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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannadi Amma

From Paadha Poojai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, Vani Jairam
Music director
Jai Vijaya
Details
Paadha Poojai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannaeYour heart is like a mirror, my dear.
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattumWhen I look into it, it reflects my own face.
Deiveega pantham nam uravuOur relationship is a divine bond.
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavuIt is a moon that never wanes.
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavuIt is a moon that never wanes.
Female
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannaeYour heart is like a mirror, my dear.
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattumWhen I look into it, it reflects my own face.
Deiveega pantham nam uravuOur relationship is a divine bond.
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavuIt is a moon that never wanes.
Female
Sivantha nilanththin niramThe color of the red earth
Vaan pozhintha mazhaikkumAnd the rain poured by the sky,
Irandum kalantha nilaiThe state where both blend into one,
Naam piranthu valantha kalaiIs the art through which we were born and raised.
Thangam pol oru ullam vairam polA heart like gold, and like a diamond,
Adhu nee en kannae oho….oo….oo…That is you, my dear... oho... oo... oo...
Female
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannaeYour heart is like a mirror, my dear.
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattumWhen I look into it, it reflects my own face.
Deiveega pantham nam uravuOur relationship is a divine bond.
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu…..mhmmm….It is a moon that never wanes... mhmmm...
Female
Irunthu padaikkum virunthuThe feast prepared and served sitting together,
Unkku thaen allavaaIsn't it like honey to you?
Female :Arinthu inikkum virunthuFemale: The feast that tastes sweet upon knowing it,
Enakku neeyalavaaIsn't that you to me?
Female
Irunthu padaikkum virunthuThe feast prepared and served sitting together,
Unkku thaen allavaaIsn't it like honey to you?
Female :Arinthu inikkum virunthuFemale: The feast that tastes sweet upon knowing it,
Enakku neeyalavaaIsn't that you to me?
Female
Nenjam kinnamallavaaIsn't the heart like a bowl?
Paasam annamallavaaIsn't affection like food?
Paalum thaenum allavaaAren't they like milk and honey?
Enthan kannae oho….My dear, oho...
Female
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannaeYour heart is like a mirror, my dear.
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattumWhen I look into it, it reflects my own face.
Deiveega pantham nam uravuOur relationship is a divine bond.
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu…..mhmmm….It is a moon that never wanes... mhmmm...
Female
Namakku iraivan koduthaThe good fortunes given to us by God,
Nalangal thaayalavaaAre they not our mother?
Female :Anaiththu valarththa thagappanFemale: The father who embraced and raised us,
Gunathil seyallavaaIsn't his virtue reflected in the child?
Female
Namakku iraivan koduthaThe good fortunes given to us by God,
Nalangal thaayalavaaAre they not our mother?
Female :Anaiththu valarththa thagappanFemale: The father who embraced and raised us,
Gunathil seyallavaaIsn't his virtue reflected in the child?
Female
Illam koyil allavaaIsn't the home like a temple?
Deivam kaavalalvaaIsn't God the guardian?
Anbu dheepamallavaaIsn't love like the sacred lamp?
Enthan kannae oho….oo….My dear, oho... oo...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kannadi Amma Un Idhayam' from the 1974 film Paadha Poojai is a soulful female duet celebrating familial devotion, divine love, and pure character. Sung by P. Susheela and Vani Jairam, the song draws a tender parallel between a loved one's heart and a clear mirror that transparently reflects true selflessness and affection. Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully incorporates ancient Sangam literary imagery to illustrate how lives blend inextricably together like rain mixing with red soil. The song further elevates family virtues, characterizing the mother as a divine blessing, the father's nobility as the foundation of character, and the loving home as a temple protected by God.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sangam Imagery / Simile (Upamai)

Sivantha nilanththin niram Vaan pozhintha mazhaikkum Irandum kalantha nilai

Lines 10-12 reference the famous Sangam Kuruntokai metaphor (Sembulam pealneer) where red earth and rain blend indistinguishably, symbolizing unified souls and lives.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannae

Directly compares the heart to a mirror ('Kannadi'), the relationship to an undiminishing moon ('theyaatha nilavu'), and the home to a temple ('Illam koyil').

Rhyme (Ethirai)

Illam koyil allavaa / Deivam kaavalalvaa

The second letter matching pattern seen in Tamil poetry, such as 'Sivantha' and 'Irandum' or 'Illam' and 'Deivam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Sivantha nilanththin niram...' is a direct poetic homage by Kannadasan to Verse 40 of Kuruntokai ('Yayum yayum yaragiyaro'), one of the most famous classical Tamil love poems. The music for Paadha Poojai was composed by the duo Jai Vijaya.

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