Ennai Kaanavillaiye
From Kadhal Desam · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Rafee, O. S. Arun
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Kadhal Desam1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| { Anbae anbae- ae… } (2) | My beloved, my beloved... |
| Male | |
| ……………………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu | I have gone missing since yesterday |
| Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu | I search everywhere along with the wind |
| Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae … | Did my soul run away with you, my love? |
| Male | |
| Naan nizhalilaadhavan theriyadhaa | Don't you know I am a man without a shadow? |
| En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa | Don't you understand that even my shadow is you? |
| Udal nizhalai cheravae mudiyadhaa | Can't the body unite with its shadow? |
| Anbae anbae-ae | My beloved, my beloved... |
| Male | |
| Nadai podum poongatrae poongatrae | O gentle breeze strolling by, gentle breeze, |
| Vaa vaa | Come, come, |
| En vaasaldhaan | To my doorstep. |
| Vandhaal | If you come, |
| Vaazhvenae naan | I will live. |
| Male | |
| Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu | I have gone missing since yesterday |
| Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu | I search everywhere along with the wind |
| Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae … | Did my soul run away with you, my love? |
| Male | |
| Aagaram illaamal naan vaazha koodum | I can live without food |
| Anbae un perai sinthithaal | My love, if I just think of your name. |
| Thee kuchi illaamal thee moota koodum | A fire can ignite without a matchstick |
| Kannae nam kangal sandhithaal | Darling, if our eyes meet. |
| Male | |
| Naan endru sonnalae naan alla needhaan | If I say 'me', it is not me, it is you! |
| Nee indri vaazhndhaalae neerkooda theedhaan | If I live without you, even water is harmful. |
| Un swaasa kaatril vaazhven naan | I shall live in the breath of your air. |
| Male | |
| Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu | I have gone missing since yesterday |
| Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu | I search everywhere along with the wind |
| Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae … | Did my soul run away with you, my love? |
| Male | |
| Naan nizhalilaadhavan theriyadhaa | Don't you know I am a man without a shadow? |
| En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa | Don't you understand that even my shadow is you? |
| Udal nizhalai cheravae mudiyadhaa | Can't the body unite with its shadow? |
| Anbae anbae-ae | My beloved, my beloved... |
| Male | |
| Nimisangal ovvondrum varusangal aagum | Every minute becomes years |
| Nee ennai neengi sendralae | If you leave and go away from me. |
| Varusangal ovvondrum nimisangal aagum | Every year becomes minutes |
| Nee endhan pakkam nindralae | If you stand by my side. |
| Male | |
| Meiyaga nee ennai virumbadha podhum | Even if you do not truly love me, |
| Poi ondru sol kannae en jeevan vaazhum | Tell me a lie, my dear, and my life will survive! |
| Nijam undhan kaadhal endraal aaa aaa … | If your love is true... |
| Male | |
| Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu | I have gone missing since yesterday |
| Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu | I search everywhere along with the wind |
| Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae … | Did my soul run away with you, my love? |
| Male | |
| Naan nizhalilaadhavan theriyadhaa | Don't you know I am a man without a shadow? |
| En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa | Don't you understand that even my shadow is you? |
| Udal nizhalai cheravae mudiyadhaa | Can't the body unite with its shadow? |
| Anbae anbae-ae | My beloved, my beloved... |
| Male | |
| Nadai podum poongatrae poongatrae | O gentle breeze strolling by, gentle breeze, |
| Vaa vaa | Come, come, |
| En vaasaldhaan | To my doorstep. |
| Vandhaal | If you come, |
| Vaazhvenae naan | I will live. |
| Male | |
| Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu | I have gone missing since yesterday |
| Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu | I search everywhere along with the wind |
| Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae … | Did my soul run away with you, my love? |
அன்பே.......அன்பே......
அன்பே அன்பே......
My beloved, my beloved...
............................................
எனைக் காணவில்லையே நேற்றோடு
எங்கும் தேடிப் பார்க்கிறேன் காற்றோடு
உயிர் ஓடிப் போனதோ உன்னோடு
அன்பே...
I have gone missing since yesterday
I search everywhere along with the wind
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
நான் நிழலில்லாதவன் தெரியாதா
என் நிழலும் நீயெனப் புரியாதா
உடல் நிழலைச் சேரவே முடியாதா
அன்பே...அன்பே....
