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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ganam Then Kaatrodu

From Kannukkoru Vannakili · 1991

Lyricist
Kamakodiyan
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukkoru Vannakili1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Laalaa… lalaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaa laalaaLaalaa… lalaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaa laalaa
Hello… hello… hello…Hello… hello… hello…
Male
Gaanam then kaatroduThe song travels along with the sweet honeyed breeze,
Poi chollum thoodhuGoing as a messenger to carry my word.
Naanum un kai serum naalum eppodhuWhen will the day come when I hold your hand?
Ninaivil madhu en kanavil madhuMadhu is in my thoughts, Madhu is in my dreams,
Unarvil madhu en uyiril madhuMadhu is in my feelings, Madhu is in my soul!
Hello hello hello madhuHello hello hello Madhu!
Male
Gaanam then kaatroduThe song travels along with the sweet honeyed breeze,
Poi chollum thoodhuGoing as a messenger to carry my word.
Naanum un kai serum naalum eppodhuWhen will the day come when I hold your hand?
Male
Ennangal engengumEverywhere my thoughts wander,
Yedhaedho yegaantham vandhadhaeA strange kind of solitude has arrived.
Kannangal poo vannamMy cheeks blossom with floral colors,
Poosudhae pesudhaeAdorning me and speaking to me.
Male
Ennangal engengumEverywhere my thoughts wander,
Yedhaedho yegaantham vandhadhaeA strange kind of solitude has arrived.
Kannangal poo vannamMy cheeks blossom with floral colors,
Poosudhae pesudhaeAdorning me and speaking to me.
Male
Moodum kan endra pon vaasalilAt the golden entrance of my closed eyes,
Mogam engindra un baashaiyilIn your language called passion,
Moodum kan endra pon vaasalilAt the golden entrance of my closed eyes,
Mogam engindra un baashaiyilIn your language called passion,
Madhu madhu hello madhuMadhu Madhu, hello Madhu!
Male
Gaanam then kaatroduThe song travels along with the sweet honeyed breeze,
Poi chollum thoodhuGoing as a messenger to carry my word.
Naanum un kai serum naalum eppodhuWhen will the day come when I hold your hand?
Male
Sillennum poonthendralThe cool, gentle floral breeze,
Seraamal koodaamal pogudhaePasses by without embracing or uniting with me.
Nillendrum nillaamalWithout stopping even when told to stop,
En manam pogudhaeMy heart drifts away.
Male
Sillennum poonthendralThe cool, gentle floral breeze,
Seraamal koodaamal pogudhaePasses by without embracing or uniting with me.
Nillendrum nillaamalWithout stopping even when told to stop,
En manam pogudhaeMy heart drifts away.
Male
Jeevan rendalla ondraanadhaeOur two souls are no longer two, but one;
Dhegam eppodhu ondraagumoWhen will our bodies become one as well?
Jeevan rendalla ondraanadhaeOur two souls are no longer two, but one;
Dhegam eppodhu ondraagumoWhen will our bodies become one as well?
Madhu madhu hello madhuMadhu Madhu, hello Madhu!
Male
Gaanam then kaatroduThe song travels along with the sweet honeyed breeze,
Poi chollum thoodhuGoing as a messenger to carry my word.
Naanum un kai serum naalum eppodhuWhen will the day come when I hold your hand?
Ninaivil madhu en kanavil madhuMadhu is in my thoughts, Madhu is in my dreams,
Unarvil madhu en uyiril madhuMadhu is in my feelings, Madhu is in my soul!
Hello hello hello madhuHello hello hello Madhu!
Laalaa… lalaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaaLaalaa… lalaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaa
Laalaa… lalaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaaLaalaa… lalaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures a deeply passionate and romantic expression of love and separation addressed to 'Madhu'. The protagonist entrusts the sweet breeze to act as a messenger, carrying heartfelt feelings across the distance to the beloved. Through sensory imagery—solitude, floral hues on the cheeks, and dreams behind closed eyes—the lyrics illustrate how completely the thought of Madhu permeates every aspect of the protagonist's existence, from conscious thoughts to deepest soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Repetition)

Ninaivil madhu en kanavil madhu / Unarvil madhu en uyiril madhu

The word 'madhu' is repeated at the end of successive phrases to create rhythmic harmony and emphasize the lover's name and its literal meaning of sweetness.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Sillennum poonthendral / Seraamal koodaamal pogudhae

The 'S' sound repeats at the beginning of 'Sillennum' and 'Seraamal', creating a gentle phonetic flow mirroring the breeze.

Metaphor

Moodum kan endra pon vaasalil

The closed eyes are metaphorically described as a 'golden entrance' (pon vaasal) to the world of dreams and romantic intimacy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kannukkoru Vannakili' was released in 1991 with lyrics penned by veteran lyricist Kamakodiyan, known for his poetic imagery blending nature and romance. The song relies heavily on wordplay around 'Madhu', which serves both as the proper name of the beloved and the Tamil/Sanskrit word for sweet honey/nectar.

Keep listening

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