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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaal Nadathum Oru

From Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
1 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannal nadathum oru
Kadhai undu sollattuma
Female :Sonnaal unakkum adhil
Sugam undu sollattuma
Sandhana marangalai thaalattum kaatru
Thazhuva thudikkudhu unnai
Sandhana marangalai thaalattum kaatru
Thazhuva thudikkudhu unnai
Female :Thaalattum kaatrukku verenna theriyum
Anaikka thudikkudhu pennai
Thaalattum kaatrukku verenna theriyum
Anaikka thudikkudhu pennai
Sevvandhi methai ittu kollalaama
Female :Thithikkum muthamittu konjalaama
Male :Sevvandhi methai ittu kollalaama
Female :Thithikkum muthamittu konjalaama
Both :Ahaa humm
Kannal nadathum oru
Kadhai undu sollattuma
Female :Sonnaal unakkum adhil
Sugam undu sollattuma
Maaperum virinthendru maan pol ninaithu
Mayanga ninaikkudhu manasu
Maaperum virinthendru maan pol ninaithu
Mayanga ninaikkudhu manasu
Female :Manadhil kidanthu kodi pol asaindhu
Kulira thudikuthu vayasu
Manadhil kidanthu kodi pol asaindhu
Kulira thudikuthu vayasu
Rendalla ondru endru pesalaama
Female :Inbathai alli alli unnalaama
Male :Rendalla ondru endru pesalaama
Female :Inbathai alli alli unnalaama
Both :Ahaa humm
Kannal nadathum oru
Kadhai undu sollattuma
Female :Sonnaal unakkum adhil
Sugam undu sollattuma
There is a story played out by the eyes,
shall I tell it to you?
Female: If told, you too will find
sweet joy in it; shall I tell it?
The breeze that lulls the sandalwood trees
yearns to embrace you.
The breeze that lulls the sandalwood trees
yearns to embrace you.
Female: What else does the lulling breeze know?
It yearns to hold this woman close.
What else does the lulling breeze know?
It yearns to hold this woman close.
Shall we make a bed of yellow chrysanthemums?
Female: Shall we share sweet kisses and hold each other close?
Male: Shall we make a bed of yellow chrysanthemums?
Female: Shall we share sweet kisses and hold each other close?
Both: Aha, hm...
There is a story played out by the eyes,
shall I tell it to you?
Female: If told, you too will find
sweet joy in it; shall I tell it?
Seeing this grand feast like an eager deer,
the heart longs to lose itself.
Seeing this grand feast like an eager deer,
the heart longs to lose itself.
Female: Resting in the heart and swaying like a vine,
my youthful self yearns to be soothed.
Resting in the heart and swaying like a vine,
my youthful self yearns to be soothed.
Shall we say we are one and not two?
Female: Shall we scoop up joy and feast upon it?
Male: Shall we say we are one and not two?
Female: Shall we scoop up joy and feast upon it?
Both: Aha, hm...
There is a story played out by the eyes,
shall I tell it to you?
Female: If told, you too will find
sweet joy in it; shall I tell it?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Kannal nadathum oru kadhai' is a romantic duet from the 1971 Tamil film 'Yanai Valartha Vanampadi Magan'. The song expresses the intimate, silent language of love shared between two lovers where unspoken emotions are conveyed through eyes and soft touches. The couple engages in playful dialogue, comparing their longing to natural elements like gentle breezes lullabying sandalwood trees and vines swaying gracefully in the wind. Throughout the track, the lyrics written by Kannadasan convey deep affection, romantic desire, and union. The imagery of chrysanthemum flower beds, sweet kisses, and merging two souls into one highlights the timeless romantic aesthetic of 1970s Tamil cinema set to K. V. Mahadevan's melodic composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Kannal nadathum oru Kadhai undu sollattuma”

The non-verbal love expressed between lovers through glances is metaphorically described as a 'story conducted by the eyes'.

Tharchirappu Tharkurippetram (Personification)

“Sandhana marangalai thaalattum kaatru Thazhuva thudikkudhu unnai”

The soothing wind is personified as an entity that sings lullabies to sandalwood trees and yearns to embrace the lover.

Upamai (Simile)

“Maaperum virinthendru maan pol ninaithu”

The mind and desire are compared to a deer anticipating a grand feast ('maan pol ninaithu').

Upamai (Simile)

“Manadhil kidanthu kodi pol asaindhu”

The feminine posture and delicate body are compared to a gently swaying vine ('kodi pol asaindhu').

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Inbathai alli alli unnalaama”

The word 'alli' is repeated ('alli alli') to emphasize the abundant scooping and tasting of joy.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan. Recorded during the early rise of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in Tamil playback singing alongside S. Janaki, the song showcases classic early-70s orchestration with prominent acoustic instruments and gentle rhythmic cadences.

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