Vaali’s song “Kadhalikkadhey” appears in the film Dheiva Thaai, performed by P. Susheela and a chorus. The Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy composition opens with the instruction to avoid love and suffering. It presents women as “jasmine gardens” and men as a “swarm of beetles.”
Kadhalikkadhey
Chorus | P. Susheela • From “Dheiva Thaai”
Lyricist
Vaali
Composer
Vishwanathan, Ramamoorthy
Dheiva Thaai’s Kadhalikkadhey Lyrics Translation
The song uses historical figures as cautionary examples for its argument. It asks if the independent queen Alli Rani fell in love, with the chorus answering “no, no, no.” In contrast, it tells of Shakunthalai, who did love a king and was left with only sorrow.
Kadhalikkadhe Kavalai PadatheDon’t fall in love, don’t you worry.
Asai Vaikkadhe Avadhi PadatheDon’t hold onto desire, don’t you suffer.
Kadhalikkadhe Kavalai PadatheDon’t fall in love, don’t you worry.
Asai Vaikkadhe Avadhi PadatheDon’t hold onto desire, don’t you suffer.
Mangaiyar Ellam Malligai ThottamYoung women are all jasmine gardens.
Mangaiyar Ellam Malligai ThottamYoung women are all jasmine gardens.
Mattravar Ellam Vandugal KoottamAll the others are a swarm of beetles.
Kadhalikkadhe Kavalai PadatheDon’t fall in love, don’t you worry.
Asai Vaikkadhe Avadhi PadatheDon’t hold onto desire, don’t you suffer.
Andha Nalil Alli Rani KadhalithalaIn those days, did Queen ‘Alli’ fall in love?
Illai Illai IllaiNo, no, no.
An Azhagai Kandu Manam PedhalithalaSeeing a man’s charm, was her heart swayed?
Illai Illai IllaiNo, no, no.
Andha Nalil Alli Rani KadhalithalaIn those days, did Queen ‘Alli’ fall in love?
Illai Illai IllaiNo, no, no.
An Azhagai Kandu Manam PedhalithalaSeeing a man’s charm, was her heart swayed?
Illai Illai IllaiNo, no, no.
Thingalaiyo Thendralaiyo Thoodhu VittalaDid she send the moon or the breeze as a messenger?
Aval Pennai Thavira Yaraiyume PesavittalaShe allowed no one but women to speak with her.
Kadhalikkadhe Kavalai PadatheDon’t fall in love, don’t you worry.
Asai Vaikkadhe Avadhi PadatheDon’t hold onto desire, don’t you suffer.
Man Vizhiyal Shakunthalai Mannanai KandalWith her deer-like eyes, ‘Shakunthala’ saw the king.
Pavam Pavam PavamThe poor thing, the poor thing, the poor thing.
Then Mozhiyal Avan Kodutha Modhiram KondalWith her honeyed words, she accepted the ring he gave.
Pavam Pavam PavamThe poor thing, the poor thing, the poor thing.
Ethanaiyo Ennangalai Eduthu VandhaleShe arrived carrying so many dreams.
Mannan Idhaya Vasal Kadhavai Moodi Thaduthu VittaneBut the king closed and barred the door to his heart.
Kadhalithale Kavalai PattaleShe fell in love, and so she worried.
Asai Vaithale Avadhi PattaleShe held onto desire, and so she suffered.
Adavarin Nadagathile Ayiram KatchiIn the drama of men, there are a thousand scenes.
Katchi Katchi KatchiScenes, scenes, scenes.
Adugindra Attathukku Andavan SatchiAnd for the games they play, God is the witness.
Satchi Satchi SatchiWitness, witness, witness.
Kenjiduvar Konjiduvar Irakka PadatheThey’ll plead, they’ll sweet-talk, but don’t feel any pity.
Un Idhayathile Evarukkume Idam KodukkadheDon’t give a space to anyone in your heart.
Kadhalikkadhe Kavalai PadatheDon’t fall in love, don’t you worry.
Asai Vaikkadhe Avadhi PadatheDon’t hold onto desire, don’t you suffer.
The contrasting stories of two women serve as evidence for the song’s argument. It ends with a direct instruction to ignore men’s pleas and protect one’s heart completely. The meaning of the ‘Kadhalikkadhey’ lyrics is a clear warning for women to avoid romantic involvement.
