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Lyrics & meaning

Kanavile Mayangaathe

From Thookku Medai · 1982

Lyricist
Karunanithi
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thookku Medai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanavilae mayangaathaeDo not get lost in mere dreams
Naanthaanae oru mullaiAm I not a fragrant jasmine flower?
Ondrae ninaei nee oru naal anaiKeep just one thought in mind and embrace me one day
Nee vaaraai raja nee vaaraai rajaCome to me, my king! Come to me, my king!
Female
Kanavilae mayangaathaeDo not get lost in mere dreams
Naanthaanae oru mullaiAm I not a fragrant jasmine flower?
Ondrae ninaei nee oru naal anaiKeep just one thought in mind and embrace me one day
Nee vaaraai raja nee vaaraai rajaCome to me, my king! Come to me, my king!
Female
Kannirendum chinna chinna poothaanaeBoth eyes are like small delicate flowers
Pennin maeni kaigal thedum maanthaanaeA woman's body is like a deer seeking touching hands
Kannirendum chinna chinna poothaanaeBoth eyes are like small delicate flowers
Pennin maeni kaigal thedum maanthaanaeA woman's body is like a deer seeking touching hands
Female
Ingu konjam vaayaenCome closer here a little bit
Ennai thottu paaraenTouch me and feel
Pachchakkili pesum yaetho paattu paadumThe green parrot speaks and sings a song
Alli poovai thedi vantha karuvandaeOh black beetle that arrived searching for the lily flower
Ondrae ninai nee oru naal anaiKeep just one thought in mind and embrace me one day
Nee vaaraai raja nee vaaraai raja….yae….Come to me, my king! Come to me, my king... yeah...
Female
Kanavilae mayangaathaeDo not get lost in mere dreams
Naanthaanae oru mullaiAm I not a fragrant jasmine flower?
Ondrae ninaei nee oru naal anaiKeep just one thought in mind and embrace me one day
Nee vaaraai raja nee vaaraai rajaCome to me, my king! Come to me, my king!
Female
Vantha perkku vaari ivar tharuvaaraeHe bestows gifts generously upon those who arrive
Karnan neril vanththu polae vanthaaraeHe arrived as if Lord Karna himself appeared in person
Vantha perkku vaari ivar tharuvaaraeHe bestows gifts generously upon those who arrive
Karnan neril vanththu polae vanthaaraeHe arrived as if Lord Karna himself appeared in person
Female
Rummu pola pennu jimmu polae kannuThe woman is intoxicating like rum, her eyes sparkling like gems
Jaadai ondru kaattu naadi varum nottuShow a small sign and currency notes will flow your way
Naanae unnai thaedi vanthaen indraethaanIt is today that I came searching for you
Ondrae ninai nee oru naal anaiKeep just one thought in mind and embrace me one day
Nee vaaraai raja nee vaaraai raja….yae….Come to me, my king! Come to me, my king... yeah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kanavilae Mayangaathae from the 1982 film Thookku Medai is an alluring track rendered by Vani Jairam with music composed by Shankar Ganesh. The song features a woman beckoning her beloved king or patron to stop dwelling in fantasies and embrace the reality of love and passion. She compares her beauty to a delicate jasmine flower and a lily waiting for its beetle, inviting him to indulge in her companionship. In the verses, she praises his boundless generosity, comparing his patronizing nature to the mythical character Karna. Blending romantic imagery with playful contemporary metaphors, she entices him to come near and make the most of the present moment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naanthaanae oru mullai

The speaker directly equates herself to a jasmine flower (mullai) and a lily flower (alli poovu) to emphasize her delicacy and beauty.

Simile (Upamai)

Karnan neril vanththu polae vanthaarae

Compares the generosity of the patron directly to the legendary king Karna who gives selflessly.

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Kannirendum chinna chinna poothaanae

The repetition of 'chinna chinna' enhances the rhythm and highlights lightness and charm.

Internal Rhyme & Parallelism (Iyaibu)

Rummu pola pennu jimmu polae kannu

Uses rhyming colloquial words ('Rummu pola pennu', 'jimmu polae kannu') to create a catchy, rhythmic internal rhyme scheme.

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Trivia

Thookku Medai was originally a highly popular stage play written by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi during the early years of his political and literary career, made famous by actor M. R. Radha. Decades later in 1982, it was adapted into a full-length feature film starring Chandrasekar, retaining songs authored by M. Karunanidhi himself.

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Kanavile Mayangaathe Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi