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Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Alaipayuthe Kanna

From Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai · 1982

Lyricist
Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
21 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Alaipaayuthae kannaa
En manam miga alaipaayuthae
Alaipaayuthae kannaa
En manam miga alaipaayuthae
Un aanandha mogana vaenu gaanam adhil
Alaipaayuthae kannaa
En manam miga alaipaayuthae
Un aanandha mogana vaenu gaanam adhil
Alaipaayuthae
Alaipaayuthae
Kannaa
Kannaa
En manam miga alaipaayuthae
Alaipaayuthae
Nilai peyaraadhu silai polavae nindra
Nilai peyaraadhu silai polavae nindra
Neram aavadhariyaamalae
Miga vinodhamaana muraleedharaa
Alaipaayuthae
Kannaa en manam miga alaipaayuthae
Thelindha nilavu patta pagal pol yeriyudhae
Thelindha nilavu patta pagal pol yeriyudhae
Dhikkai nokki en iru puruvam neriyudhae
Dhikkai nokki en iru puruvam neriyudhae
Kanindha un vaenu gaanam aaa…
Aa…
Aa…
Aa…
Aa…
Aa…
Aa… aa…
Aa… aa…
Kanindha un vaenu gaanam kaatril varugudhae
Kangal serugi oru vidhamaai varugudhae
Kangal serugi oru vidhamaai varugudhae
Kadhitha manathil irukki padhathai
Enakku alithu magizhtha vaa
Oru thanitha vanathil anaithu enakku
Unarchi koduthu mugizhtha vaa
Alai kadal alai thanil kadhiravan oli yena
Inai idu kadal yena kalithavaa
Kadhari manam urugi naan azhaikkavo
Idhara maadharudan nee kalikkavo
Idhu thagumo
Idhu muraiyo
Idhu dharumam thaano
Kuzhal oodhidum pozhudhil
Aadidum kuzhaigal polavae
Manadhu vaedhanai migavodu
Un aanandha mogana vaenu gaanam adhil
Alaipaayuthae kannaa
En manam miga alaipaayuthae
It is tossing like restless waves, O Krishna,
My heart is tossing like restless waves.
It is tossing like restless waves, O Krishna,
My heart is tossing like restless waves.
At the enchanting melody of your blissful flute,
It is tossing like restless waves, O Krishna,
My heart is tossing like restless waves.
At the enchanting melody of your blissful flute,
It is tossing like waves,
It is tossing like waves,
O Krishna,
O Krishna,
My heart is tossing like restless waves.
It is tossing like waves,
Standing motionless like a statue,
Standing motionless like a statue,
Without realizing how much time has passed,
O wondrous flute player (Muralidhara),
It is tossing like waves,
O Krishna, my heart is tossing like restless waves.
The bright moonlight burns hot like broad daylight,
The bright moonlight burns hot like broad daylight,
My brows furrow as I search the directions for you,
My brows furrow as I search the directions for you,
The sweet melody of your flute, ah...
Ah...
Ah...
Ah...
Ah...
Ah...
Ah... Ah...
Ah... Ah...
The sweet melody of your flute drifts on the wind,
My eyes half-close in a daze, overwhelmed by feeling,
My eyes half-close in a daze, overwhelmed by feeling,
Press your holy feet onto my yearning heart,
Come grant them to me and bring me joy!
Embrace me in a secluded forest,
Awaken my passions and come blossom with me!
Like sunlight gleaming upon the rolling ocean waves,
O one who rejoices as boundless as the sea,
Should I cry out in longing with a melting heart,
While you enjoy yourself with other women?
Is this fair?
Is this right?
Is this truly just?
While you play your flute,
Just like your earrings that swing to and fro,
With deep ache, my heart trembles,
At the enchanting melody of your blissful flute,
It is tossing like restless waves, O Krishna,
My heart is tossing like restless waves.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Alaipayuthey Kanna is a masterpiece composed by Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi in Ragam Kanada. The song depicts the deep spiritual and romantic angst of a Gopika (or a devotee) mesmerized by the divine flute music of Lord Krishna. The enchanting notes of the flute throw her mind into turmoil, making her stand transfixed like a statue while losing all track of time. The moonlight feels intensely bright and burning, and her soul yearns for Krishna's presence and embrace while questioning his playful delay and attention towards other maidens.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Nilai peyaraadhu silai polavae nindra”

Compares the devotee standing motionless without time awareness to an unmoving statue (silai polavae).

Simile (Upamai)

“Thelindha nilavu patta pagal pol yeriyudhae”

Compares the clear cool moonlight to the intensity of broad daylight (patta pagal pol), highlighting the devotee's restless inner heat.

Rhetorical Questions (Aadu Vina)

“Idhu thagumo / Idhu muraiyo / Idhu dharumam thaano”

A series of passionate rhetorical questions demanding justice and fairness from Krishna for teasing her heart.

Metaphor & Imagery

“Aadidum kuzhaigal polavae / Manadhu vaedhanai migavodu”

Compares the mind's agonizing movement to the rhythmic swaying of Krishna's earrings while playing the flute.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed in the 18th century by the legendary composer Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi, this song is one of the most famous Carnatic compositions in Ragam Kanada. It was adapted into the 1982 film 'Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai' with music scored by Ilaiyaraaja, and famously re-arranged by A. R. Rahman for Mani Ratnam's 2000 romantic drama 'Alaipayuthey'.

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