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Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Vaa Kanna Vaa

From Vengaiyin Mainthan · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vengaiyin Mainthan1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome, my Kannan, come, my Kannan
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to be together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome, my king, come, my king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaO white moon crawling on the earth
Engaeyo nee irunthaal idhayam punnaagumIf you are somewhere far away, my heart aches
Paattai kettu mugaththai kaattuHear my song and show your face
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome, my Kannan, come, my Kannan
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to be together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome, my king, come, my king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaO white moon crawling on the earth
Engaeyo nee irunthaal idhayam punnaagumIf you are somewhere far away, my heart aches
Paattai kettu mugaththai kaattuHear my song and show your face
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome, my Kannan, come, my Kannan
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to be together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome, my king, come, my king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaO white moon crawling on the earth
Female
Munnerum paathaiyilaeOn the path moving forward
Mullirukkum anjaathaeThere will be thorns, do not fear
Sooriyanai moodi vaikkaTo cover up the bright sun
Megangalaal aagaathaeClouds alone cannot succeed
Female
Munnerum paathaiyilaeOn the path moving forward
Mullirukkum anjaathaeThere will be thorns, do not fear
Sooriyanai moodi vaikkaTo cover up the bright sun
Megangalaal aagaathaeClouds alone cannot succeed
Female
Sundeligal suththi ninnuEven if little mice surround it
Singaththathaan enna pannumWhat harm can they do to a lion?
Sundeligal suththi ninnuEven if little mice surround it
Singaththathaan enna pannumWhat harm can they do to a lion?
Ilanthalirae nee ezhunthu nilluO tender leaf, rise and stand strong
Edhu varattum nee edhirththu nilluWhatever comes, stand and face it bold
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome, my Kannan, come, my Kannan
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to be together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome, my king, come, my king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaO white moon crawling on the earth
Female
Thanneeru illaamaLike a root struggling for survival
Thaththalikkum veraattamWithout any water around
Ennai vittu nee ponaaIf you leave and go away from me
Eththanaiyo poraattamThere will be so many struggles
Female
Thanneeru illaamaLike a root struggling for survival
Thaththalikkum veraattamWithout any water around
Ennai vittu nee ponaaIf you leave and go away from me
Eththanaiyo poraattamThere will be so many struggles
Female
Ennaalum intha manamAlways, this mind of mine
Kannaa un nanthavanamIs your flower garden, my Kannan
Ennaalum intha manamAlways, this mind of mine
Kannaa un nanthavanamIs your flower garden, my Kannan
Nee sirichchaa naan sirichchiruppaenIf you smile, I would have smiled too
Nee pirinjaa naan thudichchiruppaenIf you part, I would have writhed in pain
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome, my Kannan, come, my Kannan
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to be together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome, my king, come, my king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaO white moon crawling on the earth
Engaeyo nee irunthaal idhayam punnaagumIf you are somewhere far away, my heart aches
Paattai kettu mugaththai kaattuHear my song and show your face
Female
Kannaa vaa kannaa vaaCome, my Kannan, come, my Kannan
Kaalam muzhuthum onnaa vaaCome to be together for a lifetime
Mannaa vaa mannaa vaaCome, my king, come, my king
Mannil thavazhum vennilavaaO white moon crawling on the earth

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song 'Kannaa Vaa' from the 1984 movie Vengaiyin Mainthan, composed by Shankar Ganesh and written by Pulamaipithan, is a deeply emotional call of affection and encouragement. The singer calls out affectionately to her beloved ('Kannaa'), urging him to stay united with her throughout life and comparing him to a glowing moon walking on earth. She expresses how her heart wounds when he is far away, pleading with him to reveal himself upon hearing her melody. In the stanzas, the lyrics provide uplifting motivation alongside devotion. The speaker encourages the beloved to face life's obstacles without fear, comparing obstacles to clouds trying to hide the sun or small mice standing against a lion. She emphasizes her deep emotional bond, explaining that without him she feels like a plant root deprived of water, and reaffirms that her happiness and grief are entirely linked to his.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monoreyme / Epinome (Anaphora)

Kannaa vaa kannaa vaa / Mannaa vaa mannaa vaa

Repetition of 'Kannaa vaa' and 'Mannaa vaa' at line endings across the refrain creates a rhythmic and melodic chant.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagaththiram)

Mannil thavazhum vennilavaa

Comparing the beloved to 'vennilavu' (white moon on earth) and 'nanthavanam' (flower garden) to convey beauty and tranquility.

Analogy / Imagery

Sooriyanai moodi vaikka Megangalaal aagaathae

Using nature imagery such as clouds covering the sun or mice surrounding a lion to symbolize weakness confronting strength.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vengaiyin Mainthan' features music by Shankar Ganesh, who were extremely prolific in Tamil cinema during the late 70s and 80s. The song is sung by legendary playback singer P. Susheela, bringing out deep emotional warmth and classical nuance typical of her iconic 80s melodies.

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