Oru Kaalathula Kadhal
From Kida Poosari Magudi · 2016
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththula | Once upon a time |
| Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu | Love used to be something very sacred |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththula | Once upon a time |
| Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu | Love used to be something very sacred |
| Intha kaalaththula | In today's times |
| Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu | It has turned into a mere pastime |
| Male | |
| Iru manasum oru manasaa | Two hearts as one heart |
| Andru enanju irunthathu | Were united back then |
| Arugarugae irunthaalum | Even while standing close to each other |
| Indru velagi irukkuthu | Today they stay distant |
| Idhu kaadhalaagumaa nesamaanathaagumaa | Is this love? Will this be true affection? |
| Male | |
| Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa | Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa |
| Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa | Is this what love really is? |
| Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa | Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa |
| Kadhalae venaa ponaa | If this is love, go away, I don't want it |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththula | Once upon a time |
| Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu | Love used to be something very sacred |
| Intha kaalaththula | In today's times |
| Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu | It has turned into a mere pastime |
| Male | |
| Kann ehuthum mai ellaam | All the kohl painted on the eyes |
| Poikkuththaan adaiyaalam | Is merely a symbol of lie |
| Adhu poikkuththaan adaiyaalam | It is merely a symbol of lie |
| Poovukkoru vaai irunthaa | If a flower had a mouth |
| Unmaiyaththaan adhu pesum | It would speak only the truth |
| Antha unmaiyaththaan adhu pesum | It would speak only that truth |
| Male | |
| Punnai maram sollumadi | The laurel tree will speak, my girl |
| Andru kanda unmai kadhai | The true story it witnessed back then |
| Kannkalilae pesi pesi | Talking through the eyes continuously |
| Kai inaintha kadhal kadhai | The love story where hands held hands |
| Male | |
| Solai kuyil sonnathellaam | All that the garden cuckoo said |
| Soppanamaai ponathenna | Why did it turn into just a dream? |
| Paalai nilaa kandathellaam | All that the desert moon witnessed |
| Maarivitta kolam enna | Why has the pattern transformed like this? |
| Idhai ivan ninaiththida | While he ponders over this |
| Aval maranthuda niyaayam enna | What is the justice in her forgetting it completely? |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththula | Once upon a time |
| Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu | Love used to be something very sacred |
| Intha kaalaththula | In today's times |
| Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu | It has turned into a mere pastime |
| Male | |
| Kanniyarkal kai vasamaai | In the hands of young maidens |
| Vaithiruppathenna viththai | What kind of magic trick do they possess? |
| Avar vaithiruppathenna viththai | What kind of magic trick do they hold? |
| Kannai kattum viththaiyai pol | Like a blinding spell over the eyes |
| Kadhal ennum maya viththai | The illusory trick called love |
| Antha kadhal ennum maya viththai | That illusory trick called love |
| Male | |
| Vaaliparin nenjai ellaam | Tormenting the hearts of all young men |
| Vaattuvathu vaadikkaiyo | Has it become a habit for them? |
| Vaaduvathai theduvathai | Watching them wither and search |
| Paarpadhungal vedikkaiyo | Is watching their misery your entertainment? |
| Male | |
| Kadhal ennum vilaiyaattinilae | In this game called love |
| Kaalaiyai nee yaen pidiththaai | Why did you hold the young man's hand? |
| Veroruvan kai pidiththu | Holding another man's hand now |
| Vaazhkkaiyil nee yaen nadiththaai | Why did you act in life? |
| Idhai nee maranthida | For you to forget all this |
| Avan ninaippathil niyaayam enna | What is the justice in him constantly remembering it? |
| Male | |
| Oru kaalaththula | Once upon a time |
| Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu | Love used to be something very sacred |
| Intha kaalaththula | In today's times |
| Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu | It has turned into a mere pastime |
| Male | |
| Iru manasum oru manasaa | Two hearts as one heart |
| Andru enanju irunthathu | Were united back then |
| Arugarugae irunthaalum | Even while standing close to each other |
| Indru velagi irukkuthu | Today they stay distant |
| Idhu kaadhalaagumaa nesamaanathaagumaa | Is this love? Will this be true affection? |
| Male | |
| Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa | Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa |
| Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa | Is this what love really is? |
| Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa | Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa |
| Kadhalae venaa ponaa | If this is love, go away, I don't want it |
| Male | |
| Hei thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa | Hey, Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa |
| Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa | Is this what love really is? |
| Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa | Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa |
| Kadhalae venaa ponaa | If this is love, go away, I don't want it |
ஒரு காலத்துல......
