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Isaimozhi
Kanni Rasi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaathaliley Thozhvi

From Kanni Rasi · 1985

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Gangai Amaran, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kanni Rasi
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
6 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa… aa…
Kaadhalilae tholviyutraan
Kaalai ingae
Avanai kaadhalilae thorkka vaitha
Kanni engae
Kavalaigalai marandhidavae indha thanni
Daai oothungadaa nooru milli enni enni
Venaam venaam pombala mogam
Ellaam pagal vesham
Velai illaama veenaa alanjnen
Andho paridhaapam
Aambalainga paavam thaan
Pombalaikku laabam thaan
Aasa venaandaa
Naan kanda paadam thaan
Venaam venaam pombala mogam
Ellaam pagal vesham
Velai illaama veenaa alanjnen
Andho paridhaapam
Annaikkoru dhevadhaasu
Ponnaala thaan kettaan daa
Innikkoru lakshmi pathiyum
Ponnaala thaan kettaan daa
Ava pottaa vesham thaan
Naan ponen mosam thaan
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ava pottaa vesham thaan
Naan ponen mosam thaan
Un kadha thaanae
En kadha kooda
Uruppadiyaaga seru en kooda
Kaadhal thandha tholviyinaalae
Karanjen andha paaviyinaalae
Venaam venaam pombala mogam
Male :Ellaam pagal vesham
Male :Pagal vesham
Velai illaama veenaa alanjnen
Male :Andho paridhaapam
Male :Paridhaapam
Pudhu chaela poovu ravikka
Kadana vaangi kudukkaathae hae haei
Pombala mel aasa vechu
Thaniyaaga padukkaadhae
Ponnugala nambaadhae
Pinnaala nee vembaadhae
Ponnugala nambaadhae
Pinnaala nee vembaadhae
Aasaiyinaalae mosadiyaachu
Ava sirippaalae manam kettu pochu
Pennaal ippa vedhana thaan
Polappo ippa sodhana thaan
Venaam venaam pombala mogam
Ellaam pagal vesham
Velai illaama veenaa alanjnen
Andho paridhaapam
Aambalainga paavam thaan
Pombalaikku laabam thaan
Ah… ah…
He failed in love,
this young man right here.
The girl who defeated him in love,
where is she now?
This drink is only to forget sorrows,
Hey, pour a hundred ml, measured drop by drop!
No, we don't want desire for women,
it is all just a false act!
Having no work, I wandered around in vain,
oh, what a pity!
Men are truly pitiful,
while women get all the gain.
Do not desire them, man,
that is the lesson I learned.
No, we don't want desire for women,
it is all just a false act!
Having no work, I wandered around in vain,
oh, what a pity!
Back in those days, Devadas
was ruined only because of a woman, man!
And today, Lakshmipathi too
was ruined only because of a woman, man!
She put on a false show,
and I ended up getting cheated!
Ah… ah… ah… ah…
She put on a false show,
and I ended up getting cheated!
That is your story,
and mine as well!
Join up with me to do something worthwhile!
Because of the heartbreak love brought,
I wasted away over that cruel girl!
No, we don't want desire for women,
It is all just a false act!
Just a false act!
Having no work, I wandered around in vain,
Oh, what a pity!
What a pity!
A new sari, flowers, and a blouse—
do not borrow money to buy them! Hey hey!
Craving for a woman,
do not lie in bed alone!
Do not trust women,
and do not agonize with regret later!
Do not trust women,
and do not agonize with regret later!
Desiring her led to deceit,
and her smile ruined my peace of mind!
Because of a woman, there is only pain now,
and life itself has become a trial!
No, we don't want desire for women,
it is all just a false act!
Having no work, I wandered around in vain,
oh, what a pity!
Men are truly pitiful,
while women get all the gain.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses the grief and cynicism of a man heartbroken after a failed love affair. Drunk and disillusioned, he warns other men against falling in love and being lured by romantic charm. He views romantic gestures as superficial charades that leave men broken, penniless, and isolated. Comparing his plight to classic heartbreaks like that of Devadas, he laments how love ruins men while women remain unscathed. Through colloquial, vernacular lyrics, the song captures male angst and tragicomic warnings delivered over alcohol among companions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

“Venaam venaam pombala mogam”

The repetition of 'Venaam venaam' (No, no) emphasizes strong rejection and warning.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Aambalainga paavam thaan / Pombalaikku laabam thaan”

The rhyming ends 'paavam thaan' and 'laabam thaan' create a rhythmic, repetitive pattern highlighting contrast.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Annaikkoru dhevadhaasu / Innikkoru lakshmi pathiyum”

The second consonant 'n' rhymes across 'Annaikkoru' and 'Innikkoru'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanni Rasi (1985) was directed by Pandiarajan and starred Prabhu and Revathi. Though credited in song contexts as unknown, the soundtrack was famously composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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