Enna Enna Kanavu
From Valli · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Enna enna kanavu | What kind of dreams |
| Kandaaiyo saami | Did you dream, my lord? |
| Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaan | Life is just a dream, |
| Aiyaa saami | Oh dear lord! |
| Male | |
| Ondrai undhan manam | The one thing your heart |
| Kettadhu andha | Desired... |
| Ondrum veru idam ponadhu | That very thing went elsewhere. |
| Kaiyil varum ena | What you expected to reach |
| Paarththadhu indru | Your hands today, |
| Kai nazhuvi yen ponadhu | Why did it slip away from your hands? |
| Male | |
| Enna enna kanavu | What kind of dreams |
| Kandaaiyo saami | Did you dream, my lord? |
| Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaan aiyaa | Life is just a dream, oh sir! |
| Male | |
| Odai kulir odai ena | Thinking it is a cool stream, |
| Maangal nambi odum | Deer run towards it trustingly; |
| Velai adhu kodai ezhum | In the scorching summer, |
| Kaanal endru maarum | It turns out to be a mirage. |
| Male | |
| Nenjodu thondrugindra | All the love that springs |
| Nesam yaavum | Within the heart |
| Nillaamal oodugindra neer vegam | Is like fast-flowing water that never stays still. |
| Kannodu kaanugindra | All the patterns |
| Kolam yaavum | That the eyes behold |
| Thanneeril pottu vaiththa kodaagum | Are like lines drawn on water. |
| Male | |
| Vazhikku vandhadhu thunaiyaa | Is who came along the path a true companion? |
| Illai vazhukki vittidum vinaiyaa | Or a disastrous fate that slips you up? |
| Idhai ennendru solvadhu | How do I explain this, |
| Siththira padhumaiyae | Oh picture-perfect doll? |
| Male | |
| Enna enna kanavu | What kind of dreams |
| Kandaaiyo maanae | Did you dream, my dear? |
| Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaanadi | Life is just a dream, my dear! |
| Chorus | |
| Om… om…om om..(2) | Om… om…om om..(2) |
| Ommm ooommm omm ooommm | Ommm ooommm omm ooommm |
| Omm ommm oommm ooommm ..(2) | Omm ommm oommm ooommm ..(2) |
| Male | |
| Kaalai andhi maalai | Morning, dusk, and evening, |
| Indha paavai seiyum yaagam | This maiden performs her sacred ritual. |
| Chorus :Om… om…om om | Chorus :Om… om…om om |
| Male | |
| Naalai nalla velai | When a good time arrives |
| Vandhu sera nirai verum | Tomorrow, her wishes will be fulfilled. |
| Chorus :Om… om…om om | Chorus :Om… om…om om |
| Male | |
| Pollaadhu bhoomiyilae | The evil on this earth is |
| Pennin paavam | The suffering of a woman, |
| Naalaana podhum adhu theeraadhu | Even as days pass, it does not end. |
| Vellaadhu ponadhillai | A woman's justice has never failed |
| Pennin nyaayam | To prevail; |
| Undaana needhi ingu maaraadhu | Established righteousness will never change here. |
| Male | |
| Varattum endringu iruppaal | She will wait here saying, 'Let it come.' |
| Chorus :Om… om… | Chorus :Om… om… |
| Male :Dharmam jaikkum | Male: 'Dharma will win,' |
| Endrival poruppaal | Saying this, she will endure. |
| Chorus :Om… om… | Chorus :Om… om… |
| Male :Indha uththama pathini | Male: This virtuous woman's |
| Thathuvam thavarumo | Philosophy—can it ever fail? |
| Male | |
| Enna enna kanavu | What kind of dreams |
| Kandaaiyo maanae | Did you dream, my dear? |
| Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaanadi | Life is just a dream, my dear! |
| Maanae | Oh dear one, |
| Male | |
| Seidha thavam mudivaanadhu | The penance undertaken has come to a conclusion. |
| Maanae | Oh dear one, |
| Naliravum vidivaanadhu | The dark midnight has turned into dawn. |
| Unmai ingu thelivaanadhu maanae | Truth has become clear here, my dear! |
| Poimai indru veliyaanadhu | Falsehood has been exposed today. |
| Male | |
| Enna enna kanavu | What kind of dreams |
| Kandaaiyo maanae | Did you dream, my dear? |
| Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaanadi | Life is just a dream, my dear! |
என்ன என்ன கனவு
கண்டாயோ சாமி
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு கனவுதான்
ஐயா சாமி
What kind of dreams
Did you dream, my lord?
Life is just a dream,
Oh dear lord!
ஒன்றை உந்தன் மனம்
கேட்டது அந்த
ஒன்றும் வேறு இடம் போனது
கையில் வரும் என
பார்த்தது இன்று
கை நழுவி ஏன் போனது
The one thing your heart
Desired...
