Kanna Pesum Kanna
From Veettu Mappillai · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Jikki
- Music director
- A. M. Raja
- Details
- Veettu Mappillai1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kannaa pesum kannaa | Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes! |
| Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo | Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament? |
| Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo | Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me? |
| Female | |
| Kannaa pesum kannaa | Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes! |
| Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo | Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament? |
| Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo | Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me? |
| Female | |
| Thanga kili konjum vizhi | Golden parrot, eyes that caress |
| Sollum mozhi vannam | The colorful tone of spoken words |
| Thanga tamil sollum porul | The deep meaning spoken by golden Tamil |
| Thullum kavi vannam | The colorful tone of lively poetry |
| Female | |
| Pattu thalir konjum poongkannam | Flower-soft cheek tender as silk |
| Thaen kinnam ennai | A cup of honey, to me |
| Mayakkida vaa…..aa….aa….aa….aa…. | Come to enchant me... |
| Female | |
| Kannaa pesum kannaa | Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes! |
| Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo | Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament? |
| Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo | Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me? |
| Aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro…. | Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby... |
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | |
| Female | |
| Annaikku un mel anbu | A mother has love for you |
| Pettra thanthaikku pon mel anbu | The father who begot you has love for gold |
| Annaikku un mel anbu | A mother has love for you |
| Pettra thanthaikku pon mel anbu | The father who begot you has love for gold |
| Female | |
| Ennai sumanthaval ennaththilae | In the thoughts of the one who bore me |
| Nee unnai ninaiththida sollu | Tell her to think of you |
| Kuttram ninaikkaiyil suttram illai | When focusing on faults, there is no kinship left |
| Than kannai thudaiththida sollu | Tell her to wipe her own eyes |
| Aval kannai thudaiththida sollu | Tell her to wipe her eyes |
| Female | |
| Kannaa pesum kannaa | Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes! |
| Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo | Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament? |
| Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo | Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me? |
| Aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro…. | Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby... |
| Female | |
| Selvangal ellaam angae | All the riches are over there |
| Nalla ullangal ellaam ingae | All the noble hearts are right here |
| Selvangal ellaam angae | All the riches are over there |
| Nalla ullangal ellaam ingae | All the noble hearts are right here |
| Sonthangal vanthunnai santhikkum velai | When relatives come to meet you |
| Nernthidum paar athai kannaa | Watch that happen, my dear Kannaa |
| Female | |
| Kaalam ninaikkindra neraththilae | At the moment destined by time |
| Vanthu saernthidum yaaraiyum onnaa | It will bring everyone together as one |
| Ingu saernthidum yaaraiyum onnaa | It will unite everyone here as one |
| Female | |
| Kannaa pesum kannaa | Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes! |
| Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo | Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament? |
| Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo | Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me? |
| Female | |
| Thanga kili konjum vizhi | Golden parrot, eyes that caress |
| Sollum mozhi vannam | The colorful tone of spoken words |
| Thanga tamil sollum porul | The deep meaning spoken by golden Tamil |
| Thullum kavi vannam | The colorful tone of lively poetry |
| Female | |
| Pattu thalir konjum poongkannam | Flower-soft cheek tender as silk |
| Thaen kinnam ennai | A cup of honey, to me |
| Mayakkida vaa…..aa….aa….aa….aa…. | Come to enchant me... |
| Female | |
| Konji azhaiththida unnai | To call out to you with endearment |
| En kooda piranthaval illai | The sister born alongside me is not here |
| Alli anaiththida unnai | To hold you in a tight embrace |
| En annaiyum thanthaiyum illai | Neither my mother nor my father is here |
| Female | |
| Muththu sirippinai thoothuvidu | Send your pearl-like smile as a messenger |
| Intha seithiyai koorida sellu | Go and convey this message |
| Pillai mazhalaiyil vaai thiranthu | Opening your mouth in innocent baby babble |
| Un paattanai kooppidu inge…. | Call your grandfather here... |
| Un paattanai kooppidu inge…. | Call your grandfather here... |
கண்ணா பேசும் கண்ணா
உன் புன்னகை ஒன்றே பொன்னகை என்றாயோ
கண்ணா அதை என்னிடம் தந்தாயோ
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
கண்ணா பேசும் கண்ணா
உன் புன்னகை ஒன்றே பொன்னகை என்றாயோ
கண்ணா அதை என்னிடம் தந்தாயோ
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
தங்கக் கிளி கொஞ்சும் விழி
சொல்லும் மொழி வண்ணம்
தங்க தமிழ் சொல்லும் பொருள்
துள்ளும் கவி வண்ணம்
Golden parrot, eyes that caress
The colorful tone of spoken words
The deep meaning spoken by golden Tamil
The colorful tone of lively poetry
பட்டுத் தளிர் கொஞ்சும் பூங்கன்னம்
தேன் கிண்ணம் என்னை
மயக்கிட வா......ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....
