Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavilaavadhu Unnudan

From Vishwa Thulasi · 2004

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Karthik, Sushma Shrestha
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, Ilayaraja
Movie name
Vishwa Thulasi
Movie release year
2004
Lyrics added on
5 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanavilaavadhu unnudan
Kalandhu kooda vendum
Ninaivilae unai innumaa
Ninaindhu vaada vendum
Aarvamodu aadi thirindha
Andha naatkal
Theerndhadhillai dhaagam theerkka
Yengum pookkal
Yekkam theerkka idhayam varudum
Ilamai kaalamae
Naanum serndhu vaazha serndhu podu
Pudhiya kolamae…
Even if only in dreams,
I want to be united with you.
Must I still keep thinking of you
And pine away in memories?
The days we eagerly roamed and danced,
Those cherished days...
The thirst has never ended
For the flowers yearning to be quenched.
Caressing the heart to ease its longing,
O season of youth,
So we may live together, come draw
A brand-new kolam (decorative pattern)...
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song captures a poignant expression of romantic longing and grief caused by separation. The speaker desperately seeks reunion with their beloved, wishing that if a real-life togetherness is impossible, it should at least happen within dreams rather than suffering endless heartache in memories.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moni / Initial Rhyme (Monnai)

Kanavilaavadhu unnudan / Kalandhu kooda vendum

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kanavilaavadhu' and 'Kalandhu' across lines 1 and 2 creates rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor

Pudhiya kolamae…

Comparing starting a new chapter of life with a beloved to drawing a 'pudhiya kolam' (a new traditional rice-flour pattern).

Personification

Yengum pookkal / Yekkam theerkka idhayam varudum

Attributing human emotions like yearning ('Yekkam') and action ('dhaagam theerkka') to flowers and youthful time.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vishwa Thulasi (2004) featured a rare and historic collaboration where legendary music directors M. S. Viswanathan and Ilaiyaraaja worked together on the soundtrack, with Ilaiyaraaja also penning lyrics for select tracks.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Vishwa Thulasi

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.