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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kandaen Ayya

From Kanniyin Kathali · 1949

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. V. Janaki
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kanniyin Kathali1949

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Kandean aiyaa madhimugam kandean aiyaaI saw, sir, I saw her moon-like face, sir.
Poorana mathimugam kandeanaiyaaI saw her full-moon face, sir.
Athil avamathippum kalanthirukka kandean aiyaaI saw disrespect mixed within it, sir.
Avamathippum kalanthirukka kandean aiyaaI saw disrespect mixed within it, sir.
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Female
Kandean aiyaa vizhi sudarai kandean aiyaaI saw, sir, the spark in her eyes, sir.
Suttum vizhi sudarai kandean aiyaaI saw the burning spark in her eyes, sir.
Athil kottum sudu neruppinIn that, the pouring hot fire's
Kodumaiyum searnthirukka kandean aiyaacruelty was also joined, I saw, sir.
Kottum sudu nerupinThe pouring hot fire's
Kodumaiyum searnthirukka kandean aiyaacruelty was also joined, I saw, sir.
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Female
Kandean aiyaa idhazh irandai kandean aiyaaI saw, sir, her two lips, sir.
Madhu oorum idhazh irandai kandean aiyaaI saw her two honey-dripping lips, sir.
Athilae visha madhuvum kalanthirukka kandean aiyaaI saw poisonous honey blended into it, sir.
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Female
Kandean aiyaa avalin azhangaaramaanaI saw, sir, her ornate,
Nadaiyai kandaen aiyaa annam polwalk, I saw, sir, like a swan,
Azhangaaramaana nadaiyai kandean aiyaaI saw her ornate walk, sir.
Adhanil agangaaramum kamazhnthirupathai kandean aiyaaI saw arrogance exuding from it, sir.
Adhanil agangaaramum kamazhnthirupathai kandean aiyaaI saw arrogance exuding from it, sir.
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Female
Kettaen aiyaa konjum kuralthanai kettaen aiyaaI heard, sir, her lisping, affectionate voice, sir.
Kili pol konjum kuralthanai kettaen aiyaaI heard her parrot-like lisping voice, sir.
Panivu konjamum illaatha kuralthanai kettaen aiyaaI heard a voice lacking even a trace of humility, sir.
Panivu konjamum illaatha kuralthanai kettaen aiyaaI heard a voice lacking even a trace of humility, sir.
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...
Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….I spoke the truth, sir...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this song, a speaker reports their keen observations of a woman to a superior or master ('Aiyaa'). While acknowledging her external beauty—her full-moon face, glowing eyes, honeyed lips, swan-like walk, and parrot-like voice—the speaker highlights the underlying negative qualities accompanying these physical traits, such as disrespect, cruelty, poison, pride, and a utter lack of humility.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

“Nadaiyai kandaen aiyaa annam pol”

Comparing her walk to a swan ('annam pol') and her voice to a parrot ('kili pol') to illustrate initial grace.

Uruvagamaana Muran (Oxymoron/Contrast)

“Athilae visha madhuvum kalanthirukka kandean aiyaa”

Juxtaposition of pleasant imagery with toxic traits, such as 'madhu' (sweet nectar/honey) and 'visha madhu' (poisonous honey).

Anaphora (Madakku)

“Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa….”

Repetition of the phrase 'Naan unmaiyai sonnaen aiyaa' at the end of stanzas to emphasize truthfulness and sincerity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanniyin Kathali (1949) is a milestone in Tamil cinema as it marked the debut of the legendary poet and lyricist Kannadasan. The movie was an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous comedy play 'Twelfth Night'.

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