Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

O Kadhale

From Kadhal Virus · 2002

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Clinton Cerejo
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kadhal Virus2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mmm…mmm…..Mmm... mmm...
Mmm…mmm…mmm…mmm..Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Mmm…mmm…mmm…mmm..Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Male
Oh kaadhalaeOh love!
Unnakkor kadidhamHere is a letter for you.
Uyirai uyilaaiMy life, like a sacred bequest,
Varaindhen idhilumI have inscribed into this as well.
Male
Oh kaadhalaeOh love!
Unnakkor kadidhamHere is a letter for you.
Uyirai uyilaaiMy life, like a sacred bequest,
Varaindhen idhilumI have inscribed into this as well.
Male
Oh thedadiOh search for me,
Enai nee unakkulSearch for me within yourself.
Vegu naal munbaeA long time ago,
Pugundhen vizhikkulI entered into your eyes.
Idhuvum nalamaeThis too is well,
Ninaikkum idhayamMay the heart that remembers
Nidhamae sirikkaSmile every single day.
Ilakkum edhaiyumWhatever it may lose,
Ini en illam undhan ullamFrom now on, my abode is your heart.
Oh kaadhalae ohh …Oh love, ohh...
Male
Or kaagidham enaLike a blank sheet of paper,
Naan irundhenI once existed,
Poongkaaviyam adhil neeA beautiful epic upon it,
PunaindhaaiYou composed!
Male
Iyakkum kalainganA director and artist,
Aanen unnaalI became because of you.
Iyakkum kalainganA director and artist,
Aanen unnaalI became because of you.
Enai nee iyakka irundhaai pinnaalYou stood behind the scenes directing me.
Male
Vaanam ponilThough life was like
Vaazhkai irunthumA golden sky,
Adhil or nilavaaiLike the moon in that sky,
Nee yen illaiWhy are you not present?
Male
Oh kaadhalaeOh love!
Unnakkor kadidhamHere is a letter for you.
Uyirai uyilaaiMy life, like a sacred bequest,
Varaindhen idhilumI have inscribed into this as well.
Male
Kaadhalae kaadhalaeLove, love!
Oh kaadhalae kaadhalaeOh love, love!
Kaadhalae kaadhalaeLove, love!
Oh kaadhalae kaadhalaeOh love, love!
Male
{Nee veroru dhisaiyil{You walked away
NadandhaayiIn a different direction,
Or vaanavil nizhalaaiLike the shadow of a rainbow,
Thondarndhaai} (2)You continued to follow} (2)
Male
Vizhiyil nadhiyaaIs this a river in my eyes?
Idhudhaan vidhiyaaIs this what fate is?
Enaidhaan padaiththaIs the God who created me
Iraivan sathiyaaPlotting a conspiracy?
Valarththaan uravaiHe nurtured our relationship,
Vaguththaan pirivaiYet he ordained our separation.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oh Kaadhalae' is a poignant, soulful love letter sung by the protagonist expressing deep anguish, gratitude, and yearning after a tragic separation from his beloved. He compares his life to a blank sheet of paper before her entry, acknowledging that her love inspired him to become a creative artist. Despite life providing him material success (a 'golden sky'), it remains incomplete and dark without her presence as his shining moon. The emotional arc moves from fond recollection to intense sorrow as he ponders the cruelty of destiny. He wonders why God would foster such a deep bond only to orchestrate an unbearable separation, leaving his eyes flowing like a river. The song serves as a testament to eternal devotion, declaring that regardless of physical distance, his true soul and home will always reside within her heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Uyirai uyilaai

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'U' in 'Uyirai' and 'Uyilaai'.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Valarththaan uravai / Vaguththaan pirivai

Rhyming of the second letter 'la'/'gu' pattern with end-rhyme structure between 'uravai' and 'pirivai'.

Metaphor

Or kaagidham ena naan irundhen / Poongkaaviyam adhil nee punaindhaai

The protagonist compares his former self to a blank paper and his lover's impact to writing a beautiful poetic epic on it.

Simile

Or vaanavil nizhalaai thondarndhaai

Compares the elusive yet beautiful presence of the beloved to the trailing shadow of a rainbow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kadhal Virus' (2002) was directed by Kathir, featuring music composed by Oscar-winning maestro A. R. Rahman. Lyricist Vaali crafted the lyrics reflecting the movie's theme of a film director whose personal life and romantic heartbreaks parallel his cinematic art.

Keep listening

More from Kadhal Virus