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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
Details
Chinna Chinna Veedu Katti1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraenWhat work do you have? I live on what you have granted me.
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraenWhat work do you have? I live on what you have granted me.
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Female
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraenWhat work do you have? I live on what you have granted me.
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraenWhat work do you have? I live on what you have granted me.
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Aahaa haa aahaa haahaahha haahaahaaAahaa haa aahaa haahaahha haahaahaa
Female
Birunthaavanaththil oru raagam naanum kettaenaiyyaaI too heard a divine melody in Brindavan, my lord.
Pillai thamizhili oru paavam naanum paarththaenaiiyyaaI too saw an expression of emotions in tender child-like Tamil poetry, my lord.
Aa…aa….Birunthaavanaththil oru raagam naanum kettaenaiyyaaAa... aa... I too heard a divine melody in Brindavan, my lord.
Pillai thamizhili oru paavam naanum paarththaenaiiyyaaI too saw an expression of emotions in tender child-like Tamil poetry, my lord.
Unakku thondraathathaa yaen enakku thondraathathaaDid it not occur to you? Why did it not occur to me?
Unakku thondraathathaa yaen enakku thondraathathaaDid it not occur to you? Why did it not occur to me?
Female
Nadhigal irandu ondraanaal peyargal maaraathaiyaaIf two rivers merge into one, won't their names change?
Naanum neeyum ondraanaal pirivu neraathaiyyaaIf you and I become one, won't separation become impossible?
Kannan kettaal enna yaen rathai thanthaal ennaWhat if Krishna asks, or what if Radha surrenders?
Kannan kettaal enna yaen rathai thanthaal ennaWhat if Krishna asks, or what if Radha surrenders?
Female
Vanna vanna maalai katti vaazhnthu paarththaalennaWhat if we weave colorful garlands and experience life together?
Chinna chinna veedu kati saernthu paarththaalennaWhat if we build a small house and see how it is to live together?
Vanna vanna maalai katti vaazhnthu paarththaalennaWhat if we weave colorful garlands and experience life together?
Chinna chinna veedu kati saernthu paarththaalennaWhat if we build a small house and see how it is to live together?
Vaazhkkai nam kaiyilae vaa vettri nam kaiyilaeLife is in our hands; come, victory is in our hands!
Vaazhkkai nam kaiyilae vaa vettri nam kaiyilaeLife is in our hands; come, victory is in our hands!
Female
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraenWhat work do you have? I live on what you have granted me.
Kannaa un rathai azhaikkindra velaiOh Lord Krishna, at the time when your Radha calls you,
Unakkenna velai nee thanthu naan vaazhgindraenWhat work do you have? I live on what you have granted me.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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