Yethanai Kaalam
From Arasa Kattalai · 1967
- Lyricist
- N. M. Muthukkoothan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Arasa Kattalai1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden | How long I have dreamed, |
| Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku | Just to see you, to see you! |
| Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal | Oh God, if you yourself have no defects, |
| Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku | Why a curtain? Why so many curtains? |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden | How long I have dreamed, |
| Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku | Just to see you, to see you! |
| Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal | Oh God, if you yourself have no defects, |
| Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku | Why a curtain? Why so many curtains? |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden | How long I have dreamed, |
| Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku | Just to see you, to see you! |
| Female | |
| Sithira paavai nenjil | In the heart of this picture-like maiden, |
| Muthiraiyaana unnai | You, who are deeply stamped, |
| Thaedaadhirukkalaamaa… aaa…aa… | Can I refrain from searching for you? Ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Sithira paavai nenjil | In the heart of this picture-like maiden, |
| Muthiraiyaana unnai | You, who are deeply stamped, |
| Thaedaadhirukkalaamaa… aaa…aa… | Can I refrain from searching for you? Ah... ah... |
| Paththarai maattru konda | With a pure ten-carat gold-like, |
| Pasumpon maeniyai | Shining golden body, |
| Paaraadhirukkalaamaa | Can one refrain from gazing at it? |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden | How long I have dreamed, |
| Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku | Just to see you, to see you! |
| Female | |
| Thoongaadha manjathil | On a couch without sleep, |
| Suvaiyaana inbathil | In sweet bliss, |
| Thallaadi thallaadi vizha vendum | One must sway and tumble in joy. |
| Thoonghaadha manjathil | On a couch without sleep, |
| Suvaiyaana inbathil | In sweet bliss, |
| Thallaadi thallaadi vizha vendum | One must sway and tumble in joy. |
| Female | |
| Neengaadha sorgathil | In an everlasting heaven, |
| Nee saerum nerathil | At the moment you arrive, |
| Naan kandu aanandhappada vendum | I should witness it and feel joyous. |
| Neengaadha sorgathil | In an everlasting heaven, |
| Nee saerum nerathil | At the moment you arrive, |
| Naan kandu aanandhappada vendum | I should witness it and feel joyous. |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden | How long I have dreamed, |
| Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku | Just to see you, to see you! |
| Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal | Oh God, if you yourself have no defects, |
| Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku | Why a curtain? Why so many curtains? |
| Female | |
| Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden | How long I have dreamed, |
| Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku | Just to see you, to see you! |
| Female | |
| Mangai ingae mannan angae | The maiden is here, the king is there, |
| Mathimayangum mugam engae | Where is that mesmerizing face? |
| Mugamum engae | Where is that face? |
| Nenjam ingae ninaivum angae | The heart is here, thoughts are over there, |
| Naam virumbum uyirum engae | Where is the soul that we love? |
| Uyirum engae | Where is that soul? |
| Female | |
| Neeyirukkum idathilirundhu | Hoping that near the place where you reside, |
| Naanirukka vendumendru | I too should be present, |
| Thaediyingu vandhen… | I came searching here... |
| Nerang kaalam vandhadhingu | The right time and hour have arrived here, |
| Nilaimai maara vendumendru | Hoping that the situation changes, |
| Needhi kaetka vandhen | I have come to demand justice. |
| Female | |
| Uyirukku uyir thaedi | Seeking life for a life, |
| Urimaikku poraadi | Fighting for my rights, |
| Unai naan naadi vandhu aadugiren | Seeking you, I have come here to dance. |
| En ulam nondhu un munnae paadugiren | With a heavy heart, I sing before you. |
| Kollaamal kollugindra pollaadha kangalukku | For those mischievous eyes that kill without killing, |
| Sollaamal solliyoru virundhu vaippen | I will silently host a feast without words. |
| Andha suvaiyil ulagaiyae marakka vaippen… | And in that taste, I will make you forget the world... |
எத்தனைக் காலம் கனவுகள் கண்டேன்
காண்பதற்கு உன்னை காண்பதற்கு
இறைவா உனக்கே குறையில்லை என்றால்
திரை எதற்கு இத்தனை திரை எதற்கு
How long I have dreamed,
Just to see you, to see you!
Oh God, if you yourself have no defects,
Why a curtain? Why so many curtains?
எத்தனைக் காலம் கனவுகள் கண்டேன்
காண்பதற்கு உன்னை காண்பதற்கு
இறைவா உனக்கே குறையில்லை என்றால்
திரை எதற்கு இத்தனை திரை எதற்கு
How long I have dreamed,
Just to see you, to see you!
