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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Kanna Vaarai Radhai

From Maya Manithan · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Jikki
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Details
Maya Manithan1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
La la la la la la la la…La la la la la la la la…
Hmm mm mm mm mm….Hmm mm mm mm mm….
Kanna kanna vaaraai raadhai ennai paaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me, look at me, Radha
Jaalam pannadhae nee ippo engae poraaiDo not play tricks, where are you going now?
Female
Kanna kanna vaaraai raadhai ennai paaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me, look at me, Radha
Jaalam pannadhae nee ippo engae poraaiDo not play tricks, where are you going now?
Kanna kanna vaaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me
Female
Unnai kaanamalae ondrum thonaamalaeWithout seeing you, unable to think of anything
Annam unnaamalae ullam nondhenadaWithout eating food, my heart is suffering, my dear
Unnai kaanamalae ondrum thonaamalaeWithout seeing you, unable to think of anything
Annam unnaamalae ullam nondhenadaWithout eating food, my heart is suffering, my dear
Ennai paarkkaamalae sollai ketkaamalaeWithout looking at me, without listening to my words
Neelavanna nee povadhum nyaayamdhaanaO blue-hued one, is it fair for you to leave?
Female
Kanna kanna vaaraai raadhai ennai paaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me, look at me, Radha
Jaalam pannadhae nee ippo engae poraaiDo not play tricks, where are you going now?
Kanna kanna vaaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me
Female
Kanna konjam nillu ennam enna solluO Krishna, wait a bit, tell me what is on your mind
Un kallathanam ellaam vittu thalluCast away all your deceitful tricks
Kanna konjam nillu ennam enna solluO Krishna, wait a bit, tell me what is on your mind
Un kallathanam ellaam vittu thalluCast away all your deceitful tricks
Endhan nenjai thottu adhai thoondivittuHaving touched my heart and stirred my emotions
Yenga seidhae nee povadhen ennai vittuWhy do you leave me longing and depart?
Female
Kanna kanna vaaraai raadhai ennai paaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me, look at me, Radha
Jaalam pannadhae nee ippo engae poraaiDo not play tricks, where are you going now?
Kanna kanna vaaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me
Female
Aasai mun thalludhu aiyam pin thalludhuDesire pushes me forward, while doubt pulls me back
Adhai azhagaagavae undhan kann solludhuYour eyes convey that conflict so beautifully
Veesum thendral vandhaal thottu inbam thandhaalIf a blowing breeze touches and gives joy
Adhai vendaam endrae sollum poovum undooIs there any flower that would refuse it?
Female
Kanna kanna vaaraai raadhai ennai paaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me, look at me, Radha
Jaalam pannadhae nee ippo engae poraaiDo not play tricks, where are you going now?
Kanna kanna vaaraaiO Krishna, Krishna come to me

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kanna Kanna Vaaraai is a classic romantic Tamil film song from Maya Manithan (1958). In this song, Radha passionately calls out to Krishna (Kanna), pleading with him to stop teasing her and acknowledge her love. She conveys how his absence leaves her sleepless and unable to eat or focus on anything else.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Rhyme / Internal Assonance)

Unnai kaanamalae ondrum thonaamalae / Annam unnaamalae ullam nondhenada

Repeated use of the verbal participle ending '-amalae' (kaanamalae, thonaamalae, unnaamalae, paarkkaamalae, ketkaamalae) creates a rhythmic, musical flow reflecting anguish.

Muran (Antithesis)

Aasai mun thalludhu aiyam pin thalludhu

Contrasting 'mun thalludhu' (pushes forward) and 'pin thalludhu' (pulls backward) highlights Radha's inner struggle between affection and hesitation.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Analogy)

Veesum thendral vandhaal thottu inbam thandhaal / Adhai vendaam endrae sollum poovum undoo

Radha compares Krishna's affection to a gentle breeze and herself to a blossoming flower that naturally yearns for its touch.

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Trivia

Maya Manithan (1958) was scored by G. Govindarajulu Naidu, a composer known for blending traditional Carnatic structures with light classical film orchestration. Singer Jikki's expressive vocal rendering made this song a prominent hit on radio broadcasts during the late 1950s.

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