Flower-soft cheek tender as silk
A cup of honey, to me
Come to enchant me...
கண்ணா பேசும் கண்ணா
உன் புன்னகை ஒன்றே பொன்னகை என்றாயோ
கண்ணா அதை என்னிடம் தந்தாயோ
ஆராரோ ஆராரோ ஆராரோ ஆராரோ ........
ஆராரோ ஆராரோ........
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
...........................................
அன்னைக்கு உன் மேல் அன்பு
பெற்ற தந்தைக்கு பொன் மேல் அன்பு
அன்னைக்கு உன் மேல் அன்பு
பெற்ற தந்தைக்கு பொன் மேல் அன்பு
A mother has love for you
The father who begot you has love for gold
A mother has love for you
The father who begot you has love for gold
என்னை சுமந்தவள் எண்ணத்திலே
நீ உன்னை நினைத்திட சொல்லு
குற்றம் நினைக்கையில் சுற்றம் இல்லை
தன் கண்ணைத் துடைத்திட சொல்லு
அவள் கண்ணைத் துடைத்திட சொல்லு
In the thoughts of the one who bore me
Tell her to think of you
When focusing on faults, there is no kinship left
Tell her to wipe her own eyes
Tell her to wipe her eyes
கண்ணா பேசும் கண்ணா
உன் புன்னகை ஒன்றே பொன்னகை என்றாயோ
கண்ணா அதை என்னிடம் தந்தாயோ
ஆராரோ ஆராரோ ஆராரோ ஆராரோ ........
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
செல்வங்கள் எல்லாம் அங்கே
நல்ல உள்ளங்கள் எல்லாம் இங்கே
செல்வங்கள் எல்லாம் அங்கே
நல்ல உள்ளங்கள் எல்லாம் இங்கே
சொந்தங்கள் வந்துன்னை சந்திக்கும் வேளை
நேர்ந்திடும் பார் அதை கண்ணா
All the riches are over there
All the noble hearts are right here
All the riches are over there
All the noble hearts are right here
When relatives come to meet you
Watch that happen, my dear Kannaa
காலம் நினைக்கின்ற நேரத்திலே
வந்து சேர்த்திடும் யாரையும் ஒண்ணா
இங்கு சேர்த்திடும் யாரையும் ஒண்ணா
At the moment destined by time
It will bring everyone together as one
It will unite everyone here as one
கண்ணா பேசும் கண்ணா
உன் புன்னகை ஒன்றே பொன்னகை என்றாயோ
கண்ணா அதை என்னிடம் தந்தாயோ
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
தங்கக் கிளி கொஞ்சும் விழி
சொல்லும் மொழி வண்ணம்
தங்க தமிழ் சொல்லும் பொருள்
துள்ளும் கவி வண்ணம்
Golden parrot, eyes that caress
The colorful tone of spoken words
The deep meaning spoken by golden Tamil
The colorful tone of lively poetry
பட்டுத் தளிர் கொஞ்சும் பூங்கன்னம்
தேன் கிண்ணம் என்னை
மயக்கிட வா......ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....
Flower-soft cheek tender as silk
A cup of honey, to me
Come to enchant me...
கொஞ்சி அழைத்திட உன்னை
என் கூடப் பிறந்தவள் இல்லை
அள்ளி அணைத்திட உன்னை
என் அன்னையும் தந்தையும் இல்லை
To call out to you with endearment
The sister born alongside me is not here
To hold you in a tight embrace
Neither my mother nor my father is here
முத்துச் சிரிப்பினை தூது விடு
இந்த செய்தியை கூறிட செல்லு
பிள்ளை மழலையில் வாய் திறந்து
உன் பாட்டனை கூப்பிடு இங்கே.......
உன் பாட்டனை கூப்பிடு இங்கே.......
Send your pearl-like smile as a messenger
Go and convey this message
Opening your mouth in innocent baby babble
Call your grandfather here...
Call your grandfather here...
பெண்கள் :
கண்ணா பேசும் கண்ணா
உன் புன்னகை ஒன்றே பொன்னகை என்றாயோ
கண்ணா அதை என்னிடம் தந்தாயோ
Kannaa pesum kannaa
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Kannaa pesum kannaa
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Thanga kili konjum vizhi
Golden parrot, eyes that caress
Sollum mozhi vannam
The colorful tone of spoken words
Thanga tamil sollum porul
The deep meaning spoken by golden Tamil
Thullum kavi vannam
The colorful tone of lively poetry
Pattu thalir konjum poongkannam
Flower-soft cheek tender as silk
Thaen kinnam ennai
A cup of honey, to me
Mayakkida vaa…..aa….aa….aa….aa….
