Kavidhai Kelungal Karuvil
From Punnagai Mannan · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, P. Jayachandran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Punnagai Mannan1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kavithai kelungal | Listen to the poem |
| Karuvil piranthathu raagam | The melody was born in the womb |
| Nadanam paarungal | Watch the dance |
| Ithuvum oru vagai yaagam | This too is a sacred ritual |
| Female | |
| Bhoomi ingu sutrum mattum | As long as the earth rotates here |
| Aada vandhen enna nattam | I came to dance, what is the loss? |
| Odum megam nindru paarthu | The passing clouds stop and watch |
| Kaigal thattum | And clap their hands |
| Female | |
| Kavithai kelungal | Listen to the poem |
| Karuvil piranthathu raagam | The melody was born in the womb |
| Nadanam paarungal | Watch the dance |
| Ithuvum oru vagai yaagam | This too is a sacred ritual |
| Male | |
| Aaa..aaaa….aaa…. | Aaa..aaaa....aaa.... |
| Aaaa…..aaa…aaa….aaa..aaa…aaa | Aaaa.....aaa...aaa....aaa..aaa...aaa |
| ……………………………………… | ............................... |
| Female | |
| Netru en paattu | Yesterday my song |
| Suthiyil vilagiyathae | Deviated from its pitch |
| Paathai sollamal | Without showing a path |
| Vidhiyum vilagiyathae | Fate too moved away |
| Female | |
| Kaalam neram seravillai | Time and circumstances did not align |
| Kaadhal regai kayil illai | The line of love is absent from my palm |
| Saaga ponnen saagavillai | I attempted to die, but I did not die |
| Moochu undu vaazhavillai | There is breath, but I am not living |
| Female | |
| Vaai thiranthen vaarthai illai | I opened my mouth, but no words came |
| Kan thiranthen paarvai illai | I opened my eyes, but there was no vision |
| Thanimaiyae ilamayin sothanai | Solitude is the ultimate test of youth |
| Puriyuma ival manam ithu vidukathai | Will her heart be understood? It is a riddle |
| Female | |
| Kavithai kelungal | Listen to the poem |
| Karuvil piranthathu raagam | The melody was born in the womb |
| Kavithai kelungal | Listen to the poem |
| Nadanam paarungal | Watch the dance |
| Ohhhh…… | Ohhhh...... |
| Male | |
| Jagana jaganna | Jagana jaganna |
| Jam jam thakka | Jam jam thakka |
| Jagana jaganna jam jam | Jagana jaganna jam jam |
| Jagana jaganna | Jagana jaganna |
| Jam jam thakka | Jam jam thakka |
| Jagana jaganna jam jam | Jagana jaganna jam jam |
| Male | |
| Aaa…aaa….aaa….. | Aaa...aaa....aaa..... |
| Chorus :{Jagana jaganna | Chorus :{Jagana jaganna |
| Jam jam thakka | Jam jam thakka |
| Jagana jaganna jam jam | Jagana jaganna jam jam |
| Jagana jaganna | Jagana jaganna |
| Jam jam thakka | Jam jam thakka |
| Jagana jaganna jam jam} (2) | Jagana jaganna jam jam} (2) |
| Male | |
| Jagana jaganna | Jagana jaganna |
| Jam jam thakka | Jam jam thakka |
| Jagana jaganna jam jam | Jagana jaganna jam jam |
| Jagana jaganna | Jagana jaganna |
| Jam jam thakka | Jam jam thakka |
| Jagana jaganna jam jam | Jagana jaganna jam jam |
| Female | |
| Om thadeem thadeem | Om thadeem thadeem |
| Pathangal paada | As feet sing |
| Jagam nadunga | Shaking the world |
| En pathangal aada | Let my feet dance |
| Female | |
| Jagana jagana | Jagana jagana |
| Male :Tham tham thakka | Male : Tham tham thakka |
| Female :Jagana jagana | Female : Jagana jagana |
| Male :Tham tham tham | Male : Tham tham tham |
| Female | |
| Jagana jagana | Jagana jagana |
| Male :Tham tham thakka | Male : Tham tham thakka |
| Female :Jagana jagana | Female : Jagana jagana |
| Male :Tham tham tham | Male : Tham tham tham |
| Female | |
| Jagana theemtha | Jagana theemtha |
| Jagana theemtha | Jagana theemtha |
