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Lyrics & meaning

Kaveri Karairukku

From Thayai Katha Thanayan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thayai Katha Thanayan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Kaaveri karai irukkuThere is the bank of the Kaavari river
Karai melae poovirukkuThere is a flower upon the bank
Poo pola penn irukkuThere is a woman fragile like a flower
Purindhukondaal uravirukku} (2)If you understand her, a bond exists
Male
{Panjavarna kili irukkuThere is a five-colored parrot
Pazhuthu vandha pazham irukkuThere is a fully ripened fruit
Nenjinilae ninaivirukkuMemories reside deep within the heart
Nerungi vandhaal sugam irukku} (2)If you come closer, there is pure happiness
Female
Kaaveri karai irukkuThere is the bank of the Kaavari river
Male :Karai melae poovirukkuMale: There is a flower upon the bank
Female
Ennamo pol irukkuIt feels like something indescribable
Eppadiyo manam irukku..My mind feels a strange, wondrous way
Male :AhaaMale: Ahaa
Female :Vellam pol ninaivirukkuFemale: Memories rush like a surging flood
Vetkam mattum thaduthirukkuOnly modesty is holding them back
Male :Hmm…mm….Male: Hmm...mm...
Female
Ennamo pol irukkuIt feels like something indescribable
Eppadiyo manam irukku..My mind feels a strange, wondrous way
Vellam pol ninaivirukkuMemories rush like a surging flood
Vetkam mattum thaduthirukkuOnly modesty is holding them back
Male
{Aasaiku vetkam illaiDesire knows no embarrassment
Arindhavar mun achcham illai} (2)In front of familiar eyes, there is no fear
{Kaadhaluku thookam illaiLove knows no sleep
Kann kalandhaal vaarthai illai} (2)When eyes lock, words are no longer needed
Female
Kaaveri karai irukkuThere is the bank of the Kaavari river
Male :Karai melae poovirukkuMale: There is a flower upon the bank
Female :Poo pola penn irukkuFemale: There is a woman fragile like a flower
Male :Purindhukondaal uravirukkuMale: If you understand her, a bond exists
Female
Kaaveri karai irukkuThere is the bank of the Kaavari river
Karai melae poovirukkuThere is a flower upon the bank
Female
Melangal muzhangi varumRhythmic auspicious drums will resound
Medai ennai azhaika varumThe wedding stage will call out to me
Male :Hmm mmmMale: Hmm mmm
Female :Maalai manam soodavarumFemale: Wedding garlands will adorn us
Mangala naalum thedi varumAn auspicious day will seek us out
Male :Hmm mmmMale: Hmm mmm
Female
Melangal muzhangi varumRhythmic auspicious drums will resound
Medai ennai azhaika varumThe wedding stage will call out to me
Maalai manam soodavarumWedding garlands will adorn us
Mangala naalum thedi varumAn auspicious day will seek us out
Male
{Kaadhalan endra vaarthaiThe word 'lover'
Kanavan endru maari varum} (2)Will transform into 'husband'
{Mangai endru sonnavarumThe one who called me a maiden
Manaivi endru sollavarum} (2)Will come to call me his wife
Female
Kaaveri karai irukkuThere is the bank of the Kaavari river
Karai melae poovirukkuThere is a flower upon the bank
Poo pola penn irukkuThere is a woman fragile like a flower
Purindhukondaal uravirukkuIf you understand her, a bond exists
Male
Panjavarna kili irukkuThere is a five-colored parrot
Pazhuthu vandha pazham irukkuThere is a fully ripened fruit
Nenjinilae ninaivirukkuMemories reside deep within the heart
Nerungi vandhaal sugam irukkuIf you come closer, there is pure happiness

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil duet portrays two lovers sharing their deep romance by the banks of the Kaavari river. Using elements of nature like blooming flowers, colorful parrots, and ripe fruits as metaphors for youth and affection, they express how their feelings flow like a flood despite a touch of hesitation and shyness. As the song progresses, their conversation turns toward a shared future, anticipating wedding drums, garlands, and the transition of their relationship from lovers to husband and wife.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Poo pola penn irukku

Compares a woman's tenderness to a flower ('Poo pola penn irukku') and overflowing emotions to a flood ('Vellam pol ninaivirukku').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Panjavarna kili irukku

Uses nature imagery like a five-colored parrot ('Panjavarna kili') and ripe fruit ('Pazhuthu vandha pazham') to metaphorically describe youthful beauty and sweet romance.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kaaveri karai irukku

Repetition of the ending suffix 'irukku' across consecutive lines creates a melodic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic melody is from the 1962 Tamil movie 'Thayai Katha Thanayan', starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics written by Kannadasan, and vocals performed by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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