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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhal Endral Enna

From Anbu Engey · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Anbu Engey1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadhal endraal ennaWhat is love?
Adhil kaanum inbam ennaWhat is the joy found in it?
Kannodu kann kalanthuAs eyes meet with eyes,
Kaayum rushiyaai kaninthuUnripe fruit ripens into sweet taste,
Ennennamo pannuthu kannaaIt does all sorts of things, oh Kannaa!
Manasai ennennamo pannuthu kannaaIt does all sorts of things to my heart, oh Kannaa!
Female
Kadhal endral ennaWhat is love?
Aaha haa aa…..aaha…..haa…..Aaha haa aa…..aaha…..haa…..
Female
Kanavilum neeyae nanavilum neeyeYou are in my dreams, you are in reality,
Kaanbathinaalae kaninathathunnaalaeJust by seeing you, because I ripened due to you,
Kadhalin vegam seiyyumo ippadiDoes the speed of love act in this way?
Kanni sagippathu eppadiHow can a young maiden endure this?
Kadhalin vegam seiyyumo ippadiDoes the speed of love act in this way?
Kanni sagippathu eppadiHow can a young maiden endure this?
Ennennamo pannuthu kannaaIt does all sorts of things, oh Kannaa!
Hoom ennennamo pannuthu kannaaHoom, it does all sorts of things, oh Kannaa!
Female
Kadhal endral ennaWhat is love?
Aaha haa aa…..aaha…..haa…..Aaha haa aa…..aaha…..haa…..
Female
Thoonilum neeyae thurumbilum neeyeYou are in the pillar, you are in the smallest speck,
Thondruvathaeno maayai idhanoWhy do you appear everywhere, is this an illusion?
Thookkamillama yaenguthu manasuWithout sleep, my heart longs,
Sonnaa kekkuthaa vayasuDoes youth listen to reason when told?
Thookkamillama yaenguthu manasuWithout sleep, my heart longs,
Sonnaa kekkuthaa vayasuDoes youth listen to reason when told?
Ennennamo pannuthu kannaaIt does all sorts of things, oh Kannaa!
Hukkum ennennamo pannuthu kannaa….Hukkum, it does all sorts of things, oh Kannaa….
Female
Kadhal endraal ennaWhat is love?
Adhil kaanum inbam ennaWhat is the joy found in it?
Kannodu kann kalanthuAs eyes meet with eyes,
Kaayum rushiyaai kaninthuUnripe fruit ripens into sweet taste,
Ennennamo pannuthu kannaaIt does all sorts of things, oh Kannaa!
Manasai ennennamo pannuthu kannaaIt does all sorts of things to my heart, oh Kannaa!
Female
Kadhal endral ennaWhat is love?
Aaha haa aa…..aaha…..haa…..Aaha haa aa…..aaha…..haa…..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Anbu Engey (1958) explores the innocent, overwhelming awakening of first love in a young woman. She wonders aloud what love truly is and marvels at the joy it brings. Comparing her transformation to green fruit ripening into sweet taste as eyes meet, she describes how love stirs unfamiliar emotions inside her heart. The beloved occupies her entire world—appearing in dreams, reality, and everywhere she looks, creating a sweet illusion that keeps her awake at night as her youthful spirit resists all restraint.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannodu kann kalanthu / Kaayum rushiyaai kaninthu

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words creates melodic rhythm.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kanavilum neeyae nanavilum neeye

Matching second letters ('na' sound in Kanavilum and Nanavilum) provides internal harmony.

Allusion / Cultural Reference

Thoonilum neeyae thurumbilum neeye

'Thoonilum neeyae thurumbilum neeye' references the omnipresence motif from Devotional literature (Narasimha Avatar story), repurposed poetically here to show the lover omnipresent in her eyes.

Metaphor

Kaayum rushiyaai kaninthu

Comparing emotional awakening to raw fruit ('kaay') ripening ('kaninthu') into delicious flavor ('rushi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Anbu Engey (1958) was directed by D. Yoganand, starring K. Balaji and Pandari Bai. The film's soundtrack was composed by Vedha with lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass.

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