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Lyrics & meaning

Kathirunthen Kanava

From Dharma Pathini · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharma Pathini1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaathirunthen kanavaaI waited, my husband...
Kaanbathellam kanavaaIs everything I see just a dream?
Veyilil neeyumYou, in the scorching heat,
Mazhaiyaai vanthaaiCame like the cool rain.
Uyirae meendumMy soul, once again,
Uravai thandhaaiYou restored our bond.
Kanneer thudaikkaTo wipe away my tears,
Kannaa vaaa…Come, my beloved...
Female
Kaathirunthen kanavaaI waited, my husband...
Kaanbathellam kanavaaIs everything I see just a dream?
Female
Seethai meedhuWhen blame was cast,
Pazhi varumbothuUpon Sita,
Dasaratha raamanumDasaratha's Rama,
Thee valarththaanKindled the trial of fire.
Female
Pedhai meedhuWhen blame fell,
Pazhi vantha podhuUpon this innocent woman,
Naan kanda raamanumThe Rama that I saw,
Poo valarththaanCultivated flowers of love.
Female
Ivalin nenjam maarumaaWill this woman's heart ever stray?
Neruppil thoosi se…rumaCan dust ever settle inside fire?
Ival nenjil oru baaramThere is a burden in her heart,
Kanneerae parigaaramAnd tears are the only remedy.
Azhagae…aeee……Oh beautiful one...
Female
Kaathirunthen kanavaaI waited, my husband...
Kaanbathellam kanavaaIs everything I see just a dream?
Female
Dharmathin ellaiThe boundaries of righteousness,
Thaandavum illaiWere never crossed.
Thaalikku ingoruFor the sacred thread here,
Tholvi illaiThere is no defeat.
Female
Kondavan ennaiWhen the husband who wedded me,
Kumbidum pothuBows to me in trust,
Saamikkum ennidamEven God himself,
Kelvi illaiHas no questions for me.
Female
Kanavan endhanMy husband is my,
Ve…liyaeShield and protection.
Ini mel illai gae…liyaeThere shall be no mockery anymore.
Female
Maru jenmam varumbothumEven when another rebirth comes,
Thunai vanthaal adhu podhumIt is enough if he comes as my companion.
Thunai vaaa…aaaaa…..Come as my companion...
Female
Kaathirunthen kanavaaI waited, my husband...
Kaanbathellam kanavaaIs everything I see just a dream?
Veyilil neeyumYou, in the scorching heat,
Mazhaiyaai vanthaaiCame like the cool rain.
Uyirae meendumMy soul, once again,
Uravai thandhaaiYou restored our bond.
Kanneer thudaikkaTo wipe away my tears,
Kannaa vaaa…Come, my beloved...
Female
Kaathirunthen kanavaaI waited, my husband...
Kaanbathellam kanavaaIs everything I see just a dream?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kaathirunthen Kanavaa' from Dharma Pathini (1986) expresses a devoted wife's relief, joy, and emotional liberation after her innocence is recognized by her husband. She compares her husband's arrival during her agonizing ordeal to comforting rain amidst intense heat. She reflects on how her husband proved to be even gentler than Lord Rama—where Rama tested Sita with fire upon public suspicion, her husband embraced her with love and grace like flowers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Pun (Sleshani)

Kaathirunthen kanavaa / Kaanbathellam kanavaa

The word 'kanavaa' functions as a double wordplay: 'kanavā' (oh husband) and 'kanavā' (is it a dream?), blurring reality and yearning.

Metaphor (Uvamanai)

Veyilil neeyum / Mazhaiyaai vanthaai

The contrast between harsh sunlight ('veyil') and comforting rain ('mazhai') metaphorically represents suffering and divine relief.

Allusion (Puranic Reference)

Seethai meedhu / Pazhi varumbothu / Dasaratha raamanum / Thee valarththaan

Refers to Lord Rama's fire trial (Agnipravesham) of Sita from the Ramayana, contrasting it with her husband's compassionate nature.

Rhetorical Question (Vinai-vizhi)

Neruppil thoosi se…ruma

A rhetorical question highlighting absolute purity; just as dust cannot exist within fire, impurity cannot touch her heart.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung impeccably by S. Janaki, this song highlights the quintessential emotional depth of 1980s Tamil cinema melodramas centered on marital devotion and purity.

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