Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmaniye Innamuthe

From Avan Amaran · 1958

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
T. M. Ibrahim
Details
Avan Amaran1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannmaniyae innamuthaeOh darling apple of my eye, sweet nectar!
Karkandu paagae kann valaraaiOh sweet rock candy syrup, close your eyes and sleep!
Kannmaniyae innamuthaeOh darling apple of my eye, sweet nectar!
Karkandu paagae kann valaraaiOh sweet rock candy syrup, close your eyes and sleep!
Female
Kannmaniyae…..Oh darling apple of my eye...
Female
Senganiyae un kanvilOh ripe red fruit, in your dream
Thevamaathaa thondruvaalMother Mary will appear.
Senganiyae un kanvilOh ripe red fruit, in your dream
Thevamaathaa thondruvaalMother Mary will appear.
Female
Kannmaniyae…..Oh darling apple of my eye...
Female
Kankalennum odaiyilaeIn the stream that is your eyes,
Kanavaaga mary neenthuvaalMother Mary will swim like a dream.
Kankalennum odaiyilaeIn the stream that is your eyes,
Kanavaaga mary neenthuvaalMother Mary will swim like a dream.
Female
Thunbamellaam neengidaveSo that all sorrows vanish away,
Anbennum vedham oodhuvaalShe will chant the scripture of love.
Thunbamellaam neengidaveSo that all sorrows vanish away,
Anbennum vedham oodhuvaalShe will chant the scripture of love.
Female
Kannmaniyae innamuthaeOh darling apple of my eye, sweet nectar!
Karkandu paagae kann valaraaiOh sweet rock candy syrup, close your eyes and sleep!
Female
Kannmaniyae…..Oh darling apple of my eye...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Avan Amaran