Kanmani Anbodu
From Gunaa · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Kamal Haasan, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Gunaa1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kanmani anboda kaadhalan | To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover |
| Female | |
| Naan | I |
| Male | |
| Naan | I |
| Female | |
| Hmm | Hmm |
| Male | |
| Ezhuthum kaditham … letter chi … kaduthasi | Writes this letter... letter, chi... epistle |
| Illa kadithamae irukatum … padi | No, let it be letter... read on |
| Female | |
| Kanmani anbodu kaadhalan | To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover |
| Naan ezhuthum kadithamae | This is the letter written by me |
| Male | |
| Ha ha ha … paataavae padichitiyaa | Ha ha ha... did you read it like a song? |
| Apa nanum … mothala kanmani sonala | Then me too... first I said 'Kanmani' right? |
| Inga ponmani potuka | Put 'Ponmani' (precious gem) here |
| Ponmani un veetla sowkiyama | Oh precious gem, are you fine at home? |
| Na inga sowkiyam | I am fine here |
| Female | |
| Ponmani un veetil sowkiyama | Oh precious gem, are you fine at home? |
| Naan ingu sowkiyame | I am fine here |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachu paakumbothu kavitha | When thinking of you, poetry |
| Manasula aruvi maari kottuthu | Pours in my heart like a waterfall |
| Aana atha ezhuthanunu okantha | But when sitting down to write it |
| Antha ezhuthuthan vaartha | That writing... words... |
| Female | |
| Unnai enni paarkaiyil kavithai kottuthu | When thinking of you, poetry pours down |
| Female | |
| Athai ezhutha ninaikaiyil vaarthai muttuthu | When trying to write it, words stumble and get blocked |
| Male | |
| Athae thaan … ah ha … pramaatham | That is it... ah ha... magnificent! |
| Kavitha kavitha … padi | Poetry, poetry... read on |
| Female | |
| Kanmani anbodu kaadhalan | To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover |
| Naan ezhuthum kadithamae | This is the letter written by me |
| Ponmani un veetil sowkiyama | Oh precious gem, are you fine at home? |
| Naan ingu sowkiyamae | I am fine here |
| Female | |
| Unnai enni paarkaiyil kavithai kottuthu | When thinking of you, poetry pours down |
| Athai ezhutha ninaikaiyil vaarthai muttuthu | When trying to write it, words stumble |
| Oh ho … kanmani anbodu kaadhalan | Oh ho... To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover |
| Naan ezhuthum kadithamae | This is the letter written by me |
| Male | |
| La la la la la la la la la la ….. | La la la la la la la la la la … |
| Female | |
| Ponmani un veetil sowkiyama | Oh precious gem, are you fine at home? |
| Naan ingu sowkiyamae | I am fine here |
| Male | |
| La la la la la la la la la la ….. | La la la la la la la la la la … |
| Male | |
| Mmm .. enaku undaana kaayam | Mmm... the wounds I have received |
| Athu thannala aaridum | They heal on their own |
| Athu ennavo theriyala | I don't know what it is |
| Enna maayamo theriyala | I don't know what magic it is |
| Enaku onnumae aavarathu illa | Nothing happens to me at all |
| Ithayum ezhuthika | Write this down too |
| Nadula nadula manae thaenae ponmanae | In between, add terms like 'my deer', 'my honey', 'my precious gem' |
| Ithellam potukanum | You must include all these |
| Male | |
| Itho paaru enaku enna kaayamnalum | Look here, whatever wound I get |
| En udambu thaangidum | My body can bear it |
| Un udambu thaangumaa | Can your body bear it? |
| Thaangaathu | It cannot bear it |
| Abirami … abirami abirami | Abirami... Abirami, Abirami |
| Female | |
| Athayum ezhuthanuma | Should I write that down too? |
| Male | |
| Haan … | Yes... |
| Ithu kaadhal | This is love |
