V. V. Prasanna and Alka Ajith perform ‘Kathadi’ from the album Sembian Madhevi. Lyricist Va. Karuppan and composer Loga Pathmanaban create a playful exchange about new love’s disorienting effect.
Kathadi
Alka Ajith | V. V. Prasanna • From “Sembian Madhevi”
Kathadi Lyrics Translation (from “Sembian Madhevi”)
Karuppan compares sudden affection to a kite spinning uncontrollably. Alka Ajith describes jasmine blooming on cactus thorns, marking love’s unexpected beauty.
Kaathadi KannukullaA kite’s spinning inside my eyes.
Kekkaama Suzhala VittaYou made it whirl without asking.
Kannadi Manasu KullaInside my glass-like heart,
Kaadhalathan Sorugi PuttaYou’ve tucked your love away.
Enakulla Nee IrunthuWith you staying inside me,
Aasaiya KootaStirring up my desires,
Kirukka Naa Kidanthu AadureneI’m dancing around like I’ve gone mad.
Thimira Neeyum VanthuYou came with such boldness,
Kaadhala SollaTo confess your love,
Anaiya Naa Udanju OdureneLike a broken dam, I’m overflowing.
Aagasam VarudaTo brush against the sky,
Rendu Perum Povom VaaLet’s both go there, come on.
Vethalam Adam PiduchuMy ‘vethalam’ ‘inner spirit’ turned stubborn,
Vendiyatha EduthukittaAnd took exactly what it wanted.
Pattampoochi PaathuSeeing the butterfly,
Vetkapatu PochuIt felt shy and turned away.
Thekku Puyal KaathuThe southern storm wind,
Thendral Ena AachuHas turned into a gentle breeze.
Vathi Kuchi MeesaWith a matchstick mustache,
Patcha Kuthi PesaSpeaking through a tattoo,
Aththa Sodu AasaDesiring a trace of your warmth,
Yetti Yetti PaakaI keep peeking at you.
Naa ParanthenI flew,
Rekka Yethum IllamaWithout any wings at all,
En Usuru Unna SuthutheMy soul’s circling around you.
Naan IrukenI’m right here,
Kannu Rendum MoodamaWithout closing both my eyes,
Un Nenapu Kuthu KollutheYour memory’s stabbing and killing me.
Thaavura ThalukkuraYou’re pouncing and swaying,
Satham Yethum IllamaWithout making a single sound.
Neevura NirapuraYou’re stroking and filling me,
Enna Yethum SollamaWithout saying a word to me.
Ulla Padi NaanumTruthfully, I too,
Puthi Kettu PonenHave lost my mind.
Un Nenapu YeraAs your memories flooded in,
Vella Katti AanenI became as sweet as ‘vella katti’ ‘jaggery’.
Kalli Chedi MelaUpon the thorny ‘kalli chedi’ ‘cactus’,
Malli Poo PookaFor a ‘malli poo’ ‘jasmine’ to bloom.
Salli Kalla NeeyumYou, who were like a common stone,
Seppu Sela AakaBecame a beautiful ‘seppu sela’ ‘copper statue’.
KathirunthenI waited,
Thondakuli KaayaamaWithout my throat going dry,
Nee Enaiyum Nenjil VaikiraYou’ve kept me in your heart.
Nee Kidacha InthaSince I found you,
Jenmem TheeratheThis lifetime won’t be enough.
Thaai Manasa Vanthu NikkiraYou stand there with a mother’s kindness.
Sekura SithaikiraYou’re joining and shattering me,
Setha Patu PogamaWithout me actually dying.
Nokkura NothikiraYou’re glancing and crushing me,
Aavi Kooda NogamaWithout even my spirit feeling the pain.
Kathadi Music Video
Prasanna’s Tamil lyrics translation captures how love disrupts logic, leaving partners breathless yet exhilarated.