Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Pudhiya Mugam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannukku Mai Azhagu

From Pudhiya Mugam · 1993

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Unni Menon
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Pudhiya Mugam
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
16 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmmmmm..mmmmmmm….mmmmm
Kannukku maiyazhagu
Kavidhaikku poiyazhagu
Kannathil kuzhiyazhagu
Kaarkoondhal pennazhagu
Kannukku maiyazhagu
Kavidhaikku poiyazhagu
Kannathil kuzhiyazhagu
Kaarkoondhal pennazhagu
Ilamaikku nadayazhagu
Mudhumaikku narayazhagu
Kalvarkku iravazhagu
Kaadhalarkku nilavazhagu
Nilavukku karayazhagu
Paravaikku siragazhagu
Nilavukku karayazhagu
Paravaikku siragazhagu
Avvaikku koonazhagu
Annaikku seyazhagu…
Kannukku maiyazhagu
Kavidhaikku poiyazhagu
Kannathil kuzhiyazhagu
Kaarkoondhal pennazhagu
Vidikaalai vinnazhagu
Vidiyum varai pennazhagu
Nellukku natrazhagu
Thennaikku keetrazhagu
Oorukku aarazhagu
Oorvalathil therazhagu
Oorukku aarazhagu
Oorvalathil therazhagu
Thamizhukku zha azhagu
Thalaivikku naanazhagu…
{Kannukku maiyazhagu
Kavidhaikku poiyazhagu
Kannathil kuzhiyazhagu
Kaarkoondhal pennazhagu} (2)
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
Kohl adds beauty to the eyes,
Poetic lies add beauty to verse,
Dimples add beauty to the cheeks,
And dark, flowing hair adds beauty to a woman.
Kohl adds beauty to the eyes,
Poetic lies add beauty to verse,
Dimples add beauty to the cheeks,
And dark, flowing hair adds beauty to a woman.
A lively stride adds beauty to youth,
Grey hair adds beauty to old age,
The night adds beauty to thieves,
And moonlight adds beauty to lovers.
The dark spot adds beauty to the moon,
Wings add beauty to a bird.
The dark spot adds beauty to the moon,
Wings add beauty to a bird.
A bent back adds beauty to Avvaiyar (the revered ancient poet),
And a child adds beauty to a mother...
Kohl adds beauty to the eyes,
Poetic lies add beauty to verse,
Dimples add beauty to the cheeks,
And dark, flowing hair adds beauty to a woman.
The dawn adds beauty to the morning sky,
And a woman is beautiful all through the night.
Young seedlings add beauty to paddy fields,
Palm fronds add beauty to coconut trees,
A river adds beauty to a town,
And a chariot adds beauty to a festival procession.
A river adds beauty to a town,
And a chariot adds beauty to a festival procession.
The unique letter 'Zha' adds beauty to Tamil,
And sweet shyness adds beauty to the beloved...
{Kohl adds beauty to the eyes,
Poetic lies add beauty to verse,
Dimples add beauty to the cheeks,
And dark, flowing hair adds beauty to a woman.} (2)
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song 'Kannukku Maiyazhagu' is a lyrical masterpiece structured as a series of poetic comparisons highlighting what gives beauty ('azhagu') to various aspects of nature, life, human relationships, and art. Vairamuthu crafts a mesmerizing catalog of aesthetic aesthetics, ranging from physical features like kohl-rimmed eyes and cheek dimples to natural elements like the moon's spots and a river in a town. The emotional arc elevates simple observational beauty into deep cultural appreciation, celebrating maternal love, elderly wisdom, youth, and even linguistic pride with the unique Tamil letter 'Zha'. Through this poetic cadence, the song reflects on how harmony and complementary traits enhance the essence of everything in existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Epiphora)

“Kannukku maiyazhagu / Kavidhaikku poiyazhagu”

Almost every line in the song ends with the word 'azhagu' (beauty), creating a hypnotic internal rhythm and structured end-rhyme scheme across all verses.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kannukku maiyazhagu / Kavidhaikku poiyazhagu / Kannathil kuzhiyazhagu”

The repetitive use of the initial consonant 'K' across consecutive lines forms a pleasing phonetic rhythm characteristic of traditional Tamil poetry.

Metaphor & Juxtaposition

“Kalvarkku iravazhagu / Kaadhalarkku nilavazhagu”

Contrasts two opposing perspectives—how darkness is ideal for thieves while moonlight is ideal for romantic lovers.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Adiye Annakkili1988
Pattikattu ThambiNatureAdmiration
Sirippil Undagum Ragathile1970
Engirundho VandhaalBeautyRomantic Union
Kathal Deepam1979
KalyanaramanBeautyRomantic
Laila Laila Naane1981
Vadagai VeeduBeautyYouth
Then Sindhum Paarvai1961
Pandavar VanavasamBeautyRomantic Union
Naan Paadidum1974
SamaiyalkaranBeautyRomantic

From the same album

More songs from Pudhiya Mugam

View album
Kannukku Mai Azhagu1993
Pudhiya MugamRomantic
Idhudhaan Vazhkai Enbadha1993
Pudhiya MugamContemplative
Sambo Sambo1993
Pudhiya MugamPlayful
Netru Illadha Matram1993
Pudhiya MugamDreamy
July Matham Vanthaal1993
Pudhiya MugamPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.