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Isaimozhi
Kanni Penn album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Yendi

From Kanni Penn · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Kanni Penn
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
15 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Adi yendi asattu pennae
Un ennathil yaaradi kannae
Vaanaththu chandhirano
Vadivathil sundharano
Yaaraayirundhaalum enna
Adi yendi asattu pennae
En ennathil yaaradi kannae
Vaanaththu chandhiranum
Vadivathil sundharanum
Vandhaalum idam illai sonnen
Ullaththai thottaal undaavadhu
Kai thottadhum ennam ondraavadhu
Ondraavadhu
Ullaththai thottaal undaavadhu
Kai thottadhum ennam ondraavadhu
Aasai oonjal aadum paavai kaadhal nenjam
Thaabaththil thaanindru thallaadudhu
Mai vaitha kinnam kannallavaa
Nee poi vaithu sollum pennallavaa
Mai vaitha kinnam kannallavaa
Nee poi vaithu sollum pennallavaa
Maalai soodum tholil aadum kaalam neram
Deivaththai kettingu naan sollavo
Deivaththai kettingu naan sollavo
Adi yendi asattu pennae
En ennathil yaaradi kannae
Vaanaththu chandhiranum
Vadivathil sundharanum
Vandhaalum idam illai sonnen
Chithira kannam punnaagavae
Un sitridai konjam thindaadavae
Chithira kannam punnaagavae
Un sitridai konjam thindaadavae
Paalum thaenum maelum maelum oorum neram
Poo maeni panneeril neeraadumae
Inbathin paadhai nee kandadhu
En ennathin ellai yaar kandadhu
Inbathin paadhai nee kandadhu
En ennathin ellai yaar kandadhu
Paasam nesam thyaagam panbu naalum kondu
Vaazhgindra aanandham naan kandadhu
Vaazhgindra aanandham naan kandadhu
Adi yendi asattu pennae
En ennathil yaaradi kannae
Vaanaththu chandhirano
Vadivathil sundharano
Yaaraayirundhaalum enna
Vaanaththu chandhiranum
Vadivathil sundharanum
Vandhaalum idam illai sonnen
Hey, you silly girl,
who is on your mind, my dear?
Is he the moon from the sky?
Or a man blessed with handsome looks?
Whoever he may be, what does it matter?
Hey, you silly girl,
asking who is on my mind, my dear?
Even if the moon from the sky,
or a man of handsome looks,
were to come, I told you, there is no place for him!
When a touch stirs the heart, desire awakens;
when hands meet, two minds become one...
...become one!
When a touch stirs the heart, desire awakens;
when hands meet, two minds become one...
A young woman's loving heart, swinging on dreams of desire,
is trembling today in burning longing!
Aren't your eyes like little bowls lined with kohl?
Aren't you a girl who hides the truth behind lies?
Aren't your eyes like little bowls lined with kohl?
Aren't you a girl who hides the truth behind lies?
The right time to wear the wedding garland and rest on his shoulder—
shall I ask God and tell you right now?
Shall I ask God and tell you right now?
Hey, you silly girl,
who is on your mind, my dear?
Even if the moon from the sky,
or a man of handsome looks,
were to come, I told you, there is no place for him!
As your picture-perfect cheeks get bruised with kisses,
and your slender waist sways under the strain,
as your picture-perfect cheeks get bruised with kisses,
and your slender waist sways under the strain,
at the sweet hour when milk and honey overflow,
your flower-soft body will bathe in rosewater!
What you have known is only the path of pleasure,
but who has seen the bounds of my thoughts?
What you have known is only the path of pleasure,
but who has seen the bounds of my thoughts?
Living with affection, love, sacrifice, and good character—
that is the true joy of life I have found!
That is the true joy of life I have found!
Hey, you silly girl,
who is on your mind, my dear?
Is he the moon from the sky?
Or a man of handsome looks?
Even if they come, I told you, there is no place for him!
Even if the moon from the sky,
or a man of handsome looks,
were to come, I told you, there is no place for him!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful song from 'Kanni Penn' (1969) depicts a lighthearted banter between two young women discussing love, ideal partners, and romantic longings. One friend playfully teases the other about who occupies her thoughts—whether it is an otherworldly, handsome lover like the celestial moon—while the other playfully asserts her independence and guarded heart, claiming no man has found a place in her mind yet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vaanaththu chandhirano / Vadivathil sundharano

The second letters of 'Vaanaththu' and 'Vadivathil' share the 'di/na' phonetic agreement creating rhythmic harmony.

Simile / Visual Metaphor (Uwamai)

Mai vaitha kinnam kannallavaa

The eyes are beautifully compared to cups or bowls holding black kohl ('Mai vaitha kinnam').

Metaphor (Uruwagham)

Aasai oonjal aadum paavai kaadhal nenjam

Desire is metaphorically visualised as a swinging motion ('Aasai oonjal') inside the heart.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Kanni Penn' (1969) features music by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali, starring Jaishankar and Vanisri in the lead roles.

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