Kanmani Kanmani Minnidum
From Sathyavan · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chithra, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sathyavan1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Rururu rutthuroo rururu rutthuroo | Vocalizing rhythmic sounds |
| Rururu rutthuroo roorooroo | Vocalizing rhythmic sounds |
| Rururu rutthuroo rururu rutthuroo | Vocalizing rhythmic sounds |
| Rururu rutthuroo roorooroo | Vocalizing rhythmic sounds |
| Male | |
| Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini | Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly |
| En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae | My eyes blossomed because of you |
| Female | |
| Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani | Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady |
| Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae | Has reached your lap on its own |
| Male | |
| Raathiri siru poothiri indru yaethalaamadi | Tonight, my dear, we can light a small spark of joy |
| Female | |
| Maeni thaan mani veenai thaan | This body is indeed a gemstone musical veena |
| Idhai meettalaam ini | We can play its strings from now on |
| Male | |
| Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai | Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard? |
| Chorus | |
| Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai | Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard? |
| Male | |
| Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini | Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly |
| En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae | My eyes blossomed because of you |
| Female | |
| Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani | Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady |
| Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae ho | Has reached your lap on its own, oh |
| Chorus | |
| Laalilaali laali laalilaali laali laali laali laali laali | Lullaby rhythmic vocalizations |
| Male | |
| Aadaiyil moodi vaitha atchaya paathiram | An inexhaustible vessel hidden within garments |
| Naan thodum vaelai ellaam thaen thuli vaarthidum | Every time I touch, it pours drops of sweet nectar |
| Female | |
| Thaen thuli naan koduthaal | If I offer a drop of sweet nectar |
| Theerndhidum aatthiram | Your restless eagerness will be satisfied |
| Vaegamaai nee eduthaal vaadumae poo charam | If you act in extreme haste, the flower string will wither |
| Male | |
| Kaaviri odi vandhu kallanai saerndhadhaa | Did River Kaveri rush forward to join the Kallanai dam? |
| Female | |
| Moganam paadi vandhu maarbinil saaindhadhaa | Did she sing Mohanam raga and lean upon your chest? |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini | Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly |
| En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae | My eyes blossomed because of you |
| Female | |
| Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani | Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady |
| Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae | Has reached your lap on its own |
| Female | |
| Noolidai nee padikkum noolagam aanadhu | Your slender waist has become a library for you to read |
| Naal vagai naanam ellaam neengiyae ponadhu | All four types of shyness have completely vanished |
| Male | |
| Paarvaigal paai virithu pallavi paadudhu | Glances spread out a mat and sing the refrain |
| Vaervaigal dhegam engum vellamaai odudhu | Sweat flows like a flood across the entire body |
| Female | |
| Kaadhalil nee arindha sodhanai aayiram | The thousand trials you experienced in love |
| Male | |
| Sodhanai yaavum ingu saadhanai aagidum | All those trials will transform into achievements here |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini | Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly |
| En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae | My eyes blossomed because of you |
| Female | |
| Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani | Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady |
| Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae | Has reached your lap on its own |
| Male | |
| Raathiri siru poothiri indru yaethalaamadi | Tonight, my dear, we can light a small spark of joy |
| Female | |
| Maeni thaan mani veenai thaan | This body is indeed a gemstone musical veena |
| Idhai meettalaam ini | We can play its strings from now on |
| Male | |
| Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai | Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard? |
| Chorus | |
| Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai | Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard? |
| Male | |
| Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini | Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly |
| En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae | My eyes blossomed because of you |
| Female | |
| Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani | Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady |
| Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae ho | Has reached your lap on its own, oh |
ருருரு ருத்துரூ ருருரு ருத்துரூ
ருருரு ருத்துரூ ரூரூரூ
ருருரு ருத்துரூ ருருரு ருத்துரூ
ருருரு ருத்துரூ ரூரூரூரூ
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
கண்மணி கண்மணி மின்னிடும் மின்மினி
என் விழி பூத்தது உன்னாலே
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
My eyes blossomed because of you
பொன்மணி பூ மணி பொன் நிறப் பெண்மணி
உன் மடி சேர்ந்தது தன்னாலே
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Has reached your lap on its own
ராத்திரி சிறு பூத்திரி இன்று ஏத்தலாமடி
Tonight, my dear, we can light a small spark of joy
மேனிதான் மணி வீணைதான்
இதை மீட்டலாம் இனி
This body is indeed a gemstone musical veena
We can play its strings from now on
விடுமோ விடுமோ ஆசை
வாராதோ வளையோசை
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
விடுமோ விடுமோ ஆசை
வாராதோ வளையோசை
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
கண்மணி கண்மணி மின்னிடும் மின்மினி
என் விழி பூத்தது உன்னாலே
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
My eyes blossomed because of you
பொன்மணி பூ மணி பொன் நிறப் பெண்மணி
உன் மடி சேர்ந்தது தன்னாலே ஹோ
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Has reached your lap on its own, oh
மாங்கல்யம் தந்துனானேன
மமஜீவன ஹேதுனா
கண்டே பத்னாமி சுபகே
த்வம் ஜீவ சரதஸ்யதம்
த்வம் ஜீவ சரதஸ்யதம்
த்வம் ஜீவ சரதஸ்யதம்
Lullaby rhythmic vocalizations
லாலிலாலி லாலி லாலிலாலி லாலி
லாலி லாலி லாலி லாலி
An inexhaustible vessel hidden within garments
Every time I touch, it pours drops of sweet nectar
ஆடையில் மூடி வைத்த அட்சய பாத்திரம்
நான் தொடும் வேளை எல்லாம்
தேன் துளி வார்த்திடும்
If I offer a drop of sweet nectar
Your restless eagerness will be satisfied
If you act in extreme haste, the flower string will wither
தேன் துளி நான் கொடுத்தல்
தீர்ந்திடும் ஆத்திரம்
வேகமாய் நீ எடுத்தால் வாடுமே பூச்சரம்
Did River Kaveri rush forward to join the Kallanai dam?
காவிரி ஓடி வந்து கல்லணை சேர்ந்ததா
Did she sing Mohanam raga and lean upon your chest?
மோகனம் பாடி வந்து மார்பினில் சாய்ந்ததா
...
.....................................
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
My eyes blossomed because of you
கண்மணி கண்மணி மின்னிடும் மின்மினி
என் விழி பூத்தது உன்னாலே
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Has reached your lap on its own
பொன்மணி பூ மணி பொன் நிறப் பெண்மணி
உன் மடி சேர்ந்தது தன்னாலே
Your slender waist has become a library for you to read
All four types of shyness have completely vanished
நூலிடை நீ படிக்கும் நூலகம் ஆனது
நால் வகை நாணம் எல்லாம் நீங்கியே போனது
Glances spread out a mat and sing the refrain
Sweat flows like a flood across the entire body
பார்வைகள் பாய் விரித்து பல்லவி பாடுது
வேர்வைகள் தேகம் எங்கும் வெள்ளமாய் ஓடுது
The thousand trials you experienced in love
காதலில் நீ அறிந்த சோதனை ஆயிரம்
All those trials will transform into achievements here
சோதனை யாவும் இங்கு சாதனை ஆகிடும்
...
.......................
