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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Vaa Kavithai

From Maragatha Veenai (1986) · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Maragatha Veenai (1986)1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa vaa kavithai solven vaa thalaivaaCome, my Krishna, I shall recite poetry, come my lord!
Anbe vaa azhuthu nindren vaa thunai vaaCome, my love, I stand crying, come as my companion!
Enna sodhanai dheiva vedhanaiWhat a ordeal! What divine agony!
Kaana velai kaanavillai naadhanaiAt the moment to see him, I haven't seen my master.
Female
Kannaa vaa kavithai solven vaa thalaivaaCome, my Krishna, I shall recite poetry, come my lord!
Female
Shruthi serum munbe isai paada vanthaenBefore the pitch was tuned, I came to sing music.
Vidhi serum munbe vilaiyaada vanthaenBefore fate reached me, I came to play.
Puraavai pola vaazhnthavalShe who lived like a dove,
Nilaavai pola thaeigiraenNow wanes like the moon.
Varaatha medai vanthavalShe who stepped onto an unfamiliar stage,
Anaathai pola paadinaenSang like an orphan.
Female
Ilaiya megam thirumpumaaWill the young cloud return?
Enathu mannil pozhuyumaaWill it rain upon my land?
Viraga pookkal arumbumaaWill the flowers of longing blossom?
Female
Kannaa vaa kavithai solven vaa thalaivaaCome, my Krishna, I shall recite poetry, come my lord!
Anbe vaa azhuthu nindren vaa thunai vaaCome, my love, I stand crying, come as my companion!
Female
Kural thanthavanai ival paadugindraalShe sings for the one who gave her a voice.
Varam thanthavanai ival thedugindraalShe searches for the one who granted her a boon.
Vaaraatha koottam vanthathuAn unexpected crowd gathered,
Sangeetham seitha velaiyoIs this the miracle performed by music?
Inneram unnai thedinaenAt this hour I searched for you,
Ennodu enna leelaiyoWhat game/play are you playing with me?
Female
Enthan kanneeril neer varumWater flows even in my tears,
Endru unthan thaer varumWhen will your chariot arrive?
Inaiya vendum iruvarumThe two of us must unite.
Female
Kannaa vaa kavithai solven vaa thalaivaaCome, my Krishna, I shall recite poetry, come my lord!
Anbe vaa azhuthu nindren vaa thunai vaaCome, my love, I stand crying, come as my companion!
Enna sodhanai dheiva vedhanaiWhat a ordeal! What divine agony!
Kaana velai kaanavillai naadhanaiAt the moment to see him, I haven't seen my master.
Female
Kannaa vaa kavithai solven vaa thalaivaaCome, my Krishna, I shall recite poetry, come my lord!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a woman's deep anguish, longing, and spiritual devotion toward her beloved lord/partner. Standing on stage in front of a crowd, she feels emotionally abandoned and likens her situation to playing music before tuning the pitch or fate overtaking her life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Puraavai pola vaazhnthaval / Nilaavai pola thaeigiraen

Compares her former peaceful life to a dove ('Puraavai pola') and her current suffering to the waning moon ('Nilaavai pola').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Shruthi serum munbe isai paada vanthaen / Vidhi serum munbe vilaiyaada vanthaen

Matching second consonants in successive lines (Shruthi / Vidhi, Kural / Varam).

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Ilaiya megam thirumpumaa / Enathu mannil pozhuyumaa

Expresses yearning using unanswered questions about rain and blooming flowers as symbols of reunion.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Kannaa Vaa Kavithai Solven' from the movie 'Maragatha Veenai' (1986) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki. S. Janaki's expressive vocal performance captures the emotional weight and classical nuances embedded in Vairamuthu's lyrics.

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