Kannai Pole Mannai Kakkum
From Agathiyar · 1972
- Lyricist
- Puthuneri Subramnyam
- Singers
- L. R. Eswari, Chorus
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Agathiyar1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa | Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye |
| Engal ponniyammaa | Our mother Ponni |
| Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa | Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time |
| Engal kanniyammaa | Our maiden mother |
| Chorus | |
| Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa | Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye |
| Engal ponniyammaa | Our mother Ponni |
| Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa | Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time |
| Engal kanniyammaa | Our maiden mother |
| Female | |
| Malaigalilae pirandhadhanaal malai magal aanom | Because we were born in the mountains, we became the mountain's daughter |
| Alaigal veesi varuvadhanaal alai magal aanom | Because we arrive surging with waves, we became the wave's daughter |
| Malaigalilae pirandhadhanaal malai magal aanom | Because we were born in the mountains, we became the mountain's daughter |
| Alaigal veesi varuvadhanaal alai magal aanom | Because we arrive surging with waves, we became the wave's daughter |
| Female | |
| Nilam sezhikka pozhivadhanaal nila magalaanom | Because we pour forth to make the land fertile, we became the earth's daughter |
| Nilam sezhikka pozhivadhanaal nila magalaanom | Because we pour forth to make the land fertile, we became the earth's daughter |
| Kalai manakka seivadhanaal kalai magalaanom | Because we cause arts and culture to bloom, we became the daughter of arts |
| Kalai manakka seivadhanaal kalai magalaanom | Because we cause arts and culture to bloom, we became the daughter of arts |
| Chorus | |
| Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa | Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye |
| Engal ponniyammaa | Our mother Ponni |
| Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa | Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time |
| Engal kanniyammaa | Our maiden mother |
| Female | |
| Valaindhu tharum naanalaiyae vaazha vaippomae | We shall sustain the humble reed that bends to yield |
| Vanangaadha thimir marathai vaeraruppomae | We shall uproot the stubborn and arrogant unbending tree |
| Valaindhu tharum naanalaiyae vaazha vaippomae | We shall sustain the humble reed that bends to yield |
| Vanangaadha thimir marathai vaeraruppomae | We shall uproot the stubborn and arrogant unbending tree |
| Female | |
| Kanindha pulavar kavidhai pola thelindhiruppomae | We shall remain as clear as the mature poetry of a wise poet |
| Kanindha pulavar kavidhai pola thelindhiruppomae | We shall remain as clear as the mature poetry of a wise poet |
| Kaadu kondru naadu kaakka thunindhiruppomae | We shall dare to reclaim forests and protect the nation |
| Kaadu kondru naadu kaakka thunindhiruppomae | We shall dare to reclaim forests and protect the nation |
| Chorus | |
| Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa | Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye |
| Engal ponniyammaa | Our mother Ponni |
| Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa | Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time |
| Engal kanniyammaa | Our maiden mother |
| Female | |
| Vaegam vandhaal vellamaaga pongi oduvom | If speed takes over, we will surge forward as a raging flood |
| Veembu vandhaal ooraiyellaam moozhga cheiguvom | If defiance arises, we will submerge entire towns |
| Vaegam vandhaal vellamaaga pongi oduvom | If speed takes over, we will surge forward as a raging flood |
| Veembu vandhaal ooraiyellaam moozhga cheiguvom | If defiance arises, we will submerge entire towns |
| Female | |
| Mogam vandhaal nalinamaaga kadalai kooduvom | When passion strikes, we will gracefully merge with the sea |
| Mogam vandhaal nalinamaaga kadalai kooduvom | When passion strikes, we will gracefully merge with the sea |
| Munivar nammai vanangugindra perumai sooduvom | We shall wear the honor of being worshiped by sages |
| Munivar nammai vanangugindra perumai sooduvom | We shall wear the honor of being worshiped by sages |
| Chorus | |
| Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa | Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye |
| Engal ponniyammaa | Our mother Ponni |
| Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa | Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time |
| Engal kanniyammaa | Our maiden mother |
