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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaana Vandha Kaatchiyenna

From Bhagyalakshmi · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Bhagyalakshmi1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaana vandha kaatchi ennaWhat sight did you come to see,
Velli nilavaeO silver moon?
Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavaeWhat state have you witnessed, O silver moon?
Kaana vandha kaatchi enna velli nilavaeWhat sight did you come to see, O silver moon?
Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavaeWhat state have you witnessed, O silver moon?
Female
Odi vandha vegam ennaWhat was the speed with which you rushed here,
Velli nilavaeO silver moon?
Nee oridathil nirppadhenna velli nilavaeWhy do you now stand still in one place, O silver moon?
Odi vandha vegam enna velli nilavaeWhat was the speed with which you rushed here, O silver moon?
Nee oridathil nirppadhenna velli nilavaeWhy do you now stand still in one place, O silver moon?
Female
Kaana vandha kaatchi ennaWhat sight did you come to see,
Velli nilavaeO silver moon?
Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavaeWhat state have you witnessed, O silver moon?
Female
Ninaithu ninaithu solla vandhaWhat are the messages you repeatedly thought
Saedhigal ennaof coming to share?
Than ninaivu maari nindru vittaWhat is the agony that made you lose your train of thought
Vedhanai ennaand stand transfixed?
Aa… aa…aa…aaa…aa…aa..aa..aaa..aaa..aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa… (Vocalizing)
Female
Ninaithu ninaithu solla vandhaWhat are the messages you repeatedly thought
Saedhigal ennaof coming to share?
Than ninaivu maari nindru vittaWhat is the agony that made you lose your train of thought
Vedhanai ennaand stand transfixed?
Ingu vilaiyaadum kaadhalaraiDid you come to see
Kaana vandhaaiyothe lovers sporting here?
Unnai ariyaamal paartha padiDid you stand astonished,
Thigaithu nindraayogazing unconsciously?
Female
Kaana vandha kaatchi ennaWhat sight did you come to see,
Velli nilavaeO silver moon?
Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavaeWhat state have you witnessed, O silver moon?
Female
Kaadhal engal sondham endruDid you not know that
Ariyavillaiyaalove belongs to us?
Kanni ullam unakkirundhum naanamillaiyaaThough you possess a maiden's heart, do you have no modesty?
Un moga nilai marandhu vidu velli nilaavaeForget your state of infatuation, O silver moon!
Vandha megathilae maraindhu vidu velli nilaavaeHide yourself behind the incoming cloud, O silver moon!
Female
Kaana vandha kaatchi ennaWhat sight did you come to see,
Velli nilavaeO silver moon?
Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavaeWhat state have you witnessed, O silver moon?
Odi vandha vegam enna velli nilavaeWhat was the speed with which you rushed here, O silver moon?
Nee oridathil nirppadhenna velli nilavaeWhy do you now stand still in one place, O silver moon?
Female
Kaana vandha kaatchi ennaWhat sight did you come to see,
Velli nilavaeO silver moon?
Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavaeWhat state have you witnessed, O silver moon?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic song from the movie Bhagyalakshmi (1961), lyricist Kannadasan uses the trope of addressing the moon (Velli Nilave) to express romantic intimacy. The protagonist playfully teases the silver moon, viewing it as a curious intruder who hurried across the night sky to spy on two lovers, only to be left dumbfounded and transfixed by their deep love. The song lightheartedly questions the moon's lack of shyness despite having a feminine maiden's heart, asking it to overcome its fascination and hide behind clouds to grant the couple privacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam)

Kanni ullam unakkirundhum naanamillaiyaa

Attributing human traits and emotions (shyness, curiosity, standing transfixed) to the inanimate moon.

Apostrophe

Kaana vandha kaatchi enna velli nilavae

Directly addressing an abstract object or celestial body, in this case, the 'silver moon'.

Refrain (Irandai / Thodarchiyana Sollatchi)

Kandu vitta kolam enna velli nilavae

Repetition of the phrase 'velli nilavae' at the end of lines to establish cadence and musical rhythm.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Ninaithu ninaithu solla vandha

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Bhagyalakshmi' (1961) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The music for this film was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Kannadasan's use of the moon as a silent spectator or messenger is a deep-rooted tradition in classical Tamil Sangam literature (known as 'Thoodhu' literature).

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