Kankanum Katchiye
From Ratha Pasam · 1954
- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Singer
- Radha Jayalakshmi
- Music director
- A. V. Nadarajan
- Details
- Ratha Pasam1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa | Is the sight seen by the eyes true pleasure? |
| Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa | Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss? |
| Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa | Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure? |
| Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa | Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss? |
| Female | |
| Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa | Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure? |
| Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa | Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss? |
| Female | |
| Vanna mayil thaan irundhum | Even when a colorful peacock is present, |
| Van kozhiyudanae madhana leelaiyadi | engaging in romantic games with a wild turkey, |
| Vaazhvadhae inbamaa | is living such a life true happiness? |
| Vanna mayil thaan irundhum | Even when a colorful peacock is present, |
| Van kozhiyudanae madhana leelaiyadi | engaging in romantic games with a wild turkey, |
| Vaazhvadhae inbamaa | is living such a life true happiness? |
| Female | |
| Alaiulaavum kadalilae | In the ocean where waves wander, |
| Aasai thendral kaatrinilae | in the breeze of worldly desires, |
| Nilaiyiladha odathilae | in an unstable, rocking boat, |
| Ninaivizhandhu selvadhae inbamaa | is drifting away losing consciousness true happiness? |
| Female | |
| Kannillaadhavan kalai kugaiyilae | For a blind person inside a cave of art, |
| Kaanum azhagedhuvoo | what beauty is there to behold? |
| Unmai unarndhum vazhi thadumaari | Even after realizing the truth, stumbling off the right path, |
| Odi alaivadhuvoo | is running around aimlessly true life? |
| Female | |
| Kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa | Is the sight seen by the eyes true pleasure? |
| Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa | Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss? |
| Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa | Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure? |
| Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa | Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss? |
| Female | |
| Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa | Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure? |
| Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa… | Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss? |
கண்காணும் காட்சியே இன்பமா
மனதால் காண்பதே அழிவிலா இன்பமா
கண்ணிருந்தும் கண்காணும் காட்சியே இன்பமா
மனதால் காண்பதே அழிவிலா இன்பமா........
Is the sight seen by the eyes true pleasure?
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
கண்ணிருந்தும் கண்காணும் காட்சியே இன்பமா
மனதால் காண்பதே அழிவிலா இன்பமா........
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
வண்ணமயில் தானிருந்தும்
வான்கோழியுடனே மதன லீலையாடி
வாழ்வதே இன்பமா.....
வண்ணமயில் தானிருந்தும்
வான்கோழியுடனே மதன லீலையாடி
வாழ்வதே இன்பமா.....
Even when a colorful peacock is present,
engaging in romantic games with a wild turkey,
is living such a life true happiness?
Even when a colorful peacock is present,
engaging in romantic games with a wild turkey,
is living such a life true happiness?
அலையுலாவும் கடலிலே
ஆசைத் தென்றல் காற்றினிலே
நிலையிலாத ஓடத்திலே
நினைவிழந்து செல்வதே இன்பமா
In the ocean where waves wander,
in the breeze of worldly desires,
in an unstable, rocking boat,
is drifting away losing consciousness true happiness?
கண்ணில்லாதவன் கலைக் குகையிலே
காணும் அழகெதுவோ
உண்மையுணர்ந்தும் வழி தடுமாறி
ஓடி அலைவதுவோ.......
For a blind person inside a cave of art,
what beauty is there to behold?
Even after realizing the truth, stumbling off the right path,
is running around aimlessly true life?
கண்காணும் காட்சியே இன்பமா
மனதால் காண்பதே அழிவிலா இன்பமா
கண்ணிருந்தும் கண்காணும் காட்சியே இன்பமா
மனதால் காண்பதே அழிவிலா இன்பமா........
Is the sight seen by the eyes true pleasure?
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
கண்ணிருந்தும் கண்காணும் காட்சியே இன்பமா
மனதால் காண்பதே அழிவிலா இன்பமா........
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa
Is the sight seen by the eyes true pleasure?
Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Vanna mayil thaan irundhum
Even when a colorful peacock is present,
Van kozhiyudanae madhana leelaiyadi
engaging in romantic games with a wild turkey,
Vaazhvadhae inbamaa
is living such a life true happiness?
Vanna mayil thaan irundhum
Even when a colorful peacock is present,
Van kozhiyudanae madhana leelaiyadi
engaging in romantic games with a wild turkey,
Vaazhvadhae inbamaa
is living such a life true happiness?
Alaiulaavum kadalilae
In the ocean where waves wander,
Aasai thendral kaatrinilae
in the breeze of worldly desires,
Nilaiyiladha odathilae
in an unstable, rocking boat,
Ninaivizhandhu selvadhae inbamaa
is drifting away losing consciousness true happiness?
Kannillaadhavan kalai kugaiyilae
For a blind person inside a cave of art,
Kaanum azhagedhuvoo
what beauty is there to behold?
Unmai unarndhum vazhi thadumaari
Even after realizing the truth, stumbling off the right path,
Odi alaivadhuvoo
is running around aimlessly true life?
Kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa
Is the sight seen by the eyes true pleasure?
Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Kann irundhum kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa
Even having eyes, is the sight seen by the physical eyes true pleasure?
Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa…
Is that which is envisioned by the mind everlasting bliss?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of true happiness and perception. It contrasts transient, sensory sights (seen by physical eyes) with everlasting spiritual or intellectual vision (seen by the inner mind). Through vivid allegories—such as choosing a wild fowl over a graceful peacock or losing one's bearings on a shaky boat amidst turbulent seas—the lyrics criticize foolish desires, moral straying, and the ignorance of preferring superficial pleasures over eternal truth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Anthesis (Maranu)
“Kann kaanum kaatchiyae inbamaa / Manadhaal kaanbadhae azhivilaa inbamaa”
Contrasts physical vision ('Kann kaanum kaatchi') with spiritual/mental vision ('Manadhaal kaanbadhu'), and superficial pleasure with eternal bliss ('azhivilaa inbam').
Allegory / Metaphor (Uvamaai)
“Vanna mayil thaan irundhum / Van kozhiyudanae madhana leelaiyadi”
Uses 'Vanna mayil' (colorful peacock) to symbolize refined beauty/virtue and 'Van kozhi' (wild fowl) to symbolize lower, superficial desires.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Alaiulaavum kadalilae / Aasai thendral kaatrinilae”
Repetition of initial consonants like 'Alaiulaavum', 'Aasai', 'Nilaiyiladha', 'Ninaivizhandhu'.
Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa)
“Kannillaadhavan kalai kugaiyilae / Kaanum azhagedhuvoo”
The continuous use of interrogative suffixes ('-amaa', '-uvoo') forces self-reflection on worldly pursuits.
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Trivia
'Ratha Pasam' (1954) was adapted from a popular stage play by T. K. Shanmugam's TKS Brothers. The film's soundtrack was composed by A. V. Nadarajan with deeply reflective lyrics crafted by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, showcasing the classical Carnatic singing style of Radha Jayalakshmi.
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