Kaveriyil Thames
From Thaaye Unakkaga · 1965
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Thaaye Unakkaga1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu | The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri. |
| Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu | The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown. |
| Kovai pazham cherryodu kanindhu vittadhu | The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry. |
| Kuvalai malar lillyodu kuvindhu vittadhu | The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily. |
| Female | |
| Naagareegam merkku nokki nadanthu vittadhu | Civilization has walked towards the West. |
| Naanam endra vaarthai indru maraindhu vittadhu | The word 'shyness' has disappeared today. |
| Vegamaana vaazhkkai indru valarndhu vittadhu | A fast-paced lifestyle has grown today. |
| Vesham podum kottam indru malindhu vittadhu | The crowd of pretenders has multiplied today. |
| Female | |
| Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu | The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri. |
| Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu | The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown. |
| Kovai pazham cherryodu kanindhu vittadhu | The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry. |
| Kuvalai malar lillyodu kuvindhu vittadhu | The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily. |
| Female | |
| Manjal poosum pennai indru madhipavar illai | Today, no one respects a woman who applies traditional turmeric. |
| Maiyidatha kangal thammai parpavar illai | No one looks at eyes that do not wear eye cosmetics. |
| Anjugindra penmai ennum adakkamum illai | There is no longer the modesty of timid womanhood. |
| Aduthu varum thalaimuraikku amaidhiyum illai | There will be no peace for the upcoming generation. |
| Female | |
| Manjal poosum pennai indru madhipavar illai | Today, no one respects a woman who applies traditional turmeric. |
| Maiyidatha kangal thammai parpavar illai | No one looks at eyes that do not wear eye cosmetics. |
| Anjugindra penmai ennum adakkamum illai | There is no longer the modesty of timid womanhood. |
| Aduthu varum thalaimuraikku amaidhiyum illai | There will be no peace for the upcoming generation. |
| Female | |
| Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu | The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri. |
| Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu | The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown. |
| Kovai pazham cherryodu kanindhu vittadhu | The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry. |
| Kuvalai malar lillyodu kuvindhu vittadhu | The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily. |
காவேரியில் தேம்ஸ் நதி கலந்து விட்டது
கண்டாங்கி கவுனுக்குள்ளே மறைந்து விட்டது
கோவைப் பழம் செர்ரியோடு கனிந்து விட்டது
குவளை மலர் லில்லியோடு குவிந்து விட்டது
The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri.
The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown.
The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry.
The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily.
நாகரீகம் மேற்கு நோக்கி நடந்து விட்டது
நாணம் என்ற வார்த்தை இன்று மறைந்து விட்டது
வேகமான வாழ்க்கை இன்று வளர்ந்து விட்டது
வேஷம் போடும் கூட்டம் இன்று மலிந்து விட்டது
Civilization has walked towards the West.
The word 'shyness' has disappeared today.
A fast-paced lifestyle has grown today.
The crowd of pretenders has multiplied today.
காவேரியில் தேம்ஸ் நதி கலந்து விட்டது
கண்டாங்கி கவுனுக்குள்ளே மறைந்து விட்டது
கோவைப் பழம் செர்ரியோடு கனிந்து விட்டது
குவளை மலர் லில்லியோடு குவிந்து விட்டது
The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri.
The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown.
The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry.
The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily.
மஞ்சள் பூசும் பெண்ணை இன்று மதிப்பவரில்லை
மையிடாத கண்கள் தம்மைப் பார்ப்பவரில்லை
அஞ்சுகின்ற பெண்மையென்னும் அடக்கமுமில்லை
அடுத்து வரும் தலைமுறைக்கு அமைதியுமில்லை
Today, no one respects a woman who applies traditional turmeric.
No one looks at eyes that do not wear eye cosmetics.
There is no longer the modesty of timid womanhood.
There will be no peace for the upcoming generation.