காதலுன்னா ரொம்ப புனிதமானது
Once upon a time
Love used to be something very sacred
ஒரு காலத்துல......
காதலுன்னா ரொம்ப புனிதமானது
இந்தக் காலத்துல
அது பொழுது போக்கா ஆகிப் போனது
Once upon a time
Love used to be something very sacred
In today's times
It has turned into a mere pastime
இரு மனசும் ஒரு மனசா
அன்று எணஞ்சு இருந்தது
அருகருகே இருந்தாலும்
இன்று வெலகி இருக்குது
இது காதலாகுமா நெசமானதாகுமா
Two hearts as one heart
Were united back then
Even while standing close to each other
Today they stay distant
Is this love? Will this be true affection?
தந்தனத் தானா தந்தனத் தானா
காதலுன்னா இது தானா
தந்தனத் தானா தந்தனத் தானா
காதலே வேணா போண்ணா
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Is this what love really is?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
If this is love, go away, I don't want it
ஒரு காலத்துல......
காதலுன்னா ரொம்ப புனிதமானது
இந்தக் காலத்துல
அது பொழுது போக்கா ஆகிப் போனது
Once upon a time
Love used to be something very sacred
In today's times
It has turned into a mere pastime
கண் எழுதும் மை எல்லாம்
பொய்க்குத்தான் அடையாளம்
அது பொய்க்குத் தான் அடையாளம்
பூவுக்கொரு வாய் இருந்தா
உண்மையத்தான் அது பேசும்
அந்த உண்மையத்தான் அது பேசும்
All the kohl painted on the eyes
Is merely a symbol of lie
It is merely a symbol of lie
If a flower had a mouth
It would speak only the truth
It would speak only that truth
புன்னை மரம் சொல்லுமடி
அன்று கண்ட உண்மைக் கதை...
கண்களிலே பேசிப் பேசி
கை இணைந்த காதல் கதை...
The laurel tree will speak, my girl
The true story it witnessed back then
Talking through the eyes continuously
The love story where hands held hands
சோலைக் குயில் சொன்னதெல்லாம்
சொப்பனமாய்ப் போனதென்ன
பாலை நிலா கண்டதெல்லாம்
மாறிவிட்ட கோலம் என்ன
இதை இவன் நினைத்திட
அவள் மறந்திட நியாயம் என்ன.....
All that the garden cuckoo said
Why did it turn into just a dream?
All that the desert moon witnessed
Why has the pattern transformed like this?
While he ponders over this
What is the justice in her forgetting it completely?
ஒரு காலத்துல......
காதலுன்னா ரொம்ப புனிதமானது
இந்தக் காலத்துல
அது பொழுது போக்கா ஆகிப் போனது
Once upon a time
Love used to be something very sacred
In today's times
It has turned into a mere pastime
கன்னியர்கள் கை வசமாய்
வைத்திருப்பதென்ன வித்தை
அவர் வைத்திருப்பதென்ன வித்தை
கண்ணைக் கட்டும் வித்தையைப் போல்
காதல் என்னும் மாய வித்தை
அந்தக் காதல் என்னும் மாய வித்தை
In the hands of young maidens
What kind of magic trick do they possess?
What kind of magic trick do they hold?
Like a blinding spell over the eyes
The illusory trick called love
That illusory trick called love
வாலிபரின் நெஞ்சை எல்லாம்
வாட்டுவது வாடிக்கையோ...
