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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaa Manam Kallo

From Kadavulin Kuzhandhai · 1960

Lyricist
Namakkal R. Balu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kadavulin Kuzhandhai1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaa manam kalloOh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?
Kanivudane kadhal geedham kelaayoWon't you listen to this love song with tenderness?
Kannaa manam kalloOh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?
Kanivudane kadhal geedham kelaayoWon't you listen to this love song with tenderness?
Female
Kannaa manam kalloOh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?
Female
Enneramum unnai ninainthaeThinking of you at all times,
Yaengum ennai maranthaayoHave you forgotten me, who longingly yearns for you?
Enneramum unnai ninainthaeThinking of you at all times,
Yaengum ennai maranthaayoHave you forgotten me, who longingly yearns for you?
Female
Malarai naadi varum maarutham naanaeI am the breeze seeking out the blossom,
Malarai naadi varum maarutham naanaeI am the breeze seeking out the blossom,
Maaraatha uravaadavae theeraatha kurai theeravaeTo share an unchanging bond and fulfill everlasting longings,
Bharatha mugam niyaamaa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Is it fair to turn your face away in indifference?
Aa…aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….Ah... (vocalizing)
Female
Kannaa manam kalloOh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?
Kanivudane kadhal geedham kelaayoWon't you listen to this love song with tenderness?
Female
Kannaa manam kalloOh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?
Female
Aaa…aa…aa…mmm….mm…aa…aa…Ah... (vocalizing)
Female
Kannodu kann kalanthae magizhnthaalIf our eyes meet and rejoice together,
Kaanum thunbam maraiyaathoWon't the sorrows surrounding us vanish?
Kannodu kann kalanthae magizhnthaalIf our eyes meet and rejoice together,
Kaanum thunbam maraiyaathoWon't the sorrows surrounding us vanish?
Female
Paruva kaattriloru pambaram polaeSpinning like a top in a seasonal breeze,
Paruva kaattriloru pambaram polaeSpinning like a top in a seasonal breeze,
Paankoodu naanaalavae thaenkoodu neeyaagumeIf I am a nest of graceful beauty, you become a hive full of honey,
Veen kobam yaeno en mel…aa…aa…aa….aa….Why this futile anger towards me?
Aaa….aa….aa….aa…aa….aa….aa….aa…..Ah... (vocalizing)
Female
Kannaa manam kalloOh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?
Kanivudane kadhal geedham kelaayoWon't you listen to this love song with tenderness?
Female
Kannaa manam kallo….Oh Krishna, is your heart made of stone?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the tender longing and emotional plea of a lover addressing her beloved Krishna. She questions his apparent coldness and indifference, asking whether his heart has turned to stone while she continuously pine for his affection. She appeals to his compassion, inviting him to listen to her song of devotion and love. Through beautiful imagery of nature—comparing herself to a breeze seeking a flower, and their bond to harmony and sweetness—she urges him to cast aside his needless anger. She believes that a single loving glance from him can dispel all sorrow, pleading for reconciliation and a lasting reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kannaa manam kallo

The lover compares her beloved's heart to stone ('manam kallo') to highlight his indifference, and compares herself to a wind seeking a flower ('Malarai naadi varum maarutham naanae').

Simile (Uwamai)

Paruva kaattriloru pambaram polae

The line 'Paruva kaattriloru pambaram polae' uses 'pambaram polae' (like a spinning top) as a explicit simile to describe how her emotions are tossed around in the seasonal wind.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Egal / Monai)

Kanivudane kadhal geedham kelaayo

The repetition of the initial consonant sounds and end-rhymes across lines like 'Kannaa', 'Kanivudane', and 'Kannodu' adds a rhythmic and melodic quality to the lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by legendary music director G. Ramanathan, 'Kannaa manam kallo' features the iconic vocals of P. Susheela. The film 'Kadavulin Kuzhandhai' (1960) showcases classical Karnatic-influenced orchestration that was characteristic of G. Ramanathan's golden era of Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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