Don't you know I am a man without a shadow?
Don't you understand that even my shadow is you?
Can't the body unite with its shadow?
My beloved, my beloved...
நடை போடும் பூங்காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
குழு : வா வா...
என் வாசல்தான்...
குழு :
வந்தால்...
வாழ்வேனே நான்
O gentle breeze strolling by, gentle breeze,
Come, come,
To my doorstep.
If you come,
I will live.
எனைக் காணவில்லையே நேற்றோடு
எங்கும் தேடிப் பார்க்கிறேன் காற்றோடு
உயிர் ஓடிப் போனதோ உன்னோடு
அன்பே...
I have gone missing since yesterday
I search everywhere along with the wind
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
ஆகாரம் இல்லாமல் நான் வாழக் கூடும்
அன்பே உன் பேரைச் சிந்தித்தால்
தீக்குச்சி இல்லாமல் தீ மூட்டக் கூடும்
கண்ணே நம் கண்கள் சந்தித்தால்
I can live without food
My love, if I just think of your name.
A fire can ignite without a matchstick
Darling, if our eyes meet.
நான் என்று சொன்னாலே
நான் அல்ல நீதான்
நீ இன்றி வாழ்ந்தாலே
நீர்கூடத் தீதான்
உன் ஸ்வாசக் காற்றில் வாழ்வேன் நான்
If I say 'me', it is not me, it is you!
If I live without you, even water is harmful.
I shall live in the breath of your air.
எனைக் காணவில்லையே நேற்றோடு
எங்கும் தேடிப் பார்க்கிறேன் காற்றோடு
உயிர் ஓடிப் போனதோ உன்னோடு
அன்பே...
I have gone missing since yesterday
I search everywhere along with the wind
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
நான் நிழலில்லாதவன் தெரியாதா
என் நிழலும் நீயெனப் புரியாதா
உடல் நிழலைச் சேரவே முடியாதா
அன்பே...அன்பே....
Don't you know I am a man without a shadow?
Don't you understand that even my shadow is you?
Can't the body unite with its shadow?
My beloved, my beloved...
நிமிஷங்கள் ஒவ்வொன்றும் வருஷங்களாகும்
நீ என்னை நீங்கிச் சென்றாலே
வருஷங்கள் ஒவ்வொன்றும் நிமிஷங்கள் ஆகும்
நீ எந்தன் பக்கம் நின்றாலே
Every minute becomes years
If you leave and go away from me.
Every year becomes minutes
If you stand by my side.
மெய்யாக நீ என்னை
விரும்பாத போதும்
பொய் ஒன்று சொல் கண்ணே
என் ஜீவன் வாழும்
நிஜம் உந்தன் காதலென்றால்
Even if you do not truly love me,
Tell me a lie, my dear, and my life will survive!
If your love is true...
எனைக் காணவில்லையே நேற்றோடு
எங்கும் தேடிப் பார்க்கிறேன் காற்றோடு
உயிர் ஓடிப் போனதோ உன்னோடு
அன்பே...
I have gone missing since yesterday
I search everywhere along with the wind
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
நான் நிழலில்லாதவன் தெரியாதா
என் நிழலும் நீயெனப் புரியாதா
உடல் நிழலைச் சேரவே முடியாதா
அன்பே...அன்பே....
Don't you know I am a man without a shadow?
Don't you understand that even my shadow is you?
Can't the body unite with its shadow?
My beloved, my beloved...
நடை போடும் பூங்காற்றே பூங்காற்றே
குழு : வா வா...
என் வாசல்தான்...
குழு :
வந்தால்...
வாழ்வேனே நான்
O gentle breeze strolling by, gentle breeze,
Come, come,
To my doorstep.
If you come,
I will live.
எனைக் காணவில்லையே நேற்றோடு
எங்கும் தேடிப் பார்க்கிறேன் காற்றோடு
உயிர் ஓடிப் போனதோ உன்னோடு
அன்பே...
I have gone missing since yesterday
I search everywhere along with the wind
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
..................................................................
{ Anbae anbae- ae… } (2)
My beloved, my beloved...
………………………………..
Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu
I have gone missing since yesterday
Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu
I search everywhere along with the wind
Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae …
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
Naan nizhalilaadhavan theriyadhaa
Don't you know I am a man without a shadow?
