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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanmaniye Kadhal Enbadhu

From Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai · 1979

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanmaniyae kaadhalOh my beloved darling, is love
Enbadhu karpanaiyoIs it just imagination?
Kaaviyamo kan varaindha oviyamoIs it an epic poem, or a painting drawn by the eyes?
Female
Ethanai ethanai inbangal nenjinilSo many, many joys in my heart
Pongudhamma palsuvaiyum solludhammaAre overflowing, my dear, expressing all tastes of bliss!
Chorus
Aaaa aaa aaVocalizing (Aaaa aaa aa)
Male
Kanmaniyae kaadhalOh my beloved darling, is love
Enbadhu karpanaiyoIs it just imagination?
Kaaviyamo kan varaindha oviyamoIs it an epic poem, or a painting drawn by the eyes?
Male
Ethanai ethanai inbangal nenjinilSo many, many joys in my heart
Pongudhamma palsuvaiyum solludhammaAre overflowing, my dear, expressing all tastes of bliss!
Female
Laa laa laa laa laa laa laaVocalizing (Laa laa laa laa laa laa laa)
Male
Melam muzhangida thoranam aadidaAs the drums sound and the festoons sway
Kaalamum vandhadhamma neramum vandhadhammaThe time has arrived, my dear, the right moment has arrived!
Female
Paarvaiyin jaadaiyil thondridum aasaiyilIn the glances of eyes, in the desires that arise
Paadidum ennangalae indha paavaiyin ullathilaeThe thoughts sing within the heart of this young maiden!
Male
Poovidhazh thaen kulunga sindhum punnagai naan mayangaAs nectar drips from flower petals, I swoon at the scattered smile
Female
Aayiram kaalamum naan undhan maarbinilFor a thousand ages, upon your chest
Saaindhirupen vaazhndhirupenI shall lean and live on!
Male
Kanmaniyae kaadhalOh my beloved darling, is love
Enbadhu karpanaiyoIs it just imagination?
Kaaviyamo kan varaindha oviyamoIs it an epic poem, or a painting drawn by the eyes?
Female
Ethanai ethanai inbangal nenjinilSo many, many joys in my heart
Pongudhamma palsuvaiyum solludhammaAre overflowing, my dear, expressing all tastes of bliss!
Female
……………………………….Music interlude
Female
Paalum kasandhadhu panjanai nondhadhuMilk tasted bitter, the bed felt painful
Kaaranam neeyarivaai thevaiyai naanarivenYou know the reason, and I know the need
Male
Naaloru vegamum mogamum dhaabamumEvery day brought speed, passion, and longing
Vaalibam thandha sugam ilam vayadhinil vandha sugamThe joy given by youth, the joy that came in early age
Female
Tholgalil nee anaika vanna thaamarai naan sirikaAs you embrace me in your arms, I bloom and smile like a colorful lotus
Male
Aayiram kaalamum naan undhan maarbinilFor a thousand ages, upon your chest
Thoranamaai aadiduvenI will hang and sway like a festive garland!
Female
Kanmaniyae kaadhalOh my beloved darling, is love
Enbadhu karpanaiyoIs it just imagination?
Kaaviyamo kan varaindha oviyamoIs it an epic poem, or a painting drawn by the eyes?
Male
Ethanai ethanai inbangal nenjinilSo many, many joys in my heart
Pongudhamma palsuvaiyum solludhammaAre overflowing, my dear, expressing all tastes of bliss!
Female
Kanmaniyae kaadhalOh my beloved darling, is love
Enbadhu karpanaiyoIs it just imagination?
Kaaviyamo kan varaindha oviyamoIs it an epic poem, or a painting drawn by the eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kanmaniyae Kaadhal is a classic, tender romantic duet expressing the profound joy, wonder, and longing associated with falling in love. The song questions whether love is an imaginative creation, a classic epic, or a picture painted by the eyes. The lovers express how their hearts overflow with diverse emotions and pleasures upon coming together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Ethanai ethanai inbangal nenjinil

The phrase 'Ethanai ethanai' repeats the word 'ethanai' consecutively to emphasize the boundless abundance of joy.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Kaaviyamo kan varaindha oviyamo

Love is poetically compared to a visual painting drawn by the eyes ('kan varaindha oviyamo').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kanmaniyae kaadhal

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words creates a pleasing melodic rhythm.

Visual Imagery

Tholgalil nee anaika vanna thaamarai naan sirika

Comparing the maiden's joyful reaction in her lover's arms to a blooming colorful lotus.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam, this iconic duet was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki for the 1979 classic movie 'Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai', starring Rajinikanth and directed by S. P. Muthuraman.

Keep listening

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