வாடுவதை தேடுவதை
பார்ப்பதுங்கள் வேடிக்கையோ...
Tormenting the hearts of all young men
Has it become a habit for them?
Watching them wither and search
Is watching their misery your entertainment?
காதல் என்னும் விளையாட்டினிலே
காளையை நீ ஏன் பிடித்தாய்
வேறொருவன் கை பிடித்து
வாழ்க்கையில் நீ ஏன் நடித்தாய்
இதை நீ மறந்திட
அவன் நினைப்பதில் நியாயம் என்ன.....
In this game called love
Why did you hold the young man's hand?
Holding another man's hand now
Why did you act in life?
For you to forget all this
What is the justice in him constantly remembering it?
ஒரு காலத்துல......
காதலுன்னா ரொம்ப புனிதமானது
இந்தக் காலத்துல
அது பொழுது போக்கா ஆகிப் போனது
Once upon a time
Love used to be something very sacred
In today's times
It has turned into a mere pastime
இரு மனசும் ஒரு மனசா
அன்று எணஞ்சு இருந்தது
அருகருகே இருந்தாலும்
இன்று வெலகி இருக்குது
இது காதலாகுமா நெசமானதாகுமா
Two hearts as one heart
Were united back then
Even while standing close to each other
Today they stay distant
Is this love? Will this be true affection?
தந்தனத் தானா தந்தனத் தானா
காதலுன்னா இது தானா
தந்தனத் தானா தந்தனத் தானா
காதலே வேணா போண்ணா
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Is this what love really is?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
If this is love, go away, I don't want it
ஹேய் தந்தனத் தானா தந்தனத் தானா
காதலுன்னா இது தானா
தந்தனத் தானா தந்தனத் தானா
காதலே வேணா போண்ணா
Hey, Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Is this what love really is?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
If this is love, go away, I don't want it
Oru kaalaththula
Once upon a time
Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu
Love used to be something very sacred
Oru kaalaththula
Once upon a time
Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu
Love used to be something very sacred
Intha kaalaththula
In today's times
Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu
It has turned into a mere pastime
Iru manasum oru manasaa
Two hearts as one heart
Andru enanju irunthathu
Were united back then
Arugarugae irunthaalum
Even while standing close to each other
Indru velagi irukkuthu
Today they stay distant
Idhu kaadhalaagumaa nesamaanathaagumaa
Is this love? Will this be true affection?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa
Is this what love really is?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Kadhalae venaa ponaa
If this is love, go away, I don't want it
Oru kaalaththula
Once upon a time
Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu
Love used to be something very sacred
Intha kaalaththula
In today's times
Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu
It has turned into a mere pastime
Kann ehuthum mai ellaam
All the kohl painted on the eyes
Poikkuththaan adaiyaalam
Is merely a symbol of lie
Adhu poikkuththaan adaiyaalam
It is merely a symbol of lie
Poovukkoru vaai irunthaa
If a flower had a mouth
Unmaiyaththaan adhu pesum
It would speak only the truth
Antha unmaiyaththaan adhu pesum
It would speak only that truth
Punnai maram sollumadi
The laurel tree will speak, my girl
Andru kanda unmai kadhai
The true story it witnessed back then
Kannkalilae pesi pesi
Talking through the eyes continuously
Kai inaintha kadhal kadhai
The love story where hands held hands
Solai kuyil sonnathellaam
All that the garden cuckoo said
Soppanamaai ponathenna
Why did it turn into just a dream?
Paalai nilaa kandathellaam
All that the desert moon witnessed
Maarivitta kolam enna
Why has the pattern transformed like this?
Idhai ivan ninaiththida
While he ponders over this
Aval maranthuda niyaayam enna
What is the justice in her forgetting it completely?
Oru kaalaththula
Once upon a time
Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu
Love used to be something very sacred
Intha kaalaththula
In today's times
Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu
It has turned into a mere pastime
Kanniyarkal kai vasamaai
In the hands of young maidens
Vaithiruppathenna viththai
What kind of magic trick do they possess?