| En kaadhal ennanu sollama | Without being able to express what my love is |
| Yenga yenga azhugaiyaa varuthu | I yearn and weep inside |
| Aana naa azhuthu en sogam unna thaakidumo | But if I cry, my grief might affect you |
| Apdinu nenaikum pothu varra azhuga kooda ninnuduthu | Thinking so, even the tears that came stop abruptly |
| Manithar unarndhukolla ithu manitha kaadhal alla | For humans to understand, this is not mere human love |
| Athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu | It is sacred, transcending beyond that |
| Female | |
| Undaana kaayamengum thannalae aaripona | What is this magic, my precious gem, that all my wounds heal by themselves? |
| Maayam enna ponmanae ponmanae | What magic is this, my precious deer, my precious deer? |
| Enna kaayam aana pothum | Whatever injuries I suffer |
| En meni thaangi kollum | My body will endure them |
| Unthan meni thaangaathu senthaenae | Your delicate body cannot endure it, my sweet honey |
| Male | |
| Enthan kaadhal ennavendru sollamal | Without being able to explain what my love is |
| Yenga yenga azhugai vanthathu | I yearned and tears came forth |
| Enthan sogam unnai thaakum | My sorrow would afflict you |
| Endrennumbothu vantha azhugai ninrathu | When thinking thus, the tears that came stopped |
| Manithar unarnthu kolla | For humans to understand |
| Ithu manitha kaadhal alla | This is not mere human love |
| Athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu | It is sacred, transcending beyond that |
| Male | |
| Abiramiyae thaalaatum saamiyae | Oh deity who lulls Abirami to sleep |
| Naan thaanae theriyuma | It is I, do you know? |
| Sivagamiyae sivanil neeyum paathiyae | Oh Sivagami, you are the half within Lord Shiva |
| Athuvum unaku puriyuma | Do you understand that too? |
| Male | |
| Suba laali laaliyae laali laaliyae | A sweet lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby |
| Abirami laaliyae laali laaliyae | A lullaby for Abirami, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby |
| Abiramiyae thaalaatum samiyae | Oh deity who lulls Abirami to sleep |
| Naan thaanae theriyuma unaku puriyuma | It is I, do you know? Do you understand? |
| Female | |
| La la la la la la la la la la … | La la la la la la la la la la … |
| Male | |
| La la la la la la la la la la … | La la la la la la la la la la … |
| Female | |
| Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la | Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la |
| Male | |
| Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la | Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la |
கண்மணி
அன்போட காதலன்
நான்
நான்
ஹ்ம்ம்
To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
எழுதும் கடிதம்
லெட்டர் சீ கடுதாசி
இல்ல கடிதமே
இருக்கட்டும் படி
I
கண்மணி
அன்போடு காதலன்
நான் எழுதும் கடிதமே
I
ஹா ஹா ஹா
பாட்டாவே படிச்சிட்டியா
அப்ப நானும் மொதல்ல
கண்மணி சொன்னன்ல
இங்க பொன்மணி போட்டுக்க
பொன்மணி உன் வீட்டுல
சௌக்கியமா நா இங்க
சௌக்கியம்
Hmm
பொன்மணி
உன் வீட்டில் சௌக்கியமா
நான் இங்கு சௌக்கியமே
Writes this letter... letter, chi... epistle
No, let it be letter... read on
உன்ன நெனச்சு
பாக்கும் போது கவிதை
மனசுல அருவி மாறி
கொட்டுது ஆனா அத
எழுதனுன்னு ஒக்காந்தா
அந்த எழுத்துதான்
வார்த்தை
To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
This is the letter written by me
உன்னை எண்ணிப்
பார்க்கையில் கவிதை
கொட்டுது
Ha ha ha... did you read it like a song?
Then me too... first I said 'Kanmani' right?
Put 'Ponmani' (precious gem) here
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
I am fine here
அதான்
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
I am fine here
அதை எழுத
நினைக்கையில்
வார்த்தை முட்டுது
When thinking of you, poetry
Pours in my heart like a waterfall
But when sitting down to write it
That writing... words...
