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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannai Kavarum Kalai

From Neelavukku Neranja Manasu · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Neelavukku Neranja Manasu1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………....
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Idhai kandaalae paranthodum manakkavalaiJust seeing it makes heart worries fly away.
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Idhai kandaalae paranthodum manakkavalaiJust seeing it makes heart worries fly away.
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Female
Ennaththai velikaattum mugapaavamFacial expression reveals the thoughts,
Mm ennaththai velikaattum mugapaavamMm, facial expression reveals the thoughts,
Idharkku pannaalae uyiroottum sugaraagamSweet music breathes life through musical tunes,
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…aa….Aa....aa....aa....aa....aa...aa....
Ennaththai velikkaattum mugapaavamFacial expression reveals the thoughts,
Idharkku pannaalae uyiroottum sugaraagamSweet music breathes life through musical tunes,
Intha irandukkum vali kaattum thaalamRhythm guides both of these,
Female
………………....
Female
Irandukkum vali kaattum thaalamRhythm guides both of these,
Moondrum inaiththu vaguththu thoguththu amaiththaCombining, classifying, and structuring these three,
Bharatha munivar arumaiyudan namakaliththaSage Bharata lovingly bestowed this upon us,
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Idhai kandaalae paranthodum manakkavalaiJust seeing it makes heart worries fly away.
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Female
Arputham veeram achcham kobamWonder, valor, fear, anger,
Shanthi perunagai sogam srungaaramPeace, laughter, sorrow, romance,
Arputham veeram achcham kobamWonder, valor, fear, anger,
Shanthi perunagai sogam srungaaramPeace, laughter, sorrow, romance,
Karunai ena varum navarasamaeAlong with compassion, making the nine emotions (Navarasa),
Karunai ena varum navarasamaeAlong with compassion, making the nine emotions (Navarasa),
Namatharivinai izhuththidum adhan vasamaeIt draws our intellect under its hypnotic spell.
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Idhai kandaalae paranthodum manakkavalaiJust seeing it makes heart worries fly away.
Female
Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalaiBharatanatyam is an eye-captivating art,
Female
Singaara kannaaOh beautiful Krishna,
Unnai engae sendru theduvathuWhere shall I go search for you?
Singaara kannaaOh beautiful Krishna,
Unnai engae sendru theduvathuWhere shall I go search for you?
Female
Sollum seyalum ondraayirukkumOur words and actions are as one,
Sudhanthira koottam naangaWe are a free-spirited group,
Oorellaam enga edanthaanungaThe whole town is our place!
Sollum seyalum ondraayirukkumOur words and actions are as one,
Sudhanthira koottam naangaWe are a free-spirited group,
Oorellaam enga edanthaanungaThe whole town is our place!
Female
Potti poraamai kidaiyaathuThere is no rivalry or jealousy,
Enga aattaththukethaan eedethuWhat can ever equal our dance?
Potti poraamai kidaiyaathuThere is no rivalry or jealousy,
Enga aattaththukethaan eedethuWhat can ever equal our dance?
Female
Sollum seyalum ondraayirukkumOur words and actions are as one,
Sudhanthira koottam naangaWe are a free-spirited group,
Oorellaam enga edanthaanungaThe whole town is our place!
Sollum seyalum ondraayirukkumOur words and actions are as one,
Sudhanthira koottam naangaWe are a free-spirited group,
Oorellaam enga edanthaanungaThe whole town is our place!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song celebrates the traditional Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam, highlighting its artistic components, emotional depth, and spiritual origin. It explains how facial expression (Bhavam), melody (Raagam), and rhythm (Thaalam) were structured together by Sage Bharata. The song details the nine primary classical emotions (Navarasa)—wonder, heroism, fear, anger, peace, laughter, sorrow, romance, and compassion—showing how they captivate the viewer's intellect and relieve mental stress. In the latter section, the song transitions into a vibrant, carefree folk rhythm expressing unity, honesty, freedom from jealousy, and the joy of dancing together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannai kavarum kalai barathakkalai

Repetition of the initial 'k' sound ('Kannai', 'kalai') creating rhythmic harmony.

Internal Rhyming (Iyaibu)

Moondrum inaiththu vaguththu thoguththu amaiththa

Use of rhyming verbal adverbs ending in '-ththu' ('inaiththu', 'vaguththu', 'thoguththu', 'amaiththa') to create fluid cadence.

Enumeration (Navarasa Listing)

Arputham veeram achcham kobam / Shanthi perunagai sogam srungaaram

Poetic listing of the nine aesthetic human emotions (Navarasa) codified in Natya Shastra.

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Trivia

Written by lyricist A. Maruthakasi for the 1958 film 'Neelavukku Neranja Manasu', this song uniquely incorporates complex Classical Indian dance theory and Sanskrit aesthetics (Navarasa and Natya Shastra) into accessible film song lyrics.

Keep listening

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