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Lyrics & meaning

Yaarathu

From Kaavalan · 2011

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singers
Karthik, Suchitra
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Kaavalan2011

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaar athu yaar athu yaar athu yaar yaar athuWho is that? Who is that? Who is that? Who, who is that?
Sollaamal nenjathai thollai seivathuTroubling my heart without saying a word,
Moodaamal kanrendai moodi chelvathuClosing both my eyes and walking away without closing them,
Yaar athu yaar athu yaar athu yaar athuWho is that? Who is that? Who is that? Who is that?
Male
Nerungaamal nerungi vanthadhuApproaching close without actually drawing near,
Vilagaamal vilagi nirpathuStanding distant without moving away,
Vinaiyaaga kelvi thanthadhuGiving questions as a trick of fate,
Thelivaaga kulamba nenaipadhuIntending to confuse me clearly,
Male
Yaar athu yaar athu yaar athu yaar yaar athuWho is that? Who is that? Who is that? Who, who is that?
Male
{ Ennil oru sadu gudu sadu gudu{ Inside me, a game of Kabaddi,
Kaalai maalai nadakiradhaeIs happening morning and evening,
Kannil dhinam kathakali kathakaliIn my eyes, a Kathakali dance every day,
Thoonkumbothu thodargiradhae } (2)Continues even while I sleep } (2)
Male
Iravilum aval pagalilum avalShe is there in the night, she is there in the day,
Manadhinai thoduvadhu therigiradhaeI feel her touching my mind,
Kanavilum aval ninaivilum avalShe is in my dreams, she is in my thoughts,
Nizhalena thodarvathu purigiradhaeI understand that she follows me like a shadow,
Irunthaalum illaa avalai idhayam thedudhaeYet, my heart searches for her who isn't really there,
Male
Yaar athu yaar athu yaar athuWho is that? Who is that? Who is that?
Female
……………………………………………..
Male
Uchan thalai naduvinil avalRight at the center of the crown of my head,
Oru vedhaalam pol erangugiraalShe descends like a phantom,
Ennul aval erangiya thimurinilWith the audacity of entering inside me,
Imsai raajiyam thodangugiraalShe begins a reign of torment,
Male
Aval ival ena eval eval enaIs it her? Is it this girl? Who is she? Who is she?
Maraivinil irunthaval kuzhapugiraalStaying in hiding, she confuses me,
Avalathu mugam evalayum vidaHer face, more than anyone else's,
Azhagilum azhagena unarthugiraalShe makes me feel is the ultimate beauty of all beauties,
Irunthaalum illaamal aval kalagam seigiraalEven without being present, she creates a commotion,
Male
Yaar athu yaar athu yaar athu yaar athu yaar athuWho is that? Who is that? Who is that? Who is that? Who is that?
Sollaamal nenjathai thollai seivathuTroubling my heart without saying a word,
Moodaamal kanrendai moodi chelvathuClosing both my eyes and walking away without closing them,
Yaar athu yaar athu yaar athu yaar athuWho is that? Who is that? Who is that? Who is that?
Male
Nerungaamal nerungi vanthadhuApproaching close without actually drawing near,
Vilagaamal vilagi nirpathuStanding distant without moving away,
Vinaiyaaga kelvi thanthadhuGiving questions as a trick of fate,
Thelivaaga kulamba nenaipadhuIntending to confuse me clearly

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Yaar Athu' portrays the sweet emotional confusion and restlessness experienced by the protagonist who receives mysterious phone calls from an unidentified woman. Without ever seeing her face, he finds himself captivated by her voice and presence, which constantly haunts his waking thoughts and dreams. The lyrics vividly describe how this anonymous persona dominates his mind, making his heart race and mind swirl with curiosity and love. Narratively set in the movie *Kaavalan*, the protagonist (Bhumi) is being pranked by the heroine (Amrita), who calls him under a fake identity ('Ammu'). As the calls progress, his perplexity turns into romantic fascination. The song captures this sweet torment through playful metaphors of traditional games and dances, reflecting the chaos and joy of falling in love with a ghost-like presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron (Muran)

Nerungaamal nerungi vanthadhu / Vilagaamal vilagi nirpathu

Contradictory phrases ('approaching without drawing near', 'distancing without leaving') are used to express the protagonist's confusion about her unseen presence.

Simile (Uwamai)

Oru vedhaalam pol erangugiraal

The mysterious girl's mental invasion is compared to a mythical phantom (Vedhaalam) descending upon someone's head.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Ennil oru sadu gudu sadu gudu... Kannil dhinam kathakali kathakali

The inner emotional turbulence is metaphorically described as playing Kabaddi (Sadu Gudu) and performing a Kathakali dance inside his eyes and mind.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai / Ethugai)

Vinaiyaaga kelvi thanthadhu / Thelivaaga kulamba nenaipadhu

Harmonious rhythm created through rhyming endings ('thanthadhu', 'nenaipadhu') and matching poetic feet ('Vinaiyaaga', 'Thelivaaga').

Did you know?

Trivia

In *Kaavalan* (2011), composed by Vidyasagar and sung by Tippu and Suchitra, this song marks the narrative turning point where the hero falls in love with the mysterious caller 'Ammu', unaware that she is actually the heroine Amrita (played by Asin), whom he is hired to protect as a bodyguard.

Keep listening

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