அதே தான்
ஆஹா பிரமாதம்
கவிதை கவிதை படி
When thinking of you, poetry pours down
கண்மணி அன்போடு
காதலன் நான் எழுதும் கடிதமே
பொன்மணி உன் வீட்டில்
சௌக்கியமா நான் இங்கு
சௌக்கியமே
When trying to write it, words stumble and get blocked
உன்னை எண்ணிப்
பார்க்கையில் கவிதை
கொட்டுது அதை எழுத
நினைக்கையில் வார்த்தை
முட்டுது ஓஹோ கண்மணி
அன்போடு காதலன் நான்
எழுதும் கடிதமே
That is it... ah ha... magnificent!
Poetry, poetry... read on
லா லா லா
லா லா லா லா லா
லா லா
To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
This is the letter written by me
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
I am fine here
பொன்மணி
உன் வீட்டில் சௌக்கியமா
நான் இங்கு சௌக்கியமே
When thinking of you, poetry pours down
When trying to write it, words stumble
Oh ho... To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
This is the letter written by me
லா லா லா
லா லா லா லா லா
லா லா
La la la la la la la la la la …
ம்ம் எனக்கு
உண்டான காயம் அது
தன்னால ஆறிடும் அது
என்னவோ தெரியல என்ன
மாயமோ தெரியல எனக்கு
ஒன்னுமே ஆவரது இல்ல
இதையும் எழுதிக நடுல
நடுல மானே தேனே
பொன்மானே இதெல்லாம்
போட்டுக்கணும்
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
I am fine here
இதோ பாரு
எனக்கு என்ன காயம்னாலும்
என் உடம்பு தாங்கிடும் உன்
உடம்பு தாங்குமா தாங்காது
அபிராமி அபிராமி அபிராமி
La la la la la la la la la la …
அதையும் எழுதணுமா
Mmm... the wounds I have received
They heal on their own
I don't know what it is
I don't know what magic it is
Nothing happens to me at all
Write this down too
In between, add terms like 'my deer', 'my honey', 'my precious gem'
You must include all these
ஹான்
இது காதல் என் காதல்
என்னனு சொல்லாம
ஏங்க ஏங்க அழுகையா
வருது ஆனா நா அழுது
என் சோகம் உன்ன தாக்கிடுமோ
அப்டினு நினைக்கும் போது வர்ற
அழுகை கூட நின்னுடுது மனிதர்
உணர்ந்து கொள்ள இது மனித
காதல் அல்ல அதையும் தாண்டி
புனிதமானது
Look here, whatever wound I get
My body can bear it
Can your body bear it?
It cannot bear it
Abirami... Abirami, Abirami
உண்டான காயமெங்கும்
தன்னாலே ஆறிப் போன மாயம்
என்ன பொன்மானே பொன்மானே
என்ன காயம் ஆன போதும் என்
மேனி தாங்கிக் கொள்ளும்
உந்தன் மேனி தாங்காது செந்தேனே
Should I write that down too?
எந்தன் காதல்
என்னவென்று சொல்லாமல்
ஏங்க ஏங்க அழுகை வந்தது
எந்தன் சோகம் உன்னைத்
தாக்கும் என்றெண்ணும்போது
வந்த அழுகை நின்றது
மனிதர் உணர்ந்து கொள்ள இது
மனிதக் காதலல்ல அதையும்
தாண்டிப் புனிதமானது
Yes...
This is love
Without being able to express what my love is
I yearn and weep inside
But if I cry, my grief might affect you
Thinking so, even the tears that came stop abruptly
For humans to understand, this is not mere human love
It is sacred, transcending beyond that
அபிராமியே
தாலாட்டும் சாமியே
நான் தானே தெரியுமா
சிவகாமியே சிவனில்
நீயும் பாதியே அதுவும்
உனக்கு புரியுமா
What is this magic, my precious gem, that all my wounds heal by themselves?
What magic is this, my precious deer, my precious deer?
