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Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Enbathu

From Oru Kalluriyin Kathai · 2005

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Harish Raghavendra, Chimayi
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Oru Kalluriyin Kathai2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhal enbadhu kadavul allavaaIs not love divine like God?
Adhu kanavu dhesathin kovil allavaaIs it not a temple in the land of dreams?
Female
Kaadhal endraal poigal allavaaIf it is love, isn't it all lies?
Iru vizhigal vaangum valigal allavaaIsn't it the pain endured by two eyes?
Male
Chella poigalum sugangal allavaaAren't sweet lie-filled moments a joy in themselves?
Ingu vizhiyin valigalum varangal allavaaHere, aren't the pains felt by the eyes actual boons?
Female
Varangal enbadhu alaigal allavaaAren't boons like restless ocean waves?
Adhu vizhundhu ezhuvadhu thuyaram allavaaIsn't their rising and falling a form of sorrow?
Male
Kaadhal enbadhu kadavul allavaaIs not love divine like God?
Adhu kanavu dhesathin kovil allavaaIs it not a temple in the land of dreams?
Female
Kaadhal endraal poigal allavaaIf it is love, isn't it all lies?
Iru vizhigal vaangum valigal allavaaIsn't it the pain endured by two eyes?
Male
Kangal moodi paduthaalWhen I lie down closing my eyes
Kanavil undhan bimbamYour image appears in my dream
Kaalai neram ezhundhaalWhen I wake up in the morning
Ninaivil undhan suganthamYour fragrance lingers in my thoughts
Male
Unnai paarkum munbu naanaeBefore I set eyes on you
Vetta veliyilae thirindhenI wandered aimlessly in open spaces
Un arugil vandhudhaan enOnly upon coming close to you
Vedanthaangalai unarndhenDid I realize my sanctuary of peace
Male
Unakaaga thaanae uyirFor you and you alone
Vaazhven naanaeWill I live my life
Nee indri naanaeWithout you, I am merely
Veru koodu thaanaeAn empty body without a soul
Male
Thaayodu unargindra vepathaiThe maternal warmth felt with a mother
Neeyae thandhaai ……You alone gave to me...
Male
Kaadhal enbadhu kadavul allavaaIs not love divine like God?
Adhu kanavu dhesathin kovil allavaaIs it not a temple in the land of dreams?
Female
Kaadhal endraal poigal allavaaIf it is love, isn't it all lies?
Iru vizhigal vaangum valigal allavaaIsn't it the pain endured by two eyes?
Male
Kaatril aadum kaigalHands swaying in the breeze
Nerungi nerungi thurathumReach out and chase each other closer
Viralai pidithu nadakaTo walk while holding your fingers
Virupam nerupai kozhuthumThe deep desire ignites like a fire
Male
Undhan arugil naanum irundhaalWhen I am near your side
Nimidam nodigal ena karaiyumMinutes melt away as fast as seconds
Ennai vilagi neeyum pirindhaalIf you move away and separate from me
Neram baaramaai ganakumTime feels like a heavy burden
Male
Un arugil irundhaalWhen I am beside you
Enna ini vendumWhat else could I ever need?
Uzhagu kaiyil vandhadhaaiAs if the entire world has reached my hands
Ennam ondru thondrumA wonderful feeling arises
Male
Thaayodu unargindra vepathaiThe maternal warmth felt with a mother
Neeyae thandhaai …………You alone gave to me...
Female
Kaadhal varuvadhu purivadhillayaeHow love arrives is never understood
Adhai kadavul kooda thaan arivadhillayaeEven God Himself does not know it
Pookal poopadhu therivadhillayaeThe silent blooming of flowers goes unseen
Adhai yaarum engumae paarthadhillayaeNo one anywhere has ever witnessed it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Oru Kalluriyin Kathai' explores the philosophical dualities of love through a poetic exchange. On one hand, love is elevated to divinity—a sacred temple in a dreamland, offering warmth, safety, and comfort akin to a mother's embrace. On the other hand, love is acknowledged as an illusion filled with painful longings and emotional turmoil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaadhal enbadhu kadavul allavaa

Compares love directly to God ('Kaadhal enbadhu kadavul') and to a temple in a land of dreams ('kanavu dhesathin kovil').

Rhetorical Question (Allavaa refrains)

Kaadhal endraal poigal allavaa

The frequent repetition of 'allavaa' (is it not?) creates a lyrical debate and prompts reflection on the conflicting nature of love.

Metaphorical Allusion

Vedanthaangalai unarndhen

Refers to 'Vedanthangal' (a famous bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu) metaphorically to represent finding a safe home/sanctuary in the beloved.

Analogy

Pookal poopadhu therivadhillayae

Draws an analogy between the imperceptible arrival of love and the quiet, unseen blooming of flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja with lyrics by Na. Muthu Kumar, 'Oru Kalluriyin Kathai' (2005) stars Arya and Sonia Agarwal. Na. Muthu Kumar's lyrics in this track capture the philosophical depth and bittersweet nature of college-era romance.

Keep listening

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