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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaanal Neer Pol

From Ninaivellam Nithya · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ninaivellam Nithya1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aahaa..aaa..aaa..aaa…aaaa..Aahaa..aaa..aaa..aaa…aaaa..
Aa..aa..aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Aa..aa..aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female
Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhalMy love has become like a mirage,
Kanneeril en kangalMy eyes are immersed in tears.
Indruillai en thendralToday, my gentle breeze is no longer here,
Thoduvaanam en bandhangalThe distant horizon is my only bond.
Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhalMy love has become like a mirage,
Kanneeril en kangalMy eyes are immersed in tears.
Female
{Uyirodu serndha uravu{A relationship bound to the soul,
Paadhai vilagi pogaadhaeWill not stray away from its path.
Kadalodu serndha gangaiThe river Ganges that met the ocean,
Meendum thirumbhi pogiradhae} (2)Does it ever return back?}
Female
Kannil neer ulla varaikkumAs long as there are tears in my eyes,
Endhan uyir ingu irukkumMy life will remain right here.
Kannil neer ulla varaikkumAs long as there are tears in my eyes,
Endhan uyir ingu irukkumMy life will remain right here.
Sogangal en paadal parigaaram..mm…Sorrow is the cure found in my song..mm..
Female
Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhalMy love has become like a mirage,
Kanneeril en kangalMy eyes are immersed in tears.
Indruillai en thendralToday, my gentle breeze is no longer here,
Thoduvaanam en bandhangalThe distant horizon is my only bond.
Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhalMy love has become like a mirage,
Kanneeril en kangalMy eyes are immersed in tears.
Female
{Kaadhalai bali koduththu{Sacrificing my own love,
Kaadhalanai vaazha veiththaenI enabled my lover to live.
Oru kuyil vaanil parakkaSo that a cuckoo bird could fly in the sky,
Enadhu siragai dhaanam thandhen} (2)I donated my own wings.}
Female
Pookkalae mannil vizhungalOh flowers, fall down upon the earth,
Saabamae endhan marangalCurses are my trees.
Pookkalae mannil vizhungalOh flowers, fall down upon the earth,
Saabamae endhan varangalCurses are my blessings.
Kannaththil kanneerin kaayangalTraces of tears remain as wounds on my cheeks.
Female
Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhalMy love has become like a mirage,
Kanneeril en kangalMy eyes are immersed in tears.
Indruillai en thendralToday, my gentle breeze is no longer here,
Thoduvaanam en bandhangalThe distant horizon is my only bond.
Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhalMy love has become like a mirage,
Kanneeril en kangalMy eyes are immersed in tears.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful track expresses the profound anguish of lost love and noble sacrifice. The protagonist compares her love to a mirage—an elusive vision that leaves her weeping and emotionally isolated, with only the distant horizon as her companion. She reflects that a true soul connection cannot be undone, just as the river Ganges cannot flow backward once it meets the sea. In the second stanza, she reveals the heartbreak of self-sacrifice: she surrendered her own happiness and freedom so her beloved could thrive. Transforming her agony into song, she accepts pain, tear-stained cheeks, and curses as her reality, finding solace only in music while enduring her grief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Kaanal neer pol endhan kaadhal

Compares love to a mirage ('kaanal neer pol'), signifying an illusion that promises water but leaves one parched.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Enadhu siragai dhaanam thandhen

Metaphorically refers to giving away her own wings ('siragai dhaanam thandhen') to represent sacrificing her freedom and dreams for her lover.

Analogy (Auvamai)

Kadalodu serndha gangai meendum thirumbhi pogiradhae

Uses the natural phenomenon of the Ganges merging into the sea and never returning as an analogy for an irreversible soul connection.

Alliteration (Monai)

Kaadhalai bali koduththu kaadhalanai vaazha veiththaen

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Kaa' in 'Kaadhalai' and 'Kaadhalanai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown metadata in some records, this memorable sad track from 'Ninaivellam Nithya' (1982) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, rendered poignantly by legendary singer S. Janaki, with lyricist Vairamuthu penning the poetic lines.

Keep listening

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