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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanaile Kadiyirunthu

From Imayam · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Anjali
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Imayam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannilae kudiyirundhuResiding in the eyes,
Karunai tharum dheivam ondruA merciful deity exists,
Kuzhandhai endruCalled a child,
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Gangai nadhi perugi vandhuFlowing like the overflowing Ganges river,
Kavidhai tharum vaarthai ondruA word that grants poetry,
Mazhalai endruIs the prattle of a child,
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Male
Kannilae kudiyirundhuResiding in the eyes,
Karunai tharum dheivam ondruA merciful deity exists,
Kuzhandhai endruCalled a child,
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Gangai nadhi perugi vandhuFlowing like the overflowing Ganges river,
Kavidhai tharum vaarthai ondruA word that grants poetry,
Mazhalai endruIs the prattle of a child,
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Male
Neela kadal maanikkangalRubies from the blue sea,
Vaira valai pavalamadaaDiamond bangles and corals, my dear,
Nenjai thodum kaattru vandhuThe breeze that touches the heart comes,
Eduthu kodutha thanga thattuAnd offers a golden plate,
Male
Neela kadal maanikkangalRubies from the blue sea,
Vaira valai pavalamadaaDiamond bangles and corals, my dear,
Nenjai thodum kaattru vandhuThe breeze that touches the heart comes,
Eduthu kodutha thanga thattuAnd offers a golden plate,
Male
Pesa varum pachai kiliA green parrot coming to speak,
Pirithu vaithaal paavamadaaIt is a sin to separate it, my dear,
Pillai unnai kuttram sonnaalIf one blames you, my child,
Pirappu muzhudhum thunbam kannaaTheir whole life will be filled with suffering, my dear,
Male
Kannilae kudiyirundhuResiding in the eyes,
Karunai tharum dheivam ondruA merciful deity exists,
Kuzhandhai endruCalled a child,
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Gangai nadhi perugi vandhuFlowing like the overflowing Ganges river,
Kavidhai tharum vaarthai ondruA word that grants poetry,
Mazhalai endruIs the prattle of a child,
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Male
Sathiyathin gopurathilUpon the tower of truth,
Thavazhuvadhae kuzhandhaiyadaaCrawls the innocent child,
Thathi thathi odum pillaiThe toddler running with toddling steps,
Maraithu keduppadhillaiyadaaNever conceals anything to cause harm,
Male
Sathiyathin gopurathilUpon the tower of truth,
Thavazhuvadhae kuzhandhaiyadaaCrawls the innocent child,
Thathi thathi odum pillaiThe toddler running with toddling steps,
Maraithu keduppadhillaiyadaaNever conceals anything to cause harm,
Male
Oor muzhudhum yaesattumaeLet the whole town scold or mock,
Unadhu vaarthai vaedhamadaaYour word is sacred scripture, my dear,
Unmai nambum ullam ingaeA heart that believes in truth,
Unakkum enakkum sondham kannaaBelongs to both you and me, my dear,
Male
Kannilae kudiyirundhuResiding in the eyes,
Karunai tharum dheivam ondruA merciful deity exists,
Kuzhandhai endruCalled a child,
Female
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Male
Kannilae kudiyirundhuResiding in the eyes,
Karunai tharum dheivam ondruA merciful deity exists,
Kuzhandhai endruCalled a child,
Both :Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanBoth: Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Male : Gangai nadhi perugi vandhuMale: Flowing like the overflowing Ganges river,
Kavidhai tharum vaarthai ondruA word that grants poetry,
Mazhalai endruIs the prattle of a child,
Both :Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanBoth: Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan
Naanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhanNaanaa naanaa dhanakku dhandhan

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannilae Kudiyirundhu is a deeply affectionate and poetic song penned by Kannadasan for the movie Imayam (1979). The lyrics venerate the innate divinity and innocence of a child. The song equates a child to a merciful deity dwelling within one's eyes and describes the child's soft babble as poetic inspiration flowing as abundantly as the river Ganges. It emphasizes that a child's truthfulness and purity far outweigh any earthly wealth or gems.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Sathiyathin gopurathil Thavazhuvadhae kuzhandhaiyadaa

The line metaphorically places the child on the 'tower of truth' (Sathiyathin gopuram), highlighting pure innocence.

Uvamai (Simile / Imagery)

Gangai nadhi perugi vandhu Kavidhai tharum vaarthai ondru Mazhalai endru

Compares the child's gentle speech/prattle (Mazhalai) to an overflowing Ganges river that inspires poetry.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannilae kudiyirundhu Karunai tharum dheivam ondru

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

Sol Anaphora / Repetition

Thathi thathi odum pillai

The rhythmic repetition of 'Thathi thathi' vividly captures the toddling movement of a child.

Did you know?

Trivia

Imayam (1979) features music by M. S. Viswanathan and stars Sivaji Ganesan and Sripriya. Kannadasan's verses in this song celebrate the philosophical idea that children are embodiments of divine truth and incapable of deception.

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