கண்ணைப் போல மண்ணைக் காக்கும்
பொன்னியம்மா எங்கள் பொன்னியம்மா
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ வைக்கும்
கன்னியம்மா எங்கள் கன்னியம்மா
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Our mother Ponni
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Our maiden mother
கண்ணைப் போல மண்ணைக் காக்கும்
பொன்னியம்மா எங்கள் பொன்னியம்மா
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ வைக்கும்
கன்னியம்மா எங்கள் கன்னியம்மா
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Our mother Ponni
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Our maiden mother
மலைகளிலே பிறந்ததினால் மலைமகளானோம்
அலைகள் வீசி வருவதனால் அலைமகளானோம்
மலைகளிலே பிறந்ததினால் மலைமகளானோம்
அலைகள் வீசி வருவதனால் அலைமகளானோம்
Because we were born in the mountains, we became the mountain's daughter
Because we arrive surging with waves, we became the wave's daughter
Because we were born in the mountains, we became the mountain's daughter
Because we arrive surging with waves, we became the wave's daughter
நிலம் செழிக்கப் பொழிவதனால் நிலமகளானோம்
நிலம் செழிக்கப் பொழிவதனால் நிலமகளானோம்
கலை மணக்கச் செய்வதனால் கலை மகளானோம்
கலை மணக்கச் செய்வதனால் கலை மகளானோம்
Because we pour forth to make the land fertile, we became the earth's daughter
Because we pour forth to make the land fertile, we became the earth's daughter
Because we cause arts and culture to bloom, we became the daughter of arts
Because we cause arts and culture to bloom, we became the daughter of arts
கண்ணைப் போல மண்ணைக் காக்கும்
பொன்னியம்மா எங்கள் பொன்னியம்மா
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ வைக்கும்
கன்னியம்மா எங்கள் கன்னியம்மா
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Our mother Ponni
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Our maiden mother
வளைந்து தரும் நாணலையே வாழ வைப்போமே
வணங்காத திமிர் மரத்தை வேரறுப்போமே
வளைந்து தரும் நாணலையே வாழ வைப்போமே
வணங்காத திமிர் மரத்தை வேரறுப்போமே
We shall sustain the humble reed that bends to yield
We shall uproot the stubborn and arrogant unbending tree
We shall sustain the humble reed that bends to yield
We shall uproot the stubborn and arrogant unbending tree
கனிந்த புலவர் கவிதை போலத் தெளிந்திருப்போமே
கனிந்த புலவர் கவிதை போலத் தெளிந்திருப்போமே
காடு கொன்று நாடு காக்கத் துணிந்திருப்போமே
காடு கொன்று நாடு காக்கத் துணிந்திருப்போமே
We shall remain as clear as the mature poetry of a wise poet
We shall remain as clear as the mature poetry of a wise poet
We shall dare to reclaim forests and protect the nation
We shall dare to reclaim forests and protect the nation
கண்ணைப் போல மண்ணைக் காக்கும்
பொன்னியம்மா எங்கள் பொன்னியம்மா
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ வைக்கும்
கன்னியம்மா எங்கள் கன்னியம்மா
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Our mother Ponni
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Our maiden mother
வேகம் வந்தால் வெள்ளமாகப் பொங்கியோடுவோம்
வீம்பு வந்தால் ஊரயெல்லாம் மூழ்கச் செய்குவோம்
வேகம் வந்தால் வெள்ளமாகப் பொங்கியோடுவோம்
வீம்பு வந்தால் ஊரயெல்லாம் மூழ்கச் செய்குவோம்
If speed takes over, we will surge forward as a raging flood
If defiance arises, we will submerge entire towns
If speed takes over, we will surge forward as a raging flood
If defiance arises, we will submerge entire towns
மோகம் வந்தால் நளினமாகக் கடலைக் கூடுவோம்
மோகம் வந்தால் நளினமாகக் கடலைக் கூடுவோம்
முனிவர் நம்மை வணங்குகின்ற பெருமை சூடுவோம்
முனிவர் நம்மை வணங்குகின்ற பெருமை சூடுவோம்
When passion strikes, we will gracefully merge with the sea
When passion strikes, we will gracefully merge with the sea
We shall wear the honor of being worshiped by sages
We shall wear the honor of being worshiped by sages
கண்ணைப் போல மண்ணைக் காக்கும்
பொன்னியம்மா எங்கள் பொன்னியம்மா
காலமெல்லாம் வாழ வைக்கும்
கன்னியம்மா எங்கள் கன்னியம்மா
பொன்னியம்மா
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Our mother Ponni
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Our maiden mother
Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Engal ponniyammaa
Our mother Ponni
Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Engal kanniyammaa
Our maiden mother
Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Engal ponniyammaa
Our mother Ponni
Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Engal kanniyammaa
Our maiden mother
Malaigalilae pirandhadhanaal malai magal aanom
Because we were born in the mountains, we became the mountain's daughter
Alaigal veesi varuvadhanaal alai magal aanom
Because we arrive surging with waves, we became the wave's daughter
Malaigalilae pirandhadhanaal malai magal aanom
Because we were born in the mountains, we became the mountain's daughter
