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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kekkaliyo Kekkaliyo

From Kasthuri Maan · 2005

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Tippu, Manjari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kasthuri Maan2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yamunai karaiyil vandhu vandhu modhumLike waves crashing repeatedly on the banks of the Yamuna river,
Alai pol ninaivu nenjil vandhu pogumMemories come and go in my heart like waves.
Female
Alaigal ezhundhaal thaangum karai naanaeIf waves rise, I am the shore that withstands them;
Nadhi neer pirindhaal illai indha meenaeBut if separated from the river's water, this fish cannot survive.
Male
Veyilaal urugi vellai pani odumMelting under the sun's heat, the white snow flows away;
Ninaivaal urugi ullam vazhindhodumMelting with memories, my heart overflows and runs.
Female
Unnai paarkkaadhu karam serkkaadhuWithout seeing you, without holding your hands,
Thavikkum thavippaiThis agonizing pain of yearning,
Yaarai kandu naanum solvenTo whom shall I go and express it?
Male
Kekkaliyo kekkaliyoDidn't you hear? Didn't you hear?
Kannanadhu gaangamLord Krishna's divine melody!
Pookkaliyo pookkaliyo pookkal nenjil naanamAre flowers blooming, or is shyness blooming like flowers in the heart?
Female
Ennai vittu engae ponaalumWherever you go leaving me,
Indha ullam mattumThis heart of mine alone,
Unnai vittu engum pogaadhuWill never leave you and go anywhere else.
Female
Mullilae methai ittu thoongum padi sonnaaiYou told me to sleep on a bed made of thorns;
Yevaraal mudiyum nee sollu kannaaWho can possibly do that, tell me, my Krishna?
Male
Kannanin kangal vidum baanam oru podhumThe arrow shot from Krishna's eyes will never,
Kaamanin baanam pol unnai varuthaadhuTorment you like Cupid's arrow does.
Female
Kolludhae thanimai ennai indha naalilSolitude is killing me on this day;
Kottudhae neruppai kodhai endhan saelaiMy very attire pours heat upon me like fire.
Male
Mazhai peidhaalum kulir adithaalumEven if it rains or cold winds blow,
Anal pol kodhikkumBoiling like a blazing fire,
Aasai konda dhegam rendumAre both these longing bodies.
Female
Kekkaliyo kekkaliyo kannanadhu gaangamDidn't you hear? Didn't you hear? Lord Krishna's divine melody!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep devotion and intense romantic longing (Nikitai/Viraha Bhakti) of a maiden for Lord Krishna along the banks of the river Yamuna. Through vivid imagery, she compares her relentless memories to relentless waves crashing on the riverbank, and her existence without her beloved to a fish removed from water. The grief of separation makes even cold rain feel like burning heat and a soft saree feel like a bed of thorns. Despite the suffering caused by distance and solitude, her devotion remains steadfast. She affirms that no matter where her beloved goes, her heart will eternally remain tethered to him, captivated by the echoing divine melody of Krishna's flute.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Alai pol ninaivu nenjil vandhu pogum

Compares the incoming and outgoing memories in the heart directly to the ocean waves hitting the riverbank using 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Nadhi neer pirindhaal illai indha meenae

Compares herself to a fish that cannot survive without the river water (which represents Krishna).

Parallelism / Analogy

Veyilaal urugi vellai pani odum / Ninaivaal urugi ullam vazhindhodum

Parallels the melting of snow due to sunlight with the melting of the heart due to cherished memories.

Hyperbole (Uvarchi Aani)

Kottudhae neruppai kodhai endhan saelai

Exaggerates the unbearable pain of separation by describing her saree as pouring heat like fire.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 2005 movie 'Kasthuri Maan' (directed by A. K. Lohithadas) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Pulamaipithan / Muthulingam. The song uses rich classical Tamil poetic tropes rooted in Sangam Akam poetry and Vaishnavite Krishna-Bhakti tradition.

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