Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Manivanna

From Sisubalan · 1974

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singer
M. R. Vijaya
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Details
Sisubalan1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Enthan ennaththilIn my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Enthan ennaththilIn my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Female
Ponnaana un peraiEven just uttering your golden name,
Sonnaalum perinbamaeBrings supreme heavenly bliss!
Ponnaana un peraiEven just uttering your golden name,
Sonnaalum perinbamaeBrings supreme heavenly bliss!
Ennaalum un sevai ananthamaeServing you forever is sheer delight!
Female
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Enthan ennaththilIn my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Kannaa ennaththilOh Krishna, in my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Female
Ullam unthan ullamYour heart, oh your divine heart,
Adhu karunaiyai pozhinthida thullumLeaps with eagerness to shower mercy!
Ullam unthan ullamYour heart, oh your divine heart,
Adhu karunaiyai pozhinthida thullumLeaps with eagerness to shower mercy!
Vellai manam konda pillaiyum neeyaeYou are the child with a pure heart,
Vinthaigal seithidum maayavan neeyaeYou are the miracle-worker, the mysterious illusionist!
Vellai manam konda pillaiyum neeyaeYou are the child with a pure heart,
Vinthaigal seithidum maayavan neeyaeYou are the miracle-worker, the mysterious illusionist!
Ennaalum un sevai ananthamaeServing you forever is sheer delight!
Female
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Enthan ennaththilIn my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Kannaa ennaththilOh Krishna, in my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Female
Vedham nangu vedhamThe Vedas, all the four Vedas,
Unthan pugazh thannai paadidum geedhamAre songs that sing of your divine fame!
Vedham nangu vedhamThe Vedas, all the four Vedas,
Unthan pugazh thannai paadidum geedhamAre songs that sing of your divine fame!
Venguzhal oodhidum venukobalanaeOh Venugopala, playing the bamboo flute!
Venguzhal oodhidum venukobalanaeOh Venugopala, playing the bamboo flute!
Devargal pottridum devagi mainthanaeOh son of Devaki, praised by the celestial gods!
Female
Venguzhal oodhidum venukobalanaeOh Venugopala, playing the bamboo flute!
Devargal pottridum devagi mainthanaeOh son of Devaki, praised by the celestial gods!
Ennaalum unsevai ananthamaeServing you forever is sheer delight!
Female
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Enthan ennaththilIn my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Ponnaana un peraiEven just uttering your golden name,
Sonnaalum perinbamaeBrings supreme heavenly bliss!
Ennaalum un sevai ananthamaeServing you forever is sheer delight!
Female
Kannaa manivannaaOh Krishna, gem-hued Krishna!
Enthan ennaththilIn my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!
Kannaa ennaththilOh Krishna, in my thoughts,
Uravaadum kannaaOh Krishna who resides and bonds with me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soul-stirring devotional song from 'Sisubalan' (1974) expresses deep surrender and love for Lord Krishna. The singer reflects on how constantly remembering Krishna fills the heart with supreme bliss. Describing Krishna's compassionate nature, the lyrics portray him as a pure-hearted divine child who performs magical miracles and whose divine mercy constantly flows to his devotees. The song further elevates Krishna's stature by stating that all four sacred Vedas exist to sing his praises. He is glorified as Venugopala, the flutist, and Devaki's son revered by the gods. Uttering his name and offering continuous service to him remains the highest joy for the devotee.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ponnaana un perai / Sonnaalum perinbamae

Matching second consonants across lines ('nn' in Ponnaana and Sonnaalum) creates musical harmony.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Venguzhal oodhidum venukobalanae

Repetition of the 'Ve' sound at the beginning of words creates rhythmic flow.

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Ponnaana un perai

Comparing the Lord's name to gold ('Ponnaana un perai') symbolizes its priceless and divine value.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Ullam unthan ullam

Repeating words like 'Ullam' and 'Vedham' enhances emotional emphasis and devotional fervour.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sisubalan' (1974) features classical devotional compositions set to music by the legendary composer M. S. Viswanathan. The lyricist Poovai Senguttavan wrote several popular devotional numbers, and singer M. R. Vijaya's serene rendition made 'Kannaa manivannaa' a beloved devotional song aired frequently on Tamil radio.

Keep listening

More from Sisubalan