Come to enchant me...
Kannaa pesum kannaa
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro….
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
…………………..
Annaikku un mel anbu
A mother has love for you
Pettra thanthaikku pon mel anbu
The father who begot you has love for gold
Annaikku un mel anbu
A mother has love for you
Pettra thanthaikku pon mel anbu
The father who begot you has love for gold
Ennai sumanthaval ennaththilae
In the thoughts of the one who bore me
Nee unnai ninaiththida sollu
Tell her to think of you
Kuttram ninaikkaiyil suttram illai
When focusing on faults, there is no kinship left
Than kannai thudaiththida sollu
Tell her to wipe her own eyes
Aval kannai thudaiththida sollu
Tell her to wipe her eyes
Kannaa pesum kannaa
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro aaraaro….
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
Selvangal ellaam angae
All the riches are over there
Nalla ullangal ellaam ingae
All the noble hearts are right here
Selvangal ellaam angae
All the riches are over there
Nalla ullangal ellaam ingae
All the noble hearts are right here
Sonthangal vanthunnai santhikkum velai
When relatives come to meet you
Nernthidum paar athai kannaa
Watch that happen, my dear Kannaa
Kaalam ninaikkindra neraththilae
At the moment destined by time
Vanthu saernthidum yaaraiyum onnaa
It will bring everyone together as one
Ingu saernthidum yaaraiyum onnaa
It will unite everyone here as one
Kannaa pesum kannaa
Oh Kannaa, speaking eyes!
Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo
Did you say your smile alone is a golden ornament?
Kannaa adhai ennidam thanthaayo
Oh Kannaa, did you give that to me?
Thanga kili konjum vizhi
Golden parrot, eyes that caress
Sollum mozhi vannam
The colorful tone of spoken words
Thanga tamil sollum porul
The deep meaning spoken by golden Tamil
Thullum kavi vannam
The colorful tone of lively poetry
Pattu thalir konjum poongkannam
Flower-soft cheek tender as silk
Thaen kinnam ennai
A cup of honey, to me
Mayakkida vaa…..aa….aa….aa….aa….
Come to enchant me...
Konji azhaiththida unnai
To call out to you with endearment
En kooda piranthaval illai
The sister born alongside me is not here
Alli anaiththida unnai
To hold you in a tight embrace
En annaiyum thanthaiyum illai
Neither my mother nor my father is here
Muththu sirippinai thoothuvidu
Send your pearl-like smile as a messenger
Intha seithiyai koorida sellu
Go and convey this message
Pillai mazhalaiyil vaai thiranthu
Opening your mouth in innocent baby babble
Un paattanai kooppidu inge….
Call your grandfather here...
Un paattanai kooppidu inge….
Call your grandfather here...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kannaa Pesum Kannaa is a soulful lullaby from the 1973 film Veettu Mappillai, composed by A. M. Raja and written by Vaali. Sung beautifully by P. Susheela and Jikki, the song captures a mother's tender affection for her child, comparing the child's innocent smile to golden jewelry, sweet honey, and classical Tamil poetry. Beneath the sweet lullaby lies a poignant commentary on family dynamics and material greed. The lyrics highlight how wealth splits relationships while noble hearts remain bonded by genuine love. The speaker urges the innocent child to act as a peacemaker, using baby babble and a heartwarming smile to invite family elders back and heal long-standing estrangements.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Un Punnagai ondre ponnagai endraayo”
Comparing a smile to gold ('punnagai ondre ponnagai') and cheeks to a sweet honey cup ('thaen kinnam').
Wordplay / Contrast
“Pettra thanthaikku pon mel anbu”
Contrasting 'pon' (gold/material wealth) with 'anbu' (pure love) to highlight moral priorities.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Thanga kili konjum vizhi”
Rhyming second letters in consecutive lines ('Thanga kili' and 'Thanga tamil').
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Kuttram ninaikkaiyil suttram illai”
Alliteration of the initial letter 'ku' and 'su' sound pattern in proverb-like phrasing.
Did you know?
Trivia
Veettu Mappillai (1973) featured music composed by legendary playback singer and composer A. M. Raja. This track stands out for featuring a rare duet between two iconic veteran female singers of South Indian cinema, P. Susheela and Jikki. Lyricist Vaali adeptly incorporated profound social commentary on wealth vs. familial affection within the framework of a gentle lullaby.
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