Whatever injuries I suffer
My body will endure them
Your delicate body cannot endure it, my sweet honey
சுப லாலி லாலியே
லாலி லாலியே அபிராமி
லாலியே லாலி லாலியே
அபிராமியே தாலாட்டும்
சாமியே நான் தானே தெரியுமா
உனக்கு புரியுமா
Without being able to explain what my love is
I yearned and tears came forth
My sorrow would afflict you
When thinking thus, the tears that came stopped
For humans to understand
This is not mere human love
It is sacred, transcending beyond that
லா லா லா
லா லா லா லா லா
லா லா
Oh deity who lulls Abirami to sleep
It is I, do you know?
Oh Sivagami, you are the half within Lord Shiva
Do you understand that too?
லா லா லா
லா லா லா லா லா
லா லா
A sweet lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
A lullaby for Abirami, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
Oh deity who lulls Abirami to sleep
It is I, do you know? Do you understand?
..............................
..............................
ஆண் & பெண் :
..............................
La la la la la la la la la la …
La la la la la la la la la la …
Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la
Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la
Kanmani anboda kaadhalan
To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
Naan
I
Naan
I
Hmm
Hmm
Ezhuthum kaditham … letter chi … kaduthasi
Writes this letter... letter, chi... epistle
Illa kadithamae irukatum … padi
No, let it be letter... read on
Kanmani anbodu kaadhalan
To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
Naan ezhuthum kadithamae
This is the letter written by me
Ha ha ha … paataavae padichitiyaa
Ha ha ha... did you read it like a song?
Apa nanum … mothala kanmani sonala
Then me too... first I said 'Kanmani' right?
Inga ponmani potuka
Put 'Ponmani' (precious gem) here
Ponmani un veetla sowkiyama
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
Na inga sowkiyam
I am fine here
Ponmani un veetil sowkiyama
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
Naan ingu sowkiyame
I am fine here
Unna nenachu paakumbothu kavitha
When thinking of you, poetry
Manasula aruvi maari kottuthu
Pours in my heart like a waterfall
Aana atha ezhuthanunu okantha
But when sitting down to write it
Antha ezhuthuthan vaartha
That writing... words...
Unnai enni paarkaiyil kavithai kottuthu
When thinking of you, poetry pours down
Athai ezhutha ninaikaiyil vaarthai muttuthu
When trying to write it, words stumble and get blocked
Athae thaan … ah ha … pramaatham
That is it... ah ha... magnificent!
Kavitha kavitha … padi
Poetry, poetry... read on
Kanmani anbodu kaadhalan
To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
Naan ezhuthum kadithamae
This is the letter written by me
Ponmani un veetil sowkiyama
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
Naan ingu sowkiyamae
I am fine here
Unnai enni paarkaiyil kavithai kottuthu
When thinking of you, poetry pours down
Athai ezhutha ninaikaiyil vaarthai muttuthu
When trying to write it, words stumble
Oh ho … kanmani anbodu kaadhalan
Oh ho... To my dearest apple of my eye, her lover
Naan ezhuthum kadithamae
This is the letter written by me
La la la la la la la la la la …..
La la la la la la la la la la …
Ponmani un veetil sowkiyama
Oh precious gem, are you fine at home?
Naan ingu sowkiyamae
I am fine here
La la la la la la la la la la …..
La la la la la la la la la la …
Mmm .. enaku undaana kaayam
Mmm... the wounds I have received
Athu thannala aaridum
They heal on their own
Athu ennavo theriyala
I don't know what it is
Enna maayamo theriyala
I don't know what magic it is
Enaku onnumae aavarathu illa
Nothing happens to me at all
Ithayum ezhuthika
Write this down too
Nadula nadula manae thaenae ponmanae
In between, add terms like 'my deer', 'my honey', 'my precious gem'
Ithellam potukanum
You must include all these
Itho paaru enaku enna kaayamnalum
Look here, whatever wound I get
En udambu thaangidum
My body can bear it
Un udambu thaangumaa
Can your body bear it?
Thaangaathu
It cannot bear it
Abirami … abirami abirami
Abirami... Abirami, Abirami
Athayum ezhuthanuma
Should I write that down too?
