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Idhayathai Thirudathe album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaviyam Padava Thendrale

From Idhayathai Thirudathe · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Idhayathai Thirudathe
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
24 Jul 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaaviyam paadava thendralae
Pudhu malar poothidum velai
Inithaana pozhuthu enathaagumo
Puriyaatha puthirthaan ethirkaalamo
Paadum neela poonguyil
Mounamaana velaiyil
Kaaviyam paadava thendralae
Kaaviyam paadava thendralae
………………………………..
Vilainthathor vasanthamae
Pudhu chudar polinthida
Manathilorr niraasaiyae
Irutilae mayangida
Vaazhginra naatkalae
Sogangal enbathai
Kanneeril theetinen
Kelungal en kadhai
Kalainthu pogum kaanal neerithu
Kaaviyam paadava thendralae
Pudhu malar poothidum velai
Inithaana pozhuthu enathaagumo
……………………………….
Pularnthathor pozhuthu ithuvo
Pullinathin mahothsavam
Ivai mozhi isaitharum
Surangalin manoharam
Puthu prabanjamae
Malarntha neramae
Ammaadi sorgamthaan
Munnaadi vanthatho
Kasanthu pona kaatchi illaiyae
Shall I sing a poem, O gentle breeze?
At this hour when fresh flowers bloom?
Will this sweet time ever be mine?
Is my future an unsolved riddle?
When the singing cuckoo
Has fallen silent,
Shall I sing a poem, O gentle breeze?
Shall I sing a poem, O gentle breeze?
...
A spring season has arrived,
With a new light shining bright,
Yet a feeling of despair in my heart
Sinks into the darkness.
That the days I live
Are filled only with sorrow,
I have written with my tears;
Please listen to my story.
Is this just a mirage that fades away?
Shall I sing a poem, O gentle breeze?
At this hour when fresh flowers bloom?
Will this sweet time ever be mine?
...
Is this a new dawn that has broken?
A grand festival of the birds,
Where the music of their voices
Brings enchanting notes.
At this moment when
A whole new world has bloomed,
Oh my, has heaven itself
Appeared right before me?
There is no bitter sight here anymore!
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Kaaviyam Paadava Thendralae' from 'Idhayathai Thirudathe' (1989) is a poignant yet evocative contemplation on life, love, and fate. The protagonist addresses the gentle breeze, questioning whether the sweet moments of life will truly belong to them or if the future remains an unfathomable enigma. The lyrics move between sorrowful reflections of despair and tears represented as a vanishing mirage, to moments of profound natural bliss where bird song and music make the world feel like an earthly paradise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Kaaviyam paadava thendralae

Addressing the gentle breeze ('thendralae') as a listener and companion to whom an epic poem can be sung.

Metaphor

Kalainthu pogum kaanal neerithu

Comparing life's fleeting and uncertain nature to a mirage ('kaanal neer') that disappears.

Emoni / Rhyme (Monoreyme & Alliteration)

Pularnthathor pozhuthu ithuvo / Pullinathin mahothsavam

Use of matching internal rhyme and rhythmic sound patterns like 'pularnthathor' and 'pullinathin'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Idhayathai Thirudathe' is the Tamil dubbed version of Mani Ratnam's iconic Telugu romantic drama 'Geethanjali' (1989). The soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja was a massive chartbuster across both languages, with Vaali penning the memorable Tamil lyrics.

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