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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathai Undu

From Vani Rani · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vani Rani1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
HahahahahahaHahahahahaha
Female
Kadhai undu…There is a story...
Oru kadhai undu…There is a tale...
Idhan pinnae…Behind this...
Oru kadhai undu…There is a tale...
Solla thaan ninaithadhu andru…What I intended to say back then...
Ninaithadhu andru…What I thought back then...
Solla thaan ninaithadhu andru…What I intended to say back then...
Manam ennavo mayangudhu nindruYet the mind hesitates and feels mesmerized now
Female
Kadhai unduThere is a story
Oru kadhai unduThere is a tale
Female
Thaaimaiyum dheivamum ondruMotherhood and God are one and the same
Adhu thannigar illaadhadhu endruThat it is incomparable and matchless
Thaaimaiyum dheivamum ondruMotherhood and God are one and the same
Adhu thannigar illaadhadhu endruThat it is incomparable and matchless
Oorinil kettadhu unduI have heard this said across the town
Adhai unnidam kanden inguI witnessed that truth in you right here
Adhai unnidam kanden inguI witnessed that truth in you right here
Female
Kadhai undu…There is a story...
Oru kadhai undu…There is a tale...
Idhan pinnae…Behind this...
Oru kadhai undu…There is a tale...
Solla thaan ninaithadhu andru…What I intended to say back then...
Manam ennavo mayangudhu nindruYet the mind hesitates and feels mesmerized now
Male
Kadhai unduThere is a story
Oru kadhai unduThere is a tale
Male
Mannikka vendum kannaaForgive me, my beloved
Unnai marakka mudiyaadhu ennaalI will never be able to forget you
Mannikka vendum kannaaForgive me, my beloved
Unnai marakka mudiyaadhu ennaalI will never be able to forget you
Vazhiyil uravaana ennaiMe, who became connected to you along life's path
Nee marandhida vendum innaalYou must forget me from this day forward
Marandhida vendum innaalYou must forget me from this day forward

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song expresses unspoken truths, bittersweet feelings, and self-sacrifice. The singer reflects on a backstory that has remained unrevealed due to hesitation and emotional overwhelmedness. She glorifies divine qualities and motherhood, acknowledging the noble character of the listener.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kadhai undu… / Oru kadhai undu…

The phrase 'Kadhai undu / Oru kadhai undu' is repeated continually to build dramatic intrigue and highlight the presence of a hidden history.

Monorhyme / Second Letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Mannikka vendum kannaa / Unnai marakka mudiyaadhu ennaal

The second letters of 'Kannaa' (ண்ண) and 'Ennaal' (ண்ண) rhyme, adhering to traditional Tamil poetic meter.

Metaphor

Thaaimaiyum dheivamum ondru

Motherhood ('Thaaimai') is directly equated to divinity ('Dheivam') to emphasize its sacred and peerless nature.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vani Rani' (1974) stars Sivaji Ganesan alongside Vanisri in a dual role. The song features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics authored by Kannadasan, sung by P. Susheela and T. M. Soundararajan.

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