Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaana Thaai Naadae

From Kanavu · 1954

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music directors
G. Ramanathan, V. Dakshinamurthy
Movie name
Kanavu
Movie release year
1954
Lyrics added on
7 Nov 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannaana thaai naadae
Kaveri paayum thirunaadae
Kalai ezhil mevum valar naadae
Kannaana thaai naadae
Singaara kaaikari thottam
Idhai seeraaga kaaththidil joraaga kaaiththidum
Maaraatha ananntha moottum
Kannaana thaai naadae
Pudhu vagai poonjsedi koottam
Ivai pookkaathu enpathaalae
Valarkkaatha pergalum undoo
Ezhil vadivaaga thoondridum ilai meethu kangalai
Vaikkaatha pergalum undo
Kannaana thaai naadae
Kaveri paayum thirunaadae
Kalai ezhil mevum valar naadae
Vinnilae kann simittum meengal koottam
Mannilae udhirnthathu pol kaanum poonthoottam
Manammigu malligai mullai
Idhil mayangaatha perillai
Idhai andraadam kaalai maalai
En kann pola pottriyae neeroottrik kaappathu
Ondrae naan inburum velai
Kannaana thaai naadae
Kaveri paayum thirunaadae
Kalai ezhil mevum valar naadae
O motherland, precious as my own eyes,
O blessed land where the Kaveri flows,
O thriving land filled with artistic beauty,
O motherland, precious as my own eyes...
A lovely vegetable garden—
If cared for well, it yields in abundance,
Bringing unending joy.
O motherland, precious as my own eyes...
A collection of new flowering plants—
Just because they may not blossom,
Is there anyone who would not grow them?
Upon their beautifully shaped leaves,
Is there anyone who wouldn't set their loving eyes?
O motherland, precious as my own eyes,
O blessed land where the Kaveri flows,
O thriving land filled with artistic beauty,
Like a cluster of stars twinkling in the sky,
This flower garden looks as if they fell to the earth.
With fragrant jasmine and mullai flowers,
There is no one who is not charmed by them.
Every day, morning and evening,
Watering and cherishing them like my own eyes—
That is the one task that brings me joy...
O motherland, precious as my own eyes,
O blessed land where the Kaveri flows,
O thriving land filled with artistic beauty.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Kannaana Thaai Naadae' is a soulful ode to the fertile motherland nourished by the sacred Kaveri river. It celebrates the country's natural beauty, rich agriculture, and artistic heritage. Through lush imagery of blooming gardens and bountiful vegetation, the song highlights the joy of caring for nature, drawing a parallel between devotion to the land and love for one's motherland. The lyricist conveys that tending to gardens daily, watering them, and watching them bloom brings supreme happiness. The flowers on earth are poetically likened to stars that have descended from the sky, making the motherland a living paradise that captivates every observer.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Kannaana thaai naadae”

Compares the motherland directly to one's precious eyes ('Kannaana thaai naadae') to show ultimate value and devotion.

Simile (Uwamai)

“Mannilae udhirnthathu pol kaanum poonthoottam”

Compares the vibrant flower garden on earth to stars that have fallen down from the sky ('udhirnthathu pol').

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Kannaana thaai naadae / Kaveri paayum thirunaadae / Kalai ezhil mevum valar naadae”

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines ('Kannaana', 'Kaveri', 'Kalai').

Rhetoric Question (Vinaaiyani)

“Valarkkaatha pergalum undoo”

Uses rhetorical questions ('pergalum undoo', 'pergalum undo') to emphasize that everyone naturally admires and tends to nature's beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the 1954 film 'Kanavu' was composed jointly by music maestros V. Dakshinamoorthi and G. Ramanathan. Rendered by Carnatic music legend M. L. Vasanthakumari (MLV), the lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi capture the patriotic and agricultural pride characteristic of mid-20th-century Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Laabama Nashtama1956
SatharamEcologyReflective
Aalankuruvigalaa2019
BakridNatureBeauty
Vidiya Vidiya1985
Nalla ThambiDevotionEcology
Takkaru Takkaru2014
Hip Hop Tamizha AlbumPatriotismNature
Aandae Nootrandae2000
MugavariNatureEcology
Elay2007
SakkarakattiEcologyCelebratory

From the same album

More songs from Kanavu

View album
Paedhai Naan1954
KanavuSorrowful
Karuvande Katti Karkande1954
KanavuPlayful
Eliyorkku Suga Vaazhvu1954
KanavuMelancholic
Annaale Nannaale1954
KanavuCelebratory

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.