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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannadi Amma

From Paadha Poojai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, Vani Jairam
Music director
Jai Vijaya
Movie name
Paadha Poojai
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
24 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannae
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattum
Deiveega pantham nam uravu
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannae
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattum
Deiveega pantham nam uravu
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu
Sivantha nilanththin niram
Vaan pozhintha mazhaikkum
Irandum kalantha nilai
Naam piranthu valantha kalai
Thangam pol oru ullam vairam pol
Adhu nee en kannae oho….oo….oo…
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannae
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattum
Deiveega pantham nam uravu
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu…..mhmmm….
Irunthu padaikkum virunthu
Unkku thaen allavaa
Female :Arinthu inikkum virunthu
Enakku neeyalavaa
Irunthu padaikkum virunthu
Unkku thaen allavaa
Female :Arinthu inikkum virunthu
Enakku neeyalavaa
Nenjam kinnamallavaa
Paasam annamallavaa
Paalum thaenum allavaa
Enthan kannae oho….
Kannadi amma un idhayam en kannae
Naan adhai paarththaal en mugam kaattum
Deiveega pantham nam uravu
Ennaalum theyaatha nilavu…..mhmmm….
Namakku iraivan kodutha
Nalangal thaayalavaa
Female :Anaiththu valarththa thagappan
Gunathil seyallavaa
Namakku iraivan kodutha
Nalangal thaayalavaa
Female :Anaiththu valarththa thagappan
Gunathil seyallavaa
Illam koyil allavaa
Deivam kaavalalvaa
Anbu dheepamallavaa
Enthan kannae oho….oo….
Your heart is a mirror, my dear,
when I look into it, it shows my face.
Our bond is a divine relationship,
a moon that never wanes.
A moon that never wanes.
Your heart is a mirror, my dear,
when I look into it, it shows my face.
Our bond is a divine relationship,
a moon that never wanes.
Like the color of the red soil
and the rain falling from the sky,
the way the two blend together
is the way our lives grew and blossomed.
A heart like gold, precious as a diamond—
that is who you are, my darling, oh...
Your heart is a mirror, my dear,
when I look into it, it shows my face.
Our bond is a divine relationship,
a moon that never wanes... mm-hmm...
The feast lovingly served to you,
isn't it sweet as honey?
And the sweet feast that delights the soul,
aren't you that feast to me?
The feast lovingly served to you,
isn't it sweet as honey?
And the sweet feast that delights the soul,
aren't you that feast to me?
Isn't the heart a cup,
and love the food served within it?
Aren't we like milk and honey,
my darling, oh...
Your heart is a mirror, my dear,
when I look into it, it shows my face.
Our bond is a divine relationship,
a moon that never wanes... mm-hmm...
All the goodness God has given us,
isn't that our mother?
And the father who embraced and raised us,
isn't he goodness translated into action?
All the goodness God has given us,
isn't that our mother?
And the father who embraced and raised us,
isn't he goodness translated into action?
Isn't our home a temple?
Isn't God our protector?
Isn't love the glowing lamp,
my darling, oh...
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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