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Isaimozhi
Arasa Kattalai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yethanai Kaalam

From Arasa Kattalai · 1967

Lyricist
N. M. Muthukkoothan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Arasa Kattalai
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
9 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal
Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal
Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Sithira paavai nenjil
Muthiraiyaana unnai
Thaedaadhirukkalaamaa… aaa…aa…
Sithira paavai nenjil
Muthiraiyaana unnai
Thaedaadhirukkalaamaa… aaa…aa…
Paththarai maattru konda
Pasumpon maeniyai
Paaraadhirukkalaamaa
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Thoongaadha manjathil
Suvaiyaana inbathil
Thallaadi thallaadi vizha vendum
Thoonghaadha manjathil
Suvaiyaana inbathil
Thallaadi thallaadi vizha vendum
Neengaadha sorgathil
Nee saerum nerathil
Naan kandu aanandhappada vendum
Neengaadha sorgathil
Nee saerum nerathil
Naan kandu aanandhappada vendum
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Iraivaa unakkae kuraiyillaiyendraal
Thirai edharku ithanai thirai edharku
Ethanai kaalam kanavugal kanden
Kaanbadharku unnai kaanbadharku
Mangai ingae mannan angae
Mathimayangum mugam engae
Mugamum engae
Nenjam ingae ninaivum angae
Naam virumbum uyirum engae
Uyirum engae
Neeyirukkum idathilirundhu
Naanirukka vendumendru
Thaediyingu vandhen…
Nerang kaalam vandhadhingu
Nilaimai maara vendumendru
Needhi kaetka vandhen
Uyirukku uyir thaedi
Urimaikku poraadi
Unai naan naadi vandhu aadugiren
En ulam nondhu un munnae paadugiren
Kollaamal kollugindra pollaadha kangalukku
Sollaamal solliyoru virundhu vaippen
Andha suvaiyil ulagaiyae marakka vaippen…
For how long have I dreamed,
to see you, just to see you!
O Lord, if you have no flaw,
why this curtain? Why so many veils?
For how long have I dreamed,
to see you, just to see you!
O Lord, if you have no flaw,
why this curtain? Why so many veils?
For how long have I dreamed,
to see you, just to see you!
In the heart of this sculpted beauty,
you are etched like an imprint—
could I ever stop searching for you?
In the heart of this sculpted beauty,
you are etched like an imprint—
could I ever stop searching for you? Ah...
With the purity of finest gold,
on your radiant body,
could I ever stop gazing? Ah...
For how long have I dreamed,
to see you, just to see you!
On a sleepless bed,
in sweet delight,
one should sway and fall.
On a sleepless bed,
in sweet delight,
one should sway and fall.
In an everlasting heaven,
at the moment you unite,
I want to watch and feel pure joy.
In an everlasting heaven,
at the moment you unite,
I want to watch and feel pure joy.
For how long have I dreamed,
to see you, just to see you!
O Lord, if you have no flaw,
why this curtain? Why so many veils?
For how long have I dreamed,
to see you, just to see you!
The woman is here, the king is there,
where is the face that charms the heart?
Where is that face?
My heart is here, my thoughts are there,
where is the precious soul we love?
Where is that soul?
Wanting to be right where you are,
to stay close beside you,
I came here searching.
The right moment has now arrived,
hoping the situation will change,
I came to ask for justice.
Searching for my soul,
fighting for my right,
I have come seeking you to dance.
With an aching heart, I sing before you.
For those wicked eyes that kill without killing,
I will quietly spread a feast,
and with that sweetness, make you forget the whole world!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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From the same album

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