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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaniyo Paago Karkando

From Karpukkarasi · 1957

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Karpukkarasi1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaniyo paago karkandoIs it fruit, syrup, or rock candy?
Kaadhil paayum madhura mozhiThese sweet words that flow into the ear!
Female :Kanavo nanavo idhuvellaamFemale: Is all this a dream or reality?
Kadhaiyil kaanum karpanaiyoOr is it a fantasy seen only in stories?
Male
Kanavilae naan kanda kalaimaniyaeOh gem of art whom I saw in my dreams!
Karuththinilae kalantha kannmaniyaeOh precious darling who blended into my thoughts!
Karpukkarasiyae kannagiyae….aa…aa…aa…Oh Kannagi, queen of chastity!... Aa... aa... aa...
Karpukkarasiyae kannagiyaeOh Kannagi, queen of chastity!
En karangalai pattri kaarigaiyaeOh beautiful lady who holds my hands!
Male
Kaniyo paago karkandoIs it fruit, syrup, or rock candy?
Kaadhil paayum madhura mozhiThese sweet words that flow into the ear!
Female
Anaiyillaa vellamaam umathanbaeYour love is like an un-dammed flood!
Aa…aa…aa…aa….aa….aaa…Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aaa...
Anaiyillaa vellamaam umathanbaeYour love is like an un-dammed flood!
Adainthathum en thavappayan androIs gaining it not the fruit of my penance?
Inaiyillaa bakkiyam pettravargalIs there anyone in this world who has attained
Ennai pol ulagil evarumundoSuch unmatched good fortune like me?
Male
Kaniyo paago karkandoIs it fruit, syrup, or rock candy?
Kaadhil paayum madhura mozhiThese sweet words that flow into the ear!
Male
Unmai anbin iruppidamaeOh abode of true love!
Unnaippol kaanavum kidaiththidumoCan anyone like you ever be found?
Unmai anbin iruppidamaeOh abode of true love!
Unnaippol kaanavum kidaiththidumoCan anyone like you ever be found?
Female :Aa…aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…aa….Female: Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Female
Anbe endrum nilaiththidumoWill this love endure forever?
Anaiyaa sudaraai vilangidumoWill it shine like an eternal, unextinguishable flame?
Anbe endrum nilaiththidumoWill this love endure forever?
Anaiyaa sudaraai vilangidumoWill it shine like an eternal, unextinguishable flame?
Female :Aa…aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…Female: Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Male
Inbam ellaam nam sonthamaeAll happiness is ours!
Female :Endrum piriyaa ananthamaeFemale: An everlasting, inseparable bliss!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaniyo paago karkando is a classic romantic duet from the 1957 Tamil film Karpukkarasi, composed by G. Ramanathan and penned by Udumalai Narayanakavi. The song depicts a romantic dialogue between the lead characters as they praise each other's beauty, sweet speech, and boundless devotion. The male lover marvels at his beloved's sweet words, comparing them to fruits and candy, while expressing wonder at his good fortune in receiving her affection. The female protagonist reflects on whether this overwhelming love is a dream or reality, hoping their connection remains eternal and bright like an unquenchable flame, culminating in a celebration of their shared bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kaniyo paago karkando

Comparing sweet spoken words directly to sweet delicacies like fruit juice, jaggery syrup, and rock candy.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration / Rhyme)

Kanavilae naan kanda kalaimaniyae / Karuththinilae kalantha kannmaniyae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across successive lines creating melodic harmony.

Simile (Upamanam)

Anaiyillaa vellamaam umathanbae

Comparing love to an uncontrollable, dam-less flood of water.

Imagery

Anaiyaa sudaraai vilangidumo

Visual and symbolic representation of eternal love as a lamp or flame that never goes out.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features a rare duet collaboration between Carnatic icon M. L. Vasanthakumari and playback legend P. B. Sreenivas. Karpukkarasi starred Gemini Ganesan and Savitri, with music composed by G. Ramanathan, known for blending classical Carnatic ragas seamlessly into Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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