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Naadi Thudikuthadi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kathalay Illatha Desam

From Naadi Thudikuthadi · 2016

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Naadi Thudikuthadi
Movie release year
2016
Lyrics added on
17 Jul 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………………..
Kaadhalae illadha dhesam ulagil engu irukku
Kaadhalae illadha jeevan endha ulagail irukku
Kaadhalae nee illaiyendral ulagil enna irukku
Kaadhalae unai sollathaanae pookalpoothu irukku
Love love love everywhere
You feel love more and more
Love only meaning of the life
Kaadhalae illadha dhesam ulagil engu irukku
Kaadhalae illadha jeevan endha ulagail irukku
Kaadhalil thullum nenjangal
Adhu mazhalai kuzhanthaiyaagum
Bommaipol avar kaigalil
Indha bhoomi virumbi suzhalum
Nooru nilavugal thondriyae
Oru nadhiyil mithanthidum
Ullankaiyilae yenthiyae
Adhai kaadhal parugidum
Thaaiyin karuvarai nizhalaipol
Amaidhi tharuvathu kaathalae
Iravu pagalai marandhu thiriyum
Uravu inikumae
Paravai siragaai irandu idhayam
Inaindhu parakkumae
Kaadhalae illadha dhesam ulagil engu irukku
Kaadhalae illadha jeevan endha ulagail irukku
…………………………
Thooramai migathooramai
Irunthaalum nerukamaagum
Thedugindra mana sorvilum
Sugamaagum andha sogam
Kaadhal enbathu kaatraipol..
Adhai nirutha mudiyuma
Kaadhal enbathu nerupaipol..
Adhai anaika mudiyuma
Kaadhal jodigal thorkalam
Kaadhal thorpathu illayae
Uravum pirivum ulagil irukkum
Idhayam piriyuma
Malargal uthirum uthirnthu malarum
Paruvam marakuma
Kaadhalae nee illaiyendral ulagil enna irukku
Kaadhalae unai sollathaanae pookalpoothu irukku
...
Where in this world is a land without love?
In which world is there a soul without love?
Oh love, if you do not exist, what is left in this world?
Oh love, isn't it to speak of you that flowers bloom?
Love, love, love everywhere
You feel love more and more
Love is the only meaning of life
Where in this world is a land without love?
In which world is there a soul without love?
Hearts that leap with love
Become like innocent children
Like a toy in their hands
This earth willingly spins
A hundred moons appear
And float upon a river
Cupping it in its palms
Love drinks it up
Like the shade of a mother's womb
It is love that brings peace
Wandering around, forgetting day and night
This bond becomes sweet
Like the wings of a bird, two hearts
Soar high, joined together
Where in this world is a land without love?
In which world is there a soul without love?
...
Far away, so very far away
Even if they are, they draw close
Even in the weariness of a searching mind
That sorrow turns sweet
Love is like the wind...
Can anyone stop it?
Love is like fire...
Can anyone extinguish it?
Loving couples may lose
But love itself never loses
Bonds and separations exist in this world
Will hearts ever part?
Flowers fall and bloom again
Will the season ever forget?
Oh love, if you do not exist, what is left in this world?
Oh love, isn't it to speak of you that flowers bloom?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a grand ode to the timeless, omnipresent power of love. It portrays love not merely as an emotion between individuals, but as an elemental force that sustains life, nature, and the universe. The lyrics emphasize that love brings innocence akin to a newborn child, peace comparable to a mother's womb, and a freedom where two hearts soar together like bird wings. Even physical distance and emotional grief are transformed into sweetness through love's divine presence. Furthermore, the song compares love to unyielding natural forces—like wind that cannot be stopped and fire that cannot be quenched. While individual lovers might face defeat or separation, love itself remains immortal and invincible.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thaaiyin karuvarai nizhalaipol Amaidhi tharuvathu kaathalae

Compares the peaceful solace given by love directly to the protective comfort inside a mother's womb ('nizhalaipol').

Metaphor & Metonymy

Paravai siragaai irandu idhayam Inaindhu parakkumae

Compares two lovers' hearts flying as one to the two wings of a single bird, representing unified harmony.

Anaphora & Rhetorical Question (Vina Ani)

Kaadhal enbathu kaatraipol.. Adhai nirutha mudiyuma / Kaadhal enbathu nerupaipol.. Adhai anaika mudiyuma

Uses parallel structures comparing love to elemental forces (wind and fire) followed by rhetorical questions emphasizing love's unstoppable nature.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by the acclaimed, late lyricist Na. Muthukumar. Known for his imagery of nature and human emotion, his lines in this song echo classical Tamil poetic philosophy where love (Aham) is viewed as an all-pervading force interwoven with nature.

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