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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhagiya Kanne

From Uthiri Pookkal · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Uthiri Pookkal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.
Nee engae ini naan angaeWherever you are, I shall be there hereafter.
En sei alla thaai neeYou are not my child, but my mother.
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.
Nee engae ini naan angaeWherever you are, I shall be there hereafter.
En sei alla thaai neeYou are not my child, but my mother.
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.
Female
Sangam kaanaathathu thamizhum allaThat which has not graced the Sangam academy is not true Tamil.
Thanai ariyaathaval thaayum allaShe who does not understand her own self is not a true mother.
Sangam kaanaathathu thamizhum allaThat which has not graced the Sangam academy is not true Tamil.
Thanai ariyaathaval thaayum allaShe who does not understand her own self is not a true mother.
En veetil endrum chanthrodhayamIn my house, there is always a moonrise.
Naan kanden velli nilaaI beheld the silver moon.
Female
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.
Female
Sorkkam eppothum nam kaiyilaeHeaven is always within our hands.
Adhai naan kaangiren un kannilaeI behold that in your eyes.
Sorkkam eppothum nam kaiyilaeHeaven is always within our hands.
Adhai naan kaangiren un kannilaeI behold that in your eyes.
En nenjam endrum kannaadi thaanMy heart is forever a pure mirror.
En dheivam maangalyam thaanMy true deity is my sacred marital bond.
Female
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.
Female
Manjal endrenrum nilaiyaanathuThe sacred turmeric mark is everlasting.
Mazhai vanthaalumae kalaiyaathathuIt will not dissolve even if the rain falls.
Manjal endrenrum nilaiyaanathuThe sacred turmeric mark is everlasting.
Mazhai vanthaalumae kalaiyaathathuIt will not dissolve even if the rain falls.
Nam veetil endrum alai modhuthuIn our home, waves of joy constantly crash.
En nenjam alaiyaaduthuMy heart sways like gentle waves.
Female
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.
Nee engae ini naan angaeWherever you are, I shall be there hereafter.
En sei alla thaai neeYou are not my child, but my mother.
Azhagiya kannae uravugal neeyaeO beautiful dear one, you are my relations.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song 'Azhagiya Kannae' from the iconic movie Uthiri Pookkal depicts a profound expression of maternal affection intertwined with marital devotion. The singer addresses her young child, elevating the relationship beyond mere parenthood by declaring the child to be like a protective mother to her. She reflects on how pure love transforms a home into a paradise and fills life with radiant moonlight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En sei alla thaai nee

The speaker metaphorically addresses her child as 'thaai' (mother) and her heart as a 'kannaadi' (mirror), symbolizing emotional purity and role reversal.

Analogy (Upama / Comparison)

Sangam kaanaathathu thamizhum alla / Thanai ariyaathaval thaayum alla

Compares genuine Tamil literature needing the validation of the ancient Sangam to a mother needing self-realization to truly fulfill her maternal role.

Imagery (Oli / Katchi Bimbam)

En veetil endrum chanthrodhayam / Naan kanden velli nilaa

Creates serene celestial imagery with terms like 'chanthrodhayam' (moonrise) and 'velli nilaa' (silver moon) to evoke a sense of peace and warmth in the household.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung soulfully by S. Janaki with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song remains one of the finest lullaby-style compositions in Tamil cinema history from J. Mahendran's acclaimed film 'Uthiri Pookkal' (1979).

Keep listening

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