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Aanandha Raagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavugaley

From Aanandha Raagam · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. J. Yesudass
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Aanandha Raagam
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
8 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanavugalae kanavugalae
Kalainthu sellungal
En kanmaiyai paarthu
Oru kelvi kelungal
Ennai maranthadhen..aeenn…
Ennai maranthadhen
Ennai maranthadhen
Kanavugalae kanavugalae
Kalainthu sellungal
{Uravae pirivaagi
Vazhi maarum podhu
Ulagil enakkendru
Oru sondham yedhu} (2)
Ninaivizhandhen
Enai maranthen kaadhalinaalae
Madhi izhanthu
Vazhi maranthu vaadugindrenae
Ennai maranthadhen..aeenn…
Ennai maranthadhen
Ennai maranthadhen
Kanavugalae kanavugalae
Kalainthu sellungal
{Jeevan maranthaalum
Vilagaatha nesam
Kaalam pirinthaalum
Maraiyatha sogam} (2)
Vidhi ezhuthum
Sadhi idhuvo yaar arivaarae
Vizhi irunthum
Paarvai illai engu selvenae
Ennai maranthadhen..aeenn…
Ennai maranthadhen
Ennai maranthadhen
Kanavugalae kanavugalae
Kalainthu sellungal
En kanmaiyai paarthu
Oru kelvi kelungal
Ennai maranthadhen..aeenn…
Ennai maranthadhen
Ennai maranthadhen
Oh dreams, oh dreams,
Fade and scatter away,
Go to my beloved,
And ask her a question:
Why did you forget me? Why?
Why did you forget me?
Why did you forget me?
Oh dreams, oh dreams,
Fade and scatter away.
When a bond turns into separation,
And life's path changes course,
In this wide world,
What relationship is truly mine?
I have lost all thought,
I forgot myself in love,
Losing my senses,
Losing my way, I wither in pain.
Why did you forget me? Why?
Why did you forget me?
Why did you forget me?
Oh dreams, oh dreams,
Fade and scatter away.
Even if life comes to an end,
This love will never fade away.
Even if time separates us,
This sorrow will never disappear.
Is this a cruel scheme
Written by fate? Who knows?
Though I have eyes,
I have lost my vision; where can I go?
Why did you forget me? Why?
Why did you forget me?
Why did you forget me?
Oh dreams, oh dreams,
Fade and scatter away,
Go to my beloved,
And ask her a question:
Why did you forget me? Why?
Why did you forget me?
Why did you forget me?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song 'Kanavugalae Kanavugalae' expresses deep heartache and anguish over heartbreak and abandonment. The protagonist addresses his dreams, asking them to disperse and directly question his beloved on why she forgot him and his boundless love. He laments how the divergence of paths leaves him utterly alone without a soul to call his own in this vast world, driving him to lose his mind, memory, and sense of direction.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe

Kanavugalae kanavugalae / Kalainthu sellungal

Addressing non-human/abstract concepts (dreams) directly as if they could hear and carry a message.

Anaphora / Repetition

Ennai maranthadhen..aeenn… / Ennai maranthadhen

Repetition of the line 'Ennai maranthadhen' for emotional emphasis on betrayal and confusion.

Monorhyme / Second-letter Rhyming (Edhukai)

Vidhi ezhuthum / Sadhi idhuvo yaar arivaarae / Vizhi irunthum

Matching second consonants across lines ('Vidhi' / 'Sadhi' / 'Vizhi').

Paradox / Metaphor

Vizhi irunthum / Paarvai illai engu selvenae

Having eyes yet lacking vision metaphorically portrays utter helplessness and lack of direction in life.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanavugalae Kanavugalae' from the 1982 film Aanandha Raagam features iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with soulful vocals by K. J. Yesudas, and lyrics crafted by Gangai Amaran depicting profound heartbreak.

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