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Lyrics & meaning

Kathal Enbathu

From Paadha Kaanikkai · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, J. P. Chandrababu, P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Paadha Kaanikkai1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhal enbadhu edhuvaraiHow long does love last?
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvaraiUntil the time of marriage arrives.
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvaraiHow long does marriage last?
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvaraiUntil the sacred thread is tied around the neck.
Male
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvaraiAh, how long does love last?
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvaraiUntil the time of marriage arrives.
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvaraiHow long does marriage last?
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvaraiUntil the sacred thread is tied around the neck.
Male
Pennuku ilamai edhuvaraiHow long does a woman's youth last?
Male :Pillaigal pirandhu varumvaraiUntil children are born to her.
Male :Kannuku azhagu edhuvaraiHow long does beauty remain desirable to the eyes?
Male :Kaiyil kidaikum naalvaraiUntil the day it is attained in hand.
Male
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvaraiAh, how long does love last?
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvaraiUntil the time of marriage arrives.
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvaraiHow long does marriage last?
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvaraiUntil the sacred thread is tied around the neck.
Female
Kadhal kondaale aadavargal paavamIt is a pity when men fall in love,
Budhi sollaamal kollaamal pogumTheir intellect leaves them quietly without warning.
Kadhal kondaale aadavargal paavamIt is a pity when men fall in love,
Budhi sollaamal kollaamal pogumTheir intellect leaves them quietly without warning.
Female
Avarai kandaale oor muzhudhum pesumIf anyone sees him, the whole town talks about it,
Thotram kaalvaasi paithiyampol aagumHis appearance becomes like that of a quarter-mad person.
Avarai kandaale oor muzhudhum pesumIf anyone sees him, the whole town talks about it,
Thotram kaalvaasi paithiyampol aagumHis appearance becomes like that of a quarter-mad person.
Male
Andha paithiyathai theerpadharku marundhuThe remedy to cure that love-madness,
Pengal paarvaiyile oorivarum virundhuIs the feast overflowing in women's glances.
Andha paithiyathai theerpadharku marundhuThe remedy to cure that love-madness,
Pengal paarvaiyile oorivarum virundhuIs the feast overflowing in women's glances.
Male
Indha vaithiyargal pakkathile irundhuIf these female doctors remain nearby,
Kannai vaithu vittaal noi pogum parandhuAnd cast their eyes, the disease flies away.
Indha vaithiyargal pakkathile irundhuIf these female doctors remain nearby,
Kannai vaithu vittaal noi pogum parandhuAnd cast their eyes, the disease flies away.
Male
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvaraiAh, how long does love last?
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvaraiUntil the time of marriage arrives.
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvaraiHow long does marriage last?
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvaraiUntil the sacred thread is tied around the neck.
Female
Pengal aadaiyinai azhagu seiyumbodhumEven when women merely adjust their attire,
Adhai aasai endru pinnaale odumMen run behind them assuming it is out of desire.
Pengal aadaiyinai azhagu seiyumbodhumEven when women merely adjust their attire,
Adhai aasai endru pinnaale odumMen run behind them assuming it is out of desire.
Female
Indha kaalaiyarin ullam dhinam maarumThe heart of these young men changes daily,
Ivar kaadhalile perumai enna vaazhumWhat pride or permanence can live in their love?
Indha kaalaiyarin ullam dhinam maarumThe heart of these young men changes daily,
Ivar kaadhalile perumai enna vaazhumWhat pride or permanence can live in their love?
Male
Endrum maaraadhu naangal konda kadhalThe love we hold will never change,
Engal kadhal poyin kadhal poyin saadhalIf our love ends, our life ends in death.
Endrum maaraadhu naangal konda kadhalThe love we hold will never change,
Engal kadhal poyin kadhal poyin saadhalIf our love ends, our life ends in death.
Male
Idhil aadhaaram vendum endraal paaruIf you want proof for this devotion, look:
Andha ambigaabadhi kadhaiyai keluListen to the classic story of Ambigaapathi.
Andha ambigaabadhi kadhaiyai keluListen to the classic story of Ambigaapathi.
Male
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvaraiAh, how long does love last?
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvaraiUntil the time of marriage arrives.
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvaraiHow long does marriage last?
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvaraiUntil the sacred thread is tied around the neck.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kadhal Enbadhu Edhuvarai is a witty, philosophical musical debate from the 1962 film Paadha Kaanikkai. Featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, the song explores the contrasting perspectives of men and women on love, marriage, youth, and commitment. The men playfully argue that love only lasts until marriage and that marriage's thrill subsides once the sacred thread is tied, while also humorously describing love as a madness that turns men foolish. In response, the female voices call out men's fickle nature and misunderstandings, while the men counter that women's glances act as the ultimate medicine to cure their love-sickness. The song balances playful banter with deep devotion, referencing the historical tragic lover Ambigaapathi to showcase the eternal depth of true love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kalyana kaalam varumvarai / Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvarai

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes '-varai' creating a catchy rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Indha vaithiyargal pakkathile irundhu / Kannai vaithu vittaal noi pogum parandhu

Women's healing gaze is metaphorically compared to doctors ('vaithiyargal') curing the sickness of love.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadhal kondaale aadavargal paavam

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' / 'Ko' creates a pleasing auditory rhythm.

Allusion (Ilakkia Kurippu)

Andha ambigaabadhi kadhaiyai kelu

Direct reference to the legendary Tamil literary romance figure Ambigaapathi to illustrate immortal love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paadha Kaanikkai (1962) featured an ensemble star cast including Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and a young Kamal Haasan as a child artist. This multi-singer track highlights the unique vocal combination of P. B. Sreenivas, J. P. Chandrababu, P. Susheela, and L. R. Eswari, blending Chandrababu's signature comic delivery with classical melody.

Keep listening

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