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Lyrics & meaning

Kaveri Aaru

From Themmangu Paattukaaran · 1997

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Themmangu Paattukaaran1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odiThe River Kaveri flowed on its own
Kadaloda sendhaachuAnd merged with the ocean
Paadaadha raagam kekkaadha thaalamA ragam unsung, a rhythm unheard
En kaadhil kettaachuHas now reached my ears
Female
Neerottam thaanIt is a flow of water
Pudhu thaerottam thaanIt is a new chariot procession
Idhu oorodum uravodum vaazhumThis will live on with the town and its ties
Male
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odiThe River Kaveri flowed on its own
Kadaloda sendhaachuAnd merged with the ocean
Female :Paadaadha raagamFemale: A ragam unsung
Kekkaadha thaalamA rhythm unheard
En kaadhil kettaachuHas now reached my ears
Female
Naan soodum vairam adhuThe diamond that I wear
Nee thaanae kannaaIs you, my beloved
Thaen pola paal polaLike honey, like milk
En vaazhvu thaanIs my life now
Male
Yerodu vaazhumLiving with the plough
En vaazhvil indruIn my life today
Oru thaer pola penn vandhaalA woman like a grand chariot has entered
En veedhi thaanInto my street
Female
Anbaalae kattuppattuBound together by love
Azhagaaga thottukkittuBeautifully touching each other
Ennaalum naan vaazhvenI will live forever
Unnodu thaanOnly with you
Male
Adi koora veettuHey girl of the thatched house
Koora chaela vaangi varavaaShall I buy and bring a bridal silk saree?
Female :Adha maadiyila vaazhumFemale: The girl living in the mansion
Ponnu vaangikkiruvaaWill buy and accept that
Male :Oho ho… ho…Male: Oh ho ho... ho...
Female
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odiThe River Kaveri flowed on its own
Kadaloda sendhaachuAnd merged with the ocean
Male :Paadaadha raagamMale: A ragam unsung
Kekkaadha thaalamA rhythm unheard
En kaadhil kettaachuHas now reached my ears
Male
Thaanaanaa thananaanaaThaanaanaa thananaanaa
ThaanaanaaThaanaanaa
Female :Thaanaanaa thananaanaaFemale: Thaanaanaa thananaanaa
ThaanaanaaThaanaanaa
Both :Thaanaanaa thananaanaaBoth: Thaanaanaa thananaanaa
Thandhana thandhananaaThandhana thandhananaa
Male
Themmaangu paattu adhaListen to this folk song
Cheeroda keluWith grand grace
Anboda en thaaramWith love, my wife
Ippodhu thaanHas arrived just now
Female
Nee ulla podhuWhen you are here
Ini verenna venumWhat else do I need anymore?
Nenjodu naan vaazhvenI will live close to your heart
Eppodhum thaanForever and always
Male
Kannaadi veettukkullaInside the glass house
Ponnodu vaazhum pullaThe girl living with golden riches
En veettu sola choruThe sorghum rice at my house
InikkaadhammaaWon't taste sweet to her
Female
Nee kaiya thottuBut if you touch it with your hand
Alli thandhaa vellam allavaaAnd offer a handful, it is like sweet jaggery
Male :Idhu karpanaiyilMale: Isn't this a heart
Vaazhugira ullam allavaaThat lives in imagination?
Female :Oho ho… ho…Female: Oh ho ho... ho...
Male
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odiThe River Kaveri flowed on its own
Kadaloda sendhaachuAnd merged with the ocean
Female :Paadaadha raagamFemale: Female: A ragam unsung
Kekkaadha thaalamA rhythm unheard
En kaadhil kettaachuHas now reached my ears
Male
Neerottam thaan pudhuIt is a flow of water, a new
Thaerottam thaanChariot procession
Idhu oorodum uravodum vaazhumThis will live on with the town and its ties
Female
Kaaveri aaru thaanaaga odiThe River Kaveri flowed on its own
Kadaloda sendhaachuAnd merged with the ocean
Male :Paadaadha raagamMale: A ragam unsung
Kekkaadha thaalamA rhythm unheard
En kaadhil kettaachuHas now reached my ears

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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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