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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaadi Kannaadi

From Hi Nanna · 2023

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Hesham Abdul Wahab
Music director
Hesham Abdul Wahab
Details
Hi Nanna2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Hooo oo oooHooo oo ooo
Male
Kannaadi kannaadi paavaaiOh glass doll, delicate and clear
Aanaen unn aan thaayaaiI became your male mother
Viraloadu kadhai paesum poovaaiA flower that speaks stories with tiny fingers
Naan aanaen undhan kaatraaiI became the very air that surrounds you
Male
Vaaname indru endhanmelaeThe whole sky upon me today
Veezhndhadhae or thooral polaeHas fallen down like a gentle drizzle
Theeraa or inbamaaiAs an unending joy
Male
Hoo ooo ooo hoo oooHoo ooo ooo hoo ooo
Wohoo oo hoo ooWohoo oo hoo oo
Male
Undhan paadham thaeyaamalaeSo that your little feet do not wear out
Naanae kaalaagiraenI myself become your feet
Un chinna idhayam bayam kollum poludhuWhenever your little heart feels afraid
Naane un thuilaaigirenI become your comforting sleep
Male
Undhan kannoduAlong with your eyes
Nee kaanum kanavaagirenI become the dream that you see
Yemaatram adhu koodaEven if it is disappointment
Naan aagiraenI become that instead of you
Male
Nee sindhaa kanneeraaiAs the tear that you do not shed
Kaanaa parisaayai aavaenI will become an unseen gift
Nee kollaa inbam aavaenI will become the endless joy you hold
Male
Endrum unnai neengaen adiI will never leave you, my dear child
Moocchae needhanadiYou are my very breath, girl
En kaadhin oraamBeside my ear
Un suvaasa paadalThe song of your breathing
Endrendrum kaetpaenadiI will listen to forever, my child
Male
Ennai endrenum or naalEven if one day
Nee maranthalumeYou happen to forget me
Vaaneari ver engum paaranthalumeOr fly away high into the sky elsewhere
Naan maravaen en uyiraeI will never forget you, my life
Male
Neeyae endhan paecchaaiYou alone are my speech
Hey neeyae endhan moocchaaaiHey, you alone are my breath
Male
Kannaadi kannaadi paavaaiOh glass doll, delicate and clear
Aanaen unn aan thaayaaiI became your male mother
Viraloadu kadhai paesum poovaaiA flower that speaks stories with tiny fingers
Naan aanaen undhan kaatraaiI became the very air that surrounds you
Male
Vaaname indru endhanmelaThe whole sky upon me today
Veezhndhadhae or thooral polaeHas fallen down like a gentle drizzle
Theeraa or inbamaaiAs an unending joy

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannaadi Kannaadi Paavaai from Hi Nanna (2023) is a deeply moving ode to fatherhood, capturing the tender bond between a single father and his young daughter. The father describes himself as her 'Aan Thaai' (male mother), willing to cushion her every step, turn into her guiding light, and absorb any grief before it ever touches her. He expresses that his entire existence revolves around her innocent presence. The song highlights the selfless nature of paternal affection. Even if she grows up, flies far away, or forgets his presence, his devotion will remain unchanged as she is his very speech and breath.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Oxymoron / Paradox

“Aanaen unn aan thaayaai”

The term 'Aan Thaai' combines 'Aan' (Male) and 'Thaai' (Mother) to beautifully denote a father fulfilling the role of a mother.

Metaphor

“Kannaadi kannaadi paavaai”

Comparing the delicate child to a fragile glass doll ('Kannaadi paavaai').

Simile

“Veezhndhadhae or thooral polae”

Comparing the vast sentiment of joy landing on him to the sky raining down as a gentle drizzle ('thooral polae').

Monai (Initial Assonance)

“Nee sindhaa kanneeraai / Kaanaa parisaayai aavaen”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across successive phrases for rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is the Tamil equivalent of the hit Telugu song 'Gaaju Bomma' from the movie Hi Nanna (2023), starring Nani and Kiara Khanna. Lyricist Madhan Karky coined the expression 'Aan Thaai' (Male Mother) specifically to represent single fathers who take on both maternal and paternal care.

Keep listening

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