En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa
Don't you understand that even my shadow is you?
Udal nizhalai cheravae mudiyadhaa
Can't the body unite with its shadow?
Anbae anbae-ae
My beloved, my beloved...
Nadai podum poongatrae poongatrae
O gentle breeze strolling by, gentle breeze,
Vaa vaa
Come, come,
En vaasaldhaan
To my doorstep.
Vandhaal
If you come,
Vaazhvenae naan
I will live.
Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu
I have gone missing since yesterday
Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu
I search everywhere along with the wind
Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae …
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
Aagaram illaamal naan vaazha koodum
I can live without food
Anbae un perai sinthithaal
My love, if I just think of your name.
Thee kuchi illaamal thee moota koodum
A fire can ignite without a matchstick
Kannae nam kangal sandhithaal
Darling, if our eyes meet.
Naan endru sonnalae naan alla needhaan
If I say 'me', it is not me, it is you!
Nee indri vaazhndhaalae neerkooda theedhaan
If I live without you, even water is harmful.
Un swaasa kaatril vaazhven naan
I shall live in the breath of your air.
Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu
I have gone missing since yesterday
Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu
I search everywhere along with the wind
Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae …
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
Naan nizhalilaadhavan theriyadhaa
Don't you know I am a man without a shadow?
En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa
Don't you understand that even my shadow is you?
Udal nizhalai cheravae mudiyadhaa
Can't the body unite with its shadow?
Anbae anbae-ae
My beloved, my beloved...
Nimisangal ovvondrum varusangal aagum
Every minute becomes years
Nee ennai neengi sendralae
If you leave and go away from me.
Varusangal ovvondrum nimisangal aagum
Every year becomes minutes
Nee endhan pakkam nindralae
If you stand by my side.
Meiyaga nee ennai virumbadha podhum
Even if you do not truly love me,
Poi ondru sol kannae en jeevan vaazhum
Tell me a lie, my dear, and my life will survive!
Nijam undhan kaadhal endraal aaa aaa …
If your love is true...
Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu
I have gone missing since yesterday
Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu
I search everywhere along with the wind
Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae …
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
Naan nizhalilaadhavan theriyadhaa
Don't you know I am a man without a shadow?
En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa
Don't you understand that even my shadow is you?
Udal nizhalai cheravae mudiyadhaa
Can't the body unite with its shadow?
Anbae anbae-ae
My beloved, my beloved...
Nadai podum poongatrae poongatrae
O gentle breeze strolling by, gentle breeze,
Vaa vaa
Come, come,
En vaasaldhaan
To my doorstep.
Vandhaal
If you come,
Vaazhvenae naan
I will live.
Ennai kaanavillaiyae netrodu
I have gone missing since yesterday
Engum thedi paarkiren kaatrodu
I search everywhere along with the wind
Uyir odi ponadho unnodu anbae -ae …
Did my soul run away with you, my love?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ennai Kaanavillaiyae is a poignant romantic melody from the movie Kadhal Desam (1996), portraying the intense longing and sense of incompleteness experienced by a lover separated from his beloved. The protagonist feels that his very soul and shadow have departed with his lover, leaving him as an empty shell searching for himself in the breeze. He expresses how the mere thought of her sustains him more than food, and how time stretches painfully in her absence yet flies in her presence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“En nizhalum neeyena puriyadhaa”
The lover equates his beloved to his own shadow, symbolizing how inextricably linked she is to his existence.
Muran (Antithesis)
“Nimisangal ovvondrum varusangal aagum / Varusangal ovvondrum nimisangal aagum”
Contrasting time perception: minutes feel like years in separation, while years feel like fleeting minutes when together.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Nimisangal ovvondrum varusangal aagum / Nee ennai neengi sendralae”
Repetition of the initial 'N' sound across lines creating a harmonious rhythmic flow.
Hyperbole
“Aagaram illaamal naan vaazha koodum / Anbae un perai sinthithaal”
Exaggeration that thinking of the beloved's name alone is enough to sustain physical life without food.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ennai Kaanavillaiyae was composed by A. R. Rahman for the blockbuster movie Kadhal Desam (1996) directed by Kathir. It was rendered by the legendary S. P. Balasubrahmanyam alongside O. S. Arun, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The song remains one of the iconic romantic tracks of 90s Tamil cinema.
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