Oh God, if you yourself have no defects,
Why a curtain? Why so many curtains?
எத்தனைக் காலம் கனவுகள் கண்டேன்
காண்பதற்கு உன்னை காண்பதற்கு
How long I have dreamed,
Just to see you, to see you!
சித்திரைப்பாவை நெஞ்சில்
முத்திரையான உன்னை
தேடாதிருக்கலாமா
In the heart of this picture-like maiden,
You, who are deeply stamped,
Can I refrain from searching for you? Ah... ah...
சித்திரைப்பாவை நெஞ்சில்
முத்திரையான உன்னை
தேடாதிருக்கலாமா ஆஆ....ஆ....
பத்தரைமாற்று கொண்ட
பசும்பொன் மேனியை
பாராதிருக்கலாமா......ஆஆ.....ஆ......
In the heart of this picture-like maiden,
You, who are deeply stamped,
Can I refrain from searching for you? Ah... ah...
With a pure ten-carat gold-like,
Shining golden body,
Can one refrain from gazing at it?
எத்தனைக் காலம் கனவுகள் கண்டேன்
காண்பதற்கு உன்னை காண்பதற்கு
How long I have dreamed,
Just to see you, to see you!
தூங்காத மஞ்சத்தில்
சுவையான இன்பத்தில்
தள்ளாடி தள்ளாடி விழவேண்டும்
தூங்காத மஞ்சத்தில்
சுவையான இன்பத்தில்
தள்ளாடி தள்ளாடி விழவேண்டும்
On a couch without sleep,
In sweet bliss,
One must sway and tumble in joy.
On a couch without sleep,
In sweet bliss,
One must sway and tumble in joy.
நீங்காத சொர்க்கத்தில்
நீ சேரும் நேரத்தில்
நான் கண்டு ஆனந்தம் பட வேண்டும்
நீங்காத சொர்க்கத்தில்
நீ சேரும் நேரத்தில்
நான் கண்டு ஆனந்தம் பட வேண்டும்
In an everlasting heaven,
At the moment you arrive,
I should witness it and feel joyous.
In an everlasting heaven,
At the moment you arrive,
I should witness it and feel joyous.
எத்தனைக் காலம் கனவுகள் கண்டேன்
காண்பதற்கு உன்னை காண்பதற்கு
இறைவா உனக்கே குறையில்லை என்றால்
திரை எதற்கு இத்தனை திரை எதற்கு
How long I have dreamed,
Just to see you, to see you!
Oh God, if you yourself have no defects,
Why a curtain? Why so many curtains?
எத்தனைக் காலம் கனவுகள் கண்டேன்
காண்பதற்கு உன்னை காண்பதற்கு
How long I have dreamed,
Just to see you, to see you!
மங்கை இங்கே மன்னன் அங்கே
மதிமயங்கும் முகம் எங்கே
முகமும் எங்கே
நெஞ்சம் இங்கே நினைவும் அங்கே
நாம் விரும்பும் உயிரும் எங்கே
உயிரும் எங்கே
The maiden is here, the king is there,
Where is that mesmerizing face?
Where is that face?
The heart is here, thoughts are over there,
Where is the soul that we love?
Where is that soul?
நீயிருக்கும் இடத்திலிருந்து
நானிருக்க வேண்டுமென்று
தேடியிங்கு வந்தேன்
நேரங்காலம் வந்ததிங்கு
நிலைமை மாற வேண்டுமென்று
நீதி கேட்க வந்தேன்
Hoping that near the place where you reside,
I too should be present,
I came searching here...
The right time and hour have arrived here,
Hoping that the situation changes,
I have come to demand justice.
உயிருக்கு உயிர் தேடி
உரிமைக்கு போராடி
உன்னை நான் நாடி வந்து ஆடுகிறேன்
என் உள்ளம் நொந்து உன் முன்னே பாடுகிறேன்
கொல்லாமல் கொல்லுகின்ற பொல்லாத கண்களுக்கு
சொல்லாமல் சொல்லியொரு விருந்து வைப்பேன்
அந்த சுவையில் உலகையே மறக்க வைப்பேன்
Seeking life for a life,
Fighting for my rights,
Seeking you, I have come here to dance.
With a heavy heart, I sing before you.
For those mischievous eyes that kill without killing,
I will silently host a feast without words.
And in that taste, I will make you forget the world...
