Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Unakku

From Poo Pootha Nandavanam · 1988

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Poo Pootha Nandavanam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
21 Apr 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannaa unakku enna kurai solli vidu
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thallividu
Nenjilittu konji sirichchaa neeyum pillathaan
Ingu naanum pillathaan
Kannaa unakku enna kurai solli vidu
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thallividu
Nenjilittu konji sirichchaa neeyum pillathaan
Ingu naanum pillathaan
: Kannaa unakku enna kurai solli vidu
Aaru kaanji pogalaam aasai kaanji pogumaa
Kannukulla unna vachchu kaaval kolla vanthaen
Katti vachcha poovil ellaam unnazhaga kandenae
Panju meththa noguminnu nenjilittu nee thoonga
Paavamenna naanum senjen thagathurai nee yaenga
Kannaa unakku enna kurai solli vidu
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thallividu
Nenjilittu konji sirichchaa neeyum pillathaan
Ingu naanum pillathaan
Tholai oonjalaakkinaen
Naalum paattu paadinaen
Kaaththu vanthu enna thottaa
Um manasu thaangaatahe
Kaiyanaikkavillaiyinnaa
Kannu rendum thoongaathae
Antha nenjil paaramenna
Vazhnthathellaam thaayaaga
Mannanukku vaattam enna
Em manasu theeyaaga
Kannaa unakku enna kurai solli vidu
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thallividu
Nenjilittu konji sirichchaa neeyum pillathaan
Ingu naanum pillathaan
Kannaa unakku enna kurai solli vidu
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thallividu…..
Tell me, my darling, what is troubling you?
Why are there tears in your eyes? Brush them away.
Held close to the heart with a sweet smile, you too are a child,
And here, I am a child as well.
Tell me, my darling, what is troubling you?
Why are there tears in your eyes? Brush them away.
Held close to the heart with a sweet smile, you too are a child,
And here, I am a child as well.
Tell me, my darling, what is troubling you?
A river may dry up, but can my love for you ever run dry?
I came to keep you safe within my eyes,
In every woven flower, I saw your beauty.
Fearing a cotton bed would hurt you, you slept upon my chest,
What sin did I commit, my noble one, that you should suffer and yearn?
Tell me, my darling, what is troubling you?
Why are there tears in your eyes? Brush them away.
Held close to the heart with a sweet smile, you too are a child,
And here, I am a child as well.
I made my shoulder a swing for you,
And sang you songs every single day.
If even the breeze brushes against me,
Your heart cannot bear it.
If I do not hold you in my arms,
Your eyes cannot fall asleep.
What is the heavy burden on that heart,
When I have cared for you like a mother all along?
Why is my king feeling so sorrowful,
Leaving my heart burning like fire?
Tell me, my darling, what is troubling you?
Why are there tears in your eyes? Brush them away.
Held close to the heart with a sweet smile, you too are a child,
And here, I am a child as well.
Tell me, my darling, what is troubling you?
Why are there tears in your eyes? Brush them away...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This emotional song portrays a deep, tender bond of comfort and maternal affection towards a loved one referred to as 'Kannaa' or 'Mannan'. The speaker consoles her beloved, asking why he harbors sorrow or tears, reminding him that when held close and comforted, anyone becomes an innocent child at heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question / வினா அணி

“Aaru kaanji pogalaam aasai kaanji pogumaa”

The line asks whether love/desire can ever dry up even if a river does, emphasizing the eternal nature of devotion.

Metaphor / உருவக அணி

“Tholai oonjalaakkinaen”

The singer metaphorically converts her shoulder into a cradle or swing to soothe her beloved.

Monai (Initial Alliteration) / மோனை

“Kannukulla unna vachchu kaaval kolla vanthaen”

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1988 Tamil film 'Poo Pootha Nandavanam', this song is noted for Pulamaipithan's moving lyrics that blend romantic devotion with maternal tenderness.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Aram Seyya2017
Nenjil ThunivirundhalCompassionAcceptance
Mannippu2024
KanguvaCompassionAcceptance
Unnaithan Kumbitten Unnaiye1983
SanthippuDevotionCompassion
Arivum Anbum2020
Arivum Anbum – Kamal Haasan Album SongCompassionDevotion
Manithan Manithan1987
ManithanCompassionResilience
Anbey Manithan2003
ThayumanavanCompassionAcceptance

From the same album

More songs from Poo Pootha Nandavanam

View album
Naan Jeyichu Kaatturen1988
Poo Pootha NandavanamConfident
Kanne Unakku1988
Poo Pootha NandavanamTender
Enga Chinna Rasa1988
Poo Pootha NandavanamPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.