Haan …
Yes...
Ithu kaadhal
This is love
En kaadhal ennanu sollama
Without being able to express what my love is
Yenga yenga azhugaiyaa varuthu
I yearn and weep inside
Aana naa azhuthu en sogam unna thaakidumo
But if I cry, my grief might affect you
Apdinu nenaikum pothu varra azhuga kooda ninnuduthu
Thinking so, even the tears that came stop abruptly
Manithar unarndhukolla ithu manitha kaadhal alla
For humans to understand, this is not mere human love
Athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu
It is sacred, transcending beyond that
Undaana kaayamengum thannalae aaripona
What is this magic, my precious gem, that all my wounds heal by themselves?
Maayam enna ponmanae ponmanae
What magic is this, my precious deer, my precious deer?
Enna kaayam aana pothum
Whatever injuries I suffer
En meni thaangi kollum
My body will endure them
Unthan meni thaangaathu senthaenae
Your delicate body cannot endure it, my sweet honey
Enthan kaadhal ennavendru sollamal
Without being able to explain what my love is
Yenga yenga azhugai vanthathu
I yearned and tears came forth
Enthan sogam unnai thaakum
My sorrow would afflict you
Endrennumbothu vantha azhugai ninrathu
When thinking thus, the tears that came stopped
Manithar unarnthu kolla
For humans to understand
Ithu manitha kaadhal alla
This is not mere human love
Athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu
It is sacred, transcending beyond that
Abiramiyae thaalaatum saamiyae
Oh deity who lulls Abirami to sleep
Naan thaanae theriyuma
It is I, do you know?
Sivagamiyae sivanil neeyum paathiyae
Oh Sivagami, you are the half within Lord Shiva
Athuvum unaku puriyuma
Do you understand that too?
Suba laali laaliyae laali laaliyae
A sweet lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
Abirami laaliyae laali laaliyae
A lullaby for Abirami, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
Abiramiyae thaalaatum samiyae
Oh deity who lulls Abirami to sleep
Naan thaanae theriyuma unaku puriyuma
It is I, do you know? Do you understand?
La la la la la la la la la la …
La la la la la la la la la la …
La la la la la la la la la la …
La la la la la la la la la la …
Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la
Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la
Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la
Lala lala lala la … lala lala lala la
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan is a legendary masterwork from the 1991 movie Gunaa. The song takes the form of a letter dictation between Gunaa, a mentally troubled man obsessed with an idealized divine devotion, and his beloved Abirami. As Gunaa speaks raw, unpolished prose, Abirami transforms his spoken thoughts into structured, beautiful poetic verses, bridging the gap between casual dialogue and transcendent music. Thematically, the song elevates romantic affection into divine, spiritual love (Bhakti). Gunaa asserts that his love is far beyond ordinary mortal comprehension (manitha kaadhal alla, athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu). He selflessly suppresses his own tears and physical pain so that his sorrow will not distress Abirami, showcasing an unconditional, divine bond.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)
“Unnai enni paarkaiyil kavithai kottuthu”
Compares the spontaneous flow of emotions to a pouring waterfall.
Terms of Endearment (Korvai / Konjal Vaarthai)
“Nadula nadula manae thaenae ponmanae”
Use of sweet traditional metaphors like deer, honey, and gold to address the beloved.
Juxtaposition / Form Innovation
“Ha ha ha … paataavae padichitiyaa”
Seamlessly transitions spoken dialogue into poetic lyrics and musical melody.
Spiritual Allusion (Devotional Imagery)
“Sivagamiyae sivanil neeyum paathiyae”
Draws upon Hindu mythological imagery of Shiva and Ardhanarishvara (Shiva and Parvati as half of each other) to describe divine love.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali and sung by Kamal Haasan and S. Janaki, this song is considered a unique experiment in Indian cinema for blending spoken dialogue directly into lyrical poetry. The cave location in Kodaikanal where the sequence was filmed became so famous after the movie that it was officially renamed 'Guna Caves'.
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