| Theemtha theemtha | Theemtha theemtha |
| Theemtha theemtha | Theemtha theemtha |
| Om thadeem thadeem | Om thadeem thadeem |
| Pathangal paada | As feet sing |
| Jagam nadunga en pathangal aada | Shaking the world, let my feet dance |
| Female | |
| Paarai meethu pavala malligai | Coral jasmine on a rock |
| Pathiyam pottathaaru | Who planted it there? |
| Odum neeril kaadhal kaditham | A love letter in flowing water |
| Ezhuthivittathu yaaru | Who wrote it? |
| Aduppu kootti avicha nellai | Setting up a stove and boiled grain |
| Vithaithu vittathu yaaru | Who sowed it as seed? |
| Alayil irunthu ulayil vizhunthu | Falling from the ocean wave straight into the cooking pot |
| Thudi thudikkithu meenu | The fish twitches in agony |
| Female | |
| Ival kanavugal nanavaaga | For her dreams to come true |
| Marupadi oru uravu | Once again a new relationship |
| Salangaigal puthu isai paada | Let the anklets sing new music |
| Vidiyattum intha iravu | Let this dark night end with a sunrise |
| Female | |
| Kizhakku velicham | Let the eastern light |
| Iruttai kizhikkattum | Tear through the darkness |
| Iravin mudivil kanavu palikkattum | At the end of the night, let the dream come true |
| Irundu kidakkum manamum velukkattum… | Let the darkened heart brighten as well... |
| Female | |
| Om thadeem thadeem | Om thadeem thadeem |
| Pathangal paada | As feet sing |
| Jagam nadunga en pathangal aada | Shaking the world, let my feet dance |
| Om thadeem thadeem | Om thadeem thadeem |
| Pathangal paada | As feet sing |
| Jagam nadunga en pathangal aada | Shaking the world, let my feet dance |
கவிதை கேளுங்கள்
கருவில் பிறந்தது ராகம்
நடனம் பாருங்கள் இதுவும்
ஒரு வகை யாகம்
Listen to the poem
The melody was born in the womb
Watch the dance
This too is a sacred ritual
பூமி இங்கு சுற்றும்
மட்டும் ஆட வந்தேன் என்ன
நட்டம் ஓடும் மேகம் நின்று
பார்த்து கைகள் தட்டும்
As long as the earth rotates here
I came to dance, what is the loss?
The passing clouds stop and watch
And clap their hands
கவிதை கேளுங்கள்
கருவில் பிறந்தது ராகம்
நடனம் பாருங்கள் இதுவும்
ஒரு வகை யாகம்
Listen to the poem
The melody was born in the womb
Watch the dance
This too is a sacred ritual
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ
Aaa..aaaa....aaa....
Aaaa.....aaa...aaa....aaa..aaa...aaa
...............................
நேற்று என் பாட்டு
ஸ்ருதியில் விலகியதே
பாதை சொல்லாமல்
விதியும் விலகியதே
Yesterday my song
Deviated from its pitch
Without showing a path
Fate too moved away
காலம் நேரம்
சேரவில்லை காதல்
ரேகை கையில் இல்லை
சாக போனேன் சாகவில்லை
மூச்சு உண்டு வாழவில்லை
Time and circumstances did not align
The line of love is absent from my palm
I attempted to die, but I did not die
There is breath, but I am not living
வாய் திறந்தேன்
வார்த்தை இல்லை கண்
திறந்தேன் பார்வை இல்லை
தனிமையே இளமையின்
சோதனை புரியுமா இவள்
மனம் இது விடுகதை
I opened my mouth, but no words came
I opened my eyes, but there was no vision
Solitude is the ultimate test of youth
Will her heart be understood? It is a riddle
கவிதை கேளுங்கள்
கருவில் பிறந்தது ராகம்
கவிதை கேளுங்கள்
நடனம் பாருங்கள் ஓ
Listen to the poem
The melody was born in the womb
Listen to the poem
Watch the dance
Ohhhh......
ஜகன ஜகன்ன
ஜம் ஜம் தக்கா ஜகன
ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் ஜகன
ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் தக்கா
ஜகன ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம்
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
குழு :
{ ஜகன ஜகன்ன
ஜம் ஜம் தக்கா ஜகன
ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் ஜகன
ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் தக்கா
ஜகன ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் } (2)
Aaa...aaa....aaa.....
