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Lyrics & meaning

Kannaa Vaa

From Manikarnika (The Queen of Jhansi) · 2019

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Hamsika Iyer
Music director
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Details
Manikarnika (The Queen of Jhansi)2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
InbangondaadaTo celebrate joy,
Punnagai choodaTo wear a smile,
Kaaranam yedhenru keladee..Ask, my friend, what the reason is..
Mannengum aala vinnendru neelaTo rule over the earth, to stretch endless like the blue sky,
Mannavan udhikkum naaladee…This is the day the king rises, O girl...
Female
InbangondaadaTo celebrate joy,
Punnagai choodaTo wear a smile,
Kaaranam yedhenru keladee..Ask, my friend, what the reason is..
Mannengum aala vinnendru neelaTo rule over the earth, to stretch endless like the blue sky,
Mannavan udhikkum naaladee…This is the day the king rises, O girl...
Female
Unadhu varugai kaanathaan…Just to see your arrival...
Unadhu varugai kaanathaan…Just to see your arrival...
Kaathirundhen kannaaI waited, Krishna,
Undhan kuralai ketkathaanJust to hear your voice,
Thavamirundhen kannaaI performed penance, Krishna.
Female
Varamaaga pirandhaaiYou were born as a boon,
DhaamodharaaO Damodara,
Aanaalum bayam ennil yenadaa..Yet, why do I feel fear inside me..
Paadhaiyengum poovirithaenI spread flowers all along the path,
Undhan paadham nee adhil vaikkaFor you to place your feet upon it,
KaathirukkindrenI am waiting,
Kannaa vaa….Come, Krishna....
Female
Unadhu varugai kaanathaan…Just to see your arrival...
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Female
Unai alli anaikkaiyilaeWhen I gather and embrace you,
Enai thalli chellaadhaeDo not push me away and go.
Naalum ennai azhacheidhaeMaking me cry every day,
Azhaganae kollaadhae…O handsome one, do not kill me with grief...
Female
Odi chendru olindhu konduRunning away and hiding,
Thidukkendru thondruvaayaeYou suddenly appear,
Maraindhirukkum kannaaO Krishna who stays hidden,
Odi vaadaa…Run and come to me...
Female
Varamaaga pirandhaaiYou were born as a boon,
DhaamodharaaO Damodara,
Aanaalum bayam ennil yenadaa..Yet, why do I feel fear inside me..
Paadhaiyengum poovirithaenI spread flowers all along the path,
Undhan paadham nee adhil vaikkaFor you to place your feet upon it,
KaathirukkindrenI am waiting,
Kannaa vaa….aaaa….aaa..Come, Krishna....aaaa....aaa..
Female
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Hmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmmHmm mm hmm mm mmm mm hmm
Female
Mann unda vaayin ullaeInside the mouth that ate mud,
Ulagathai kandenaeI saw the universe,
Nee ennai pirigaiyilaeWhen you leave me,
Irulil moozhginenaeI sink into darkness.
Female
Nee udaikkum paanaigalilIn the pots that you break,
Un kurumbu minnumadaaYour mischief glimmers,
En idhaya paanaiyaiThe pot of my heart,
Nee yen udaithaai…Why did you break it...
Female
Uyiraaga kidaithaaiI found you as my very life,
DhaamodharaaO Damodara,
Aanaalum bayam ennil yenadaa..Yet, why do I feel fear inside me..
Paadhaiyengum poovirithaenI spread flowers all along the path,
Undhan paadham nee adhil vaikkaFor you to place your feet upon it,
KaathirukkindrenI am waiting,
Kannaa vaa….Come, Krishna....
Kannaa vaa….Come, Krishna....
Kannaa vaa….Come, Krishna....
Kannaa vaa….Come, Krishna....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender and maternal lullaby written from the perspective of a mother addressing her child as Lord Krishna (Damodara). She rejoices in the birth of her child, celebrating him as a king born to rule and bring light. She compares her deep longing for her child to a religious penance, expressing how she laid flowers on his path while eagerly awaiting his presence. Throughout the song, the mother weaves mythology with raw motherly anxiety. She recalls iconic Krishna tales—such as seeing the universe inside his mud-filled mouth and his playful habit of breaking butter pots—metaphorically connecting them to her own delicate heart. Despite the bliss of holding her precious child, an overwhelming sense of maternal fear looms over her, fearing the inevitable separation or harm that might befall her beloved baby.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Agedhai / Metaphor

En idhaya paanaiyai / Nee yen udaithaai…

Comparing the human heart to a clay pot ('En idhaya paanaiyai') that Krishna playfully breaks.

Edugai (Rhyme in Tamil Poetry)

Mannengum aala vinnendru neela / Mannavan udhikkum naaladee…

Second letter rhyming in consecutive lines: 'Mannengum' and 'Mannavan'.

Allusion / Mythological Imagery

Mann unda vaayin ullae / Ulagathai kandenae

References the famous Vishwaroopam vision inside infant Krishna's mouth after he ate mud.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is part of the Tamil dubbed album for the 2019 epic biographical period drama 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy with Tamil lyrics penned by Madhan Karky.

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