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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kavalai Illaadha Manidhan

From Kavalai Illaadha Manithan · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
J. P. Chandrababu
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Kavalai Illaadha Manithan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Male
Kavalai illaadha manidhanA man without worries
Kavalai illaadha manidhanA man without worries
Kavalai illaadha manidhanA man without worries
Male
Ulagaththai arindhavanHe is the one who knows the world
Thunindhavan avanaeHe is the brave one who dared
Kavalai illaadha manidhanA man without worries
Ulagaththai arindhavanHe is the one who knows the world
Thunindhavan avanaeHe is the brave one who dared
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Male
Povadhai kandu kalangaamalWithout getting upset over what leaves
Varuvadhai kandu mayangaamalWithout getting captivated by what arrives
Povadhai kandu kalangaamalWithout getting upset over what leaves
Varuvadhai kandu mayangaamalWithout getting captivated by what arrives
Male
Mei thalaraamal kai nadungaamalWithout body tiring, without hands trembling
Unamiyai poiyai unarndhavanaeHe is the one who understood truth and lie
Ulagaththai arindhavanHe is the one who knows the world
Thunindhavan avanaeHe is the brave one who dared
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Male
Vaazhkkai enbadhu naadagamaeLife is a drama
Vandhu ponavar aayiramaeThousands have come and gone
Kondu sendravar yaarum illaiNo one has carried anything with them when leaving
Koduthu ponathum ninaivum illaiAnd there is no memory of what was given away
Andha naadagam innum mudiyavillaiThat drama has not ended yet
Marunaalaikku varuvadhum theriyavillaiWhat comes tomorrow is also unknown
Male
Ulagaththai arindhavanHe is the one who knows the world
Thunindhavan avanaeHe is the brave one who dared
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Male
Hahahahaa hahahaha haaHahahahaa hahahaha haa
Hahahahaa hahahaha haaHahahahaa hahahaha haa
Thall laelum thal lae lumThall laelum thal lae lum
Lae lum lae lum raaaLae lum lae lum raaa
Male
Vaazhvai arindhavan samsaariOne who understands life is a householder
Vaazha bayandhavan sanyaasiOne who fears to live becomes an ascetic
Kanneer vadippavan moodanadaaOne who sheds tears is a fool, my friend
Kaalaththai vendravan veeranadaaOne who conquers time is a hero, my friend
Nal inbaththai thaedi uravaaduSeek good happiness and mingle freely
Nee ezhundhidu manidha vilaiyaaduArise, oh man, and play your part
Male
Ulagaththai arindhavanHe is the one who knows the world
Thunindhavan avanaeHe is the brave one who dared
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Ulagaththai arindhavanHe is the one who knows the world
Thunindhavan avanaeHe is the brave one who dared
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Kavalai illaadha manidhan…..A man without worries.....
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....
Kavalai illaadha manidhan….A man without worries....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from the 1960 movie 'Kavalai Illaadha Manithan', penned by the acclaimed poet Kannadasan, describes the true nature of a worry-free human being. It emphasizes that a person who truly understands the world remains unperturbed by both gain and loss, staying firm in mind and body while discerning truth from falsehood. The song portrays life as a drama where countless people come and go without carrying any material wealth into the afterlife. Furthermore, the lyrics challenge conventional wisdom by asserting that a true householder understands life while an ascetic is merely fleeing from it. It urges humans to stop weeping over troubles, face time courageously, and actively engage in life with joy and confidence. Overall, it serves as a powerful call to embrace life fearlessly with wisdom and resilience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Povadhai kandu kalangaamal / Varuvadhai kandu mayangaamal

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sounds in words within the same line, such as 'Povadhai' and 'Varuvadhai' or 'Vaazhvai' and 'Vaazha'.

Etukai (Rhyming)

Vaazhvai arindhavan samsaari / Vaazha bayandhavan sanyaasi

Repetition of the second letter across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic rhyming in Tamil poetry (e.g., 'Povadhai' and 'Varuvadhai', 'Vaazhvai' and 'Vaazha').

Metaphor

Vaazhkkai enbadhu naadagamae

Comparing life to a drama ('Vaazhkkai enbadhu naadagamae') to convey its transient and performance-like nature.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kavalai Illaadha Manithan' (1960) stars Chandrababu in the lead role alongside Gemini Ganesan. Kannadasan's lyrics in this song showcase his signature philosophical style, which offers deep practical wisdom on life and detachment.

Keep listening

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