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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaveriye Kaveriye

From Archanai Pookal · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Archanai Pookal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
LalallalaaLalallalaa
LalallalaaLalallalaa
Male
Kaaviriyae …kaaviriyaeO Cauvery... O Cauvery
Kaadhali pol vilayaaduriyaeYou play around like a lover
Kaaviyamaai idham paaduriyaeYou sing comfortably like an epic poem
Indha kaadhalan nenjaththai kooduriyaeYou gather inside this lover's heart
Yengum nenjam ingae vaadudhuThe longing heart here languishes
Male
Kaaviriyae…O Cauvery...
Female :Kaaviriyae…Female: O Cauvery...
Kaadhalan pol vilayaaduriyaeYou play around like a lover
Kaaviyamaai idham paaduriyaeYou sing comfortably like an epic poem
Indha kaadhali nenjaththai kooduriyaeYou gather inside this beloved's heart
Yengum nenjam ingae vaadudhuThe longing heart here languishes
Female
Kaaviriyae…O Cauvery...
Male :Kaaviriyae…Male: O Cauvery...
Kaadhali pol vilayaaduriyaeYou play around like a lover
Female
Ponnai alli thoovuthaeIt sprinkles gold generously
Manjal nira megamThe yellow-colored cloud
Ennai alli pogudhaeIt sweeps me away
Konjugira raagamThe coaxing musical melody
Female
EnnamooSomething...
Male :Mm..mmm..Male: Mm..mmm..
Female :PannudhaeFemale: It does...
Male :Mm..mmm..Male: Mm..mmm..
Female :Indha mana vegamFemale: This speed of the mind
Male
Alli kolla vandhenammaI came to embrace you, my lady
Anbai alli thandhenammaI gave love in abundance, my lady
Inimel yaavum neethaan ammaFrom now on, everything is you, my lady
Female
Aasa vechen aasa vechenI held a desire, I held a desire
Amman kovila poojai vechenI offered worship at the Goddess temple
Onna paarthu oru paasam vechenLooking at you, I felt affection
On ullam paarthadhum nesam vechenSeeing your heart, I fell in love
Kaalam neram onna serndhadhuTime and circumstance have come together
Male
Kaaviriyae …kaaviriyaeO Cauvery... O Cauvery
Kaadhali pol vilayaaduriyaeYou play around like a lover
Male
Kaadhalukku maargazhiFor love, the month of Maargazhi
Romba nalla maasamIs a very good month
Hei kandabadi veesudhaeHey, blowing abundantly everywhere
Malliyapoo vaasamadiIs the fragrance of jasmine flowers
Male
KaiyilaeIn the hand...
Female :HaaFemale: Haa
Male :KaiyilaeMale: In the hand...
Female :Mm..mm..Female: Mm..mm..
Male :Kanni ponnu pesumMale: The maiden girl speaks
Female
Pudhusa paadam solliTeaching a new lesson
Medhuvaai ennai alliGently lifting me up
Sugamaa thaangaTo comfortably hold me
Vaazh naalellaamFor all the days of life
Male
Kaaviriyae …kaaviriyaeO Cauvery... O Cauvery
Kaadhali pol vilayaaduriyaeYou play around like a lover
Kaaviyamaai idham paaduriyaeYou sing comfortably like an epic poem
Indha kaadhalan nenjaththai kooduriyaeYou gather inside this lover's heart
Yengum nenjam ingae vaadudhuThe longing heart here languishes
Female
Lalallalaa lalallalaaLalallalaa lalallalaa
Laa laa laa laa lalallalaa….Laa laa laa laa lalallalaa....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaaviriyae' from the 1982 Tamil film Archanai Pookal is a romantic duet where the lovers compare the flowing, playful river Cauvery to their beloved partner. The song evokes lush nature imagery, seasonal romance in the month of Maargazhi, and devotional devotion, merging romantic longing with the gentle flow of nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaadhali pol vilayaaduriyae

Compares the river Cauvery playing playfully to a loving partner ('Kaadhali pol vilayaaduriyae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaaviyamaai idham paaduriyae

Compares gentle river flow to epic poetry singing soothing melodies ('Kaaviyamaai idham paaduriyae').

Rhyme / Monai

Aasa vechen aasa vechen

The initial letters and end rhymes ('vechen') create rhythmic flow in folk romantic poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Archanai Pookal' (1982) was directed by Gokula Krishnan, featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The song vividly uses the motif of River Cauvery as an eternal symbol of love and life in Tamil culture.

Keep listening

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