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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kan Kavarum Silaiye

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaanchi Thalaivan1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyaeOh eye-captivating statue
Kaanji tharum kalaiyaeOh art gifted by Kanchi
Kavi piravaa mun pirandhaBorn even before poets were born
Thamizhaghathin nidhiyaeOh treasure of Tamil Nadu
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyaeOh eye-captivating statue
Kaanji tharum kalaiyaeOh art gifted by Kanchi
Kavi piravaa mun pirandhaBorn even before poets were born
Thamizhaghathin nidhiyaeOh treasure of Tamil Nadu
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyae …ae….Oh eye-captivating statue...
Male
Pagai mudikka pala vagaiyaamTo defeat enemies, many types
Padai kalanghal modhumof weaponry clash
Ezhil silai vadikka siru uliyumBut to carve a beautiful statue, a small chisel
Iru karamum podhumand two hands are sufficient
Male
Pagai mudikka pala vagaiyaamTo defeat enemies, many types
Padai kalanghal modhumof weaponry clash
Ezhil silai vadikka siru uliyumBut to carve a beautiful statue, a small chisel
Iru karamum podhumand two hands are sufficient
Male
Mugai vedikkum muruval yenaLike a smile blooming like a bud
Pennidhazhil therivaaiYou appear on a woman's lips
Mugai vedikkum muruval yenaLike a smile blooming like a bud
Pennidhazhil therivaaiYou appear on a woman's lips
Sinam moondezhundhaal aandavan paeiIf wrath rises, like the Lord's furious
Thaandavamum purivaai thaandavamum purivaai…dance of destruction, you perform the dance...
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyaeOh eye-captivating statue
Kaanji tharum kalaiyaeOh art gifted by Kanchi
Kavi piravaa mun pirandhaBorn even before poets were born
Thamizhaghathin nidhiyaeOh treasure of Tamil Nadu
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyae …ae….Oh eye-captivating statue...
Male
Padikkum munnae seviyinil thaenBefore even reading, like Tamil that flows
Paaya varum thamizh pollike honey into the ears
Naan ninaikkum munnae pala vadivaaiBefore I even think, in various forms
Nenjamellaam niraivaaiYou fill my whole heart
Male
Padikkum munnae seviyinil thaenBefore even reading, like Tamil that flows
Paaya varum thamizh pollike honey into the ears
Naan ninaikkum munnae pala vadivaaiBefore I even think, in various forms
Nenjamellaam niraivaaiYou fill my whole heart
Male
Enakkum munnae vaazhdhavargalThose who lived before me
Ethanaiyo kodiwere many crores
Enakkum munnae vaazhdhavargalThose who lived before me
Ethanaiyo kodiwere many crores
Andha idam peyarndhaar perumai ellaamAll the glory of those who passed away
Thodar kadhai pol tharuvaaiYou bestow like an unending story
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyaeOh eye-captivating statue
Kaanji tharum kalaiyaeOh art gifted by Kanchi
Kavi piravaa mun pirandhaBorn even before poets were born
Thamizhaghathin nidhiyaeOh treasure of Tamil Nadu
Male
Kan kavarum silaiyae …ae….Oh eye-captivating statue...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kan Kavarum Silaiyae' is a grand tribute to the timeless sculpturing art and cultural heritage of Kanchipuram and Tamilakam. The lyrics emphasize that artistic tradition predates poets and serves as the ultimate treasure of Tamil history. It beautifully contrasts the chaos of warfare, which requires endless weapons, with the creation of timeless beauty, achievable through a simple chisel and a sculptor's hand. The song portrays art as an evocative entity capable of expressing gentle beauty like a blooming smile as well as divine intensity. Ultimately, art acts as an enduring storyteller that preserves the legacy of past generations, filling the heart with sweet harmony akin to the Tamil language itself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kan kavarum silaiyae / Kaanji tharum kalaiyae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds such as 'Kan' and 'Kaanji' in lines 1 and 2, as well as 'Kavi' in line 3.

Simile (Uvamai)

Mugai vedikkum muruval yena / Pennidhazhil therivaai

Comparing the gentle smile appearing on a woman's lips to a blooming flower bud ('Mugai vedikkum muruval yena').

Simile (Uvamai)

Padikkum munnae seviyinil thaen / Paaya varum thamizh pol

Comparing the immersive experience of thought and art to Tamil language flowing like honey into the ears ('Seviyinil thaen paaya varum thamizh pol').

Refrain (Anaphora)

Kan kavarum silaiyae

Repetition of the refrain 'Kan kavarum silaiyae...' throughout the song to anchor the thematic focus on the statue/art form.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaanchi Thalaivan' (1963) is a historical drama starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), S. S. Rajendran, C. R. Vijayakumari, and Bhanumathi. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by K. D. Santhanam.

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