- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Vettaikaaran (1964) Film
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Kannanukkethanai Kovilo is a classic lyrical composition from the 1964 Tamil film Vettaikaaran. Penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan, the song expresses romantic adoration interwoven with devotional symbolism, comparing the male protagonist to Lord Krishna. The heroine muses on her beloved's charm, wondering how many shrines he occupies, how many emotions flood his mind, and how many shades of expression dwell in his gaze.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)
“Kannanukkethanai kovilo / Kaavalil ethanai dheivamo”
Matching initial sounds across paired lines creating musical rhythm, such as 'Kannanukkethanai' and 'Kaavalil'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kannanukkethanai kovilo ... Mannanukkethanai ullamo”
The second consonant 'nn' matches in both 'Kannanukkethanai' and 'Mannanukkethanai'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“En kannan thottadhu ponnaagum / Avan kanindha punnagai pennaagum”
Comparing the hero's gentle touch to gold ('thottadhu ponnaagum') and his smile to a woman, symbolizing alchemy of love.
Anaphora (Repetitive Rhetorical Questioning)
“Avan thottathil ethanai maangalo / Avan tholgalil ethanai kiligalo”
Repeated use of 'ethanai' (how many) to accentuate boundless affection and divine charm.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Vettaikaaran' (1964) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and K. R. Vijaya. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this soft, melody-driven track was rendered by the playback singer P. Susheela with lyrics by Kannadasan.
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