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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Katha Naayagan

From Vettaikaaran (1964) Film · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Vettaikaaran (1964) Film
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
19 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan
Kannukkullum indha pennukkullum
Oru kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan
Kannukkullum indha pennukkullum
Oru kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan
Kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaal
Kannukkullum indha nenjukkullum
Oru kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaal
Kannukkullum indha nenjukkullum
Oru kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaal
Kaaviri karaikku varachonnaan
Ilangannathilae ondru tharachonnaan
Kaaviri karaikku varachonnaan
Ilangannathilae ondru tharachonnaan
Kaiyudan kaigalai serthu kondaan
Ennai katti kondaan
Nenjil otti kondaan
Aa…aa…aa…haa…haa…haa…
Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan
Kuttraala malaiyin saaralilae
Konjum kilimozhi cholaiyilae
Kuttraala malaiyin saaralilae
Konjum kilimozhi cholaiyilae
Muttraadha kani ennai thaedik kondaan
Mella moodi kondaan
Isai paadi kondaan
Aa…aa…aa…haa…haa…haa…
Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan
Maamallapurathu kadal arugae
Mangai irundhaal ennarugae
Maamallapurathu kadal arugae
Mangai irundhaal ennarugae
Paarthu kondirundhadhu vaan nilavu
Naangal padithu kondirundhom
Thaen nilavu
Kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaal
Andha kannukkullum
Indha pennukkullum
Oru kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan
Angayarkanni dhaesathilae
Azhaghiya vaigai orathilae
Pongum kaadhal vegathilae
Ennai pootti kondaan
Kodi naatti kondaan
The hero told a story,
Inside my eyes and within this girl,
A hero told a story.
Inside my eyes and within this girl,
A hero told a story.
The heroine told a story,
Inside my eyes and within this heart,
A heroine told a story.
Inside my eyes and within this heart,
A heroine told a story.
He asked me to come to the banks of the Kaveri,
And asked for a kiss on his tender cheek.
He asked me to come to the banks of the Kaveri,
And asked for a kiss on his tender cheek.
He took my hands in his,
Hugged me tight,
And pressed close against my chest.
Ah... ah... ah... ha... ha... ha...
The hero told a story.
In the cool drizzle of the Courtallam hills,
In the grove where sweet parrots chatter,
In the cool drizzle of the Courtallam hills,
In the grove where sweet parrots chatter,
He sought me out, fresh as untouched fruit,
Softly held me close,
And sang a tender melody.
Ah... ah... ah... ha... ha... ha...
The hero told a story.
By the shores of Mamallapuram,
A sweet girl was right beside me.
By the shores of Mamallapuram,
This sweet girl was right beside me.
The moon in the sky looked on,
While we were reading through
Our sweet honeymoon.
The heroine told a story.
Inside those eyes,
And within this girl,
A hero told a story.
In the land of Angayarkanni (Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai),
Along the banks of the lovely Vaigai,
In the surging rush of passion,
He locked me in his embrace,
And planted his flag of love.
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaan is a classic romantic duet from the 1964 Tamil film Vettaikaaran, featuring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The song revolves around two lovers reminiscing about their romantic journey across iconic geographic landmarks of Tamil Nadu. The lyrical flow connects their intimacy with locations such as the banks of the Kaveri river, the misty waterfalls of Courtallam, the coastal beauty of Mahabalipuram, and the historic city of Madurai by the Vaigai river. Through Kannadasan's evocative poetry, set to K. V. Mahadevan's lush composition and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, the song seamlessly integrates geography, nature, and deep personal affection into a delightful narrative of love and togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Kaaviri karaikku varachonnaan / Ilangannathilae ondru tharachonnaan”

Matching end sounds in adjacent lines creating rhythmic flow, such as 'varachonnaan' and 'tharachonnaan'.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kuttraala malaiyin saaralilae / Konjum kilimozhi cholaiyilae”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'K' across words in the line.

Metaphor & Symbolism (Uvamaani)

“Muttraadha kani ennai thaedik kondaan”

'Muttraadha kani' (unripe fruit) is used metaphorically to represent youthful tenderness and innocence.

Wordplay / Pun (Sleidai)

“Paarthu kondirundhadhu vaan nilavu / Naangal padithu kondirundhom / Thaen nilavu”

'Thaen nilavu' literally translates to 'honey moon', plays on reading ('padithu kondirundhom') the sky's moon ('vaan nilavu') vs enjoying the honeymoon.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is celebrated for taking listeners on a poetic tour of Tamil Nadu's legendary heritage sites: Kaveri river (Chola region), Courtallam falls (Tirunelveli/Pandya region), Mahabalipuram (Pallava region), and Madurai/Vaigai (Pandya capital of Goddess Meenakshi/Angayarkanni). Music was composed by 'Thirai Isai Thilakam' K. V. Mahadevan, with vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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