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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanimaa

From Retro · 2025

Lyricist
Vivek
Singer
Santhosh Narayanan
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Movie name
Retro
Movie release year
2025
Lyrics added on
12 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hey kattu malli…hammaa..
Hey kanaga malli….gumma
Hey vaacha malli…hey ey
Male :En kanimaaa
Female :Kanimaa
Male :Aasa pada vechaan
Aala vizha vechaaney
Hey maapla
Polaam iru machaan
Aada vara vechaane…
Hey unna thaan..haei
Mayilattam irukka
Malar kooda maamanukka
Hey paara
Poo vaara
Kai seera
En veera
Hae nethiyila nelavattam
Vechavanum sooravattam
Ottumotha thenmaavattam
Osa katti vandhu nikkattum
Hae panghu
Yaaradi un tholile
Kann pogudhe dhaaba therile
Mann vazhndhidum kodi perile
Rendu maayame
Indre kaigal korkkudhe
Kaatrodudhaan poga paarkkudhae
Sollamalae avvanaaiyae kaadhalukkudhe
Machi vandhu kuthu panghu
Mayilattam irukka
Malar koodai maamanukka
Hey paara
Poo vaara
Kai seera
En maara
Hae nethiyila nelavattam
Vechavanum sooravattam
Ottumotha thenmaavattam
Osa katti vandhu nikkattum
Hey kanimaa…
Sae sae sae sae….(4)
Ottumotha thenmaavattam
Kanimaa…
Hey kanimaa…
Hey, fragrant garland of jasmine... hamma...
Hey, bright golden jasmine... kumma...
Hey, jasmine tucked in hair... hey ey...
My sweet Kanima...
Kanima...
He made me crave him,
He made me fall for him!
Hey buddy,
Hold on buddy, let us go,
He made me step up and dance...
Hey, it is all about you... hey!
Dancing like a graceful peacock,
Carrying a basket of flowers for my man,
Hey, look here!
Showering with flowers,
With gentle hands,
My brave warrior!
With a round moon-like mark on his forehead,
The one who wears it is a whirlwind of power!
Let the entire southern district
Gather together with a roar and stand witness!
Hey partner,
Who is that resting on your shoulder?
My eyes lose their way in the haze of longing,
Among the millions living on this earth,
Two magical souls
Are holding hands today,
Trying to float away with the breeze,
Falling deeply in love with him without a single word!
Buddy, step up and dance to the beat, partner!
Dancing like a graceful peacock,
A basket of flowers for my man,
Hey, look here!
Showering with flowers,
With gentle hands,
My beloved Maara!
With a round moon-like mark on his forehead,
The one who wears it is a whirlwind of power!
Let the entire southern district
Gather together with a roar and stand witness!
Hey Kanima...
Che che che che...
The entire southern district,
Kanima...
Hey Kanima...
Female
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This high-energy folk-fusion track is a festive celebration of romantic longing and community jubilation. Filled with regional Tamil floral imagery (wild jasmine, golden jasmine) and traditional dance motifs like Mayilattam (peacock dance), the lyrics describe a captivating lover whose presence creates a whirlwind of excitement. The song captures the euphoric rush of falling in love, inviting everyone in the southern region to join in the exuberant music, rhythm, and dance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)

Hae nethiyila nelavattam / Vechavanum sooravattam / Ottumotha thenmaavattam

Matching second consonants across successive lines ('nelavattam', 'sooravattam', 'thenmaavattam').

Monai (Initial letter alliteration)

Hey kattu malli… / Hey kanaga malli…

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in floral references ('kattu', 'kanaga').

Visual Imagery

Mayilattam irukka / Hae nethiyila nelavattam

Uses vivid imagery of traditional peacock dances and crescent moon forehead marks to evoke regional cultural richness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and sung by Santhosh Narayanan with lyrics by Vivek, the song seamlessly blends traditional Tamil folk percussion and slang ('thenmaavattam', 'kuthu panghu') with modern retro-pop beats.

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