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
How long I have dreamed,
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Just to see you, to see you!
Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal
Oh God, if you yourself have no defects,
Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku
Why a curtain? Why so many curtains?
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
How long I have dreamed,
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Just to see you, to see you!
Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal
Oh God, if you yourself have no defects,
Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku
Why a curtain? Why so many curtains?
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
How long I have dreamed,
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Just to see you, to see you!
Sithira paavai nenjil
In the heart of this picture-like maiden,
Muthiraiyaana unnai
You, who are deeply stamped,
Thaedaadhirukkalaamaa… aaa…aa…
Can I refrain from searching for you? Ah... ah...
Sithira paavai nenjil
In the heart of this picture-like maiden,
Muthiraiyaana unnai
You, who are deeply stamped,
Thaedaadhirukkalaamaa… aaa…aa…
Can I refrain from searching for you? Ah... ah...
Paththarai maattru konda
With a pure ten-carat gold-like,
Pasumpon maeniyai
Shining golden body,
Paaraadhirukkalaamaa
Can one refrain from gazing at it?
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
How long I have dreamed,
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Just to see you, to see you!
Thoongaadha manjathil
On a couch without sleep,
Suvaiyaana inbathil
In sweet bliss,
Thallaadi thallaadi vizha vendum
One must sway and tumble in joy.
Thoonghaadha manjathil
On a couch without sleep,
Suvaiyaana inbathil
In sweet bliss,
Thallaadi thallaadi vizha vendum
One must sway and tumble in joy.
Neengaadha sorgathil
In an everlasting heaven,
Nee saerum nerathil
At the moment you arrive,
Naan kandu aanandhappada vendum
I should witness it and feel joyous.
Neengaadha sorgathil
In an everlasting heaven,
Nee saerum nerathil
At the moment you arrive,
Naan kandu aanandhappada vendum
I should witness it and feel joyous.
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
How long I have dreamed,
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Just to see you, to see you!
Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal
Oh God, if you yourself have no defects,
Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku
Why a curtain? Why so many curtains?
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
How long I have dreamed,
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Just to see you, to see you!
Mangai ingae mannan angae
The maiden is here, the king is there,
Mathimayangum mugam engae
Where is that mesmerizing face?
Mugamum engae
Where is that face?
Nenjam ingae ninaivum angae
The heart is here, thoughts are over there,
Naam virumbum uyirum engae
Where is the soul that we love?
Uyirum engae
Where is that soul?
Neeyirukkum idathilirundhu
Hoping that near the place where you reside,
Naanirukka vendumendru
I too should be present,
Thaediyingu vandhen…
I came searching here...
Nerang kaalam vandhadhingu
The right time and hour have arrived here,
Nilaimai maara vendumendru
Hoping that the situation changes,
Needhi kaetka vandhen
I have come to demand justice.
Uyirukku uyir thaedi
Seeking life for a life,
Urimaikku poraadi
Fighting for my rights,
Unai naan naadi vandhu aadugiren
Seeking you, I have come here to dance.
En ulam nondhu un munnae paadugiren
With a heavy heart, I sing before you.
Kollaamal kollugindra pollaadha kangalukku
For those mischievous eyes that kill without killing,
Sollaamal solliyoru virundhu vaippen
I will silently host a feast without words.
Andha suvaiyil ulagaiyae marakka vaippen…
And in that taste, I will make you forget the world...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a dramatic, emotionally intense court dance performance expressing longing, search for love, and a plea for justice. The dancer addresses royal and divine authorities, questioning the physical and metaphorical barriers ('curtains') keeping lovers separated. She sings about her aching heart, demanding fairness and rights while attempting to captive the audience and the ruler with her mesmerizing presence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Paththarai maattru konda / Pasumpon maeniyai / Paaraadhirukkalaamaa”
The initial letter 'Pa' is repeated across lines for rhythmic flow.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Uyirukku uyir thaedi / Urimaikku poraadi / Unai naan naadi”
The letter 'U' repeats at the beginning of consecutive phrases.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Rupaka Ani)
“Sithira paavai nenjil”
The woman compares herself to a 'painted doll' or picture-like beauty.
Oxymoron / Paradox
“Kollaamal kollugindra pollaadha kangalukku”
Kollaamal kollugindra ('killing without killing') describes the captivating power of mesmerizing eyes.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Arasa Kattalai' (1967) is a famous Tamil historical swashbuckler film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by N. M. Muthukkoothan, who wrote several striking songs for historical and period cinema in that era.
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