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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmaniye Innamuthe

From Avan Amaran · 1958

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
T. M. Ibrahim
Movie name
Avan Amaran
Movie release year
1958
Lyrics added on
17 Mar 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannmaniyae innamuthae
Karkandu paagae kann valaraai
Kannmaniyae innamuthae
Karkandu paagae kann valaraai
Kannmaniyae…..
Senganiyae un kanvil
Thevamaathaa thondruvaal
Senganiyae un kanvil
Thevamaathaa thondruvaal
Kannmaniyae…..
Kankalennum odaiyilae
Kanavaaga mary neenthuvaal
Kankalennum odaiyilae
Kanavaaga mary neenthuvaal
Thunbamellaam neengidave
Anbennum vedham oodhuvaal
Thunbamellaam neengidave
Anbennum vedham oodhuvaal
Kannmaniyae innamuthae
Karkandu paagae kann valaraai
Kannmaniyae…..
My darling child, sweet nectar,
Sweet as sugar syrup, close your eyes and sleep.
My darling child, sweet nectar,
Sweet as sugar syrup, close your eyes and sleep.
My darling child...
My sweet ripe fruit, in your dreams,
The Holy Mother will appear.
My sweet ripe fruit, in your dreams,
The Holy Mother will appear.
My darling child...
In the stream of your eyes,
Mother Mary will float like a dream.
In the stream of your eyes,
Mother Mary will float like a dream.
To take away all your sorrows,
She will recite the gospel of love.
To take away all your sorrows,
She will recite the gospel of love.
My darling child, sweet nectar,
Sweet as sugar syrup, close your eyes and sleep.
My darling child...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic lullaby from the movie 'Avan Amaran' (1958) is a soothing song sung to put a young child to sleep. The singer endearingly addresses the baby using terms of affection, describing the child as sweet nectar, rock candy syrup, and ripe fruit. The lyrics invoke Mother Mary, comforting the child by promising that She will enter their dreams, swim gracefully through the stream of their eyes, dispel all life's troubles, and preach the holy scripture of eternal love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kankalennum odaiyilae

Compares the child's eyes directly to a flowing stream ('Kankalennum odaiyilae').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Anbennum vedham oodhuvaal

Equates love to sacred scripture ('Anbennum vedham').

Anaaphora / Repetition

Kannmaniyae innamuthae

Repetition of endearing terms like 'Kannmaniyae' to create a hypnotic, soothing rhythm suitable for a lullaby.

Mogana Monai (Alliteration)

Karkandu paagae kann valaraai

Repetition of initial consonants (K- sound) in 'Kannmaniyae' and 'Karkandu' creating musical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Avan Amaran' (1958) was directed by Y. R. Swamy and produced by People's Films. The song features music by T. M. Ibrahim, a talented yet under-represented composer in Tamil cinema history. It stands out as a rare, culturally rich Christian-themed lullaby in early Tamil film music, soulfully rendered by legendary playback singer Jikki with lyricist Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam's tender words.

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