மஞ்சள் பூசும் பெண்ணை இன்று மதிப்பவரில்லை
மையிடாத கண்கள் தம்மைப் பார்ப்பவரில்லை
அஞ்சுகின்ற பெண்மையென்னும் அடக்கமுமில்லை
அடுத்து வரும் தலைமுறைக்கு அமைதியுமில்லை
Today, no one respects a woman who applies traditional turmeric.
No one looks at eyes that do not wear eye cosmetics.
There is no longer the modesty of timid womanhood.
There will be no peace for the upcoming generation.
காவேரியில் தேம்ஸ் நதி கலந்து விட்டது
கண்டாங்கி கவுனுக்குள்ளே மறைந்து விட்டது
கோவைப் பழம் செர்ரியோடு கனிந்து விட்டது
குவளை மலர் லில்லியோடு குவிந்து விட்டது
The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri.
The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown.
The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry.
The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily.
Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu
The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri.
Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu
The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown.
Kovai pazham cherryodu kanindhu vittadhu
The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry.
Kuvalai malar lillyodu kuvindhu vittadhu
The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily.
Naagareegam merkku nokki nadanthu vittadhu
Civilization has walked towards the West.
Naanam endra vaarthai indru maraindhu vittadhu
The word 'shyness' has disappeared today.
Vegamaana vaazhkkai indru valarndhu vittadhu
A fast-paced lifestyle has grown today.
Vesham podum kottam indru malindhu vittadhu
The crowd of pretenders has multiplied today.
Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu
The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri.
Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu
The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown.
Kovai pazham cherryodu kanindhu vittadhu
The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry.
Kuvalai malar lillyodu kuvindhu vittadhu
The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily.
Manjal poosum pennai indru madhipavar illai
Today, no one respects a woman who applies traditional turmeric.
Maiyidatha kangal thammai parpavar illai
No one looks at eyes that do not wear eye cosmetics.
Anjugindra penmai ennum adakkamum illai
There is no longer the modesty of timid womanhood.
Aduthu varum thalaimuraikku amaidhiyum illai
There will be no peace for the upcoming generation.
Manjal poosum pennai indru madhipavar illai
Today, no one respects a woman who applies traditional turmeric.
Maiyidatha kangal thammai parpavar illai
No one looks at eyes that do not wear eye cosmetics.
Anjugindra penmai ennum adakkamum illai
There is no longer the modesty of timid womanhood.
Aduthu varum thalaimuraikku amaidhiyum illai
There will be no peace for the upcoming generation.
Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu
The River Thames has merged into the River Kaveri.
Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu
The traditional Kandaangi saree has disappeared inside a western gown.
Kovai pazham cherryodu kanindhu vittadhu
The Kovai fruit has ripened along with the cherry.
Kuvalai malar lillyodu kuvindhu vittadhu
The water lily flower has clustered together with the western lily.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song serves as a poignant satirical commentary on the rapid westernization of Tamil culture and lifestyle during the mid-20th century. Kannadasan uses clever allegorical pairs—comparing native symbols like the Kaveri river, Kandaangi saree, turmeric, and local flowers with western counterparts like the Thames river, western gowns, cosmetics, and exotic fruits—to highlight how traditional values are being overtaken by western habits.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antithesis (Maran) & Metaphor
“Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu”
Juxtaposes traditional Tamil cultural elements directly against Western influence (e.g., Kaveri vs Thames, Kandaangi vs Gown) to represent cultural shift.
Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai)
“Kaaveriyil thames nadhi kalandhu vittadhu / Kandaangi kavunukullae maraindhu vittadhu”
The starting consonants in consecutive lines rhyme or match (Ka-Ka-Ko-Ku in lines 1-4, and Ma-Ma-An-Ad in lines 13-16).
End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“kalandhu vittadhu / maraindhu vittadhu / kanindhu vittadhu / kuvindhu vittadhu”
Repetition of the phrase ending 'vittadhu' at the end of each line in the refrain, creating a rhythmic and persistent cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
From the 1965 patriotic/drama film 'Thaaye Unakkaga', this track features music by K. V. Mahadevan and energetic vocals by L. R. Eswari, perfectly fitting Kannadasan's social observation lyrics.
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