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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinnanchiru Kannan

From Mahalakshmi · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
L. R. Eswari, M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Mahalakshmi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanLittle Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Thiruttugalum puratugalum seivadhil mannanHe is a king when it comes to committing thefts and trickery
Females :Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanFemales : Little Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Thiruttugalum puratugalum seivadhil mannanHe is a king when it comes to committing thefts and trickery
Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanLittle Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Female
Vennaiyum paalum thirudi thinbanamHe steals butter and milk to eat, they say
Verunj sattiyinal pottudaipaanamHe breaks the empty mud pots into pieces, they say
Vennaiyum paalum thirudi thinbanamHe steals butter and milk to eat, they say
Verunj sattiyinal pottudaipaanamHe breaks the empty mud pots into pieces, they say
Female
Kannale onnaiyum kanadhavan polavaeAs if he hasn't seen anything with his own eyes
Kannale onnaiyum kanadhavan polavaeAs if he hasn't seen anything with his own eyes
Annai mun nadagam aadi kattum maayanaamHe is the magical illusionist who puts on a drama in front of his mother
Annai mun nadagam aadi kattum maayanaamHe is the magical illusionist who puts on a drama in front of his mother
Female
Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanLittle Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Thiruttugalum puratugalum seivadhil mannanHe is a king when it comes to committing thefts and trickery
Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanLittle Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Female
Kanniyar sendraal kannadipaanaamIf young maidens walk by, he winks at them
Pinnalai pinnal pidithizhupaanaamHe pulls them from behind by their braided hair
Kanniyar sendraal kannadipaanaamIf young maidens walk by, he winks at them
Pinnalai pinnal pidithizhupaanaamHe pulls them from behind by their braided hair
Female
Ennadi kannamma engae porae ponnamma"What is it, Kannamma? Where are you going, golden girl?"
Ennadi kannamma engae porae ponnamma"What is it, Kannamma? Where are you going, golden girl?"
Inikkavae onnu thaa endrae kenji nirpaanamHe begs and stands asking, "Give me something sweet!"
Inikkavae onnu thaa endrae kenji nirpaanamHe begs and stands asking, "Give me something sweet!"
Female
Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanLittle Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Thiruttugalum puratugalum seivadhil mannanHe is a king when it comes to committing thefts and trickery
Chinnanchiru kannan andha singara vannanLittle Kannan, that beautiful complexioned one
Female
Nallavarkkellam thunaivanumaavaanHe becomes a helper to all good people
Theeyarkkellam pagaivanumaavaanHe becomes an enemy to all evil people
Nallavarkkellam thunaivanumaavaanHe becomes a helper to all good people
Theeyarkkellam pagaivanumaavaanHe becomes an enemy to all evil people
Female
Ellamae vallavan endrumengum ullavanHe who is almighty and omnipresent everywhere forever
Ellamae vallavan endrumengum ullavanHe who is almighty and omnipresent everywhere forever
Vallalaam kannanai vanamgi naamum vaazhthuvomLet us bow down and praise Lord Kannan, the benevolent one
Vallalaam kannanai vanamgi naamum vaazhthuvomLet us bow down and praise Lord Kannan, the benevolent one

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional-style song celebrates the playful and divine antics of Lord Krishna (Kannan). The verses lovingly portray his childhood pranks—stealing milk and butter, breaking clay pots, acting innocent before his mother Yashoda, teasing the young gopis by winking and pulling their braids, and playfully demanding sweet treats.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Vennaiyum paalum thirudi thinbanam / Verunj sattiyinal pottudaipaanam

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines, such as 'Vennaiyum' and 'Verunj' ('n' sound).

Monaai (Initial letter rhyme / Alliteration)

Pinnalai pinnal pidithizhupaanaam

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Pinnalai' and 'pinnal'.

Antithesis / Parallelism

Nallavarkkellam thunaivanumaavaan / Theeyarkkellam pagaivanumaavaan

Contrasting ideas presented in balanced grammatical structures ('Nallavarkkellam thunaivan' vs 'Theeyarkkellam pagaivan').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1960 film 'Mahalakshmi', this song features lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. The duet rendered by L. R. Eswari and M. S. Rajeswari captures traditional folk and classical Carnatic influences associated with 'Krishna Leela' narrative songs in Tamil cinema.

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