Paalam
From Kaththi · 2014
- Lyricist
- Yugabharathi
- Singers
- Shankar Mahadevan, Shweta Mohan
- Music director
- Anirudh Ravichander
- Details
- Kaththi2014
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Tho dhilu shaamilu huye hai | Two hearts have joined together |
| Dora se milne ye chuke hai | They missed meeting the leader |
| Kabar din ek jaane hai | One day the grave will know |
| Dho jaaha ek bane hai | Two worlds have become one |
| Male | |
| Yeei kottu kottu melam kottu | Hey beat the drums beat the drums |
| Kattu kattu paalam kattu | Build build the bridge build |
| Idhayatha idhayathukku | To connect heart to heart |
| Inaikka paalam kattu | Build a bridge to connect |
| Chorus | |
| Tho dhilu shaamilu huye hai | Two hearts have joined together |
| Dora se milne ye chuke hai | They missed meeting the leader |
| Kabar din ek jaane hai | One day the grave will know |
| Dho jaaha ek bane hai | Two worlds have become one |
| Female | |
| Mars-la ivan porandhaan | He was born on Mars |
| Venus-la iva porandha | She was born on Venus |
| Grahanga renduthukkum | Between these two planets |
| Irukkum paalam yethu | Which bridge exists? |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………… | |
| Male | |
| Ada daa sorgathula maram eduththu | Ah taking wood from paradise |
| Kattuna paalam thaan | The bridge that was built |
| Female :Mm..muththathula katti vacha | Mm built with kisses |
| Paalam kaadhal thaan | Love is that bridge |
| Chorus | |
| Kaadhal oru | Love is a |
| Medhava medhava paalam | Floating floating bridge |
| Adhu illana nenjukulla | Without it inside the heart |
| Mirugam mirugam vaazhum | A beast a beast will live |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………… | |
| Chorus | |
| Kaadhal oru | Love is a |
| Medhava medhava paalam | Floating floating bridge |
| Adhu illana nenjukulla | Without it inside the heart |
| Mirugam mirugam vaazhum | A beast a beast will live |
| Male | |
| Besh besh romba nannaa irukku | Bravo bravo very good |
| Chorus | |
| Andakula adhipadhi neeyae | You are the master of the universe |
| Namo namo naaraayanaaya | Salutations to Lord Narayana |
| Thondarkulam pottrum unnayae | The community of devotees praises you |
| Namo namo naaraayanaaya | Salutations to Lord Narayana |
| Male | |
| Ohhooo… thunbam inga | Oh sorrow here |
| Oru karai thaan | Is one shore |
| Inbam anga maru karaithaan | Joy there is the other shore |
| Rendukkum maththiyila | In between both |
| Odum paalam yethu | Which bridge runs? |
| Female | |
| Ohoo…kovilula kalleduththa | Oh taking stones from the temple |
| Bhakthiyila solleduthu | Taking words from devotion |
| Kattina paalam yethu | Which bridge was built? |
| Saami paalam adhu | That is the God bridge |
| Male | |
| Oh paavam senjaa karakaluva | The earth thinks |
| Ninaikkum boomithaan | To wash away committed sins |
| Female :Paavaththa nee unarndhuputta | If you realize your sin |
| Neeyum saamithaan | You too are God |
| Chorus | |
| Saami oru | God is a |
| Kurukku kurukku paalam | Shortcut shortcut bridge |
| Adhu illaenaa | Without it |
| Boomi ingae | The earth here is |
| Kirukku kirukku kolam | A crazy crazy pattern |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………. | |
| Chorus | |
| Saami oru | God is a |
| Kurukku kurukku paalam | Shortcut shortcut bridge |
| Adhu illaenaa | Without it |
| Boomi ingae | The earth here is |
| Kirukku kirukku kolam | A crazy crazy pattern |
| Chorus | |
| Humpty dumpty anga falling down | Humpty Dumpty falling down there |
| Jack n jillu inga rolling down | Jack and Jill rolling down here |
| Londan bridge is ayyo fallingaaa | London bridge is ayyo falling |
| Ringa ringa all fall down. | Ringa ringa all fall down |
