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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
Details
Vettaikaaran (1964) Film1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaanThe hero told a story
Kannukkullum indha pennukkullumInside the eyes and inside this woman
Oru kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaanA hero told a story
Kannukkullum indha pennukkullumInside the eyes and inside this woman
Oru kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaanA hero told a story
Male
Kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaalThe heroine told a story
Kannukkullum indha nenjukkullumInside the eyes and inside this heart
Oru kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaalA heroine told a story
Kannukkullum indha nenjukkullumInside the eyes and inside this heart
Oru kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaalA heroine told a story
Female
Kaaviri karaikku varachonnaanHe asked me to come to the banks of the Kaveri river
Ilangannathilae ondru tharachonnaanHe asked me to give a kiss on my tender cheek
Kaaviri karaikku varachonnaanHe asked me to come to the banks of the Kaveri river
Ilangannathilae ondru tharachonnaanHe asked me to give a kiss on my tender cheek
Kaiyudan kaigalai serthu kondaanHe joined his hands with my hands
Ennai katti kondaanHe embraced me tightly
Nenjil otti kondaanHe held me close to his heart
Aa…aa…aa…haa…haa…haa…Aa…aa…aa…haa…haa…haa…
Female
Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaanThe hero told a story
Female
Kuttraala malaiyin saaralilaeIn the misty drizzle of the Courtallam hills
Konjum kilimozhi cholaiyilaeIn the grove filled with sweet parrot-like words
Kuttraala malaiyin saaralilaeIn the misty drizzle of the Courtallam hills
Konjum kilimozhi cholaiyilaeIn the grove filled with sweet parrot-like words
Muttraadha kani ennai thaedik kondaanHe searched for me, a tender unripe fruit
Mella moodi kondaanHe softly wrapped me in his embrace
Isai paadi kondaanHe sang a sweet musical tune
Aa…aa…aa…haa…haa…haa…Aa…aa…aa…haa…haa…haa…
Female
Kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaanThe hero told a story
Male
Maamallapurathu kadal arugaeNear the seashore of Mahabalipuram
Mangai irundhaal ennarugaeThe young maiden was right beside me
Maamallapurathu kadal arugaeNear the seashore of Mahabalipuram
Mangai irundhaal ennarugaeThe young maiden was right beside me
Paarthu kondirundhadhu vaan nilavuThe sky's moon was watching us
Naangal padithu kondirundhomWe were reading and experiencing
Thaen nilavuOur sweet honeymoon
Male
Kadhaa naayagi kadhai sonnaalThe heroine told a story
Female
Andha kannukkullumInside those eyes
Indha pennukkullumInside this woman
Oru kadhaa naayagan kadhai sonnaanA hero told a story
Female
Angayarkanni dhaesathilaeIn the land of Goddess Angayarkanni
Azhaghiya vaigai orathilaeOn the banks of the beautiful Vaigai river
Pongum kaadhal vegathilaeIn the surging rush of passion
Ennai pootti kondaanHe locked me close to him
Kodi naatti kondaanHe planted his flag of love

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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