of grief? |
| Female | |
| Kangalae kadhal dheiveega raagam | When eyes love, it is a divine melody. |
| Kaanal neeralla kaveri aagum | It is not a mirage, it becomes the river Cauvery. |
| Female | |
| Kadhal poovalla mullaanathu | Love is not a flower, it has turned into a thorn. |
| Endrum kaniyalla kallaanathu | It is never a sweet fruit, it has turned into a hard stone. |
| Female | |
| Kadhal paarvaikku theriyaathathu | Love remains invisible to the outer eye. |
| Kaalam kaniyaamal puriyaathathu | It cannot be understood until time ripens. |
| Female | |
| Kadhal vaazhkkai orr poraattamthaano | Is a life of love merely an unending struggle? |
| Kannil vazhiyaatha neerottamthaano | Is it an endless stream flowing from the eyes? |
| Kangalae kadhal seithaalae paavam | If the eyes fall in love, it is a sin. |
| Kaanal neeraalae theeraathu thaagam | Thirst can never be quenched by a mirage. |
| Female | |
| Kangalae kadhal dheiveega raagam | When eyes love, it is a divine melody. |
| Kaanal neeralla kaaveri aagum | It is not a mirage, it becomes the river Cauvery. |
| Nenjamae anbu vaiththaalae paasam | If the heart holds affection, it becomes enduring love. |
| Adhu pirinthaalum maraiyaatha vaasam | Even if parted, its fragrance never fades. |
ஆஅ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ....
[Vocalizing]
கண்களே காதல் செய்தாலே பாவம்
கானல் நீராலே தீராது தாகம்
நெஞ்சமே அன்பு வைத்தாலே சோகம்
அது நிலைக்காமல் கலைகின்ற மேகம்
If the eyes fall in love, it is a sin.
Thirst can never be quenched by a mirage.
If the heart harbours affection, it brings sorrow.
It is like a passing cloud that does not stay.
கண்களே காதல் தெய்வீக ராகம்
கானல் நீரல்ல காவேரி ஆகும்
நெஞ்சமே அன்பு வைத்தாலே பாசம்
அது பிரிந்தாலும் மறையாத வாசம்
When eyes love, it is a divine melody.
It is not a mirage, but turns into the perennial river Cauvery.
If the heart holds affection, it becomes enduring love.
Even if parted, its fragrance never fades.
காதல் பெண்மைக்கு பகையானது
காணும் உண்மைக்கு புறம்பானது
Love has turned into an enemy to womanhood.
It stands contrary to the visible truth.
காதல் கண் பேசும் மொழியாவது
இன்ப வாழ்வுக்கு வழியாவது
Love is the language spoken by the eyes.
It is the pathway to a life of joy.
போதும் போதும் அலை பாயும் உள்ளம்
என்ன காதல் ஒரே சோக வெள்ளம்
Enough, enough of this restless, surging heart.
What is love but an overwhelming flood of grief?
கண்களே காதல் தெய்வீக ராகம்
கானல் நீரல்ல காவேரி ஆகும்
When eyes love, it is a divine melody.
It is not a mirage, it becomes the river Cauvery.
காதல் பூவல்ல முள்ளானது
என்றும் கனியல்ல கல்லானது
Love is not a flower, it has turned into a thorn.
It is never a sweet fruit, it has turned into a hard stone.
காதல் பார்வைக்கு தெரியாதது
காலம் கனியாமல் புரியாதது
Love remains invisible to the outer eye.
It cannot be understood until time ripens.
காதல் வாழ்க்கை ஓர் போராட்டம்தானோ
கண்ணில் வழியாத நீரோட்டம்தானோ
கண்களே காதல் செய்தாலே பாவம்
கானல் நீராலே தீராது தாகம்
Is a life of love merely an unending struggle?
Is it an endless stream flowing from the eyes?
If the eyes fall in love, it is a sin.
Thirst can never be quenched by a mirage.
கண்களே காதல் தெய்வீக ராகம்
கானல் நீரல்ல காவேரி ஆகும்
நெஞ்சமே அன்பு வைத்தாலே பாசம்
அது பிரிந்தாலும் மறையாத வாசம்
When eyes love, it is a divine melody.
It is not a mirage, it becomes the river Cauvery.
