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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathalukku Naalu Pakkam

From Annai Sonna Sol · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Annai Sonna Sol1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
KaathalukkuFor love
Male :Naalu pakkamMale: Four pages
Female :KaalgalukkuFemale: For the feet
Male :Naalu nadaiMale: Four types of gaits
Female :MadharukkuFemale: For women
Male :Naalu gunamMale: Four qualities
Female :Mai vizhikkuFemale: For kohl-lined eyes
Male :Naalu mozhiMale: Four languages
Female
Kaathalukku naalu pakkamLove has four pages
Kaalgalukku naalu nadaiFeet have four types of gaits
Madharukku naalu gunamWomen have four qualities
Mai vizhikku naalu mozhiKohl-lined eyes have four languages
Male
Kangalinaal eluthuvadhae mudhal pakkamWriting through the eyes is the first page
Kalanthu kollum idhayangalae irandam pakkamHearts mingling together is the second page
Female :Ennuvadhai solluvadhae moondram pakkamFemale: Expressing what is in the mind is the third page
Eeruyirum inaivadhu thaan naalam pakkamThe union of two souls is the fourth page
Male
Kaathalukku naalu pakkamLove has four pages
Female
Aasai midhakaiyilae anna nadai podumFloating in desire, she walks like a swan
Aruginil vaa vendraal chinna nadai podumWhen asked to come near, she takes tiny, hesitant steps
Male :Kattilukku sellgaiyiilae kanni nadai podumMale: Approaching the marriage bed, she walks like a coy maiden
Kaar irulil panjanaiyil enna nadai podumIn the dark night on the bed of cushions, what kind of walk will she have?
Female
Kaalgalukku naalu nadaiFeet have four types of gaits
Male
Kaadhalanin paarvaiyilae thalai kavilum oru gunamBowing her head under her lover's gaze is one quality
Kaigalukkul irukkaiyilaekan maraikkum maru gunamCovering her eyes when in his arms is another quality
Female :Alli varum ninaivugalai adakki vaikkum oru gunamFemale: Suppressing the flood of emerging memories is one quality
Anaikkaiyilae athanaiyum maranthirukkum marugunamForgetting everything completely when embraced is another quality
Male
Madharukku naalu gunamWomen have four qualities
Female
Thanakkul thanimaiyilae sirikkum mozhi ondruSmiling to oneself in solitude is one language
Thalaimagam kangalukkum anuppum mohi ondruSending a secret message to her beloved's eyes is another language
Male :Aasai malar poothathu pol veesum mozhi ondruMale: Radiating fragrance like a blossoming flower of desire is one language
Aduthavarkku theriyaamal pesum mozhi ondruSpeaking secretly without others noticing is another language
Female
Kaathalukku naalu pakkamLove has four pages
Kaalgalukku naalu nadaiFeet have four types of gaits
Male :Madharukku naalu gunamMale: Women have four qualities
Mai vizhikku naalu mozhiKohl-lined eyes have four languages

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from 'Annai Sonna Sol' (1968) presents an exquisite literary categorization structured around the number four ('naalu'). Through a playful dialogue, the couple details four aspects of romance and womanhood: the four chapters of love, the four gaits of a woman, the four inner qualities of a maiden, and the four unspoken languages expressed by dark eyes. Kannadasan's lyrical brilliance draws upon classical Tamil literary traditions (such as the four traditional virtues of women) and converts them into an engaging contemporary love song. Accompanied by K. V. Mahadevan's melodious composition, T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela brilliantly capture the poetic nuances of longing, coy affection, and romantic union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Enumeration / Numerical Motif (Sankhya)

Kaathalukku naalu pakkam / Kaalgalukku naalu nadai

The entire song is structured around the repetition of the number 'Naalu' (Four), systematically breaking down love, gaits, qualities, and expressions into four stages.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Kangalinaal eluthuvadhae mudhal pakkam

Comparing the stages of romance to pages in a book ('pakkam').

Simile (Upamanam)

Aasai midhakaiyilae anna nadai podum

Comparing a woman's graceful walk of desire to the regal stride of a swan ('anna nadai').

Anaphora & Rhyme (Monai and Etukai)

Kaathalukku naalu pakkam / Kaalgalukku naalu nadai

Repetition of sound patterns and structures across parallel stanzas, creating musical harmony and poetic balance.

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Trivia

Kannadasan cleverly adapts the traditional Sangam literature concept of feminine virtues (Acham, Madam, Naanam, Payirppu) into modern romantic expression, framing them as playful interactions between lovers.

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