Kanna En Selai
From Jai Hind · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Jai Hind1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ahahahaa…ahahaa…haa… | Ahahahaa…ahahaa…haa… |
| Female | |
| Kannaa en saelaikkulla | Oh Kannaa, inside my saree, |
| Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku | a biting ant has crept in; why is that? |
| Male | |
| Kannae nee vellam endru | My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery, |
| Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku | that biting ant found out, that is why! |
| Female | |
| Erumbu seiyyum leelai pol | Just like the antics an ant performs, |
| Kurumbu seiya vandhaayo | have you come to do playful mischief, |
| Ullae ennamo panna | causing a strange feeling inside? |
| Female | |
| Kannaa en saelaikkulla | Oh Kannaa, inside my saree, |
| Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku | a biting ant has crept in; why is that? |
| Male | |
| Kannae nee vellam endru | My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery, |
| Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku | that biting ant found out, that is why! |
| Chorus | |
| Jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa | Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa |
| Oh..oh…oh..oh.. | Oh..oh…oh..oh.. |
| Female | |
| Angae thottu ingae thottu | Touching there, touching here, |
| Engae thoda ennam raasa | where do you intend to touch, my prince? |
| Male :Aahaa… | Male: Aahaa… |
| Female :Ahaa ahaa | Female: Ahaa ahaa |
| Male :Aae.. hae.. | Male: Aae.. hae.. |
| Male | |
| Kannam thottu vannam thottu | Touching the cheeks, touching the glow, |
| Hmmm thoda ennam rosa | I intend to touch everywhere, my rose! |
| Female :Aahaa… | Female: Aahaa… |
| Male :Ahaa ahaa | Male: Ahaa ahaa |
| Female :Aahaa.. | Female: Aahaa.. |
| Female | |
| Idhu thaevaiyaana kurumbu | Is this necessary mischief? |
| Konjam silirthu pona udambu | My body has shivered a little bit. |
| Male | |
| Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa | Come.. come… |
| Male Chorus :Vaa…vaaa | Male Chorus: Come… come |
| Female :Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa | Female: Come.. come… |
| Female Chorus :Vaa…vaaa | Female Chorus: Come… come |
| Female | |
| Kannaa en saelaikkulla | Oh Kannaa, inside my saree, |
| Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku | a biting ant has crept in; why is that? |
| Male | |
| Kannae nee vellam endru | My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery, |
| Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku | that biting ant found out, that is why! |
| Male | |
| Bhoomikkulla ponna vachaan | He placed gold inside the earth; |
| Ponnukkulla enna vachaan | what did he place inside the woman (or gold)? |
| Female :Hmm hmm | Female: Hmm hmm |
| Male :Aahaa…hahaa… | Male: Aahaa…hahaa… |
| Female :Ohoo… | Female: Ohoo… |
| Female | |
| Aambilaikku meesai vachaan | He gave a mustache to the man; |
| Pombalaikku enna vachaan | what did he give to the woman? |
| Male :Hmm hmm | Male: Hmm hmm |
| Female :Hmm hm hmm hmm | Female: Hmm hm hmm hmm |
| Male :Laala… | Male: Laala… |
| Female :Hahaha.. | Female: Hahaha.. |
| Male | |
| Adhai therinji vilakkam thaaren | Understanding that, I shall explain to you; |
| Unnai thirudi kudikka poren | I am going to steal and drink you up! |
| Female | |
| Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa | Come.. come… |
| Female Chorus :Vaa…vaaa | Female Chorus: Come… come |
| Male :Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa | Male: Come.. come… |
| Male Chorus :Vaa…vaaa | Male Chorus: Come… come |
| Female | |
| Kannaa en saelaikkulla | Oh Kannaa, inside my saree, |
| Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku | a biting ant has crept in; why is that? |
| Male | |
| Kannae nee vellam endru | My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery, |
| Katterumbu therinjirukku | that biting ant found out, |
| Female :Haa.. | Female: Haa.. |
| Male :Adhukku | Male: that is why! |
| Female | |
| Erumbu seiyyum leelai pol | Just like the antics an ant performs, |
| Kurumbu seiya vandhaayo | have you come to do playful mischief, |
| Ullae ennamo panna | causing a strange feeling inside? |
| Female | |
| Kannaa en saelaikkulla | Oh Kannaa, inside my saree, |
| Katterumbu pugundhirukku ishh haa | a biting ant has crept in (ishh haa), |
| Edhukku | why is that? |
| Male | |
| Kannae nee vellam endru | My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery, |
| Katterumbu therinjirukku mm.im..hmm… | that biting ant found out... mm.im..hmm… |
ஆஅஹஹஹா....ஆஹஹா....ஹா.....
