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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhalukku Kannillai

From Rani Lalithangi · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Rani Lalithangi1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhalukku kannillaeLove has no eyes,
Kadhillae kelaayoWon't you listen with your ears?
Jaathiyillae pedhamillaeThere is no distinction of caste or status,
Nee enni paaraayoWon't you ponder and see?
Male
Kadhalukku kannillaeLove has no eyes,
Kadhillae kelaayoWon't you listen with your ears?
Jaathiyillae pedhamillaeThere is no distinction of caste or status,
Nee enni paaraayoWon't you ponder and see?
Male
Vaalipathin vaanathileIn the vast sky of youth,
Varnavillum thonumadaa…aa…aa…aa…A rainbow will appear, my friend...
Vaalipathin vaanathileIn the vast sky of youth,
Varnavillum thonumadaa…A rainbow will appear, my friend...
Male
Paaliyilae kaanpathupolLike a illusion seen in a desert,
Kaanal neeraagumadaaIt will end up as a mirage, my friend.
Paaliyilae kaanpathupolLike a illusion seen in a desert,
Kaanal neeraagumadaaIt will end up as a mirage, my friend.
Male
Neelamayil megaththinaalBecause of dark blue rain clouds,
Thaedi vanthu aadumadaaThe peacock comes searching and dances, my friend.
Neelamayil megaththinaalBecause of dark blue rain clouds,
Thaedi vanthu aadumadaaThe peacock comes searching and dances, my friend.
Male
Nenjathilae minjiyathorWhatever affection remains in the heart,
Nesam thanthodumadaaIt will bestow love and flow along, my friend.
Nenjathilae minjiyathorWhatever affection remains in the heart,
Nesam thanthodumadaaIt will bestow love and flow along, my friend.
Male
Kadhalukku kannillaeLove has no eyes,
Kadhillae kelaayoWon't you listen with your ears?
Jaathiyillae pedhamillaeThere is no distinction of caste or status,
Nee enni paaraayoWon't you ponder and see?
Male
Minnuvathai ponnenavaeTo think that all that glitters is gold,
Ennuvathu eenamadaa…aa…aa…aa….aa….Is a shameful mistake, my friend...
Minnuvathai ponnenavaeTo think that all that glitters is gold,
Ennuvathu eenamadaa…Is a shameful mistake, my friend...
Male
Punnagaiyin jaadaiyilaeTo be captivated by the subtle gestures of a smile,
Mayanguvathum maayaiyadaaIs merely an illusion, my friend.
Punnagaiyin jaadaiyilaeTo be captivated by the subtle gestures of a smile,
Mayanguvathum maayaiyadaaIs merely an illusion, my friend.
Male
Kannilaadum paavaiyilaeIn the moving pupil of the eye,
Kadhal bimbam kaanumadaaThe reflection of love can be seen, my friend.
Kannilaadum paavaiyilaeIn the moving pupil of the eye,
Kadhal bimbam kaanumadaaThe reflection of love can be seen, my friend.
Male
Kaalaiyaana vayathinilaeDuring the vibrant age of youth,
Kattuppadu venumadaaSelf-control is essential, my friend.
Kaalaiyaana vayathinilaeDuring the vibrant age of youth,
Kattuppadu venumadaaSelf-control is essential, my friend.
Aa….aa….aa….aah….aa…..Aa....aa....aa....aah....aa.....
Male
Kadhalukku kannillaeLove has no eyes,
Kadhillae kelaayoWon't you listen with your ears?
Jaathiyillae pedhamillaeThere is no distinction of caste or status,
Nee enni paaradaaPonder and see, my friend!
Nee enni paaradaaPonder and see, my friend!
Nee enni paaradaaPonder and see, my friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Rani Lalithangi' (1957) presents a philosophical advice on love, passion, and youthful impulses. It warns that love can often blind a person to reality and equality, comparing transient romantic passions to a rainbow in youth's sky or a mirage in a desert that vanishes quickly upon closer inspection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaik Thodai (Alliteration)

Kadhalukku kannillae / Kadhillae kelaayo

Initial consonant matching in words within the same line, such as 'Kadhalukku' and 'Kadhillae'.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Paaliyilae kaanpathupol / Kaanal neeraagumadaa

Comparing youthful romance to a temporary rainbow ('Varnavillum') and a desert mirage ('Kaanal neeraagumadaa').

Proverbial Allusion

Minnuvathai ponnenavae / Ennuvathu eenamadaa

Adapting the popular proverb 'All that glitters is not gold' into classical Tamil lyricism.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rani Lalithangi' (1957) featured music composed by legendary maestro G. Ramanathan, with lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Sung by C. S. Jayaraman, the track is renowned for its theatrical delivery and classical Tamil phrasing typical of late 1950s cinema.

Keep listening

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