Vaigai Karai Katre
From Uyirullavarai Usha · 1983
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Details
- Uyirullavarai Usha1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu | Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen. |
| Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu | If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her. |
| Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu | Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen. |
| Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu | If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her. |
| Mannam manam vaadudhendru | Tell her that this heart is wilting inside, |
| Mangai thanai thaedudhendru | And that it is searching for that young maiden. |
| Kaatrae poongaatrae | Oh wind, gentle breeze, |
| En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum | If you see my beloved apple of my eye, |
| Kaadhoram poi sollu | Go and whisper softly near her ears. |
| Male | |
| Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu | Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen. |
| Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu | If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her. |
| Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu | Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen. |
| Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu | If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her. |
| Mannam manam vaadudhendru | Tell her that this heart is wilting inside, |
| Mangai thanai thaedudhendru | And that it is searching for that young maiden. |
| Kaatrae poongaatrae | Oh wind, gentle breeze, |
| En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum | If you see my beloved apple of my eye, |
| Kaadhoram poi sollu | Go and whisper softly near her ears. |
| Male | |
| Thirukkoyil vaasal adhu thirakkavillai | The divine temple door has not opened; |
| Theru kodi poojai adhu nadakkavillai | The worship at the corner of the street has not taken place. |
| Dhevadhaiyai kaanbadharkku vazhiyum illai | There is no way to catch a glimpse of the divine goddess, |
| Thaen mozhiyai kaetpadharkku vagaiyum illai | Nor is there any means to hear her sweet, honeyed voice. |
| Kaadhalil vaazhndha kanni manam | The young heart that once thrived on love, |
| Kaavalil vaadaiyil kanni vidum | Is now shedding tears in captivity and cold wind. |
| Koondukkullae alai modhum | Restlessly thrashing inside a cage, |
| Kaadhal kili aval paavam kaadhal kili aval paavam | She is a poor love parrot, a poor caged love parrot. |
| Male | |
| Kaatrae poongaatrae | Oh wind, gentle breeze, |
| En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum | If you see my beloved apple of my eye, |
| Kaadhoram poi sollu | Go and whisper softly near her ears. |
| Male | |
| Maakkolam podudharkku varavillaiyae | She hasn't come out to draw the traditional rice-flour pattern; |
| Aval kolam paarppadharkku vazhiyillaiyae | There is no way for me to gaze upon her grace. |
| Jannalukkul nilavu aval thondravillaiyae | That moon behind the window hasn't made an appearance; |
| Jaadaiyoli sindha aval indru illaiyae | She who scatters soft signals isn't there today. |
| Nilavinai maegam vaanil maraikka | Just as clouds conceal the moon in the sky, |
| Avalinai yaaro veettil thadukka | Someone has confined her inside her home. |
| Megam adhu vilagaadho sogam adhu neengaadho | Will those clouds not clear? Will this sadness not disappear? |
| Megam adhu vilagaadho sogam adhu neengaadho | Will those clouds not clear? Will this sadness not disappear? |
| Sogam adhu neengaadho | Will this sorrow not disappear? |
| Male | |
| Kaatrae poongaatrae | Oh wind, gentle breeze, |
| En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum | If you see my beloved apple of my eye, |
| Kaadhoram poi sollu | Go and whisper softly near her ears. |
| Male | |
| Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu | Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen. |
| Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu | If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her. |
| Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu | Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen. |
| Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu | If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her. |
| Mannam manam vaadudhendru | Tell her that this heart is wilting inside, |
| Mangai thanai thaedudhendru | And that it is searching for that young maiden. |
| Kaatrae poongaatrae | Oh wind, gentle breeze, |
| En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum | If you see my beloved apple of my eye, |
| Kaadhoram poi sollu | Go and whisper softly near her ears. |
| Nee kaadhoram poi sollu nee kaadhoram poi sollu | Go whisper softly in her ear, go whisper softly in her ear. |
வைகைக் கரை காற்றே நில்லு
வஞ்சிதனைப் பார்த்தால் சொல்லு
வைகைக் கரை காற்றே நில்லு
வஞ்சிதனைப் பார்த்தால் சொல்லு
மன்னன் மனம் வாடுதென்று
மங்கை தனைத் தேடுதென்று
காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
என் கண்மணி அவளைக் கண்டால் நீயும்
காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Tell her that this heart is wilting inside,
And that it is searching for that young maiden.
