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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmani Poonga Kanmani Poonga

From Kanmani Poonga · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
B. S. Sasirekha, Uma Ramanan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanmani Poonga1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannmani poonga kannmani poongaDearest flower garden, dearest flower garden
Ponmani thottil pottirukkuA golden gemstone cradle has been placed
Kannmani poonga kannmani poongaDearest flower garden, dearest flower garden
Ponmani thottil pottirukkuA golden gemstone cradle has been placed
Female
Ingu kadhaanaayagan kadhaanaayagiHere, the hero and heroine
Kangal unai edhirpaarththirukkuAre looking forward to seeing you with expectant eyes
Ingu kadhaanaayagan kadhaanaayagiHere, the hero and heroine
Kangal unai edhirpaarththirukkuAre looking forward to seeing you with expectant eyes
Female
Annaal potta illara thottamThe domestic garden planted back then
Innaalthaanae pooththirukkuHas blossomed on this very day
Annaal potta illara thottamThe domestic garden planted back then
Innaalthaanae pooththirukkuHas blossomed on this very day
Unai thaalaattavum seeraattavumTo lull you to sleep and to cherish you
Aayiram paadal kaaththirukkuA thousand songs are waiting
Female
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Chorus :Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumChorus: Long live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Male
Eppothu sippi thiranthu evvaaru muththu pirakkumWhen will the oyster open and how will the pearl be born?
Appothu enna nadakkum agni pareetchaiyammaaWhat will happen then? It is a trial by fire, dear woman.
Female :Ippothum kaaththu kidakka appaavum naanumirukkaFemale: While father and I are waiting right now
Thappamal pillai pirakkum dheivam kaividumaaA child will surely be born; will God ever abandon us?
Male
Engal manathinil ungal kavalaithaanIn our hearts, it is your worry that resides
Pillai pirakkanum dheiva seyalilthaanThe birth of the child rests upon divine grace
Unga marumagal ungal nizhalilthaanYour daughter-in-law is right under your shadow
Thappi pizhakkanum intha soozhalilthaanMust survive and endure through this situation
Chorus
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Male
Aandaandu pillaigal pettruGiving birth to children year after year
Vendaathu endru aluththuGetting tired and crying out that they do not want them
Thindaadi theruvil nirkkumStruggling and standing helplessly on the street
Jenmamum sila unduThere are some lives like that too
Female
Thaayaaga avasaramillai Thaalaatta aasaiyumillaiNo hurry to become a mother, no desire to sing a lullaby
Aanaalum annaiyaraagum kanniyar silarunduYet, there are maiden girls who end up becoming mothers
Vanthu pirappathu pennaayirukkalaamThe baby born might be a girl child
Meesai mulaikkum aanaayirukkalaamOr a boy child who will grow a mustache
Antha mudivugal naalai theriyalaamThose outcomes will be known tomorrow
Naalai therintha pin naanum pesalaamOnce known tomorrow, I can speak as well
Chorus
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Female
Kannmani poonga kannmani poongaDearest flower garden, dearest flower garden
Ponmani thottil pottirukkuA golden gemstone cradle has been placed
Kannmani poonga kannmani poongaDearest flower garden, dearest flower garden
Ponmani thottil pottirukkuA golden gemstone cradle has been placed
Female
Annaal potta illara thottamThe domestic garden planted back then
Innaal thaanae pooththirukkuHas blossomed on this very day
Unai thaalaattavum seeraattavumTo lull you to sleep and to cherish you
Aayiram paadal kaaththirukkuA thousand songs are waiting
Female
Ingu peran piranthu paatti mugaththilHere, when the grandson is born, on his grandmother's face
Etti udhaipaan paarammaaLook, he will kick her face playfully with his foot!
Avanai thatti ketpathu yaarammaaWho is there to question or scold him for that, dear woman?
Chorus
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...
Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyumLong live, long live the mother and the child
Vaazhga vaazhgavey….Long live, long live...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kanmani Poonga is a heartening celebratory song centered on family, lineage, and the deep emotional anticipation surrounding childbirth. The lyrics describe family members eagerly awaiting the arrival of a newborn baby, invoking divine blessings while reflecting on the delicate nature of bringing a new life into the world. Lyricist Vaali weaves metaphors of blooming gardens and pearls in oysters alongside realistic reflections on motherhood. Ultimately, the song serves as a grand benedictory chant praying for the safety, health, and happiness of both mother and child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Eppothu sippi thiranthu evvaaru muththu pirakkum

The mother's womb is metaphorically compared to an oyster ('sippi') and the unborn child to a precious pearl ('muththu').

Rhyme and Assonance (Ethirai & Monai)

Annaal potta illara thottam / Innaalthaanae pooththirukku

The contrast and rhyming between 'Annaal' (that day) and 'Innaal' (this day) creates poetic symmetry and rhythm.

Refrain (Anaphora)

Vaazhga vaazhgavey thaayum saeyum

The central benediction phrase is repeated continuously to anchor the song as a traditional blessing chant.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, this song features a rare ensemble performance including notable singers B. S. Sasirekha and Uma Ramanan, rendering a sweet, traditional family blessing melody.

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