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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmani Nee Vara

From Thendrale Ennai Thodu · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thendrale Ennai Thodu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannanae nee vara kathirunthenOh my beloved Krishna, I was waiting for you to come
Jannalil paarthirunthenI was looking through the window
Male :Kanvizhi thaamarai poothirunthenMale: My eyes were blooming like lotus flowers
Ennudal verthirundhenMy body was sweating with yearning
Female
Ovvoru raathiri velaiyilumEvery night time
Mannavan nyaabagamaeThoughts of my king filled my mind
Male :Karpanai medaiyil kandirundhenMale: On the stage of my imagination, I saw
Manmadha naadagamaeThe grand play of Cupid
Female :Andhipagal kannimayil unnarugae..ae…Female: Day and night, in youthful innocence, near you...
Male
Kanmani nee vara kaathirunthenOh darling, I was waiting for you to come
Jannalil paarthirunthenI was looking through the window
Male
{Neelam pooththa jaala paarvai{The magical gaze blooming like blue flowers
Maanaa meenaaIs it like a deer or a fish?
Female :Naangu kangal paadum paadalFemale: The song sung by four eyes
Neeyaa naanaa} (2)Is it you or is it me?} (2)
Male
KallirukkumThere is sweet nectar inside
Female :Poovidhu ..poovidhuFemale: This flower... this flower
Male :KaiyanaikkumMale: Embraced in hands
Female :Naal idhu.. naal idhu..Female: This is the day... this is the day
Male
Ponnenna meniyumAnd the golden body
Female :Minnnida minnidaFemale: As it shines and glitters
Male :Melliya noool idaiMale: The slender, thread-like waist
Female :Pinnida pinnidaFemale: As it entwines and sways
Male
Vaadaiyil vaadiyaWithered in the chilly northern breeze
Female :Aadaiyil moodiyaFemale: Wrapped inside garments
Male :ThaenFemale :Naan…Male: Nectar... Female: I am...
Male
Kanmani nee vara kaathirundhenOh darling, I was waiting for you to come
Jannalil paarthirundhenI was looking through the window
Female :Kanvizhi thaamarai poothu irunthenFemale: My lotus-like eyes were in full bloom
Ennudal verthirundhenMy body was sweating with yearning
Male
Ovvoru raathiri velaiyilumEvery night time
Mangaiyin nyaabagameThoughts of the young maiden filled my mind
Female :Karpanai medaiyil kandirundhenFemale: On the stage of imagination, I saw
Manmadha naadagamaeThe grand drama of Cupid
Male :Ponnazhagae poovazhagae ennarugae..aeMale: Golden beauty, flower-like beauty, near me...
Female
Kannanae nee vara kathirundhenOh my beloved Krishna, I was waiting for you to come
Jannalil paarthirunthenI was looking through the window
Male
{Aasai theera pesa vendum{I want to talk to my heart's content
Varavaa varavaaShall I come, shall I come?
Female :Naalu perku osai ketkumFemale: Four people might hear the sound
Medhuvaa medhuvaa} (2)Gently, gently} (2)
Male
Pen mayangumThe woman swoons
Female :Nee thoda nee thodaFemale: As you touch, as you touch
Male :Kan mayangumMale: The eyes become dazed
Female :Naan vara naan varaFemale: As I come, as I come
Male
Angangu vaalibamYouthfulness everywhere
Female :Pongida pongidaFemale: Overflowing and bubbling up
Male :Angangal yaavilumMale: Across all the limbs
Female :Thangida thangidaFemale: Lingering and staying
Male
Tholgalil saindhidaTo lean upon the shoulders
Female :Thogaiyai yendhidaFemale: To embrace the peacock-like maiden
Male :Yaar ..Female :Nee….Male: Who is it? Female: You...
Female
Kannanae nee vara kathirunthenOh my beloved Krishna, I was waiting for you to come
Jannalil paarthirunthenI was looking through the window
Male :Kanvizhi thaamarai poothirunthenMale: My eyes were blooming like lotus flowers
Ennudal verthirundhenMy body was sweating with yearning
Female
Ovvoru raathiri velaiyilumEvery night time
Mannavan nyaabagamaeThoughts of my king filled my mind
Male :Karpanai medaiyil kandirundhenMale: On the stage of my imagination, I saw
Manmadha naadagamaeThe grand play of Cupid
Female :Andhipagal kannimayil unnarugae..ae…Female: Day and night, in youthful innocence, near you...
Male
Kanmani nee vara kaathirunthenOh darling, I was waiting for you to come
Jannalil paarthirunthenI was looking through the window
Female :Kanvizhi thaamarai pooththirundhenFemale: My lotus-like eyes were in full bloom
Ennudal verthirunthenMy body was sweating with yearning

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet captures a deep sensory exchange of passion and anticipation between two lovers. The heroine describes waiting eagerly by the window, consumed by thoughts of her beloved, while the hero shares matching feelings of longing. Together, they envision romantic plays of Manmadha (Cupid), expressing their eagerness for togetherness through poetic imagery of flowers, nectar, and gentle touches.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Male :Kanvizhi thaamarai poothirunthen

Compares eyes to blooming lotus flowers ('Kanvizhi thaamarai poothirunthen') and waist to a thin thread ('Melliya noool idai').

Rhyme / Anaphora (Iyaibu)

Female :Minnnida minnida

Repetitive rhythmic rhyming end words ('Minnida minnida', 'Pinnida pinnida') enhancing the musicality.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Maanaa meenaa

Matching initial consonant sound 'Ma' in 'Maanaa meenaa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from the movie 'Thendrale Ennai Thodu' (1985) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by the legendary Vaali. The song is celebrated for its lush orchestration and the evocative vocal duet by K.J. Yesudas and Uma Ramanan.

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