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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanaave Kanaave

From Ambikapathy · 2013

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Chinmayi, Pooja AV, Sharanya Srinivas, Madhushree, Vaishali, Aanchal Sethi
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Ambikapathy2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sa da ne re aaa….aaa…Classical musical notes vocalization.
Sa daa…aaa…aaaa…aaa…Classical musical notes vocalization.
Sa ma da ni da ne re saa ni pa gaClassical musical notes vocalization.
Ri ga ma pa ri ga pa saClassical musical notes vocalization.
Ga ma da da ne ne sa ni da paClassical musical notes vocalization.
Ri ga ma pa da ri sa …aaaa…aaa…aaClassical musical notes vocalization.
Ga ma da da ne ne ri ga ri ga sa ni saClassical musical notes vocalization.
Aaaa…aaa…aaa…aaaa…aaaa…aaaa…Vocalizing melody.
Female
{Kanaavae kanaavae{Dreams, oh dreams,
Un kannil irukkuAre inside your eyes!
Vinavoo vinavooQuestions, oh questions,
Un nenjil irukku} (2)Are inside your heart!} (2)
Female
Haa..veetukul maangalHaa.. Deer inside the house
PadaiyeduthodaMarching and running about,
Pachaikili kootamA flock of green parrots
Paatukal paadaSinging songs!
Ho..thirumana veeduHo.. A house hosting a wedding
Thikku mukku aaduIs overwhelmed with joyous bustle!
Female
Tyun tyun tyun tyun …tyun..Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun tyun tyun tyun …tyun..Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun tyun tyunInstrumental rhythm beat
Tyun da tyun da tyun da tyun da …Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun da tyun da tyun da tyun da …Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun tyun tyun tyun …Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun tyun tyun tyun …Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun tyun tyun tyun …Instrumental rhythm beat...
Tyun tyun tyun tyun …Instrumental rhythm beat...
Female
Kuyilae nadanthuOh cuckoo, walk by,
Oru kutti galattaCreating a little playful mischief!
Suvaiyae illaiThere is no real flavor,
Oru sandai illataIf there is no small playful fight!
Female
Ah…thulli varum aaru endrumAh... a surging river never
Thenguvathu illaiStagnates anywhere!
Thirumana veedendrumA wedding house never
Thoonguvadhu illaiEver goes to sleep!
Female
Paatigal ellamAll the grandmothers
Dhaavani podaDressing up in youth's half-sarees,
Thaathakkal ellamAll the grandfathers
Jeans udan aadaDancing around in modern jeans!
Vaandugal ellamAll the little children
Kai kotti paadaClapping hands and singing along!
Female
Pan pan pan papaeRhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Papae papae panRhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Pan pan pan papaeRhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Papae papae panRhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Pa bapa pan pa bapa pan pabapa panRhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Paaaaaannnnn…Rhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Pa bapa pan pa bapa pan pabapa panRhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Paaaaaannnnn…Rhythmic musical beat vocalization...
Female
Oorum uravum inguWhen the whole town and relatives
OndrupattaalaeUnite together here,
Veedu vaasalThe house and the porch,
Athu rendu paadathoWon't both of them sing in joy?
Female
Thaenin mugathilOn the surface of pure honey,
Oru ee ottaathaeA fly does not stick!
Engal agathilInside our home and heart,
Thuyar nillathaeSorrow shall not remain!
Female
Kaatrukku kavalai oooWorry does not even know
Paada theriyaathaeHow to sing to the wind!
Marundhaani poosiApplying henna,
Maharani aavomWe shall become queens!
Varnangal koorthu vaanavil seivomWeaving colors together, we shall make a rainbow!
Female
Oh vaazhai maramOh, won't the banana tree
Selai kattaatho… kattaathoDrape a saree... drape a saree?
Vasallelam vinmeenWon't stars shower down
Kottaatho… kottaathoAll over the threshold... shower down?
Female
Nadaswarangal mazhaiWon't a rain of Nadaswaram music
Kottaatho… kottaathoPour down... pour down?
Naadi narambil inbamWon't bliss drip
Sottaatho…. sottaathoInto every vein and nerve... drip down?
Female
Aagayam kaiyyilWon't the sky itself
Ettaatho… ettaathoBe within reach of our hands... be reached?
Deivam vandhu kadhavaiWon't God come in person
Thattaatho… thattaathoAnd knock on the door... knock on the door?
Female
Devathaigal pallanduWon't the angels
Paadatho… paadathoSing praises of long life... sing praise?
Thirumanamae sorgam endruWon't marriage itself
Aagotho… aagothoBecome heaven on earth... become heaven?
Female
Oh vinnum mannum koodi oo..Oh, let heaven and earth join together
VaazhthattumaeAnd bless the couple!
{Mana makkal vaazhga{Long live the bride and groom,
Mangalam vaazhga}(2)May auspiciousness prevail!} (2)
Mangalam vaazhga…mangalam vaazhgaMay auspiciousness prevail... may auspiciousness prevail!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This festive song captures the festive energy and joyful chaotic atmosphere of a traditional Indian wedding household. It metaphorically describes guests as lively deer and parrots, filled with playfulness where even elders dress up and dance, kids sing, and harmless quarrels add spice to the celebration. The house comes alive with warmth, music, and love, leaving no room for sorrow or worry. As the song progresses into the bridal celebrations (Mehndi/Sangeet), it highlights auspicious desires where nature, music, and divinity converge. The lyrics express hope that the union of the couple will bring heaven down to earth, blessing the newlyweds with a long, blissful, and prospering life together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kanaavae kanaavae / Vinavoo vinavoo

Matching initial sounds in consecutive lines, such as 'Kanaavae' and 'Vinavoo' or 'Paatigal' and 'Dhaavani'.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Marundhaani poosi / Maharani aavom

Harmony of second consonant sounds across lines like 'Veetukul' and 'Pachaikili' or 'Marundhaani' and 'Maharani'.

Personification / Metaphor

Veedu vaasal athu rendu paadatho

Attributing human actions like singing to the house and doorway ('Veedu vaasal athu rendu paadatho').

Anaphora / Repetition for Rhetorical Effect

Vasallelam vinmeen kottaatho… kottaatho

Rhythmic repetition of ending words 'kattaatho', 'kottaatho', 'ettaatho', 'thattaatho' creates an ecstatic musical momentum.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ambikapathy (2013) is the Tamil dubbed version of the hit Hindi romantic drama film Raanjhanaa, directed by Aanand L. Rai. The musical score was composed by Oscar winner A.R. Rahman, with Tamil lyrics crafted by veteran poet Vairamuthu to fit the rich wedding celebration setting.

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