Ahahahaa…ahahaa…haa…
கண்ணா என் சேலைக்குள்ள
கட்டெறும்பு புகுந்திருக்கு எதுக்கு
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
கண்ணே நீ வெல்லம் என்று
கட்டெறும்பு தெரிஞ்சிருக்கு அதுக்கு
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
that biting ant found out, that is why!
எறும்பு செய்யும் லீலைப் போல்
குறும்பு செய்ய வந்தாயோ
உள்ளே என்னமோ பண்ண
Just like the antics an ant performs,
have you come to do playful mischief,
causing a strange feeling inside?
கண்ணா என் சேலைக்குள்ள
கட்டெறும்பு புகுந்திருக்கு எதுக்கு
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
கண்ணே நீ வெல்லம் என்று
கட்டெறும்பு தெரிஞ்சிருக்கு அதுக்கு
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
that biting ant found out, that is why!
ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே.....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
சே....ஜும்ப ஜும்ப ஜும்பா
ஓ.....ஓ....ஓ.....ஓ...
Jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Oh..oh…oh..oh..
அங்கே தொட்டு இங்கே தொட்டு
எங்கே தொட எண்ணம் ராசா
அஹா...
ஹ்ஹீம்.....ஹ்ஹீம்
ஏ.....ஹே...
Touching there, touching here,
where do you intend to touch, my prince?
Male: Aahaa…
Female: Ahaa ahaa
Male: Aae.. hae..
கன்னம் தொட்டு வண்ணம் தொட்டு
ம்ம்ம்ம் தொட எண்ணம் ரோசா
அஹா..
அஹா... அஹா
அஹா.....
Touching the cheeks, touching the glow,
I intend to touch everywhere, my rose!
Female: Aahaa…
Male: Ahaa ahaa
Female: Aahaa..
இது தேவையான குறும்பு
கொஞ்சம் சிலிர்த்து போன உடம்பு
Is this necessary mischief?
My body has shivered a little bit.
வா வா ஆஅ.....ஆ....ஆ....
ஆண் குழு :
வா.....வா.....
வா வா ஆஅ.....ஆ....ஆ....
பெண் குழு :
வா.....வா......
Come.. come…
Male Chorus: Come… come
Female: Come.. come…
Female Chorus: Come… come
கண்ணா என் சேலைக்குள்ள
கட்டெறும்பு புகுந்திருக்கு எதுக்கு
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
கண்ணே நீ வெல்லம் என்று
கட்டெறும்பு தெரிஞ்சிருக்கு.. அதுக்கு
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
that biting ant found out, that is why!
பூமிக்குள்ள பொன்ன வெச்சான்
பொண்ணுக்குள்ள என்ன வெச்சான்
ம்ம்......ஹும்.....
அஹா ஹஹா
ஓஹோ......
He placed gold inside the earth;
what did he place inside the woman (or gold)?
Female: Hmm hmm
Male: Aahaa…hahaa…
Female: Ohoo…
ஆம்பிளைக்கு மீசை வெச்சான்
பொம்பளைக்கு என்ன வெச்சான்
ம்ஹும்.....
ம்ஹும்.....ம்ஹும்.....
லால.....
ஹஹ்ஹ.....
He gave a mustache to the man;
what did he give to the woman?
Male: Hmm hmm
Female: Hmm hm hmm hmm
Male: Laala…
Female: Hahaha..
அதை தெரிஞ்சு விளக்கம் தாரேன்
உன்னை திருடி குடிக்கப் போறேன்
Understanding that, I shall explain to you;
I am going to steal and drink you up!
வா வா ஆஅ.....ஆ....ஆ....
பெண் குழு :
வா.....வா......
வா வா ஆஅ.....ஆ....ஆ....
ஆண் குழு :
வா.....வா.......
Come.. come…
Female Chorus: Come… come
Male: Come.. come…
Male Chorus: Come… come
கண்ணா என் சேலைக்குள்ள
கட்டெறும்பு புகுந்திருக்கு எதுக்கு
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
கண்ணே நீ வெல்லம் என்று
கட்டெறும்பு தெரிஞ்சிருக்கு
ஹா......
அதுக்கு
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
that biting ant found out,
Female: Haa..
Male: that is why!
எறும்பு செய்யும் லீலைப் போல்
குறும்பு செய்ய வந்தாய்யோ
உள்ளே என்னமோ பண்ண
Just like the antics an ant performs,
have you come to do playful mischief,
causing a strange feeling inside?
கண்ணா என் சேலைக்குள்ள
கட்டெறும்பு புகுந்திருக்கு ஸ்.....ஹஆ..
எதுக்கு
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
a biting ant has crept in (ishh haa),
why is that?
கண்ணே நீ வெல்லம் என்று
கட்டெறும்பு தெரிஞ்சிருக்கு ம்ம்....ம்..ஹும்...
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
that biting ant found out... mm.im..hmm…
Ahahahaa…ahahaa…haa…
Ahahahaa…ahahaa…haa…
Kannaa en saelaikkulla
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
Kannae nee vellam endru
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku
that biting ant found out, that is why!
