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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannai Padithaen

From Ponnar Shankar · 2011

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Sriram Parthasarathy, Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ponnar Shankar2011

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeYet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...
Male
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeYet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...
Female
Suttri thrindhaen thitthitthirundhaenI wandered around, feeling sweet happiness,
Male
Suttri thrindhaen thitthitthirundhaenI wandered around, feeling sweet happiness,
Endhan idhaya kadhavaiThe door of my heart...
Yaen vandhu thirandhaaiWhy did you come and open it?
Female
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeYet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...
Female
Kannai thirandhaalum marandhaalumWhether I open my eyes or forget,
Theriyudhu undhan uruvam uyir uruvamYour image appears, your soul's image,
Idhayam adhai varaiyumMy heart keeps drawing it.
Male
Konji chirithaalum thavithaalumWhether laughing fondly or yearning,
Inikkudhu indha paruvam indha paruvamThis youth feels sweet, this youth,
Female
Alai alaiyaai aasaigalaiDesires like waves after waves,
Adukkadukkai anuppugiraaiYou send them in endless layers.
Male
Konjam rasithu konjam rusithuSavoring a little, tasting a little,
Konji anaithaen kaatril midhakkaI embraced affectionately to float in the wind.
Female
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Male :Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeMale: Yet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...
Male
Vatta valaiyodu kolusoduWith round bangles and sound of anklets,
Unnai isaithida varavaa vanna nilavaeShall I come to make music with you, O colorful moon?
Tharavaa thandhu peravaaShall I give, and by giving, receive?
Female
Chinna mazhaiyaaga veyilaagaAs a gentle shower, as warm sunshine,
Thottu thottu mutham tharavaaTouching gently, shall I offer kisses?
Thaalam idavaaShall I keep rhythm for you?
Male
Vizhi asaindhaal uyir asaiyumWhen your eyes move, my soul moves,
Pudhu isaiyai meettugiraaiYou strike a new melody.
Female
Indha nimidam indha sparisamThis moment, this physical touch,
Nindru nilaikkum kaalam muzhudhumWill stay etched forever across all time.
Female
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeYet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...
Male
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeYet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...
Female
Suttri thrindhaen thitthitthirundhaenI wandered around, feeling sweet happiness,
Male
Suttri thrindhaen thitthitthirundhaenI wandered around, feeling sweet happiness,
Endhan idhaya kadhavaiThe door of my heart...
Yaen vandhu thirandhaaiWhy did you come and open it?
Female
Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaenI read eyes, I read the sky,
Unnai padikka innum mudiyaliyaeYet I am unable to read you,
Innum mudiyaliyaeStill unable to read...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannai Padithaen is a romantic duet from the film Ponnar Shankar that poetically portrays the charming enigma of love. The protagonist muses on how easy it is to observe and understand nature or human eyes, yet how impossible it remains to fully decipher the beloved's heart and mind. The lyrics express the sensory magic of falling in love, where simple touches, glances, and memories create everlasting melodies in the soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Emonai (Internal Rhyme)

Kannai padithaen vinnai padithaen

Matching internal sound patterns between 'Kannai' (eyes) and 'vinnai' (sky).

Adukkuthodar (Reduplication)

Alai alaiyaai aasaigalai Adukkadukkai anuppugiraai

Repetition of words like 'Alai alaiyaai' (wave upon wave) and 'Adukkadukkai' (layer upon layer) to denote intensity and continuity.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Endhan idhaya kadhavai Yaen vandhu thirandhaai

Comparing the heart to a closed door ('idhaya kadhavai') unlocked by love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ponnar Shankar (2011) is a Tamil historical fiction film based on the novel of the same name by M. Karunanidhi. The film features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.

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