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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathiruntha Kangale

From Motor Sundaram Pillai · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Motor Sundaram Pillai1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaaththirundha kangalaeOh eyes that waited,
Kadhaiyalandha nenjamaeOh heart that wove endless stories,
Aasai ennum vellamaeOh flood of desires,
Pongip perugum ullamaeOh mind overflowing with emotion,
Female
Kaaththirundha kangalaeOh eyes that waited,
Kadhaiyalandha nenjamaeOh heart that wove endless stories,
Aasai ennum vellamaeOh flood of desires,
Pongip perugum ullamaeOh mind overflowing with emotion,
Male
Kannirandil vennilaaThe white moon shines in both eyes,
Kadhaigal sollum penilaaOh lady like moonlight who tells stories,
Kannirandil vennilaaThe white moon shines in both eyes,
Kadhaigal sollum penilaaOh lady like moonlight who tells stories,
Naan irundhum neeyillaaWithout you, even if I am here,
Vaazhvil aedhu thaenilaaWhat sweetness or honeymoon is there in life?
Male
Kannirandil vennilaaThe white moon shines in both eyes,
Kadhaigal sollum penilaaOh lady like moonlight who tells stories,
Naan irundhum neeyillaaWithout you, even if I am here,
Vaazhvil aedhu thaenilaaWhat sweetness or honeymoon is there in life?
Female
{Maivizhi vaasal thirandhadhilaeAs the doors of kohl-lined eyes opened,
Oru mannavan nuzhaindhadhennaWhy did a king enter within?
Avan varuvathinaale indha idhazhgalin melaeBecause of his arrival, upon these lips,
Punnagai vilaindhadhenna} (2)Why did a beautiful smile blossom?
Male
Pozhudhoru kanavai vizhigalilaeBringing a new dream into the eyes every passing moment,
Kondu varugindra vayadhallavoIs this not the tender age that brings such dreams?
Pozhudhoru kanavai vizhigalilaeBringing a new dream into the eyes every passing moment,
Kondu varugindra vayadhallavoIs this not the tender age that brings such dreams?
Oru thalaivanai azhaiththu thani idam paarththuCalling the beloved to a quiet, private spot,
Tharugindra manadhallavoIs this not the heart that yields and surrenders?
Tharugindra manadhallavoIs this not the heart that yields and surrenders?
Female
Kaaththirundha kangalaeOh eyes that waited,
Kadhaiyalandha nenjamaeOh heart that wove endless stories,
Aasai ennum vellamaeOh flood of desires,
Pongip perugum ullamaeOh mind overflowing with emotion,
Male
Kai viralaalae thoduvadhilaeJust by touching with fingertips,
Indha poomugam sivandhadhennaWhy did this flower-like face blush red?
Iru kaigalinaal nee mugam maraiththaalaeIf you cover your face with both your hands,
Intha Vaiyagam irundadhennaWhy does this entire world grow dark?
Female
Sevvidhazh oram then edukkaTo taste honey from the corner of red lips,
Indha naadagam nadippadhennaWhy enact this romantic playful drama?
Ennai aruginil azhaiththuCalling me close to your side,
Iiru karam anaiththuEmbracing me with both arms,
Mayakkaththai koduppadhennaWhy bestow this sweet intoxicating bliss?
Mayakkaththai koduppadhennaWhy bestow this sweet intoxicating bliss?
Male
Kannirandil vennilaaThe white moon shines in both eyes,
Kadhaigal sollum penilaaOh lady like moonlight who tells stories,
Naan irundhum neeyillaaWithout you, even if I am here,
Vaazhvil aedhu thaenilaaWhat sweetness or honeymoon is there in life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from Motor Sundaram Pillai expresses the deep affection, romantic longing, and playful intimacy shared between two lovers. The lyrics beautifully capture the youthful magic of falling in love, where eyes tell untold stories, emotions swell like an uncontrollable flood, and every moment spent together feels like a sweet dream. The song contrasts the sorrow of separation with the pure ecstasy of togetherness, framing love as the light that brightens the entire world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Aasai ennum vellamae

'Aasai ennum vellamae' metaphorically compares overwhelming desires to a surging flood.

Personification

Kadhaigal sollum penilaa

Moonlight is personified as a woman telling romantic stories ('Kadhaigal sollum penilaa').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Intha Vaiyagam irundadhenna

Exaggerating that the entire world goes dark when the heroine covers her face with her hands.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kaaththirundha kangalae / Kadhaiyalandha nenjamae

The second consonant 'th' matches between 'Kaaththirundha' and 'Kadhaiyalandha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaaththirundha Kangale' is a popular classic duet from the 1966 film Motor Sundaram Pillai, composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali. Sung delightfully by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, the song remains one of the most memorable romantic melodies featuring Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya.

Keep listening

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