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
வைகைக் கரை காற்றே நில்லு
வஞ்சிதனைப் பார்த்தால் சொல்லு
வைகைக் கரை காற்றே நில்லு
வஞ்சிதனைப் பார்த்தால் சொல்லு
மன்னன் மனம் வாடுதென்று
மங்கை தனைத் தேடுதென்று
காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
என் கண்மணி அவளைக் கண்டால் நீயும்
காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Tell her that this heart is wilting inside,
And that it is searching for that young maiden.
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
திருக்கோவில் வாசல் அது திறக்கவில்லை
தெருக்கோடி பூஜை அது நடக்கவில்லை
தேவதையைக் காண்பதற்கு வழியுமில்லை
தேன்மொழியைக் கேட்பதற்கு வகையுமில்லை
காதலில் வாழ்ந்த கன்னி மனம்
காவலில் வாடையில் கண்ணிவிடும்
கூண்டுக்குள்ளே அலைமோதும்
காதல் கிளி அவள் பாவம்
கூண்டுக்குள்ளே அலைமோதும்
காதல் கிளி அவள் பாவம்
காதல் கிளி அவள் பாவம்
The divine temple door has not opened;
The worship at the corner of the street has not taken place.
There is no way to catch a glimpse of the divine goddess,
Nor is there any means to hear her sweet, honeyed voice.
The young heart that once thrived on love,
Is now shedding tears in captivity and cold wind.
Restlessly thrashing inside a cage,
She is a poor love parrot, a poor caged love parrot.
காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
என் கண்மணி அவளைக் கண்டால் நீயும்
காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
மாக்கோலம் போடுதற்கு வரவில்லையே
அவள் கோலம் பார்ப்பதற்கு வழியில்லையே
ஜன்னலுக்குள் நிலவு அவள் தோன்றவில்லையே
ஜாடையொலி சிந்த அவள் இன்று இல்லையே
நிலவினை மேகம் வானில் மறைக்க
அவளினை யாரோ வீட்டில் தடுக்க
மேகமது விலகாதோ சோகமது நீங்காதோ
மேகமது விலகாதோ சோகமது நீங்காதோ
சோகமது நீங்காதோ
She hasn't come out to draw the traditional rice-flour pattern;
There is no way for me to gaze upon her grace.
That moon behind the window hasn't made an appearance;
She who scatters soft signals isn't there today.
Just as clouds conceal the moon in the sky,
Someone has confined her inside her home.
Will those clouds not clear? Will this sadness not disappear?
Will those clouds not clear? Will this sadness not disappear?
Will this sorrow not disappear?
காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
என் கண்மணி அவளைக் கண்டால் நீயும்
காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
வைகைக் கரை காற்றே நில்லு
வஞ்சிதனைப் பார்த்தால் சொல்லு
வைகைக் கரை காற்றே நில்லு
வஞ்சிதனைப் பார்த்தால் சொல்லு
மன்னன் மனம் வாடுதென்று
மங்கைதனைத் தேடுதென்று
காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
என் கண்மணி அவளைக் கண்டால் நீயும்
காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு
நீ காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு நீ காதோரம் போய் சொல்லு
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Tell her that this heart is wilting inside,
And that it is searching for that young maiden.
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
Go whisper softly in her ear, go whisper softly in her ear.
Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Mannam manam vaadudhendru
Tell her that this heart is wilting inside,
Mangai thanai thaedudhendru
And that it is searching for that young maiden.
Kaatrae poongaatrae
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Kaadhoram poi sollu
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Mannam manam vaadudhendru
Tell her that this heart is wilting inside,
Mangai thanai thaedudhendru
And that it is searching for that young maiden.
Kaatrae poongaatrae
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Kaadhoram poi sollu
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
Thirukkoyil vaasal adhu thirakkavillai
The divine temple door has not opened;
Theru kodi poojai adhu nadakkavillai
The worship at the corner of the street has not taken place.
