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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kaditham Eluthinen (Female)

From Deva · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Deva1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru kaditham ezhuthinenI wrote a letter,
En uyirai anuppinenI sent my very life.
Andha ezhuthin vadivilaeIn the form of those written words,
Naan ennai anuppinenI sent myself.
Female
Kaadhalaa…aaahhh…Oh my love...
Idhu thaan kaadhaaala…aaah..aaahh…Is this what love truly is...
Kaadhalaa…aaahhh…Oh my love...
Idhu thaan kaadhaaala…aaah..aaahh…Is this what love truly is...
Female
Oru kaditham ezhuthinenI wrote a letter,
En uyirai anuppinenI sent my very life.
Female
Naan vaangum swaasangal ellaamEvery breath that I inhale,
Nee thandha kaatruIs the air given by you.
Nee indri vaazhndhida inguTo live here without you,
Enakkaedhu moochuWhere is the breath in me?
Female
Aagaayam neer nilam yaavumThe sky, the water, and the earth—all of it,
Azhagae un kaatchiMy beautiful one, is a vision of you.
Alai paayndhu naan ingu vaadaAs I wither here, tossing restlessly like waves,
Avai thaanae saatchiThey alone stand as witnesses.
Female
Nee illaadha naanaeWithout you, I am,
Thuli neer illaadha meenaeLike a fish without a drop of water.
Nee oadai pola kooda vendumae…You must flow and join me like a stream...
Female
Kaadhalaa…aaahhh…Oh my love...
Idhu thaan kaadhaaala…aaah..aaahh…Is this what love truly is...
Kaadhalaa…aaahhh…Oh my love...
Idhu thaan kaadhaaala…aaah..aaahh…Is this what love truly is...
Female
Oru kaditham ezhuthinenI wrote a letter,
En uyirai anuppinenI sent my very life.
Andha ezhuthin vadivilaeIn the form of those written words,
Naan ennai anuppinenI sent myself.
Female
Kaadhalaa…aaahhh…Oh my love...
Idhu thaan kaadhaaala…aaah..aaahh…Is this what love truly is...
Kaadhalaa…aaahhh…Oh my love...
Idhu thaan kaadhaaala…aaah..aaahh…Is this what love truly is...
Female
Oru kaditham ezhuthinenI wrote a letter,
En uyirai anuppinenI sent my very life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful track expresses the profound depth of love and separation through the medium of a written letter. The protagonist believes that writing a letter is not merely scribbling words on paper, but sending their very soul and identity to the beloved. Every aspect of existence—the air they breathe and the natural elements around them—is tied entirely to the lover's presence. The lyrics use poignant imagery to capture intense emotional reliance, comparing the speaker's state without their partner to a fish struggling without water. The song depicts love as an all-encompassing force where distance only magnifies the yearning for reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Andha ezhuthin vadivilae Naan ennai anuppinen

Equates the written words of the letter directly to the sender's own life and soul.

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

Thuli neer illaadha meenae

Compares the protagonist's helpless state without the beloved to a fish stranded without a single drop of water.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oru kaditham ezhuthinen / En uyirai anuppinen

The verbs 'ezhuthinen' and 'anuppinen' share the same ending suffix (-inen), creating a pleasant rhythmic repetition.

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Trivia

'Oru Kaditham Ezhuthinen' is a classic romantic song from the 1995 Tamil film 'Deva', starring Vijay and Swathi. The film's music was composed by Deva, and this particular duet features vocals by actor Vijay himself alongside the renowned playback singer K. S. Chithra, showcasing Vijay's early playback singing career under Vaali's evocative penmanship.

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