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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathal Oviyam Tamil

From Alaigal Oivathillai · 1981

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Jency, Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Alaigal Oivathillai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaaa…aaaa….Ah... ah...
Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyamA painting of love, an epic that sings
Thaen sindhum poonjolai nam raajiyamThis flower garden spilling honey is our kingdom
Endrum anandham perinbam dheiveegamAlways joy, supreme bliss, divine experience
Male
Oh…oh…oh….Oh... oh... oh...
Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyamA painting of love, an epic that sings
Thaen sindhum poonjolai nam raajiyamThis flower garden spilling honey is our kingdom
Endrum anandham perinbam dheiveegamAlways joy, supreme bliss, divine experience
Female
Oh…ohOh... oh
Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyamA painting of love, an epic that sings
Chorus
Haa..a.aa…aa…Ah... ah...
Male
Thedinen oh oh en jeevanaeI searched for you, oh my life
Thendralilae midhandhu varum thaen malaraeOh honey-laden flower floating in the gentle breeze
Female
Nee en nayagan kaadhal paadaganYou are my hero, the singer of love
Anbil odi inbam kodi endrum kaanalaamRunning in love, we can forever experience millions of joys
Male
Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyamA painting of love, an epic that sings
Female
Thaen sindhum poonjolai nam raajjiyamThis flower garden spilling honey is our kingdom
Male
Endrum aanandham perinbam deivigam oh…oh..Always joy, supreme bliss, divine experience, oh... oh..
Female
Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyamA painting of love, an epic that sings
Chorus
…………………………..(Interlude)
Female
Thaangumo oh…oh en dhegamaeCan my body bear this, oh... oh?
Manmadhanin malar kanaigal tholgalilaeCupid's floral arrows striking upon my shoulders
Male
Mogam theeravae vaa en arugilaeCome near me to quench this passion
Ullam koil kangal deepam poojai kaanalaamThe heart is the temple, eyes are the lamps; let us witness the sacred worship
Female
Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyamA painting of love, an epic that sings
Male :Thaen sindhum poonjolai nam raajjiyamMale: This flower garden spilling honey is our kingdom
Female :Endrum aanandham perinbam deivigamFemale: Always joy, supreme bliss, divine experience
Male :Oh…oh..Male: Oh... oh..
Both :Lalalala lalalalaa …hmm mm mm hmm mm mmBoth: Tra-la-la-la tra-la-la-la... hmm mm mm hmm mm mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaadhal Oviyam' from the 1981 classic film Alaigal Oivathillai is a celestial romantic duet celebrating the sacred and joyful nature of true love. The lovers portray their ideal union as an enchanting kingdom of honey-laden gardens, elevating their romantic connection to a divine, epic art form filled with perpetual bliss. Using rich traditional Tamil metaphors, the lyrics intertwine sensual desire with spiritual reverence—comparing the lover's heart to a temple sanctuary and the eyes to ceremonial lamps. The song beautifully captures the innocence, ecstasy, and surrender of young lovers discovering deep passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Kaadhal oviyam paadum kaaviyam

Love is directly equated to a visual painting ('oviyam') and a poetic epic ('kaaviyam'), elevating the emotion to timeless art.

Sacred Imagery (Devotional Metaphor)

Ullam koil kangal deepam poojai kaanalaam

The heart is personified as a temple and eyes as ceremonial oil lamps, framing physical love as a sacred ritual ('poojai').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Thedinen oh oh en jeevanae / Thendralilae midhandhu varum thaen malarae

Repetition of the 'Th' sound at the start of consecutive words ('Thedinen', 'Thendralilae', 'Thaen') creates a lyrical breeze-like flow.

Internal Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Nee en nayagan kaadhal paadagan

Rhyming endings within the line ('nayagan' and 'paadagan') give the line a rhythmic musical cadence.

Mythological Allusion

Manmadhanin malar kanaigal tholgalilae

Refers to 'Manmadhan' (Kamadeva, the Hindu god of love) and his flower arrows ('malar kanaigal') as a metaphor for awakening sensual desire.

Did you know?

Trivia

Directed by Bharathiraja, 'Alaigal Oivathillai' was a pathbreaking romance film that marked the screen debut of actors Karthik and Radha. Composer Ilaiyaraaja personally sang the male vocals for this iconic track alongside singer Jency. The soundtrack became a massive cultural phenomenon in Tamil cinema during the 1980s.

Keep listening

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