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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaiah Nee

From Kaliyuga Kannan · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Kaliyuga Kannan1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaaO Krishna, you are my very eyes!
Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaaO Krishna, you are my very eyes!
Chellapillai suttipillai neethaanaiyaaYou alone are the beloved child, the playful child, my Lord.
Unnai konjum annai indru naanthaanaiyyaaToday, I am the mother who fondles you, my Lord.
Naanthanaiyyaa inba naalthanaiyaaIt is indeed I, my Lord; today is a day of bliss, my Lord!
Nanthalaala…..nanthalaala…..nanthalaala…..Nandhalaala… Nandhalaala… Nandhalaala…
Female
Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaaO Krishna, you are my very eyes!
Chellapillai suttipillai neethaanaiyaaYou alone are the beloved child, the playful child, my Lord.
Neethaanaiyaa….You alone, my Lord…
Female
Pennoruthi pettreduththaalOne woman gave birth to you,
Innoruththi paal koduthaalAnother woman fed you milk,
Mattroruthi manivaayilYet another, with precious words in her mouth,
Maththeduththu unai adiththaalTook a churning rod and struck you!
Female
Gobiyar seitha thavamThe penance that the Gopis performed,
Kodhai naan seithathillaiI, this woman, have not performed.
Gobiyar seitha thavamThe penance that the Gopis performed,
Kodhai naan seithathillaiI, this woman, have not performed.
Unnidaththil bakthi andriExcept for devotion towards you,
Ennidaththil yaedhumillaiI have nothing else in my possession.
Nanthalaala…..nanthalaala…..nanthalaala…..Nandhalaala… Nandhalaala… Nandhalaala…
Female
Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaaO Krishna, you are my very eyes!
Chellapillai suttipillai neethaanaiyaaYou alone are the beloved child, the playful child, my Lord.
Neethaanaiyaa….You alone, my Lord…
Female
Vanna mayil iragaanaalIf I were a colorful peacock feather,
Kannan mudi mael iruppenI would rest atop Krishna's crown.
Venguzhal endraanaalIf I were a sweet bamboo flute,
Viralgalil kudiyirupeanI would reside within your fingers.
Female
Aalilai pol piranthaalIf I were born as a banyan leaf,
Azhaganai sumathirupenI would bear the handsome Lord upon me.
Yaezhai endru piranthu vittaenHaving been born as a poor woman,
Enna solli unai azhaippaenBy what name shall I call out to you?
Nanthalaala…..nanthalaala…..nanthalaala…..Nandhalaala… Nandhalaala… Nandhalaala…
Female
Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaaO Krishna, you are my very eyes!
Chellapillai suttipillai neethaanaiyaaYou alone are the beloved child, the playful child, my Lord.
Neethaanaiyaa….You alone, my Lord…
Female :Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaaFemale: O Krishna, you are my very eyes!
Chellapillai suttipillai neethaanaiyaaYou alone are the beloved child, the playful child, my Lord.
Neethaanaiyaa….You alone, my Lord…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soul-stirring devotional track from Kaliyuga Kannan (1974) expresses deep Vatsalya Bhava (maternal love) and pure devotion toward Lord Krishna. The lyricist Vaali blends affection with humility, describing the singer's wish to shower maternal care upon Lord Krishna while referencing classical mythological anecdotes—such as Devaki giving birth, Yashoda raising him, and the Gopis' legendary devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sledai / Pun

Kannaiyaa nee enthan kannaiyyaa

Play on the word 'Kannaiyaa', referring simultaneously to 'Lord Krishna' (Kannan) and 'my eyes' (Kannai).

Emoni / Second Letter Rhyme (Edukai)

Pennoruthi pettreduththaal

Matching second consonants in consecutive lines: 'Pennoruthi', 'Innoruththi', 'Mattroruthi'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vanna mayil iragaanaal... Venguzhal endraanaal... Aalilai pol piranthaal

The singer imagines herself transforming into intimate objects of Lord Krishna: a peacock feather on his crown, a bamboo flute between his fingers, and a banyan leaf bearing infant Krishna.

Anaphora / Repetition

Gobiyar seitha thavam / Kodhai naan seithathillai

Repetition of the line emphasizing the unique spiritual penance of the Gopis compared to the narrator.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with soul-stirring rendition by P. Susheela, this song beautifully references the 'Aalilai Krishna' iconography—the image of infant Krishna floating safely on a banyan leaf during the cosmic dissolution (Pralaya).

Keep listening

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