Erumbu seiyyum leelai pol
Just like the antics an ant performs,
Kurumbu seiya vandhaayo
have you come to do playful mischief,
Ullae ennamo panna
causing a strange feeling inside?
Kannaa en saelaikkulla
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
Kannae nee vellam endru
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku
that biting ant found out, that is why!
Jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Chae..jhumba jhumba jhumbaa
Oh..oh…oh..oh..
Oh..oh…oh..oh..
Angae thottu ingae thottu
Touching there, touching here,
Engae thoda ennam raasa
where do you intend to touch, my prince?
Male :Aahaa…
Male: Aahaa…
Female :Ahaa ahaa
Female: Ahaa ahaa
Male :Aae.. hae..
Male: Aae.. hae..
Kannam thottu vannam thottu
Touching the cheeks, touching the glow,
Hmmm thoda ennam rosa
I intend to touch everywhere, my rose!
Female :Aahaa…
Female: Aahaa…
Male :Ahaa ahaa
Male: Ahaa ahaa
Female :Aahaa..
Female: Aahaa..
Idhu thaevaiyaana kurumbu
Is this necessary mischief?
Konjam silirthu pona udambu
My body has shivered a little bit.
Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa
Come.. come…
Male Chorus :Vaa…vaaa
Male Chorus: Come… come
Female :Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa
Female: Come.. come…
Female Chorus :Vaa…vaaa
Female Chorus: Come… come
Kannaa en saelaikkulla
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
Kannae nee vellam endru
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku
that biting ant found out, that is why!
Bhoomikkulla ponna vachaan
He placed gold inside the earth;
Ponnukkulla enna vachaan
what did he place inside the woman (or gold)?
Female :Hmm hmm
Female: Hmm hmm
Male :Aahaa…hahaa…
Male: Aahaa…hahaa…
Female :Ohoo…
Female: Ohoo…
Aambilaikku meesai vachaan
He gave a mustache to the man;
Pombalaikku enna vachaan
what did he give to the woman?
Male :Hmm hmm
Male: Hmm hmm
Female :Hmm hm hmm hmm
Female: Hmm hm hmm hmm
Male :Laala…
Male: Laala…
Female :Hahaha..
Female: Hahaha..
Adhai therinji vilakkam thaaren
Understanding that, I shall explain to you;
Unnai thirudi kudikka poren
I am going to steal and drink you up!
Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa
Come.. come…
Female Chorus :Vaa…vaaa
Female Chorus: Come… come
Male :Vaa.. vaa….aa..aa..aa
Male: Come.. come…
Male Chorus :Vaa…vaaa
Male Chorus: Come… come
Kannaa en saelaikkulla
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku
a biting ant has crept in; why is that?
Kannae nee vellam endru
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
Katterumbu therinjirukku
that biting ant found out,
Female :Haa..
Female: Haa..
Male :Adhukku
Male: that is why!
Erumbu seiyyum leelai pol
Just like the antics an ant performs,
Kurumbu seiya vandhaayo
have you come to do playful mischief,
Ullae ennamo panna
causing a strange feeling inside?
Kannaa en saelaikkulla
Oh Kannaa, inside my saree,
Katterumbu pugundhirukku ishh haa
a biting ant has crept in (ishh haa),
Edhukku
why is that?
Kannae nee vellam endru
My dear, knowing that you are sweet like jaggery,
Katterumbu therinjirukku mm.im..hmm…
that biting ant found out... mm.im..hmm…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kannaa En Saelaikkulla is a playful and sensual folk-pop duet from the 1994 Tamil film Jai Hind. The song revolves around playful flirtation between the lead lovers. The female protagonist metaphorically complains about a biting ant entering her saree, teasing her lover about his mischievous touch. The male protagonist cheekily responds that the ant entered because she is as sweet as jaggery, using the ant as a metaphor for his own romantic impulses and desires.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kannae nee vellam endru / Katterumbu therinjirukku adhukku”
The heroine's sweetness/attractiveness is compared to 'vellam' (jaggery), and the hero's mischievous romantic gestures are metaphorically linked to a 'katterumbu' (biting ant).
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kannaa en saelaikkulla / Katterumbu pugundhirukku edhukku”
The second letters of 'Kannaa' and 'Katterumbu' share the same 'n' sound ('nna' / 'tte'), creating rhythmic harmony in Tamil prosody.
Anaphora / Internal Rhyme
“Angae thottu ingae thottu”
The repetition of 'thottu' in 'Angae thottu ingae thottu' creates a rhythmic, danceable tempo.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Vidyasagar with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this song became an iconic chartbuster in the mid-1990s. Sung by Swarnalatha and Mano, it is remembered for its energetic beat, catchy folk rhythm, and playful vocal renditions.
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