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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Un Kannil

From Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen · 1992

Lyricist
Piraisoodan
Singer
Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haaa….aaa…..aaa….[Vocalizing humming]
Haaa….aaaa….aaa……[Vocalizing humming]
Aaaa….haaa….aaa….[Vocalizing humming]
Female
Kanna un kannil kanneeroOh my beloved, are those tears in your eyes?
Ponnaana un nenjil yaaroWho resides in your precious, golden heart?
Un theratha sogamYour unhealing sorrow
Ini varadhu odumWill now run away and never return
Unnai neengadha nenjam naanaeI am the heart that will never leave you
Ithu naan sollum unmai thaanaeThis is the absolute truth that I speak
Female
Hooo….ooo….hooo[Vocalizing humming]
Hooo….ooo….hooo[Vocalizing humming]
Hooo….ooo….ooo[Vocalizing humming]
Female
Nizhalaaga nee kaanumThe shadow you see ahead
Kaanal neerIs a mirage of water
Nijamaaaga un thaagam theerkadhuIt will never truly quench your thirst
Ninaivaalae enai enniEven if you live on
VaazhndhaalumCherishing me in memories
Adhu endrum nija vaazhkai aagathuThat will never become real life
Female
Unvethanai paarkindrathaeWitnessing your deep pain
Uyiroviyam ketkindrathaeMy living portrait of a soul asks
Punnaga un nenju aavathaenWhy has your heart become scorched?
Ponnaana kaalangal povedhenWhy have the golden times passed away?
Female
Kanna un kannil kanneeroOh my beloved, are those tears in your eyes?
Ponnaana un nenjil yaaroWho resides in your precious, golden heart?
Un theratha sogamYour unhealing sorrow
Ini varadhu odumWill now run away and never return
Unnai neengadha nenjam naanaeI am the heart that will never leave you
Ithu naan sollum unmai thaanaeThis is the absolute truth that I speak
Hooo….ooo….hooo[Vocalizing humming]
Female
Dhinam theendumThat touches every single day
Poonthendral kaatroduAlong with the gentle Southern breeze
Unai theenda varuvenaeI will come to touch you
Man meedhuUpon this earth
Female
Unkaigal thodukindraEvery object that
Porul ellaamYour hands touch
Un dhegam padukindraEvery place where
Idam ellaamYour body rests
Female
Unai seravae thavikindrathaeYearns desperately to join with you
Oru penmaiyil thudikindrathaeThrobbing within a woman's devotion
Nee veru naan veru illaiyaeYou and I are not different
Avan veru naan veru illayaeHe and I are not different
Female
Kanna un kannil kanneeroOh my beloved, are those tears in your eyes?
Ponnaana un nenjil yaaroWho resides in your precious, golden heart?
Un theratha sogamYour unhealing sorrow
Ini varadhu odumWill now run away and never return
Unnai neengadha nenjam naanaeI am the heart that will never leave you
Ithu naan sollum unmai thaanaeThis is the absolute truth that I speak
Female
Hooo….ooo….hooo[Vocalizing humming]
Hooo….ooo….hooo[Vocalizing humming]
Hooo….ooo….ooo[Vocalizing humming]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses profound empathy, devotion, and spiritual oneness toward a grieving lover. The narrator consoles her beloved upon seeing his persistent tears and sorrow, urging him not to seek solace in mere memories which, like a mirage, can never satisfy real life's thirst.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Nizhalaaga nee kaanum / Kaanal neer

Comparing intangible memories to 'Kaanal neer' (mirage water), indicating that past memories cannot sustain real living.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kanna un kannil kanneero / Ponnaana un nenjil yaaro

The second consonant sound 'n' aligns in 'Kanna' and 'Ponnaana', providing rhythmic harmony.

Personification

Unkaigal thodukindra / Porul ellaam ... Unai seravae thavikindrathae

Attributing human emotions like yearning ('thavikindrathae') to inanimate objects touched by the beloved.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for 'Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen' (1992) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring soulful renditions by S. Janaki and K.J. Yesudas with lyrics written by lyricist Piraisoodan.

Keep listening

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