- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. B. Sreenivas
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Kannamma
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Jun 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This romantic song captures the deep devotion and intense longing of a lover for his beloved, addressed endearingly as Kannamma. He describes how her presence fills his vision and mind wherever he goes. Even when he closes his eyes like a shut oyster shell, thoughts of her flood his inner world. He pleads with her to communicate through her silence and remain in his heart forever. Expressing his emotional thirst and passion, he urges her to either fulfill his yearning or put an end to his agony, highlighting the sweet anguish of unrequited affection.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Engengum un vannam / Angellam en ennam”
The second letters 'ng' (ங) in 'Engengum' and 'Angellam' rhyme, creating a rhythmic harmony.
Simile
“Muthu sippi polae”
The imagery compares eyes shutting gently to a pearl oyster shell closing.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Paaduvadho un mozhiyae / Theduvadho un nizhalae”
The lines end with matching rhyming endings 'mozhiyae' and 'nizhalae'.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Thaagam endru sonnen ... / Thaagathai theerthu vidamma”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Th' across related lines for poetic effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features soothing vocals by legendary playback singer P. B. Sreenivas, tuned by the iconic duo Shankar-Ganesh and written by Poet Laureate Kannadasan, who frequently used the name 'Kannamma' as a tribute to Mahakavi Bharathiyar's famous poetic persona.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Kannamma
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.