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Paadha Kaanikkai album cover
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
Movie name
Paadha Kaanikkai
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
27 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadhal enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvarai
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvarai
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvarai
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvarai
Pennuku ilamai edhuvarai
Male :Pillaigal pirandhu varumvarai
Male :Kannuku azhagu edhuvarai
Male :Kaiyil kidaikum naalvarai
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvarai
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvarai
Kadhal kondaale aadavargal paavam
Budhi sollaamal kollaamal pogum
Kadhal kondaale aadavargal paavam
Budhi sollaamal kollaamal pogum
Avarai kandaale oor muzhudhum pesum
Thotram kaalvaasi paithiyampol aagum
Avarai kandaale oor muzhudhum pesum
Thotram kaalvaasi paithiyampol aagum
Andha paithiyathai theerpadharku marundhu
Pengal paarvaiyile oorivarum virundhu
Andha paithiyathai theerpadharku marundhu
Pengal paarvaiyile oorivarum virundhu
Indha vaithiyargal pakkathile irundhu
Kannai vaithu vittaal noi pogum parandhu
Indha vaithiyargal pakkathile irundhu
Kannai vaithu vittaal noi pogum parandhu
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvarai
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvarai
Pengal aadaiyinai azhagu seiyumbodhum
Adhai aasai endru pinnaale odum
Pengal aadaiyinai azhagu seiyumbodhum
Adhai aasai endru pinnaale odum
Indha kaalaiyarin ullam dhinam maarum
Ivar kaadhalile perumai enna vaazhum
Indha kaalaiyarin ullam dhinam maarum
Ivar kaadhalile perumai enna vaazhum
Endrum maaraadhu naangal konda kadhal
Engal kadhal poyin kadhal poyin saadhal
Endrum maaraadhu naangal konda kadhal
Engal kadhal poyin kadhal poyin saadhal
Idhil aadhaaram vendum endraal paaru
Andha ambigaabadhi kadhaiyai kelu
Andha ambigaabadhi kadhaiyai kelu
Aahaa kadhal enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kalyana kaalam varumvarai
Male :Kalyanam enbadhu edhuvarai
Male :Kazhuthinil thaali vizhumvarai
How long does love last?
Until the time of marriage arrives.
How long does marriage last?
Until the thali (sacred wedding thread) is tied around the neck.
Aha, how long does love last?
Until the time of marriage arrives.
How long does marriage last?
Until the thali (sacred wedding thread) is tied around the neck.
How long does a woman's youth last?
Until children are born to her.
How long does beauty charm the eyes?
Until the day she is won in one's hands.
Aha, how long does love last?
Until the time of marriage arrives.
How long does marriage last?
Until the thali (sacred wedding thread) is tied around the neck.
Once men fall in love, they are truly pitiable!
Their good sense leaves them without a word of warning.
Once men fall in love, they are truly pitiable!
Their good sense leaves them without a word of warning.
Just looking at him makes the whole town gossip.
His appearance turns partly like that of a madman.
Just looking at him makes the whole town gossip.
His appearance turns partly like that of a madman.
The medicine to cure that madness
is the sweet feast brimming in a woman's glance.
The medicine to cure that madness
is the sweet feast brimming in a woman's glance.
If these lady doctors stay close by
and cast their eyes on us, the illness will fly away!
If these lady doctors stay close by
and cast their eyes on us, the illness will fly away!
Aha, how long does love last?
Until the time of marriage arrives.
How long does marriage last?
Until the thali (sacred wedding thread) is tied around the neck.
When women merely adjust their clothes to look neat,
men chase behind them, mistaking it for desire!
When women merely adjust their clothes to look neat,
men chase behind them, mistaking it for desire!
The hearts of these young men change every day;
what pride can ever live in their love?
The hearts of these young men change every day;
what pride can ever live in their love?
The love we hold will never ever change!
If our love is lost, if love is lost, only death remains!
The love we hold will never ever change!
If our love is lost, if love is lost, only death remains!
If you want proof of this, just look—
listen to the legendary story of Ambikapathi!
Listen to the legendary story of Ambikapathi!
Aha, how long does love last?
Until the time of marriage arrives.
How long does marriage last?
Until the thali (sacred wedding thread) is tied around the neck.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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