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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Unnai Thedukiren Vaa

From Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa..kannaaa…kannaaa..Oh Krishna... Oh beloved... Oh beloved...
Kannaa unai thedugirenn vaaOh Krishna, I am searching for you, come.
Kanneer kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a tearful cuckoo bird, come.
Female
Unnodu thaan vazhkkaiLife is meaningful only with you.
Ullae oru vetkaiThere is a deep yearning within.
Kanneer innum oyavillaiThe tears have not yet ceased.
Kannanggalum kaaya villaiMy cheeks have not dried either.
Female
Kannaa unai thedugirenn vaaOh Krishna, I am searching for you, come.
Kanneer kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a tearful cuckoo bird, come.
Female
En intha kaadhal ennumWhy does this thought called love
Ennam thadai podumaaCreate an obstacle like this?
En paadal ketta pinnumEven after listening to my song,
Innum pidivaathamaaWhy are you still being stubborn?
Female
Enna naan solvathuWhat can I say?
Indru vantha sothanaiThis trial that arrived today,
Mounamae kolvathaalBecause you maintain silence,
Thaanghavillai vethanaiThe agony is unbearable.
Female
Unnai thedi vanthenI came searching for you,
Unmai solla vendumYou must tell me the truth.
Intha sogham kollaTo inflict this immense sorrow,
Enna kaaranamWhat is the reason?
Female
Kannaa unai thedugirenn vaaOh Krishna, I am searching for you, come.
Kanneer kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a tearful cuckoo bird, come.
Male
Kannae unai thedugirenn vaaOh my love, I am searching for you, come.
Kaadhal kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a cuckoo bird of love, come.
Male
Unnodu thaan vazhkkaiLife is meaningful only with you.
Ullae oru vetkaiThere is a deep yearning within.
Kaadhal endrum theervathillaiLove never perishes or ends.
Kannae ini sogham illaiOh my love, there is no more sorrow.
Male
Kannae unai thedugirenn vaaOh my love, I am searching for you, come.
Kaadhal kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a cuckoo bird of love, come.
Male
Soghathin bashai ennaWhat is the language of sorrow?
Sonnal athu theerumaaIf spoken, will it come to an end?
Gangai neer kaayakoodumThe waters of the Ganges might dry up,
Kanneer athu kaayumaaBut will tears of true love ever dry up?
Female
Sothanai neralaamTrials and tests may occur,
Paasam enna poghumaWill true affection ever vanish?
Meghangal poi vidumClouds will pass away,
Vaanam enna poghumaWill the vast sky ever disappear?
Male
Eeramulla kannilIn these tear-soaked eyes,
Thookam illai pennaeThere is no sleep, my dear girl.
Thoghai vandha pinnaeNow that my precious bird has arrived,
Sogham illaiyaeThere is no sorrow anymore.
Male
Kannae unai thedugirenn vaaOh my love, I am searching for you, come.
Kaadhal kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a cuckoo bird of love, come.
Female
Unnodu thaan vazhkkaiLife is meaningful only with you.
Ullae oru vetkaiThere is a deep yearning within.
Male :Kaadhal endrum theervathillaiMale: Love never perishes or ends.
Kannae ini sogham illaiOh my love, there is no more sorrow.
Female
Kannaa unai thedugirenn vaaOh Krishna, I am searching for you, come.
Kanneer kuyil padugirenn vaaI sing like a tearful cuckoo bird, come.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kannaa Unai Thedugiren' from Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren (1986) is an emotional duet expressing deep heartbreak, longing, and eventual emotional comfort. The female protagonist pours out her anguish over separation, asking why her lover maintains a painful silence and comparing her endless tears to an ever-flowing stream. She begs him to return and heal her wounded heart. In response, the male protagonist offers comfort, reassuring her that love is immortal and that troubles are merely fleeting. Using natural imagery, he explains that just as clouds pass but the sky remains, hardship is temporary while love endures forever. The song transitions from sorrowful lamentation to hopeful solace as the lovers reunite.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kanneer kuyil padugirenn vaa

The singer describes herself as a 'Kanneer Kuyil' (tearful cuckoo), personifying her sorrow through the image of a weeping songbird.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Gangai neer kaayakoodum / Kanneer athu kaayumaa

The lyricist exaggerates the grief by stating that even the sacred river Ganges might dry up, but tears born of true love will never run dry.

Analogy / Contrast

Meghangal poi vidum / Vaanam enna poghuma

The temporary nature of life's troubles is compared to clouds ('Meghangal'), while love is compared to the sky ('Vaanam') which remains permanent.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannaa unai thedugirenn vaa

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across lines creates melodic harmony ('Kannaa', 'Kanneer', 'Kannanggalum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 1986 Tamil romantic drama film 'Unakkaagave Vaazhgiren', directed by K. Rangaraj and starring Sivakumar, Nadhiya, and Suresh. The music for the film was composed by Malayalam music director K. J. Joy, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The duet versions were sung by iconic playback singers S. Janaki and K. J. Yesudas.

Keep listening

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