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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathavu Thiranthatha

From Kattu Roja · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kattu Roja1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
O… oooo… oooo… oooo… ohoho…O… oooo… oooo… oooo… ohoho…
O… oooo… oooo… oooo… ohoho…O… oooo… oooo… oooo… ohoho…
O… oooo… oooo… ohooooo oooO… oooo… oooo… ohooooo ooo
Female
Kadhavu thirandhadhaaHas the door opened?
Kaatchi therindhadhaaHas the vision become visible?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Female
Kadhavu thirandhadhaaHas the door opened?
Kaatchi therindhadhaaHas the vision become visible?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Aahaa aahaa oho oho ohohohoAahaa aahaa oho oho ohohoho
Female
Idho idho indha boomiyilaeRight here on this earth
Ethanai jaalangal paadhaiyilaeHow many illusions lie along the path!
Adhae adhae nilai nee arindhaalIf you come to realize that true state
Aanandham verillai vaazhkkaiylaeThere is no greater happiness in life
Female
Idho idho indha boomiyilaeRight here on this earth
Ethanai jaalangal paadhaiyilaeHow many illusions lie along the path!
Adhae adhae nilai nee arindhaalIf you come to realize that true state
Aanandham verillai vaazhkkaiylaeThere is no greater happiness in life
Aahaa aahaa oho oho ohohohoAahaa aahaa oho oho ohohoho
Female
Kadhavu thirandhadhaaHas the door opened?
Kaatchi therindhadhaaHas the vision become visible?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Female
Silai silai ondru nerinilaeA statue-like beauty right before your eyes
Sirippadhan kaaranam purigindradhaaDo you understand the reason for her smile?
Alai alai yena kangalilaeIn eyes that ripple like ocean waves
Aayiram kalaigal therigindradhaaDo you see a thousand arts revealed?
Female
Silai silai ondru nerinilaeA statue-like beauty right before your eyes
Sirippadhan kaaranam purigindradhaaDo you understand the reason for her smile?
Alai alai yena kangalilaeIn eyes that ripple like ocean waves
Aayiram kalaigal therigindradhaaDo you see a thousand arts revealed?
Aahaa aahaa oho oho ohohohoAahaa aahaa oho oho ohohoho
Female
Kadhavu thirandhadhaaHas the door opened?
Kaatchi therindhadhaaHas the vision become visible?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Female
Malar malar manam varugindradhaaIs the fragrance of blooming flowers wafting through?
Mayakkathilae manam magizhgindradhaaIs the heart rejoicing in this captivating trance?
Inam inam adhu purigindradhaaDo you comprehend the true nature of affinity?
Iyarkaiyin ragasiyam therigindradhaaDo you understand the mystery of nature?
Female
Malar malar manam varugindradhaaIs the fragrance of blooming flowers wafting through?
Mayakkathilae manam magizhgindradhaaIs the heart rejoicing in this captivating trance?
Inam inam adhu purigindradhaaDo you comprehend the true nature of affinity?
Iyarkaiyin ragasiyam therigindradhaaDo you understand the mystery of nature?
Aahaa aahaa oho oho ohohohoAahaa aahaa oho oho ohohoho
Female
Kadhavu thirandhadhaaHas the door opened?
Kaatchi therindhadhaaHas the vision become visible?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaaDo you understand the world you see?
Aahaa aahaa oho oho ohohohoAahaa aahaa oho oho ohohoho

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kadhavu Thirandhadhaa from the 1963 film Kattu Roja is a philosophical and reflective song penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. The lyrics use rhetorical questions about opening doors and perceiving visions as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment, sensory awareness, and gaining a deeper understanding of life's true nature amidst worldly illusions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Silai silai ondru nerinilae

The doubling of words like 'Silai silai', 'Alai alai', 'Malar malar', and 'Inam inam' enhances the rhythm and intensifies the poetic imagery.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadhavu thirandhadhaa / Kaatchi therindhadhaa / Kaanum ulagam purindhadhaa

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' across consecutive lines (Kadhavu, Kaatchi, Kaanum) creates a melodic flow.

Uvamai (Simile / Imagery)

Alai alai yena kangalilae

The phrase compares expressive, moving eyes to surging ocean waves ('Alai alai yena kangalilae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kattu Roja (1963) featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kavignar Kannadasan. The song utilizes Kannadasan's signature style of blending romantic charm with deep philosophical inquiry into human perception and nature.

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