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Kalyana Paravaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kolam Inge Vaasal Enge

From Kalyana Paravaigal · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Rajan
Movie name
Kalyana Paravaigal
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
27 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kolam ingae vaasal engae
Imaigal ingae vizhigal engae
Kanavan thaanae kuzhandhai ingae
Uravai pirithaal ulagam engae
Kolam ingae vaasal engae
Imaigal ingae vizhigal engae
Kanavan thaanae kuzhandhai ingae
Uravai pirithaal ulagam engae
Neeyum naanum azhudha kanneer aaranadhu
Andha neeril parisil ingae pogindrathu
Neeyum naanum azhudha kanneer aaranadhu
Andha neeril parisil ingae pogindrathu
Kodai naalil neerumillai
Odaikkenna nindhanai
Udhadu undu mutham illai
Naangu kannil vaedhanai
Vidhi vandhu thaan yedho thadai pottadhu
Idharkaagava thaali mudi pottadhu
Kolam ingae vaasal engae
Imaigal ingae vizhigal engae
Kanavan thaanae kuzhandhai ingae
Uravai pirithaal ulagam engae
Indha gnyaayam indha dharmam
Yen vandhadhu
Paasam konda jeevan rendu thalladudhu
Indha gnyaayam indha dharmam
Yen vandhadhu
Paasam konda jeevan rendu thalladudhu
Saadhi ingae sadhigal seidhaal
Needhi engae povathu
Vaeli vandhu kaalil thaithaal payanam
Enna aavadhu
Thuyar theerumae konjam mayangaathiru
Sugam aagumae nenjae kalangaathiru
Kolam ingae vaasal engae
Imaigal ingae vizhigal engae
Kanavan thaanae kuzhandhai ingae
Uravai pirithaal ulagam engae
Kolam ingae vaasal engae
Imaigal ingae vizhigal engae
Kanavan thaanae kuzhandhai ingae
Aariraroo aaraaroo aariraroo aaraaroo
Here is the kolam (threshold design), but where is the doorway?
Here are the eyelids, but where are the eyes?
The husband himself is a helpless child here
If this bond is broken, what world is left for us?
Here is the kolam (threshold design), but where is the doorway?
Here are the eyelids, but where are the eyes?
The husband himself is a helpless child here
If this bond is broken, what world is left for us?
The tears you and I wept have turned into a river
And in those waters, our little boat drifts away
The tears you and I wept have turned into a river
And in those waters, our little boat drifts away
There is no water in the heat of summer
Why blame the dried-up stream?
There are lips, but there is no kiss
In all four eyes, there is only pain
Fate has stepped in and placed an obstacle
Was it for this that the thali (sacred wedding knot) was tied?
Here is the kolam (threshold design), but where is the doorway?
Here are the eyelids, but where are the eyes?
The husband himself is a helpless child here
If this bond is broken, what world is left for us?
This sense of justice, this moral rule...
Why did it turn out like this?
Two loving souls are stumbling in grief
This sense of justice, this moral rule...
Why did it turn out like this?
Two loving souls are stumbling in grief
If caste plots conspiracies here
Where can justice turn?
If the fence pricks our feet with thorns
What will become of our journey?
This sorrow will pass, do not lose hope
Peace will return, my heart, do not be distressed
Here is the kolam (threshold design), but where is the doorway?
Here are the eyelids, but where are the eyes?
The husband himself is a helpless child here
If this bond is broken, what world is left for us?
Here is the kolam (threshold design), but where is the doorway?
Here are the eyelids, but where are the eyes?
The husband himself is a helpless child here
Aariraro aararo, aariraro aararo
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kolam Ingae Vaasal Engae from the 1988 film Kalyana Paravaigal is a deeply sorrowful and reflective track sung by K. J. Yesudas. The protagonist laments the tragic fate that has fractured his marital life and family bond. Through vivid metaphors—such as decorative kolam patterns drawn without a doorstep or eyelids existing without eyes—the lyrics capture the total absurdity and emptiness of living without a loved one. The song powerfully critiques rigid social structures like caste and cruel twists of destiny that tear apart compassionate souls, while ending on a soft lullaby tone meant to console a troubled heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Kolam ingae vaasal engae / Imaigal ingae vizhigal engae”

Compares an incomplete or shattered life to a decorative kolam drawn without a doorway to enter, or eyelids existing without sight.

Hyperbole (Athiyosayam)

“Neeyum naanum azhudha kanneer aaranadhu”

Exaggerates the immense grief by stating that the tears shed by the lovers formed an entire river capable of carrying a boat.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Vaeli vandhu kaalil thaithaal payanam”

Refers to social barriers or guardians as a protective fence ('vaeli') that hypocritically pricks the traveler's foot.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Saadhi ingae sadhigal seidhaal / Needhi engae povathu”

The second consonant sound 'dhi' rhymes across lines in Tamil poetic tradition (Saadhi / Needhi).

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinathal)

“Idharkaagava thaali mudi pottadhu”

Expresses agony by questioning the purpose of sacred marriage rituals in the face of suffering.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Rajan-Nagendra, the song stands out for K. J. Yesudas's emotionally charged delivery that seamlessly shifts from a sorrowful lamentation into a gentle lullaby at the end.

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