Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

L A I L A Laila

From Karathe Kamala · 1978

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Karathe Kamala1978

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
…………….Laila, Laila, L-O-V-E love
Female
L a i l a laila l o v e loveK-I-S-S kiss, hae hae, laalaalaa
K i s s kiss hae hae laalaalaaLaila, Laila, L-O-V-E love
Female
L a i l a laila l o v e loveK-I-S-S kiss, hae hae, laalaalaa
K i s s kiss hae hae laalaalaaLaila, Laila, L-O-V-E love...
Female
L a i l a laila l o v e love…Time once gone will never return, come, come near me.
Female
Kaalangal ponaal varaathu vaa vaa arugilIs there any desire in this world that does not blossom during youth?
Paruvaththil varaatha aasai edhuthaan ulagilaeHey mama... should you leave me longing?
Hae mama….yaenga vidalaamaHey mama... should you leave me longing?
Hae mama….yaenga vidalaamaCome mama... are you angry with me?
Vaa mama….en meethu kobama…Laila, Laila, L-O-V-E love
Female
L a i l a laila l o v e loveK-I-S-S kiss, hae hae
K i s s kiss hae haeIs there no heart that searches for beauty even at sixty?
Female
Arupathilum azhagai thedum ullaam illaiyoIs youth not like flowering creepers embracing each other?
Malarkodigal thazhuvum ilamai allavoHeaven is right in front of us everywhere, take me, you are the hero.
Angangae sorkkam edhirilae take me neethaan heroLaila, Laila, L-O-V-E love...
Female
L a i l a laila l o v e love…Love was born for Adam to embrace Eve.
Female
Aadhamai yaevaal anaikka kadhal piranthathaeIs it not from those two that the entire world grew?
Adhanaalo irandil irunthae ulagam valarnthathuA young bud at sixteen, with lips full of sweet fruit juice.
Ilam mottu vayatho padhinaaru idhzh kanichaaruLaila, Laila, L-O-V-E love
Female
L a i l a laila l o v e loveK-I-S-S kiss, hae hae, laalaalaa
K i s s kiss hae hae laalaalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful cabaret dance track from the film Karathe Kamala (1978) expresses youthful desire, romantic allure, and the urgency of living in the moment. The singer entices her beloved, arguing that time flies quickly and that love is a fundamental human drive meant to be enjoyed at every stage of life. The song blends romantic persuasion with vibrant English loan words and catchy rhythm, characteristic of 1970s South Indian club songs performed by L. R. Eswari.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

“Aadhamai yaevaal anaikka kadhal piranthathae / Adhanaalo irandil irunthae ulagam valarnthathu”

The second consonant 'dha' (த) matches between 'Aadhamai' and 'Adhanaalo', creating traditional Tamil poetic rhythm.

Allusion

“Aadhamai yaevaal anaikka kadhal piranthathae”

Refers to the Biblical figures Adam and Eve to highlight the primal, original nature of love and human connection.

Metaphor

“Ilam mottu vayatho padhinaaru idhzh kanichaaru”

Compares youth to flowering creepers ('malarkodigal') and a sixteen-year-old lover to a tender flower bud ('ilam mottu').

Repetition / Refrain

“L a i l a laila l o v e love”

Repeated use of playful English spelling ('L-O-V-E love', 'K-I-S-S kiss') to establish a modern cabaret atmosphere.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Karathe Kamala' (1978) was a female-centric action/martial arts film starring Jayamalini. Singer L.R. Eswari was the undisputed queen of club, cabaret, and glamorous song numbers in South Indian cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, with composer duo Shankar-Ganesh frequently utilizing her energetic vocal style.

Keep listening

More from Karathe Kamala