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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaaranam Theriyammal

From Kanniyin Kathali · 1949

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kanniyin Kathali1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaaranam theriyaamal ullamWithout knowing the reason, the heart
Santhosam kondaaduthaeCelebrates with joy.
Lala lala lala lallaa laalaaLala lala lala lallaa laalaa
Kaaranam theriyamal ullamWithout knowing the reason, the heart
Santhosam kondaaduthaeCelebrates with joy.
Lala lala lala lallaa laalaa….aaa….Lala lala lala lallaa laalaa....aaa....
Female
Manam malar pola vaazhvnilaeLike a flower in life, the mind
Perinbam adhey adainthaenae naanaeI have attained that supreme bliss myself.
Manam malar pola vaazhvnilaeLike a flower in life, the mind
Perinbam adhey adainthaenae naanaeI have attained that supreme bliss myself.
Female
Kaanbavai yaavum kaaviyam polEverything seen is like epic poetry,
Indrea aanandham….aa….aaa….aanandhamToday itself is joy... ah... ah... joy!
Female
Kaanaththilae kuyil polaeLike a cuckoo in the forest,
Aaa….aaa…..aanandhamAh... ah... joy!
Vaanaththilae oli polae aanandhamLike light in the sky, joy!
Vaa….aa….naththithilae oli polae aanandhamLike light in the sky, joy!
Kaavinailae….ae…..ae….In the grove... ae... ae...
Kaavinilae mayil polaeLike a peacock in the grove,
Kaavinilae mayil polae aanandhamLike a peacock in the grove, joy!
Female
Kaanaththilae kuyil polaeLike a cuckoo in the forest,
Kaanbavai yaavum kaaviyam polEverything seen is like epic poetry,
Indrea aanandham….aanandhamToday itself is joy... joy!
Female
Kanavum ninaivum yaavumaeDreams and memories, all of them,
Pudhumaiyaaga kaanuthaeAppear wondrously new.
Kanavum ninaivum yaavumaeDreams and memories, all of them,
Pudhumaiyaaga kaanuthaeAppear wondrously new.
Kaadhal enbathu idhuthaanoIs this what is called love?
Manam maariyathaenoWhy has the heart transformed?
Kaaranam theriyamal ullamWithout knowing the reason, the heart
Santhosam kondaaduthae…..Celebrates with joy.....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the boundless, inexplicable happiness of a young heart experiencing the initial awakening of love. Unaware of the precise cause at first, the protagonist feels an intense inner delight that transforms her entire perception of reality. Nature itself appears transformed into poetry, with every sight evoking the image of cuckoos singing in forests, peacocks dancing in groves, and radiance filling the sky. As dreams and memories take on a fresh, wondrous perspective, she realizes that this inexplicable metamorphosis of her mind is the sweet onset of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Manam malar pola vaazhvnilae

Compares the mind blooming to a flower ('Manam malar pola') and external sights to epic poetry ('Kaanbavai yaavum kaaviyam pol').

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaanaththilae kuyil polae / Vaanaththilae oli polae / Kaavinilae mayil polae

Rhyming of the second consonant '-na-' across consecutive nature imagery lines: Kaanaththilae (forest), Vaanaththilae (sky), Kaavinilae (grove).

Rhetorical Question

Kaadhal enbathu idhuthaano / Manam maariyathaeno

The protagonist introspectively questions the sudden shift in her emotional state, wondering if this feeling is love.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanniyin Kathali' (1949) holds historical significance in Tamil cinema as the debut film of the legendary lyricist Kaviarasu Kannadasan. Directed by K. Ramnoth and produced by Jupiter Pictures, the movie featured music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and C. R. Subbaraman.

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