Avar vaithiruppathenna viththai
What kind of magic trick do they hold?
Kannai kattum viththaiyai pol
Like a blinding spell over the eyes
Kadhal ennum maya viththai
The illusory trick called love
Antha kadhal ennum maya viththai
That illusory trick called love
Vaaliparin nenjai ellaam
Tormenting the hearts of all young men
Vaattuvathu vaadikkaiyo
Has it become a habit for them?
Vaaduvathai theduvathai
Watching them wither and search
Paarpadhungal vedikkaiyo
Is watching their misery your entertainment?
Kadhal ennum vilaiyaattinilae
In this game called love
Kaalaiyai nee yaen pidiththaai
Why did you hold the young man's hand?
Veroruvan kai pidiththu
Holding another man's hand now
Vaazhkkaiyil nee yaen nadiththaai
Why did you act in life?
Idhai nee maranthida
For you to forget all this
Avan ninaippathil niyaayam enna
What is the justice in him constantly remembering it?
Oru kaalaththula
Once upon a time
Kadhalunnaa romba punithamaanathu
Love used to be something very sacred
Intha kaalaththula
In today's times
Adhu pozhuthu pokkaa aagi ponathu
It has turned into a mere pastime
Iru manasum oru manasaa
Two hearts as one heart
Andru enanju irunthathu
Were united back then
Arugarugae irunthaalum
Even while standing close to each other
Indru velagi irukkuthu
Today they stay distant
Idhu kaadhalaagumaa nesamaanathaagumaa
Is this love? Will this be true affection?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa
Is this what love really is?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Kadhalae venaa ponaa
If this is love, go away, I don't want it
Hei thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Hey, Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa
Is this what love really is?
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Thanthana thaanaa thanthana thaanaa
Kadhalae venaa ponaa
If this is love, go away, I don't want it
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Oru Kaalaththula' from the movie 'Kida Poosari Magudi' (2016) is a poignant lament about the changing nature of love and the pain of betrayal. Penned by acclaimed lyricist Mu. Metha, the song contrasts an idealized past—where love was sacred, pure, and binding—with the present era, where relationships have become casual pastimes. The singer expresses profound hurt after being abandoned by his beloved, who chose to marry another despite their shared memories and deep emotional bond. The lyrics call upon elements of nature, such as the Punnai tree, the garden cuckoo, and the desert moon, as silent witnesses to their former love story. Through these vivid metaphors, the protagonist questions the fairness of a woman forgetting the past while leaving him trapped in painful memories, ultimately concluding with a cynical rejection of modern romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis)
“Oru kaalaththula / Intha kaalaththula”
Contrasts the sacred nature of love in the past ('Oru kaalaththula') with its superficial nature in the present ('Intha kaalaththula').
Personification
“Poovukkoru vaai irunthaa / Unmaiyaththaan adhu pesum”
Attributes human speech to flowers, suggesting that if a flower could talk, it would speak the unvarnished truth.
Metaphor
“Kadhal ennum maya viththai”
Compares love directly to an illusory magic trick ('maya viththai') that misleads and entangles young hearts.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Punnai maram sollumadi / Kannkalilae pesi pesi”
The second consonant 'nn' (ன்ன / ண்) rhymes across the opening words 'Punnai' and 'Kannkalilae'.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kaadhalunnaa idhuthaanaa / Kadhalae venaa ponaa”
The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming musical suffixes ('idhuthaanaa' / 'ponaa').
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics of this song were penned by Mu. Metha, a renowned Tamil poet and Sahitya Akademi Award winner known for his poignant usage of Tamil literary devices in modern film songs. The film 'Kida Poosari Magudi' (2016) revolves around rural themes, and this song highlights traditional village metaphors such as the 'Punnai maram' (laurel tree) and 'Soppanam' (dreams) to ground its heartbreak narrative in folk culture.
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