Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Karuppu Panam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmani Kanmani Kaniye

From Karuppu Panam · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Karuppu Panam
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
6 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanmani kanmani kaniyae
Sirumani
Ponmani ponmani poovae
Maanggani
Muththamizh mukkani muppaalae
Intha moovulagum unakappaalae
Kanmani kanmani kaniyae
Sirumani
Ponmani ponmani poovae
Maanggani
Muththamizh mukkani muppaalae
Intha moovulagum unakappaalae
Thaen tharum malarae
Thirunaal silaiyae
Vaan tharum mazhaiyae
Valarum piraiyae
Kaaviya kalaiyae
Kaaviri karaiyae
Kaaviya kalaiyae kaaviri karaiyae
Dheebathin oliyae deivathin nizhalae
Udalum uyrium neeyae amma
Naan unakkae ulagil vaazhven amma
Muththamizh mukkani muppaalae
Intha moovulagum unakappaalae
Kanmani kanmani kaniyae
Sirumani
Ponmani ponmani poovae
Maanggani
Muththamizh mukkani muppaalae
Intha moovulagum unakappaalae
Kovil vaasal gopura kalasam
Konjum thendral mangala geetham
Thangathil vairam sangoli naadham
Thangathil vairam sangoli naadham
Un pugazh paadum innisai ketten
Ennai unakkae thanthen amma
Naan endrum unakkae vaazhven amma
Kanmani kanmani kaniyae
Sirumani
Ponmani ponmani poovae
Maanggani
Muththamizh mukkani muppaalae
Intha moovulagum unakappaalae
Apple of my eye, my sweet fruit,
My precious little gem,
Golden jewel, my lovely flower,
My sweet mango,
You are the three arts of Tamil, the three sweet fruits, and the three sacred verses!
Even the three worlds pale before you!
Apple of my eye, my sweet fruit,
My precious little gem,
Golden jewel, my lovely flower,
My sweet mango,
You are the three arts of Tamil, the three sweet fruits, and the three sacred verses!
Even the three worlds pale before you!
Flower brimming with sweet honey,
Sacred idol of a festive day,
Rain showered down by the sky,
Gently growing crescent moon,
Art of timeless epics,
Banks of the river Cauvery,
Art of timeless epics, banks of the river Cauvery,
Light of the sacred lamp, sheltering grace of God,
You are my body and my very life, my darling,
I will live in this world only for you, my darling!
You are the three arts of Tamil, the three sweet fruits, and the three sacred verses!
Even the three worlds pale before you!
Apple of my eye, my sweet fruit,
My precious little gem,
Golden jewel, my lovely flower,
My sweet mango,
You are the three arts of Tamil, the three sweet fruits, and the three sacred verses!
Even the three worlds pale before you!
Golden pinnacle atop the temple tower,
Caressing breeze and auspicious melody,
Diamond set in gold, sacred sound of the conch,
Diamond set in gold, sacred sound of the conch,
I heard sweet music singing your praises,
I have surrendered myself completely to you, my darling,
I will forever live only for you, my darling!
Apple of my eye, my sweet fruit,
My precious little gem,
Golden jewel, my lovely flower,
My sweet mango,
You are the three arts of Tamil, the three sweet fruits, and the three sacred verses!
Even the three worlds pale before you!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply affectionate lullaby and ode expressing unyielding, tender love toward a beloved child or cherished person. Lyricist Kannadasan utilizes rich Tamil cultural imagery, elevating the subject of affection to the highest sacred and aesthetic standards of Tamil heritage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Kanmani kanmani kaniyae”

The deliberate repetition of words like 'Kanmani kanmani' and 'Ponmani ponmani' creates a rhythmic, affectionate lullaby effect.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Muththamizh mukkani muppaalae”

Directly equating the beloved to classical Tamil concepts: Muththamizh (Iyal, Isai, Naadagam), Mukkani (Maa, Palaa, Vazhai), and Muppaal (Aram, Porul, Inbam).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Thaen tharum malarae”

Uniform rhyming endings with the sound '-ae' across multiple lines ('malarae', 'silaiyae', 'mazhaiyae', 'piraiyae') enhancing poetic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is famous for effortlessly weaving classic Tamil triadic concepts (Muththamizh - Prose/Music/Drama, Mukkani - Mango/Jackfruit/Banana, and Muppaal - Virtues/Wealth/Love from Thirukkural) into a commercial lullaby, showcasing Kannadasan's mastery over classical Tamil tropes.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Ithathan Romba Rasichen1981
Enga Ooru KannagiDevotionBeauty
Azhagenum Kavithai Aayiram1984
AzhaguMotherhoodBeauty
Oh Buck Buck1962
AnnaiNatureTender
Ennirandhu 16 Vayathu1963
Annai IllamAdmirationDevotion
Aasai Konda Manam1963
Kalyaniyin KanavanDevotionBeauty
Yele Ilangkiliye1989
Ninaivu ChinnamDevotionTender

From the same album

More songs from Karuppu Panam

View album
Ammamma Keladi1964
Karuppu PanamTender
Aadavarellam Aadavaralam1964
Karuppu PanamCelebratory
Ellarum Ellamum1964
Karuppu PanamHopeful
Kaiyile Panam Irundhal1964
Karuppu PanamContemplative
Pattu Chiragukonda1964
Karuppu PanamPlayful
Thangachi Chinna Ponnu1964
Karuppu PanamPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.