Alaigal veesi varuvadhanaal alai magal aanom
Because we arrive surging with waves, we became the wave's daughter
Nilam sezhikka pozhivadhanaal nila magalaanom
Because we pour forth to make the land fertile, we became the earth's daughter
Nilam sezhikka pozhivadhanaal nila magalaanom
Because we pour forth to make the land fertile, we became the earth's daughter
Kalai manakka seivadhanaal kalai magalaanom
Because we cause arts and culture to bloom, we became the daughter of arts
Kalai manakka seivadhanaal kalai magalaanom
Because we cause arts and culture to bloom, we became the daughter of arts
Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Engal ponniyammaa
Our mother Ponni
Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Engal kanniyammaa
Our maiden mother
Valaindhu tharum naanalaiyae vaazha vaippomae
We shall sustain the humble reed that bends to yield
Vanangaadha thimir marathai vaeraruppomae
We shall uproot the stubborn and arrogant unbending tree
Valaindhu tharum naanalaiyae vaazha vaippomae
We shall sustain the humble reed that bends to yield
Vanangaadha thimir marathai vaeraruppomae
We shall uproot the stubborn and arrogant unbending tree
Kanindha pulavar kavidhai pola thelindhiruppomae
We shall remain as clear as the mature poetry of a wise poet
Kanindha pulavar kavidhai pola thelindhiruppomae
We shall remain as clear as the mature poetry of a wise poet
Kaadu kondru naadu kaakka thunindhiruppomae
We shall dare to reclaim forests and protect the nation
Kaadu kondru naadu kaakka thunindhiruppomae
We shall dare to reclaim forests and protect the nation
Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Engal ponniyammaa
Our mother Ponni
Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Engal kanniyammaa
Our maiden mother
Vaegam vandhaal vellamaaga pongi oduvom
If speed takes over, we will surge forward as a raging flood
Veembu vandhaal ooraiyellaam moozhga cheiguvom
If defiance arises, we will submerge entire towns
Vaegam vandhaal vellamaaga pongi oduvom
If speed takes over, we will surge forward as a raging flood
Veembu vandhaal ooraiyellaam moozhga cheiguvom
If defiance arises, we will submerge entire towns
Mogam vandhaal nalinamaaga kadalai kooduvom
When passion strikes, we will gracefully merge with the sea
Mogam vandhaal nalinamaaga kadalai kooduvom
When passion strikes, we will gracefully merge with the sea
Munivar nammai vanangugindra perumai sooduvom
We shall wear the honor of being worshiped by sages
Munivar nammai vanangugindra perumai sooduvom
We shall wear the honor of being worshiped by sages
Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa
Oh mother Ponni, who protects the land like an eye
Engal ponniyammaa
Our mother Ponni
Kaalamellaam vaazha vaikkum kanniyammaa
Oh maiden mother, who sustains us for all time
Engal kanniyammaa
Our maiden mother
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song from the mythological Tamil film Agathiyar (1972) pays tribute to River Kaveri, fondly addressed as Mother Ponni. The lyrics personify the river as a divine force that nurtures the soil, fosters arts, brings life to agricultural lands, and protects civilization. Kaveri describes her journey from the mountain peaks down to the ocean, identifying herself as the daughter of mountains, waves, earth, and arts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa”
Compares the river's protective nature over the land to how one protects an eye ('Kannai pola mannai kaakkum').
Simile (Upamai)
“Kanindha pulavar kavidhai pola thelindhiruppomae”
Compares the clarity and purity of the river water to the refined composition of a great poet.
Personification
“Malaigalilae pirandhadhanaal malai magal aanom”
The river speaks in the first-person plural ('aanom', 'vaippomae'), taking on human emotions, moral choices, and divine identity.
Antithesis / Contrast
“Valaindhu tharum naanalaiyae vaazha vaippomae / Vanangaadha thimir marathai vaeraruppomae”
Contrasts the nurturing of gentle, yielding reeds with the destruction of unyielding, arrogant trees.
Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Kannai pola mannai kaakkum ponniyammaa”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'n' in Kannai and Mannai.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Agathiyar (1972), directed by A. P. Nagarajan, features music composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. This song visually portrays the mythological origin and flow of River Kaveri, highlighting Tamil Nadu's deep cultural and spiritual reverence for its life-giving rivers.
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