That very thing went elsewhere.
What you expected to reach
Your hands today,
Why did it slip away from your hands?
என்ன என்ன கனவு
கண்டாயோ சாமி
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு கனவுதான் ஐயா
What kind of dreams
Did you dream, my lord?
Life is just a dream, oh sir!
ஓடைக் குளிர் ஓடை என
மான்கள் நம்பி ஓடும்
வேளை அது கோடை எழும்
கானல் என்று மாறும்
Thinking it is a cool stream,
Deer run towards it trustingly;
In the scorching summer,
It turns out to be a mirage.
நெஞ்சோடு தோன்றுகின்ற
நேசம் யாவும்
நில்லாமல் ஓடுகின்ற நீர் வேகம்
கண்ணோடு காணுகின்ற
கோலம் யாவும்
தண்ணீரில் போட்டு வைத்த கோடாகும்
All the love that springs
Within the heart
Is like fast-flowing water that never stays still.
All the patterns
That the eyes behold
Are like lines drawn on water.
வழிக்கி வந்தது துணையா
இல்லை வழுக்கி விட்டிடும் வினையா
இதை என்னென்று சொல்வது
சித்திர பதுமையே
Is who came along the path a true companion?
Or a disastrous fate that slips you up?
How do I explain this,
Oh picture-perfect doll?
என்ன என்ன கனவு
கண்டாயோ சாமி
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு கனவுதான்டி
What kind of dreams
Did you dream, my dear?
Life is just a dream, my dear!
ஓம்...ஓம்...ஓம் ஓம்...(2)
ஓம்ம்ம் ஓம்ம் ஓம்ம் ஓம்ம்ம்ம்
ஓம்ம் ஓம்ம் ஓம்ம்ம்ம் ஓஒம்ம்ம்...(2)
Om… om…om om..(2)
Ommm ooommm omm ooommm
Omm ommm oommm ooommm ..(2)
காலை அந்தி மாலை
இந்த பாவை செய்யும் யாகம்
குழு :
ஓம்...ஓம்...ஓம் ஓம்
Morning, dusk, and evening,
This maiden performs her sacred ritual.
Chorus :Om… om…om om
நாளை நல்ல வேளை
வந்து சேர நிறை வேறும்
குழு :
ஓம்...ஓம்...ஓம் ஓம்
When a good time arrives
Tomorrow, her wishes will be fulfilled.
Chorus :Om… om…om om
பொல்லாது பூமியிலே
பெண்ணின் பாவம்
நாளான போதும் அது தீராது
வெல்லாது போனதில்லை
பெண்ணின் ஞாயம்
உண்டான நீதி இங்கு மாறாது
The evil on this earth is
The suffering of a woman,
Even as days pass, it does not end.
A woman's justice has never failed
To prevail;
Established righteousness will never change here.
வரட்டும் என்றிங்கு இருப்பாள்
குழு :
ஓம்...ஓம்...
தர்மம் ஜெயிக்கும்
என்றிவள் பொறுப்பாள்
குழு :
ஓம்...ஓம்...
இந்த உத்தமப் பத்தினி
தத்துவம் தவறுமோ
She will wait here saying, 'Let it come.'
Chorus :Om… om…
Male: 'Dharma will win,'
Saying this, she will endure.
Chorus :Om… om…
Male: This virtuous woman's
Philosophy—can it ever fail?
என்ன என்ன கனவு
கண்டாயோ மானே
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு கனவுதானடி
மானே
What kind of dreams
Did you dream, my dear?
Life is just a dream, my dear!
Oh dear one,
செய்த தவம் முடிவானது
மானே
நள்ளிரவு விடிவானது
உண்மை இங்கு தெளிவானது மானே
பொய்மை இன்று வெளியானது
The penance undertaken has come to a conclusion.
Oh dear one,
The dark midnight has turned into dawn.
Truth has become clear here, my dear!
Falsehood has been exposed today.
என்ன என்ன கனவு
கண்டாயோ மானே
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு கனவுதானடி
What kind of dreams
Did you dream, my dear?
Life is just a dream, my dear!
Enna enna kanavu
What kind of dreams
Kandaaiyo saami
Did you dream, my lord?
Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaan
Life is just a dream,
Aiyaa saami
Oh dear lord!
Ondrai undhan manam
The one thing your heart
Kettadhu andha
Desired...
Ondrum veru idam ponadhu
That very thing went elsewhere.
Kaiyil varum ena
What you expected to reach
Paarththadhu indru
Your hands today,
Kai nazhuvi yen ponadhu
Why did it slip away from your hands?
Enna enna kanavu
What kind of dreams
Kandaaiyo saami
Did you dream, my lord?
Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaan aiyaa
Life is just a dream, oh sir!
Odai kulir odai ena
Thinking it is a cool stream,
Maangal nambi odum
Deer run towards it trustingly;
Velai adhu kodai ezhum
In the scorching summer,
Kaanal endru maarum
It turns out to be a mirage.
Nenjodu thondrugindra
All the love that springs
Nesam yaavum
Within the heart
Nillaamal oodugindra neer vegam
Is like fast-flowing water that never stays still.
Kannodu kaanugindra
All the patterns
Kolam yaavum
That the eyes behold
Thanneeril pottu vaiththa kodaagum
Are like lines drawn on water.
Vazhikku vandhadhu thunaiyaa
Is who came along the path a true companion?
Illai vazhukki vittidum vinaiyaa
Or a disastrous fate that slips you up?
Idhai ennendru solvadhu
How do I explain this,
Siththira padhumaiyae
Oh picture-perfect doll?
Enna enna kanavu
What kind of dreams
Kandaaiyo maanae
Did you dream, my dear?
Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaanadi
Life is just a dream, my dear!
Om… om…om om..(2)
Om… om…om om..(2)
Ommm ooommm omm ooommm
Ommm ooommm omm ooommm
Omm ommm oommm ooommm ..(2)
Omm ommm oommm ooommm ..(2)
Kaalai andhi maalai
Morning, dusk, and evening,
Indha paavai seiyum yaagam
This maiden performs her sacred ritual.
Chorus :Om… om…om om
Chorus :Om… om…om om
Naalai nalla velai
When a good time arrives
Vandhu sera nirai verum
Tomorrow, her wishes will be fulfilled.
Chorus :Om… om…om om
Chorus :Om… om…om om
Pollaadhu bhoomiyilae
The evil on this earth is
Pennin paavam
The suffering of a woman,
Naalaana podhum adhu theeraadhu
Even as days pass, it does not end.
Vellaadhu ponadhillai
A woman's justice has never failed
Pennin nyaayam
To prevail;
Undaana needhi ingu maaraadhu
Established righteousness will never change here.
Varattum endringu iruppaal
She will wait here saying, 'Let it come.'
Chorus :Om… om…
Chorus :Om… om…
Male :Dharmam jaikkum
Male: 'Dharma will win,'
Endrival poruppaal
Saying this, she will endure.
Chorus :Om… om…
Chorus :Om… om…
Male :Indha uththama pathini
Male: This virtuous woman's
Thathuvam thavarumo
Philosophy—can it ever fail?
Enna enna kanavu
What kind of dreams
Kandaaiyo maanae
Did you dream, my dear?
Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaanadi
Life is just a dream, my dear!
Maanae
Oh dear one,
Seidha thavam mudivaanadhu
The penance undertaken has come to a conclusion.
Maanae
Oh dear one,
Naliravum vidivaanadhu
The dark midnight has turned into dawn.
Unmai ingu thelivaanadhu maanae
Truth has become clear here, my dear!
Poimai indru veliyaanadhu
Falsehood has been exposed today.
Enna enna kanavu
What kind of dreams
Kandaaiyo maanae
Did you dream, my dear?
Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaanadi
Life is just a dream, my dear!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Enna Enna Kanavu from the movie Valli (1993) is a deeply philosophical song exploring themes of unfulfilled desires, impermanence, and the ultimate victory of righteousness (Dharma). The song begins by comparing human dreams and expectations to fleeting illusions—such as a mirage pursued by thirsty deer or lines drawn on water that vanish instantly. It reflects on how life's promises can slip away unexpectedly, leaving one questioning fate and companionship. In the second half, the tone shifts toward hope, patience, and divine justice. It highlights a woman's silent endurance and spiritual penance (yaagam) against hardship. Emphasizing that truth and justice for a righteous woman will never fail, the song concludes triumphantly as darkness gives way to dawn, exposing falsehoods and establishing the ultimate truth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vaazhkai oru kanavudhaan”
Compares life directly to a dream to highlight its temporary and unpredictable nature.
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Thanneeril pottu vaiththa kodaagum”
Compares human hopes and visions to lines drawn on water, symbolizing fleeting and temporary reality.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Pollaadhu bhoomiyilae / Vellaadhu ponadhillai”
The second consonant sound 'll' (ல்) rhymes across lines 40 and 43.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“mudivaanadhu / vidivaanadhu / thelivaanadhu / veliyaanadhu”
The recurring '-aanadhu' ending creates a rhythmic, melodic structure across lines 57 to 61.
Did you know?
Trivia
The movie Valli (1993) holds special historical significance in Tamil cinema as it was written and produced by Superstar Rajinikanth, marking his screenwriting debut. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by legendary lyricist Vaali.
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