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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alaipayuthe Kanna

From Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai · 1982

Lyricist
Oothukkadu Venkata Kavi
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Alaipaayuthae kannaaMy mind is wavering, Krishna!
En manam miga alaipaayuthaeMy mind is wavering so very much.
Female
Alaipaayuthae kannaaMy mind is wavering, Krishna!
En manam miga alaipaayuthaeMy mind is wavering so very much.
Male
Un aanandha mogana vaenu gaanam adhilAt your joyful, enchanting flute music,
Alaipaayuthae kannaaMy mind is wavering, Krishna!
En manam miga alaipaayuthaeMy mind is wavering so very much.
Female
Un aanandha mogana vaenu gaanam adhilAt your joyful, enchanting flute music,
Male
AlaipaayuthaeIt is wavering...
Female
AlaipaayuthaeIt is wavering...
Male
KannaaKrishna!
Female
KannaaKrishna!
Male
En manam miga alaipaayuthaeMy mind is wavering so very much.
Female
AlaipaayuthaeIt is wavering...
Female
Nilai peyaraadhu silai polavae nindraStanding rooted without moving like a statue,
Nilai peyaraadhu silai polavae nindraStanding rooted without moving like a statue,
Neram aavadhariyaamalaeUnaware of time passing by,
Miga vinodhamaana muraleedharaaOh most wondrous player of the flute!
AlaipaayuthaeIt is wavering...
Male
Kannaa en manam miga alaipaayuthaeKrishna, my mind is wavering so very much!
Male
Thelindha nilavu patta pagal pol yeriyudhaeThe clear moonlight burns as brightly as broad daylight,
Female
Thelindha nilavu patta pagal pol yeriyudhaeThe clear moonlight burns as brightly as broad daylight,
Male
Dhikkai nokki en iru puruvam neriyudhaeMy eyebrows knit together as I look toward your direction,
Female
Dhikkai nokki en iru puruvam neriyudhaeMy eyebrows knit together as I look toward your direction,
Male
Kanindha un vaenu gaanam aaa…Your sweet flute music, ah...
Female
Aa…Ah...
Male
Aa…Ah...
Female
Aa…Ah...
Male
Aa…Ah...
Female
Aa…Ah...
Male
Aa… aa…Ah... ah...
Female
Aa… aa…Ah... ah...
Male
Kanindha un vaenu gaanam kaatril varugudhaeYour sweet flute music comes floating in the breeze,
Kangal serugi oru vidhamaai varugudhaeMy eyes droop in a trance-like bliss,
Kangal serugi oru vidhamaai varugudhaeMy eyes droop in a trance-like bliss,
Female
Kadhitha manathil irukki padhathaiFirmly place your feet upon my yearning heart,
Enakku alithu magizhtha vaaCome and make me happy by bestowing your divine feet!
Female
Oru thanitha vanathil anaithu enakkuEmbrace me in a secluded forest,
Unarchi koduthu mugizhtha vaaCome and make me bloom with ecstatic emotion!
Male
Alai kadal alai thanil kadhiravan oli yenaLike the sun's light sparkling upon ocean waves,
Inai idu kadal yena kalithavaaOh lord who rejoices like a vast sea of joy!
Kadhari manam urugi naan azhaikkavoShould I cry out and call for you with a melting heart,
Female
Idhara maadharudan nee kalikkavoWhile you dally and make merry with other women?
Male
Idhu thagumoIs this proper?
Female
Idhu muraiyoIs this righteous?
Male
Idhu dharumam thaanoIs this truly divine justice?
Male
Kuzhal oodhidum pozhudhilWhile you play your flute,
Aadidum kuzhaigal polavaeJust like your earrings sway and dance,
Manadhu vaedhanai migavoduMy mind writhes in intense agony,
Male
Un aanandha mogana vaenu gaanam adhilAt your joyful, enchanting flute music,
Alaipaayuthae kannaaMy mind is wavering, Krishna!
En manam miga alaipaayuthaeMy mind is wavering so very much.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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