| Female | |
| Ye…nethu verum irul mayamthaan | Hey yesterday was pure darkness |
| Naalai adhu olimayam thaan | Tomorrow is full of light |
| Nalla edhirkaalathuthukku | To a bright future |
| Pogum paalam yethu | Which bridge leads? |
| Male | |
| Ohooo…kurumbula irumbeduthu | Oh taking iron from mischief |
| Arivula narambeduthu | Taking nerves from wisdom |
| Ezhuppuna paalam yethu | Which bridge was raised? |
| Kulandha paalam adhu | That is the child bridge |
| Female | |
| Ohoo…vaanathula meen pidichu | Oh catching stars from the sky |
| Rasikkum vayasuthaan | It is the age to enjoy |
| Male :Ellarukkum venum andha | Everyone needs that |
| Kulandha manasuthaan | Childlike mind |
| Chorus | |
| Kulandhainga | Children's |
| Kanavu kanavu paalam | Dream dream bridge |
| Adhil ponaalae kannu munnae | If you cross it before your eyes |
| Oliyum olirum kaalam | Time will shine and glow |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………….. | |
| Chorus | |
| Kulandhainga | Children's |
| Kanavu kanavu paalam | Dream dream bridge |
| Adhil ponaalae kannu munnae | If you cross it before your eyes |
| Oliyum olirum kaalam | Time will shine and glow |
| Chorus | |
| Kuthukalla pola nindaanae | He stood like a boundary stone |
| Puttukinu poyae puttanae | He snapped and broke down |
| Ettukaalu poochi aattamthaan | Dancing like an eight-legged spider |
| Naasamaai nadandhu varaanae | He walks along ruined |
| Male | |
| Hey porappadhum oru nodithaan | Hey birth takes just a moment |
| Erappadhum oru nodithaan | Death takes just a moment |
| Solladi gnyanaponnu | Tell me wise girl |
| Rendukum paalam yethu | Which bridge lies between the two? |
| Female | |
| Anju moota pooveduthu | Taking five sacks of flowers |
| Nerathula naar eduthu | Taking fiber from time |
| Kattuna paalam yethu | Which bridge was built? |
| Vaazhka paalam adhu | That is the life bridge |
| Male | |
| Paadhiyila mullirukkum | There will be thorns along the way |
| Kuththuna kathaadhae | If pricked do not scream |
| Female :Beer-adichi ninna kooda | Even if you stand after drinking beer |
| Adhuvum kathaathae | That too won't scream |
| Chorus | |
| Vazhkka adhu | Life is a |
| Poovula kattuna paalam | Bridge built with flowers |
| Nee sethaalum | Even if you die |
| Serthu vecha puniyam | The good deeds you gathered |
| Ennaikkum vaazhum | Will live forever |
| Chorus | |
| Vazhkka adhu | Life is a |
| Poovula kattuna paalam | Bridge built with flowers |
| Nee sethaalum | Even if you die |
| Serthu vecha puniyam | The good deeds you gathered |
| Ennaikkum vaazhum | Will live forever |
.......................
Two hearts have joined together
They missed meeting the leader
One day the grave will know
Two worlds have become one
ஏய் கொட்டு
கொட்டு மேளம் கொட்டு
கட்டு கட்டு பாலம் கட்டு
இதயத்த இதயத்துக்கு
இணைக்க பாலம் கட்டு
Hey beat the drums beat the drums
Build build the bridge build
To connect heart to heart
Build a bridge to connect
.......................
Two hearts have joined together
They missed meeting the leader
One day the grave will know
Two worlds have become one
மார்ஸ்ல இவன்
பொறந்தான் வீனஸ்ல
இவ பொறந்தா கிரகங்க
இரண்டுத்துக்கும் இருக்கும்
பாலம் எது
He was born on Mars
She was born on Venus
Between these two planets
Which bridge exists?
.......................
அடடா சொர்கத்துல
மரம் எடுத்து கட்டுன
பாலம்தான்
ம்ம் முத்தத்துல
கட்டி வச்ச பாலம் காதல்
தான்
Ah taking wood from paradise
The bridge that was built
Mm built with kisses
Love is that bridge
காதல் ஒரு மிதவை
மிதவை பாலம் அது
இல்லைனா நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள
மிருகம் மிருகம் வாழும்
Love is a
Floating floating bridge
Without it inside the heart
A beast a beast will live
.............................
