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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaal Nallaa

From Sarangathara · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
A. P. Komala, P. Bhanumathi
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Sarangathara1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Kanimozhiye unakkaana jodiyaiO sweet-spoken one, look at the match made for you
Kanimozhiye unakkaana jodiyaiO sweet-spoken one, look at the match made for you
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Female
Karumbhu pechukkaaranHe is a sweet-talker like sugarcane
Kandhaaram vendra veeranA warrior who conquered Gandhara
Ivan karumbhu pechukkaaranHe is a sweet-talker like sugarcane
Kandhaaram vendra veeranA warrior who conquered Gandhara
Kaamboja naattai aalumThe ruler of Kamboja nation
Kalikaala manmadhanThe Cupid of this Kali Age
Kaamboja naattai aalumThe ruler of Kamboja nation
Kalikaala manmadhanThe Cupid of this Kali Age
Female
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Female
AhaaAha!
Sithirathai paarthaaleJust looking at this portrait
Sirikkathaan thonudhadiIt only makes me laugh
Sithaana kuttiyai polLike a tiny little chick
Dhega valam kaanuthadiLook at his bodily posture
Female
Azhagaesan kannu rendumThis handsome lord's two eyes
Aandhai kangal thanAre just like owl eyes
Andha sandham ellaamaeAnd all that grace of his
Vanji unnai pol thaanIs just like yours, my maid!
Female
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Kanimozhiye unakkaana jodiyaiO sweet-spoken one, look at the match made for you
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Female
Vanga nattu thangamThe gold of the Bengal country
Sangeetha raaja singamA kingly lion of music
Ivan vanga nattu thangamHe is the gold of the Bengal country
Sangeetha raaja singamA kingly lion of music
Vaadatha mullai unnaiYou who are an unfading jasmine
Manam seiya yettravanHe is the right one to marry you
Vaadatha mullai unnaiYou who are an unfading jasmine
Manam seiya yettravanHe is the right one to marry you
Female
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Female
KalliYou sly girl!
Indha singathai paarthaaleJust looking at this lion
Thigil undaagudhadiFright strikes my heart
Oru singaari aanudaiyilLike a glamorous woman
Iruppadhai pol thonudhadiDressed in male attire, it appears!
Sirikkindra kalli unYou laughing sly woman, look at
Singam thannai paaruYour so-called lion
Arumbhavum illaiNot a bit has sprouted yet
Azhagaana mesaiyaeOf a handsome mustache!
Arumbhavum illaiNot a bit has sprouted yet
Azhagaana mesaiyaeOf a handsome mustache!
Female
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Un ennam enna kooruTell me what is on your mind
Kanimozhiye unakkaana jodiyaiO sweet-spoken one, look at the match made for you
Kannaal nallaa paaruLook closely with your eyes
Female
Arumbhu meesaikkaaranA man with a budding mustache
Anjaadha sutha veeranA fearless, pure warrior
Arumbhu meesaikkaaranA man with a budding mustache
Anjaadha sutha veeranA fearless, pure warrior
Hasithinapuri yuvaraajanThe crown prince of Hastinapur
Saarangan Enum maaranSarangadhara, who is like Cupid
Hasithinapuri yuvaraajanThe crown prince of Hastinapur
Saarangan Enum maaranSarangadhara, who is like Cupid

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannaal nallaa paaru from the 1958 Tamil film Sarangathara is a playful and lighthearted musical banter between princess Chitrangi and her maid as they review portraits of royal suitors. One companion highlights the accomplishments, valor, and royal charm of princes from Gandhara, Kamboja, Vanga, and Hastinapur, while the other playfully mocks the images, comparing their eyes to owls or teasing the lack of a full mustache, until Sarangadhara himself is presented as the ideal match.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Karumbhu pechukkaaran / Kandhaaram vendra veeran

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across consecutive words and lines for lyrical rhythm.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vanga nattu thangam / Sangeetha raaja singam

Matching of the second consonant sound 'nga' across rhyming lines.

Simile (Upama)

Azhagaesan kannu rendum / Aandhai kangal than

Comparison of the eyes in the portrait to owl eyes using 'than'.

Metaphor (Rupaka)

Kalikaala manmadhan

Comparing the prince directly to the god of love (Manmatha) of the present age.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sarangathara (1958) starred Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. Legendary composer G. Ramanathan composed the score, and Bhanumathi herself sang this track along with A. P. Komala, showcasing her comic timing and classical vocal agility.

Keep listening

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