If the heart holds affection, it becomes enduring love.
Even if parted, its fragrance never fades.
Aaa……aa…..aa….aa….aa…..aa….
[Vocalizing]
Kangalae kadhal seithaalae paavam
If the eyes fall in love, it is a sin.
Kaanal neeraalae theeraathu dhaagam
Thirst can never be quenched by a mirage.
Nenjamae anbu vaiththaalae sogam
If the heart harbours affection, it brings sorrow.
Adhu nilaikkaamal kalaigindra megam
It is like a passing cloud that does not stay.
Kangalae kadhal dheiveega raagam
When eyes love, it is a divine melody.
Kaanal neeralla kaaveri aagum
It is not a mirage, but turns into the perennial river Cauvery.
Nenjamae anbu vaiththaalae paasam
If the heart holds affection, it becomes enduring love.
Adhu pirinthaalum maraiyaatha vaasam
Even if parted, its fragrance never fades.
Kadhal penmaikku pagaiyaanathu
Love has turned into an enemy to womanhood.
Kaanum unmaikku purampaanathu
It stands contrary to the visible truth.
Kadhal kann pesum mozhiyaavathu
Love is the language spoken by the eyes.
Inba vaazhvukku vazhiyaavathu
It is the pathway to a life of joy.
Pothum pothum alai paayum ullam
Enough, enough of this restless, surging heart.
Enna kadhal orae soga vellam
What is love but an overwhelming flood of grief?
Kangalae kadhal dheiveega raagam
When eyes love, it is a divine melody.
Kaanal neeralla kaveri aagum
It is not a mirage, it becomes the river Cauvery.
Kadhal poovalla mullaanathu
Love is not a flower, it has turned into a thorn.
Endrum kaniyalla kallaanathu
It is never a sweet fruit, it has turned into a hard stone.
Kadhal paarvaikku theriyaathathu
Love remains invisible to the outer eye.
Kaalam kaniyaamal puriyaathathu
It cannot be understood until time ripens.
Kadhal vaazhkkai orr poraattamthaano
Is a life of love merely an unending struggle?
Kannil vazhiyaatha neerottamthaano
Is it an endless stream flowing from the eyes?
Kangalae kadhal seithaalae paavam
If the eyes fall in love, it is a sin.
Kaanal neeraalae theeraathu thaagam
Thirst can never be quenched by a mirage.
Kangalae kadhal dheiveega raagam
When eyes love, it is a divine melody.
Kaanal neeralla kaaveri aagum
It is not a mirage, it becomes the river Cauvery.
Nenjamae anbu vaiththaalae paasam
If the heart holds affection, it becomes enduring love.
Adhu pirinthaalum maraiyaatha vaasam
Even if parted, its fragrance never fades.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a debate-style dialogue contrasting two opposing views on love. One perspective views love with deep cynicism and pain, describing it as a mirage that cannot quench thirst, a passing cloud, a flood of grief, and a thorn that harms womanhood. The counter-perspective defends love as a sacred, divine melody—comparing it to the nourishing river Cauvery and a lingering fragrance that defies separation. Through lyricist Vaali's evocative verses, the song highlights the perpetual struggle between heartbreak and hope, illustrating how love can feel either like a destructive illusion or a divine blessing depending on one's experiences.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kaanal neeraalae theeraathu dhaagam”
Unrequited or painful love is directly compared to 'Kaanal neer' (a mirage), symbolizing deception and unfulfilled longing.
Antithesis (Muran)
“Kaanal neeralla kaaveri aagum”
Contrasts illusory water ('Kaanal neer') with the life-giving real river ('Kaaveri') to highlight opposing philosophies of love.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kadhal poovalla mullaanathu / Endrum kaniyalla kallaanathu”
The second consonant 'll' is matched in 'mullaanathu' and 'kallaanathu' to establish poetic flow and rhythmic emphasis.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kangalae kadhal seithaalae paavam / Kaanal neeraalae theeraathu dhaagam”
Repetition of initial sounds like 'Ka' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic beauty typical of classical Tamil songwriting.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by lyricist Vaali for the 1986 Tamil film 'Dharmam', this song uses the classic dual-perspective structure where lead characters exchange philosophical verses challenging and validating the nature of love.
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