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
My eyes blossomed because of you
கண்மணி கண்மணி மின்னிடும் மின்மினி
என் விழி பூத்தது உன்னாலே
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Has reached your lap on its own
பொன்மணி பூ மணி பொன் நிறப் பெண்மணி
உன் மடி சேர்ந்தது தன்னாலே
Tonight, my dear, we can light a small spark of joy
ராத்திரி சிறு பூத்திரி இன்று ஏத்தலாமடி
This body is indeed a gemstone musical veena
We can play its strings from now on
மேனிதான் மணி வீணைதான்
இதை மீட்டலாம் இனி
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
விடுமோ விடுமோ ஆசை
வாராதோ வளையோசை
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
விடுமோ விடுமோ ஆசை
வாராதோ வளையோசை
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
My eyes blossomed because of you
கண்மணி கண்மணி மின்னிடும் மின்மினி
என் விழி பூத்தது உன்னாலே
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Has reached your lap on its own, oh
பொன்மணி பூ மணி பொன் நிறப் பெண்மணி
உன் மடி சேர்ந்தது தன்னாலே ஹோ
Rururu rutthuroo rururu rutthuroo
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Rururu rutthuroo roorooroo
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Rururu rutthuroo rururu rutthuroo
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Rururu rutthuroo roorooroo
Vocalizing rhythmic sounds
Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae
My eyes blossomed because of you
Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae
Has reached your lap on its own
Raathiri siru poothiri indru yaethalaamadi
Tonight, my dear, we can light a small spark of joy
Maeni thaan mani veenai thaan
This body is indeed a gemstone musical veena
Idhai meettalaam ini
We can play its strings from now on
Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae
My eyes blossomed because of you
Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae ho
Has reached your lap on its own, oh
Laalilaali laali laalilaali laali laali laali laali laali
Lullaby rhythmic vocalizations
Aadaiyil moodi vaitha atchaya paathiram
An inexhaustible vessel hidden within garments
Naan thodum vaelai ellaam thaen thuli vaarthidum
Every time I touch, it pours drops of sweet nectar
Thaen thuli naan koduthaal
If I offer a drop of sweet nectar
Theerndhidum aatthiram
Your restless eagerness will be satisfied
Vaegamaai nee eduthaal vaadumae poo charam
If you act in extreme haste, the flower string will wither
Kaaviri odi vandhu kallanai saerndhadhaa
Did River Kaveri rush forward to join the Kallanai dam?
Moganam paadi vandhu maarbinil saaindhadhaa
Did she sing Mohanam raga and lean upon your chest?
………………………………
...
Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae
My eyes blossomed because of you
Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae
Has reached your lap on its own
Noolidai nee padikkum noolagam aanadhu
Your slender waist has become a library for you to read
Naal vagai naanam ellaam neengiyae ponadhu
All four types of shyness have completely vanished
Paarvaigal paai virithu pallavi paadudhu
Glances spread out a mat and sing the refrain
Vaervaigal dhegam engum vellamaai odudhu
Sweat flows like a flood across the entire body
Kaadhalil nee arindha sodhanai aayiram
The thousand trials you experienced in love
Sodhanai yaavum ingu saadhanai aagidum
All those trials will transform into achievements here
…………………………
...
Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae
My eyes blossomed because of you
Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae
Has reached your lap on its own
Raathiri siru poothiri indru yaethalaamadi
Tonight, my dear, we can light a small spark of joy
Maeni thaan mani veenai thaan
This body is indeed a gemstone musical veena
Idhai meettalaam ini
We can play its strings from now on
Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
Vidumo vidumo aasai vaaraadho valaiyosai
Will this desire fade? Won't the sound of bangles be heard?
Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini
Oh darling, glowing like a glittering firefly
En vizhi poothadhu unnaalae
My eyes blossomed because of you
Ponmani poo mani pon nira penmani
Golden gem, flower-like gem, golden-complexioned lady
Un madi saerndhadhu thannaalae ho
Has reached your lap on its own, oh
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kanmani Kanmani Minnidum Minmini is an intimate romantic duet from the 1994 Tamil film Sathyavan, featuring poetry penned by master lyricist Vaali. The song portrays two lovers expressing their mutual passion and romantic longing in the night. The lyrics utilize evocative metaphors, comparing the heroine to a glowing firefly, a thread-waisted library of love, and an endless vessel of sweetness (Akshaya Patra). The poetic dialogue subtly balances bashfulness and passionate devotion, celebrating romantic union through traditional imagery of music, nature, and sacred rivers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line for melodic flow.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Maeni thaan mani veenai thaan”
Directly equating the heroine's body to a musical instrument ('veena') and her attire/form to an inexhaustible vessel ('atchaya paathiram').
Imagery / Simile
“Kanmani kanmani minnidum minmini”
Comparing the beloved's radiance to the twinkling light of a firefly ('minmini').
Etugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Kaaviri odi vandhu kallanai saerndhadhaa”
Matching second consonants across lines ('Kaaviri' / 'Moganam').
Did you know?
Trivia
Sathyavan (1994) stars Murali and Gautami in the lead roles. Lyricist Vaali is renowned for crafting romantic duets rich in classical Tamil references like 'Atchaya Paathiram' and river allegories like 'Kallanai'.
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