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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Un Rathai

From Chinna Chinna Veedu Katti · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Chinna Chinna Veedu Katti
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
24 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraen
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraen
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraen
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraen
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Aahaa haa aahaa haahaahha haahaahaa
Birunthaavanaththil oru raagam naanum kettaenaiyyaa
Pillai thamizhili oru paavam naanum paarththaenaiiyyaa
Aa…aa….Birunthaavanaththil oru raagam naanum kettaenaiyyaa
Pillai thamizhili oru paavam naanum paarththaenaiiyyaa
Unakku thondraathathaa yaen enakku thondraathathaa
Unakku thondraathathaa yaen enakku thondraathathaa
Nadhigal irandu ondraanaal peyargal maaraathaiyaa
Naanum neeyum ondraanaal pirivu neraathaiyyaa
Kannan kettaal enna yaen rathai thanthaal enna
Kannan kettaal enna yaen rathai thanthaal enna
Vanna vanna maalai katti vaazhnthu paarththaalenna
Chinna chinna veedu kati saernthu paarththaalenna
Vanna vanna maalai katti vaazhnthu paarththaalenna
Chinna chinna veedu kati saernthu paarththaalenna
Vaazhkkai nam kaiyilae vaa vettri nam kaiyilae
Vaazhkkai nam kaiyilae vaa vettri nam kaiyilae
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraen
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velai
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraen
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you,
What other work do you have? I live only through what you give me.
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you,
What other work do you have? I live only through what you give me.
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you...
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you,
What other work do you have? I live only through what you give me.
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you,
What other work do you have? I live only through what you give me.
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you...
Aaha ha, aaha ha, aaha ha ha ha
In Brindavan, I too heard a melody, my love.
In sweet child-like Tamil, I too saw an expression of love.
Ah... ah... In Brindavan, I too heard a melody, my love.
In sweet child-like Tamil, I too saw an expression of love.
Doesn't this thought cross your mind? Why, doesn't it cross mine too?
Doesn't this thought cross your mind? Why, doesn't it cross mine too?
When two rivers merge, wouldn't their separate names change, my love?
If you and I become one, separation will never happen, my love.
What if Kannan asks? Why, what if Radha gives?
What if Kannan asks? Why, what if Radha gives?
What if we string colorful garlands and live to see how life unfolds?
What if we build a little home and see how it is to be together?
What if we string colorful garlands and live to see how life unfolds?
What if we build a little home and see how it is to be together?
Life is in our hands, come... victory is in our hands...
Life is in our hands, come... victory is in our hands...
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you,
What other work do you have? I live only through what you give me.
Kanna, when your Radha is calling out to you,
What other work do you have? I live only through what you give me.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses the eternal bond of divine love using the imagery of Lord Krishna and Radha. The heroine calls out to her beloved, questioning why he should have any other work or priority when she summons him, affirming that her very existence depends on his grace. She uses poetic allegories like listening to melodies in Brindavan and observing tender expressions in Tamil literature to convey deep romance and affection. She beautifully argues that just as two rivers lose their separate identities and names once they merge, two lovers become inseparable when united in heart. Encouraging him to build a world together—weaving colorful garlands and building a cozy home—she confidently declares that their destiny and success lie firmly within their own hands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Nadhigal irandu ondraanaal peyargal maaraathaiyaa

Comparing the union of two lovers to two rivers merging, losing their individual names and identities upon merging.

Adukku Thodar (Repetitive Emphasis)

Vanna vanna maalai katti... Chinna chinna veedu kati...

The doubling of adjectives 'Vanna vanna' (colorful) and 'Chinna chinna' (tiny) creates a rhythmic, pleasant lyrical flow.

Edugai (Second letter rhyming)

Nadhigal irandu ondraanaal / Naanum neeyum ondraanaal

Rhyming of the second consonants 'dhi' in Nadhigal and 'nu' in Naanum across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered by Vani Jairam, this song highlights Kannadasan's mastery in blending devotional motifs (Krishna-Radha themes) seamlessly into contemporary film romance.

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