காதல் ஒரு மிதவை
மிதவை பாலம் அது
இல்லைனா நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள
மிருகம் மிருகம் வாழும்
Love is a
Floating floating bridge
Without it inside the heart
A beast a beast will live
பேஷ் பேஷ்
ரொம்ப நன்னா இருக்கு
Bravo bravo very good
அண்டகுல அதிபதி
நீயே நமோ நமோ
நாராயணாய தொண்டர்
குலம் போற்றும் உன்னயே
நமோ நமோ நாராயணாய
You are the master of the universe
Salutations to Lord Narayana
The community of devotees praises you
Salutations to Lord Narayana
ஓஹோ துன்பம்
இங்க ஒரு கரை தான்
இன்பம் அங்க மறுகரை
தான் ரெண்டுக்கும் மத்தியில
ஓடும் பாலம் எது
Oh sorrow here
Is one shore
Joy there is the other shore
In between both
Which bridge runs?
ஓஹோ கோவிலுல
கல் எடுத்து பக்தியில சொல்
எடுத்து கட்டின பாலம் எது
சாமி பாலம் அது
Oh taking stones from the temple
Taking words from devotion
Which bridge was built?
That is the God bridge
ஓ பாவம் செஞ்ச
கறை கழுவ நினைக்கும்
பூமிதான்
பாவத்தை நீ
உணர்ந்துபுட்டா நீயும்
சாமிதான்
The earth thinks
To wash away committed sins
If you realize your sin
You too are God
சாமி ஒரு குறுக்கு
குறுக்கு பாலம் அது
இல்லேனா பூமி இங்கே
கிறுக்கு கிறுக்கு கோலம்
God is a
Shortcut shortcut bridge
Without it
The earth here is
A crazy crazy pattern
.......................
சாமி ஒரு குறுக்கு
குறுக்கு பாலம் அது
இல்லேனா பூமி இங்கே
கிறுக்கு கிறுக்கு கோலம்
God is a
Shortcut shortcut bridge
Without it
The earth here is
A crazy crazy pattern
.......................
Humpty Dumpty falling down there
Jack and Jill rolling down here
London bridge is ayyo falling
Ringa ringa all fall down
ஏ நேத்து வெறும்
இருள் மயம் தான் நாளை
அது ஒளிமயம் தான்
நல்ல எதிர்காலத்துக்கு
போகும் பாலம் எது
Hey yesterday was pure darkness
Tomorrow is full of light
To a bright future
Which bridge leads?
ஓஹோ குறும்புல
இரும்பெடுத்து அறிவுல
நரம்பெடுத்து எழுப்புன
பாலம் எது குழந்தை
பாலம் அது
Oh taking iron from mischief
Taking nerves from wisdom
Which bridge was raised?
That is the child bridge
ஓஹோ வானத்துல
மீன் பிடிச்சு ரசிக்கும்
வயசுதான்
எல்லாருக்கும்
வேணும் அந்த குழந்தை
மனசுதான்
Oh catching stars from the sky
It is the age to enjoy
Everyone needs that
Childlike mind
குழந்தைங்க கனவு
கனவு பாலம் அதில்
போனாலே கண்ணு
முன்னே ஒளியும்
ஒளிரும் காலம்
Children's
Dream dream bridge
If you cross it before your eyes
Time will shine and glow
.......................
குழந்தைங்க கனவு
கனவு பாலம் அதில்
போனாலே கண்ணு
முன்னே ஒளியும்
ஒளிரும் காலம்
Children's
Dream dream bridge
If you cross it before your eyes
Time will shine and glow
விஷ்லிங் :
.......................
He stood like a boundary stone
He snapped and broke down
Dancing like an eight-legged spider
He walks along ruined
குத்துகல்ல போல
நின்னானே புட்டு கின்னு
போயேபுட்டானே எட்டு
காலு பூச்சியாட்டம் தான்
நாசமாயி நடந்து வரானே
Hey birth takes just a moment
Death takes just a moment
Tell me wise girl
Which bridge lies between the two?
ஹே பொறப்பதும்
ஒரு நொடிதான் இறப்பதும்
ஒரு நொடிதான் சொல்லடி
ஞானபொண்ணு ரெண்டுக்கும்
பாலம் எது
Taking five sacks of flowers
Taking fiber from time
Which bridge was built?
That is the life bridge
அஞ்சு மூட்ட
பூவெடுத்து நெறத்துல
நாரெடுத்து கட்டுன
பாலம் எது வாழ்க்க
பாலம் அது
There will be thorns along the way
If pricked do not scream
Even if you stand after drinking beer
That too won't scream
பாதையில
முள்ளிருக்கும்
குத்துனா கத்தாதே
பீர் அடிச்சி
நின்னா கூட அதுவும்
கத்தாதே
Life is a
Bridge built with flowers
Even if you die
The good deeds you gathered
Will live forever
வாழ்க்க அது
பூவுல கட்டுன பாலம்
நீ செத்தாலும் சோ்த்து
வச்ச புண்ணியம்
என்னைக்கும் வாழும்
Life is a
Bridge built with flowers
Even if you die
The good deeds you gathered
Will live forever
......................
வாழ்க்க அது
பூவுல கட்டுன பாலம்
நீ செத்தாலும் சோ்த்து
வச்ச புண்ணியம்
என்னைக்கும் வாழும்
Tho dhilu shaamilu huye hai
Two hearts have joined together
Dora se milne ye chuke hai
They missed meeting the leader
Kabar din ek jaane hai
One day the grave will know
Dho jaaha ek bane hai
Two worlds have become one
Yeei kottu kottu melam kottu
Hey beat the drums beat the drums
Kattu kattu paalam kattu
Build build the bridge build
Idhayatha idhayathukku
To connect heart to heart
Inaikka paalam kattu
Build a bridge to connect
Tho dhilu shaamilu huye hai
Two hearts have joined together
Dora se milne ye chuke hai
They missed meeting the leader
Kabar din ek jaane hai
One day the grave will know
Dho jaaha ek bane hai
Two worlds have become one
Mars-la ivan porandhaan
He was born on Mars
Venus-la iva porandha
She was born on Venus
Grahanga renduthukkum
Between these two planets
Irukkum paalam yethu
Which bridge exists?
……………………………
Ada daa sorgathula maram eduththu
Ah taking wood from paradise
Kattuna paalam thaan
The bridge that was built
Female :Mm..muththathula katti vacha
Mm built with kisses
Paalam kaadhal thaan
Love is that bridge
Kaadhal oru
Love is a
Medhava medhava paalam
Floating floating bridge
Adhu illana nenjukulla
Without it inside the heart
Mirugam mirugam vaazhum
A beast a beast will live
……………………………
Kaadhal oru
Love is a
Medhava medhava paalam
Floating floating bridge
Adhu illana nenjukulla
Without it inside the heart
Mirugam mirugam vaazhum
A beast a beast will live
Besh besh romba nannaa irukku
Bravo bravo very good
Andakula adhipadhi neeyae
You are the master of the universe
Namo namo naaraayanaaya
Salutations to Lord Narayana
Thondarkulam pottrum unnayae
The community of devotees praises you
Namo namo naaraayanaaya
Salutations to Lord Narayana
Ohhooo… thunbam inga
Oh sorrow here
Oru karai thaan
Is one shore
Inbam anga maru karaithaan
Joy there is the other shore
Rendukkum maththiyila
In between both
Odum paalam yethu
Which bridge runs?
Ohoo…kovilula kalleduththa
Oh taking stones from the temple
Bhakthiyila solleduthu
Taking words from devotion
Kattina paalam yethu
Which bridge was built?
Saami paalam adhu
That is the God bridge
Oh paavam senjaa karakaluva
The earth thinks
Ninaikkum boomithaan
To wash away committed sins
Female :Paavaththa nee unarndhuputta
If you realize your sin
Neeyum saamithaan
You too are God
Saami oru
God is a
Kurukku kurukku paalam
Shortcut shortcut bridge
Adhu illaenaa
Without it
Boomi ingae
The earth here is
Kirukku kirukku kolam
A crazy crazy pattern
…………………………….
Saami oru
God is a
Kurukku kurukku paalam
Shortcut shortcut bridge
Adhu illaenaa
Without it
Boomi ingae
The earth here is
Kirukku kirukku kolam
A crazy crazy pattern
Humpty dumpty anga falling down
Humpty Dumpty falling down there
Jack n jillu inga rolling down
Jack and Jill rolling down here
Londan bridge is ayyo fallingaaa
London bridge is ayyo falling
Ringa ringa all fall down.