Chorus :{Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam} (2)
ஜகன ஜகன்ன
ஜம் ஜம் தக்கா ஜகன
ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் ஜகன
ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம் தக்கா
ஜகன ஜகன்ன ஜம் ஜம்
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
ஓம் ததீம் ததீம்
பதங்கள் பாட ஜகம்
நடுங்க என் பாதங்கள்
ஆட
Om thadeem thadeem
As feet sing
Shaking the world
Let my feet dance
ஜகன ஜகன
தம் தம் தக்க
ஜகன ஜகன
தம் தம் தம்
Jagana jagana
Male : Tham tham thakka
Female : Jagana jagana
Male : Tham tham tham
ஜகன ஜகன
தம் தம் தக்க
ஜகன ஜகன
தம் தம் தம்
Jagana jagana
Male : Tham tham thakka
Female : Jagana jagana
Male : Tham tham tham
ஜகன தீம்த
ஜகன தீம்த தீம்த
தீம்த தீம்த தீம்த
ஓம் ததீம் ததீம்
பதங்கள் பாட
ஜகம் நடுங்க என்
பதங்கள் ஆட
Jagana theemtha
Jagana theemtha
Theemtha theemtha
Theemtha theemtha
Om thadeem thadeem
As feet sing
Shaking the world, let my feet dance
பாறை மீது
பவள மல்லிகை பத்தியம்
போட்டதாரு ஓடும் நீரில்
காதல் கடிதம் எழுதிவிட்டது
யாரு அடுப்பு கூட்டி அவிச்ச
நெல்லை விதைத்து விட்டது
யாரு அலையில் இருந்து
உலையில் விழுந்து துடி
துடிக்கிது மீனு
Coral jasmine on a rock
Who planted it there?
A love letter in flowing water
Who wrote it?
Setting up a stove and boiled grain
Who sowed it as seed?
Falling from the ocean wave straight into the cooking pot
The fish twitches in agony
இவள் கனவுகள்
நனவாக மறுபடி ஒரு உறவு
சலங்கைகள் புது இசை பாட
விடியட்டும் இந்த இரவு
For her dreams to come true
Once again a new relationship
Let the anklets sing new music
Let this dark night end with a sunrise
கிழக்கு வெளிச்சம்
இருட்டை கிழிக்கட்டும்
இரவின் முடிவில் கனவு
பலிக்கட்டும் இருண்டு
கிடக்கும் மனமும்
வெளுக்கட்டும்
Let the eastern light
Tear through the darkness
At the end of the night, let the dream come true
Let the darkened heart brighten as well...
ஓம் ததீம் ததீம்
பதங்கள் பாட ஜகம் நடுங்க
என் பாதங்கள் ஆட ஓம்
ததீம் ததீம் பதங்கள் பாட
ஜகம் நடுங்க என்
பாதங்கள் ஆட
Om thadeem thadeem
As feet sing
Shaking the world, let my feet dance
Om thadeem thadeem
As feet sing
Shaking the world, let my feet dance
Kavithai kelungal
Listen to the poem
Karuvil piranthathu raagam
The melody was born in the womb
Nadanam paarungal
Watch the dance
Ithuvum oru vagai yaagam
This too is a sacred ritual
Bhoomi ingu sutrum mattum
As long as the earth rotates here
Aada vandhen enna nattam
I came to dance, what is the loss?
Odum megam nindru paarthu
The passing clouds stop and watch
Kaigal thattum
And clap their hands
Kavithai kelungal
Listen to the poem
Karuvil piranthathu raagam
The melody was born in the womb
Nadanam paarungal
Watch the dance
Ithuvum oru vagai yaagam
This too is a sacred ritual
Aaa..aaaa….aaa….
Aaa..aaaa....aaa....
Aaaa…..aaa…aaa….aaa..aaa…aaa
Aaaa.....aaa...aaa....aaa..aaa...aaa
………………………………………
...............................
