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Lyrics & meaning

Kanna Vaa Vaa Mani Vannaa

From Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal · 1959

Lyricist
Kavi Rajagopal
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Movie name
Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
25 Oct 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
Mani vanna amudhai nee unnavaa
Mani vanna amudhai nee unnavaa vaa
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
Oruthi maganaaga pirandhaaye
Mattroruthi maganaaga valarndhaaye
Devaki maganaaga pirandhaaye
Yeshodhai maganaaga valarndhaaye
Vedikkai kattugiraai maaya kanna
Pala vedikkai kattugiraai maaya kanna
Idhu vadikkaiyo unakku vaana vanna
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
Mani vanna amudhai nee unnavaa vaa
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
Thaalattum bhagiyathai thandha raaja
En thangha raaja
Ennai thaaiyaakki vaalvitha thangha rojaa
Haaa..aaa..aa..
Thaalattum bhagiyathai thandha raaja
Ennai thaaiyaakki vaalvitha thangha rojaa
Pon vaira maanikka nagai potti
Unakku pon vaira maanikka nagai potti
Nenjam poorikka vandhaaga undhan paatti
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
Mani vanna amudhai nee unnavaa
Mani vanna amudhai nee unnavaa vaa
Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
O jewel-hued one, come eat this sweet nectar!
O jewel-hued one, come eat this sweet nectar, come!
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
You were born as the son of one mother,
And raised as the son of another!
You were born as Devaki's son,
And raised as Yashoda's son!
You play such playful tricks, O magical Krishna!
You play so many playful tricks, O magical Krishna!
Is this your usual way, O sky-blue one?
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
O jewel-hued one, come eat this sweet nectar, come!
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
My little prince who blessed me with the joy of singing lullabies,
My golden prince,
My golden rose who made me a mother and filled my life with joy,
Ha... aa... aa...
My little prince who blessed me with the joy of singing lullabies,
My golden rose who made me a mother and filled my life with joy,
Bringing jewels of gold, diamonds, and rubies,
Bringing jewels of gold, diamonds, and rubies for you,
Your grandmother has arrived with a heart full of joy!
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
O jewel-hued one, come eat this sweet nectar!
O jewel-hued one, come eat this sweet nectar, come!
O Krishna, come, come, O jewel-hued one, come, come!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic lullaby from 'Mamiyar Mechiya Marumagal' is a deeply affectionate maternal invocation to Lord Krishna. The mother affectionately coaxes child Krishna to drink milk (referred to lovingly as 'amudhu' or divine nectar). She recalls his divine mythology—being born to Devaki and raised by Yashoda—and playfully comments on his mischievous, magical nature that is habitual to his divine form.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Oruthi maganaaga pirandhaaye / Mattroruthi maganaaga valarndhaaye”

Matching end sounds in adjacent lines, creating a rhythmic cadence suitable for a lullaby.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Ennai thaaiyaakki vaalvitha thangha rojaa”

Comparing mother's milk to nectar (amudhu) and the child to a golden rose (thangha rojaa).

Etuukai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Thaalattum bhagiyathai thandha raaja / Ennai thaaiyaakki vaalvitha thangha rojaa”

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('tha' in thaalattum / ennai thaaiyaakki).

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

“Kanna vaa vaa mani vanna vaa vaa”

Repetition of 'vaa vaa' (come, come) for rhythmic urgency and affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by the legendary Carnatic maestro M. L. Vasanthakumari, this composition by R. Sudarsanam remains one of the finest classical lullabies in Tamil film cinema. The song beautifully captures the 'Vatsalya Bhava' (maternal affection) characteristic of traditional Krishna devotion.

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