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Themmangu Paattukaaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaveri Aaru

From Themmangu Paattukaaran · 1997

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Themmangu Paattukaaran
Movie release year
1997
Lyrics added on
14 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi
Kadaloda sendhaachu
Paadaadha raagam kekkaadha thaalam
En kaadhil kettaachu
Neerottam thaan
Pudhu thaerottam thaan
Idhu oorodum uravodum vaazhum
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi
Kadaloda sendhaachu
Female :Paadaadha raagam
Kekkaadha thaalam
En kaadhil kettaachu
Naan soodum vairam adhu
Nee thaanae kannaa
Thaen pola paal pola
En vaazhvu thaan
Yerodu vaazhum
En vaazhvil indru
Oru thaer pola penn vandhaal
En veedhi thaan
Anbaalae kattuppattu
Azhagaaga thottukkittu
Ennaalum naan vaazhven
Unnodu thaan
Adi koora veettu
Koora chaela vaangi varavaa
Female :Adha maadiyila vaazhum
Ponnu vaangikkiruvaa
Male :Oho ho… ho…
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi
Kadaloda sendhaachu
Male :Paadaadha raagam
Kekkaadha thaalam
En kaadhil kettaachu
Thaanaanaa thananaanaa
Thaanaanaa
Female :Thaanaanaa thananaanaa
Thaanaanaa
Both :Thaanaanaa thananaanaa
Thandhana thandhananaa
Themmaangu paattu adha
Cheeroda kelu
Anboda en thaaram
Ippodhu thaan
Nee ulla podhu
Ini verenna venum
Nenjodu naan vaazhven
Eppodhum thaan
Kannaadi veettukkulla
Ponnodu vaazhum pulla
En veettu sola choru
Inikkaadhammaa
Nee kaiya thottu
Alli thandhaa vellam allavaa
Male :Idhu karpanaiyil
Vaazhugira ullam allavaa
Female :Oho ho… ho…
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi
Kadaloda sendhaachu
Female :Paadaadha raagam
Kekkaadha thaalam
En kaadhil kettaachu
Neerottam thaan pudhu
Thaerottam thaan
Idhu oorodum uravodum vaazhum
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi
Kadaloda sendhaachu
Male :Paadaadha raagam
Kekkaadha thaalam
En kaadhil kettaachu
The river Kaveri flowed on its own
And merged with the sea.
An unsung melody, an unheard rhythm,
Has now reached my ears.
It is like the flowing water,
Like the procession of a new chariot!
It will flourish among our village and kin.
The river Kaveri flowed on its own
And merged with the sea.
Female: An unsung melody,
An unheard rhythm,
Has now reached my ears.
The diamond that I wear,
Isn't that you, my love?
Like sweet milk and honey,
My life has become joyful!
Living alongside the plough,
In my humble life today,
A woman like a grand chariot arrived
Right onto my street!
Bound by true love,
Holding hands with tenderness,
I will live all my days
Only with you!
For our thatched home,
Shall I go buy a wedding saree?
Female: Would a girl living in a mansion
Ever accept it?
Male: Oho ho… ho…
The river Kaveri flowed on its own
And merged with the sea.
Male: An unsung melody,
An unheard rhythm,
Has now reached my ears.
Thanaanaa thananaanaa
Thanaanaa
Female: Thanaanaa thananaanaa
Thanaanaa
Both: Thanaanaa thananaanaa
Thanthana thanthananaa
This sweet folk song,
Listen to its rhythm with joy!
With love, you are my wife
From this moment on!
When I have you by my side,
What else could I ever need?
Close to your heart, I will live
For all of time!
Inside a glass house,
A girl who lives with wealth and gold,
The corn rice in my humble home—
Won't taste sweet to you!
If your hands touch it
And serve it, won't it taste like sweet jaggery?
Male: Isn't this just a heart
Living in sweet dreams?
Female: Oho ho… ho…
The river Kaveri flowed on its own
And merged with the sea.
Female: An unsung melody,
An unheard rhythm,
Has now reached my ears.
It is like the flowing water, like a new
Chariot in procession!
It will flourish among our village and kin.
The river Kaveri flowed on its own
And merged with the sea.
Male: An unsung melody,
An unheard rhythm,
Has now reached my ears.
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kaaveri Aaru' from the movie 'Themmangu Paattukaaran' (1997) is a romantic duet expressing deep affection and union between lovers using rich rustic imagery. The central metaphor compares the union of the two souls to the natural flow of River Kaveri eventually joining the ocean, denoting a natural and destined togetherness. The song highlights rural life, simplicity, love beyond status, and the joy of simple meals shared with affection. Both lovers cherish each other, describing their newfound joy as an unsung melody and unheard rhythm that has finally found resonance in their hearts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi kadaloda sendhaachu”

Comparing the meeting of lovers to River Kaveri reaching the sea (Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi kadaloda sendhaachu).

Simile (Uwamai)

“Thaen pola paal pola”

Comparing the sweetness of life to milk and honey (Thaen pola paal pola).

Alliteration (Moni)

“Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odi kadaloda sendhaachu”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'k' in 'Kaaveri' and 'Kadaloda'.

Rhyme (Edhukai)

“Paadaadha raagam kekkaadha thaalam”

Second-letter rhyming seen in words like 'Paadaadha' and 'Kekkaadha'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Themmangu Paattukaaran' features rural folk music composed in classic Tamil cinematic style. Lyricist Gangai Amaran frequently uses traditional folk motifs like 'Themmaangu' (rural folk melodies) and natural metaphors like rivers, chariots, and simple village food to portray pure affection.

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