Netru en paattu
Yesterday my song
Suthiyil vilagiyathae
Deviated from its pitch
Paathai sollamal
Without showing a path
Vidhiyum vilagiyathae
Fate too moved away
Kaalam neram seravillai
Time and circumstances did not align
Kaadhal regai kayil illai
The line of love is absent from my palm
Saaga ponnen saagavillai
I attempted to die, but I did not die
Moochu undu vaazhavillai
There is breath, but I am not living
Vaai thiranthen vaarthai illai
I opened my mouth, but no words came
Kan thiranthen paarvai illai
I opened my eyes, but there was no vision
Thanimaiyae ilamayin sothanai
Solitude is the ultimate test of youth
Puriyuma ival manam ithu vidukathai
Will her heart be understood? It is a riddle
Kavithai kelungal
Listen to the poem
Karuvil piranthathu raagam
The melody was born in the womb
Kavithai kelungal
Listen to the poem
Nadanam paarungal
Watch the dance
Ohhhh……
Ohhhh......
Jagana jaganna
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Aaa…aaa….aaa…..
Aaa...aaa....aaa.....
Chorus :{Jagana jaganna
Chorus :{Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam} (2)
Jagana jaganna jam jam} (2)
Jagana jaganna
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna
Jagana jaganna
Jam jam thakka
Jam jam thakka
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Jagana jaganna jam jam
Om thadeem thadeem
Om thadeem thadeem
Pathangal paada
As feet sing
Jagam nadunga
Shaking the world
En pathangal aada
Let my feet dance
Jagana jagana
Jagana jagana
Male :Tham tham thakka
Male : Tham tham thakka
Female :Jagana jagana
Female : Jagana jagana
Male :Tham tham tham
Male : Tham tham tham
Jagana jagana
Jagana jagana
Male :Tham tham thakka
Male : Tham tham thakka
Female :Jagana jagana
Female : Jagana jagana
Male :Tham tham tham
Male : Tham tham tham
Jagana theemtha
Jagana theemtha
Jagana theemtha
Jagana theemtha
Theemtha theemtha
Theemtha theemtha
Theemtha theemtha
Theemtha theemtha
Om thadeem thadeem
Om thadeem thadeem
Pathangal paada
As feet sing
Jagam nadunga en pathangal aada
Shaking the world, let my feet dance
Paarai meethu pavala malligai
Coral jasmine on a rock
Pathiyam pottathaaru
Who planted it there?
Odum neeril kaadhal kaditham
A love letter in flowing water
Ezhuthivittathu yaaru
Who wrote it?
Aduppu kootti avicha nellai
Setting up a stove and boiled grain
Vithaithu vittathu yaaru
Who sowed it as seed?
Alayil irunthu ulayil vizhunthu
Falling from the ocean wave straight into the cooking pot
Thudi thudikkithu meenu
The fish twitches in agony
Ival kanavugal nanavaaga
For her dreams to come true
Marupadi oru uravu
Once again a new relationship
Salangaigal puthu isai paada
Let the anklets sing new music
Vidiyattum intha iravu
Let this dark night end with a sunrise
Kizhakku velicham
Let the eastern light
Iruttai kizhikkattum
Tear through the darkness
Iravin mudivil kanavu palikkattum
At the end of the night, let the dream come true
Irundu kidakkum manamum velukkattum…
Let the darkened heart brighten as well...
Om thadeem thadeem
Om thadeem thadeem
Pathangal paada
As feet sing
Jagam nadunga en pathangal aada
Shaking the world, let my feet dance
Om thadeem thadeem
Om thadeem thadeem
Pathangal paada
As feet sing
Jagam nadunga en pathangal aada
Shaking the world, let my feet dance
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kavithai Kelungal' from Punnagai Mannan (1986) expresses a deep blend of grief, resilience, and spiritual catharsis through dance. The protagonist reflects on tragic past events—surviving a suicide attempt, suffering loss, and enduring existential numbness. Dance and music are framed as a sacred ritual ('yaagam') that serves as a medium to process sorrow and reclaim life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagaimai)
“Odum neeril kaadhal kaditham ezhuthivittathu yaaru”
Compares writing a love letter on running water or planting coral jasmine on a bare rock to futile efforts and tragic futility.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Saaga ponnen saagavillai”
Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in words like 'Saaga' and 'Saagavillai' or 'Moochu' and 'Vaazhavillai'.
Rhyme / Iyaibu
“Vaai thiranthen vaarthai illai / Kan thiranthen paarvai illai”
End rhymes across sequential lines such as 'thiranthen vaarthai illai' and 'thiranthen paarvai illai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this iconic song in Punnagai Mannan highlights Kamal Haasan's mastery of western and classical fusion choreography alongside Revathi.
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