P. Susheela’s ‘Ilavu Kaatha Kili’ from the album Panchali features A. Maruthakasi’s lyrics and K. V. Mahadevan’s composition. The Tamil track presents a melancholic mood through repeated questioning imagery.
Ilavu Kaatha Kili
P. Susheela • From “Panchali”
Ilavu Kaatha Kili Lyrics Translation P. Susheela | Panchali
Susheela compares herself to a parrot waiting endlessly for a fruit that never ripens. She questions why nurtured vines would be stopped from growing, blending natural metaphors with personal grief.
Female : Ilavu kaatha kilithaano naanAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Enadhu vaazhvil indha yemattram yaenoWhy’s there this disappointment in my life?
Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Enadhu vaazhvil indha yemattram yaenoWhy’s there this disappointment in my life?
Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Female : Ennamellaam pagal kanavu aanadhaeAll my thoughts’ve turned into a daydream.
Ennamellaam pagal kanavu aanadhaeEverything I’ve imagined is now just a daydream.
Idhuvarai naan konda aanandham ponadhaeThe happiness I’ve felt until now is gone.
Idhuvarai naan konda aanandham ponadhaeAll the joy I once held has vanished.
Female : Kilaiyinilae kodi padarum podhilaeWhen the vine starts to spread over the branch,
Kilaiyinilae kodi padarum podhilaeAs the creeper begins to wind around the bough,
Valarthavarae adhai padaraamal seivadhaShould the one who nurtured it stop it from growing?
Valarthavarae adhai padaraamal seivadhaWould the one who raised it prevent it from spreading?
Female : Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Enadhu vaazhvil indha yemattram yaenoWhy’s there this disappointment in my life?
Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Female : Isaipadhellaam ini thunbha geethamaeWhatever I sing from now on will be a song of sorrow.
Isaipadhellaam ini thunbha geethamaeEvery melody I play will now be a mournful tune.
Ezhuvadhum yedhini meiyinbha naadhamaeHow could the sound of true bliss ever rise again?
Ezhuvadhum yedhini meiyinbha naadhamaeWhere’ll the vibration of divine joy come from now?
Female : En idhayam sumaithaanghi aavadhaMust my heart become a ‘rest-stone’ for heavy burdens?
En idhayam sumaithaanghi aavadhaIs my heart destined to be a ‘rest-stone’ for others’ loads?
Yekkathudan dhinam poraadi saavadhaaShould I die, struggling with longing every day?
Yekkathudan dhinam poraadi saavadhaaMust I perish, fighting against this yearning every day?
Female : Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Enadhu vaazhvil indha yemattram yaenoWhy’s there this disappointment in my life?
Ilavu kaatha kilithaanoAm I the parrot that waited for the ‘silk cotton fruit’ to ripen?
Ilavu Kaatha Kili Music Video
The Panchali album offers clear insights into longing through Susheela’s ‘Ilavu Kaatha Kili’ lyrics translation. Each verse moves from vivid imagery to unresolved sorrow.