Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavu Thottam Nooru

From Idhu Engal Rajyam · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Idhu Engal Rajyam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa….aa…..a….aa….aa….Vocalizing melody
Female
Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuWhen a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Kannaalae solvaenae pudhiya paadam ondruI will teach a new lesson with my eyes.
Male :Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuMale: When a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Kannaalae sonnaalae pudhiya paadam ondruShe taught a new lesson through her eyes.
Female
Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuWhen a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Chorus
………………..[Instrumental pause]
Male
Moovaaru vayathaagumpothu dhinamEvery day when turning eighteen years of age,
Thaenaaru paayaatho kooruWon't a river of honey flow? Tell me.
Chorus :Aa….aa…..a….aa….aa….aa…aa….Chorus: Vocalizing melody
Male
Moovaaru vayathaagumpothu dhinamEvery day when turning eighteen years of age,
Thaenaaru paayaatho kooruWon't a river of honey flow? Tell me.
Nei poosiyae unthan thalai seeviyaeApplying oil and combing your hair,
Enthan kaiyaalae senthooraWith my own hands,
Thilagam vaiththu paarppaenI will place a vermilion bindi and admire you.
Female
Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuWhen a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Kannaalae solvaenae pudhiya paadam ondruI will teach a new lesson with my eyes.
Male :Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuMale: When a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Kannaalae sonnaalae pudhiya paadam ondruShe taught a new lesson through her eyes.
Chorus
Aa…..aa….a….aa….aa…Vocalizing melody
Aa…..aaa….aa….aa….aa….aa….Vocalizing melody
Female
Thaalaattu paattondru solvenI will sing a lullaby song,
Unnai poopola naanalli kolvenI will scoop you up gently like a flower.
Chorus :Aa….aa…..a….aa….aa….aa…aa…Chorus: Vocalizing melody
Female
Thaalaattu paattondru solvenI will sing a lullaby song,
Unnai poopola naanalli kolvenI will scoop you up gently like a flower.
Paaraattuven anbil neeraattuvenI will praise you and bathe you in love,
Vanna paai pottu madi meedhuSpreading a colorful mat, on my lap,
Kadhaigal kodi solvenI will tell millions of stories.
Male
Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuWhen a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Kannaalae solvaenae pudhiya paadam ondruI will teach a new lesson with my eyes.
Female :Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothuFemale: When a hundred gardens of dreams dance in the mind,
Kannaalae sonnaalae pudhiya paadam ondruHe taught a new lesson through his eyes.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song captures the joyful awakening of youth and tender affection between lovers. Set against the imagery of blooming dreams upon reaching the age of eighteen, the lovers exchange quiet language through their eyes, promising care, deep adoration, and lifelong intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kanavu thottam nooru manathil aadumpothu

Compares the multitude of thoughts and hopes in the mind to a 'garden of dreams' (Kanavu thottam).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thaenaaru paayaatho kooru

Compares the sweetness and flow of youthful joy at age eighteen to a 'river of honey' (Thaenaaru).

Uvamai (Simile)

Unnai poopola naanalli kolven

Compares the delicate handling of the beloved to lifting a soft flower ('poopola').

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Moovaaru vayathaagumpothu dhinam / Thaenaaru paayaatho kooru

Rhyming of the second consonant sounds across lines ('Moovaaru' and 'Thaenaaru').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is written by the celebrated Tamil poet and lyricist Pulamaipithan for the 1985 film 'Idhu Engal Rajyam'. Pulamaipithan is known for integrating classical Tamil poetic meter with accessible cinematic romance.

Keep listening

More from Idhu Engal Rajyam