Dhevadhaiyai kaanbadharkku vazhiyum illai
There is no way to catch a glimpse of the divine goddess,
Thaen mozhiyai kaetpadharkku vagaiyum illai
Nor is there any means to hear her sweet, honeyed voice.
Kaadhalil vaazhndha kanni manam
The young heart that once thrived on love,
Kaavalil vaadaiyil kanni vidum
Is now shedding tears in captivity and cold wind.
Koondukkullae alai modhum
Restlessly thrashing inside a cage,
Kaadhal kili aval paavam kaadhal kili aval paavam
She is a poor love parrot, a poor caged love parrot.
Kaatrae poongaatrae
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Kaadhoram poi sollu
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
Maakkolam podudharkku varavillaiyae
She hasn't come out to draw the traditional rice-flour pattern;
Aval kolam paarppadharkku vazhiyillaiyae
There is no way for me to gaze upon her grace.
Jannalukkul nilavu aval thondravillaiyae
That moon behind the window hasn't made an appearance;
Jaadaiyoli sindha aval indru illaiyae
She who scatters soft signals isn't there today.
Nilavinai maegam vaanil maraikka
Just as clouds conceal the moon in the sky,
Avalinai yaaro veettil thadukka
Someone has confined her inside her home.
Megam adhu vilagaadho sogam adhu neengaadho
Will those clouds not clear? Will this sadness not disappear?
Megam adhu vilagaadho sogam adhu neengaadho
Will those clouds not clear? Will this sadness not disappear?
Sogam adhu neengaadho
Will this sorrow not disappear?
Kaatrae poongaatrae
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Kaadhoram poi sollu
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu
Oh breeze from the banks of the Vaigai river, stop and listen.
Vanji thanai paarthaa sollu
If you happen to see my beloved girl, tell her.
Mannam manam vaadudhendru
Tell her that this heart is wilting inside,
Mangai thanai thaedudhendru
And that it is searching for that young maiden.
Kaatrae poongaatrae
Oh wind, gentle breeze,
En kanmani avalai kandaal neeyum
If you see my beloved apple of my eye,
Kaadhoram poi sollu
Go and whisper softly near her ears.
Nee kaadhoram poi sollu nee kaadhoram poi sollu
Go whisper softly in her ear, go whisper softly in her ear.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song is a poignant romantic lament where the protagonist addresses the breeze flowing along the Vaigai river as a messenger (a classic Tamil poetic tradition known as 'Dhoodhu'). He pleads with the wind to carry his anguish to his trapped lover, whom he envisions as a sacred goddess and a caged bird. Deeply distressed by her sudden disappearance from her routine activities like drawing rangoli or standing by her window, he compares her family's house arrest of her to thick clouds obscuring the radiant moon. Throughout the composition, he clings to the hope that these obstacles will part like clouds, allowing him to be reunited with his love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe / Megadhoodham (Message via nature)
“Vaigai karai kaatrae nillu”
Addressing an inanimate natural element (the Vaigai breeze) directly as a messenger to carry a loving message to his beloved.
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Koondukkullae alai modhum Kaadhal kili aval paavam”
Describing the confined heroine as a caged love parrot ('Kaadhal kili') and as a moon inside the window ('Jannalukkul nilavu').
Analogy / Simile (Uvamai)
“Nilavinai maegam vaanil maraikka Avalinai yaaro veettil thadukka”
Comparing the heroine's domestic confinement by her family to dark clouds concealing the bright moon in the sky.
Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Thirukkoyil vaasal adhu thirakkavillai / Theru kodi poojai adhu nadakkavillai”
Tamil poetic rhyme scheme where the second consonant/syllable of consecutive lines matches (e.g., 'Thirukkoyil' and 'Theru kodi').
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic melody from the 1983 blockbuster 'Uyirullavarai Usha' was composed, written, and produced by multi-talented filmmaker T. Rajendar. Sung by K.J. Yesudas, the song is revered as one of the finest modern renditions of the classical Sangam-era 'Dhoodhu' motif in Tamil cinema.
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