Ringa ringa all fall down
Ye…nethu verum irul mayamthaan
Hey yesterday was pure darkness
Naalai adhu olimayam thaan
Tomorrow is full of light
Nalla edhirkaalathuthukku
To a bright future
Pogum paalam yethu
Which bridge leads?
Ohooo…kurumbula irumbeduthu
Oh taking iron from mischief
Arivula narambeduthu
Taking nerves from wisdom
Ezhuppuna paalam yethu
Which bridge was raised?
Kulandha paalam adhu
That is the child bridge
Ohoo…vaanathula meen pidichu
Oh catching stars from the sky
Rasikkum vayasuthaan
It is the age to enjoy
Male :Ellarukkum venum andha
Everyone needs that
Kulandha manasuthaan
Childlike mind
Kulandhainga
Children's
Kanavu kanavu paalam
Dream dream bridge
Adhil ponaalae kannu munnae
If you cross it before your eyes
Oliyum olirum kaalam
Time will shine and glow
………………………..
Kulandhainga
Children's
Kanavu kanavu paalam
Dream dream bridge
Adhil ponaalae kannu munnae
If you cross it before your eyes
Oliyum olirum kaalam
Time will shine and glow
Kuthukalla pola nindaanae
He stood like a boundary stone
Puttukinu poyae puttanae
He snapped and broke down
Ettukaalu poochi aattamthaan
Dancing like an eight-legged spider
Naasamaai nadandhu varaanae
He walks along ruined
Hey porappadhum oru nodithaan
Hey birth takes just a moment
Erappadhum oru nodithaan
Death takes just a moment
Solladi gnyanaponnu
Tell me wise girl
Rendukum paalam yethu
Which bridge lies between the two?
Anju moota pooveduthu
Taking five sacks of flowers
Nerathula naar eduthu
Taking fiber from time
Kattuna paalam yethu
Which bridge was built?
Vaazhka paalam adhu
That is the life bridge
Paadhiyila mullirukkum
There will be thorns along the way
Kuththuna kathaadhae
If pricked do not scream
Female :Beer-adichi ninna kooda
Even if you stand after drinking beer
Adhuvum kathaathae
That too won't scream
Vazhkka adhu
Life is a
Poovula kattuna paalam
Bridge built with flowers
Nee sethaalum
Even if you die
Serthu vecha puniyam
The good deeds you gathered
Ennaikkum vaazhum
Will live forever
Vazhkka adhu
Life is a
Poovula kattuna paalam
Bridge built with flowers
Nee sethaalum
Even if you die
Serthu vecha puniyam
The good deeds you gathered
Ennaikkum vaazhum
Will live forever
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Paalam' from the movie Kaththi (2014) uses the metaphor of a bridge (paalam) to explore various emotional, spiritual, and existential facets of human life. Through rhythmic Tamil lyrics intertwined with quirky Hindi and English nursery rhymes, lyricist Yugabharathi questions what connects opposing ends of human experience—such as Mars and Venus (love), sorrow and joy (devotion), dark past and bright future (childhood innocence), and birth and death (life itself). Each verse identifies a specific bridge: love built of kisses that tames the inner beast, devotion that leads to divine realization, childhood dreams that illuminate the future, and life made of flowers where good deeds outlive mortality. Visually and musically energetic, the track serves as a playful yet philosophical commentary on human connections and morality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kaadhal oru Medhava medhava paalam”
Life, love, devotion, and childhood are metaphorically portrayed as different types of bridges connecting two shores of human experience.
Repetition (Anaphora/Epanalepsis)
“Kattu kattu paalam kattu”
The word 'paalam' (bridge) is repeated systematically at the end of key descriptive lines throughout the song for musical accentuation.
Ethukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)
“Grahanga renduthukkum / Irukkum paalam yethu”
The second Tamil letter 'r' (ற) rhymes across lines ('Grahanga' / 'Irukkum').
Monai (Tamil Alliteration)
“Kattu kattu paalam kattu”
Initial consonant sound 'K' is repeated across words in the line.
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Trivia
Although the prompt lists Music and Singers as Unknown, 'Paalam' was composed by Anirudh Ravichander and sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Shweta Mohan for the blockbuster movie Kaththi (2014), starring Vijay and Samantha. The track uniquely incorporates Hindi phrases, Carnatic devotional chants, and English nursery rhymes within a contemporary folk beat.
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