Kannalane Enadhu Kannai
From Bombay · 1995
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- A. R. Rahman, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Bombay1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| { Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai | My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday |
| En kangalai parithu kondu en innum pesavillai | Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet? |
| Aalaana oru seidhi ariyamalae alaipaayum siru pedhai naano | Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age? |
| Un perum en perum theriyamalae ullangal idam maarum yeno | Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places? |
| Vaai pesavae vaaipillaiyae vali theera vazhi ennavo } (2) | There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache? |
| Female | |
| Undhan kanjaadai vizhundhadhil nenjam nenjam | When your subtle glance fell upon me, my heart, my heart... |
| Tharikettu thalumbudhu nenjam | My heart loses all control and overflows... |
| Endhan nulaadai parandhadhil konjam konjam | When my fine silk garment fluttered, just a little... |
| Pirai mugam paarthadhu konjam | He caught a fleeting glimpse of my crescent-like face... |
| Female | |
| Ratham kodhikodhikum ulai kodhithidum neerkumizh polae | Like a water bubble boiling in a raging cauldron as my blood surges, |
| Sitham thudithudikum puyal edhirthidum oar ilai polae | Like a single leaf trembling against a fierce tempest as my mind quivers, |
| Panithulidhaan enna seiyumo moongil kaatil thee Vizhumpozhudhu | What can a mere dewdrop do when fire descends upon a bamboo forest? |
| Moongil kaadenru aayinal maadhu | Especially if this maiden herself has become that bamboo forest... |
| Female | |
| Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai | My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday |
| En kangalai parithukondu en innum pesavillai | Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet? |
| Aalaana oru seidhi ariyamalae alaipaayum siru pedhai naano | Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age? |
| Un perum en perum theriyamalae ullangal idam maarum yeno | Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places? |
| Vaai pesavae vaaipillaiyae vali theera vazhi ennavo | There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache? |
| Female | |
| Oru minsaram paarvaiyin vegam vegam | The sheer, electric speed of that single glance... |
| Unnodu naan kandukonden | I discovered and experienced it through you. |
| Oru pennodu thonridum thaabam thaabam | The deep yearning that awakens within a woman... |
| Ennodu naan kandukonden | I discovered and recognized it within myself. |
| Female | |
| Ennai marandhuvitten indha ulagathil naanillai naanillai | I have completely forgotten myself; I no longer exist in this world, I do not exist. |
| Unnai izhandhuvitaal endha malarilum thaenillai thaenillai | If I were to lose you, there is no honey in any flower, no sweetness anywhere. |
| Idhu kanava illai ninaiva ennai killi unmai thelindhen | Is this a dream or reality? I pinched myself and realized the truth. |
| Unnai paarthendhan thaaimozhi marandhen | Upon gazing at you, I even forgot my mother tongue. |
| Female | |
| Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai | My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday |
| En kangalai parithu kondu en innum pesavillai | Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet? |
| Aalaana oru seidhi ariyamalae alaipaayum siru pedhai naano | Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age? |
| Un perum en perum theriyamalae ullangal idam maarum yeno | Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places? |
| Vaai pesavae vaaipillaiyae vali theera vazhi ennavo | There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache? |
| Female | |
| Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai | My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday |
| En kangalai parithu kondu en innum pesavillai | Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet? |
| Kannalanae …ae | Oh beloved with enchanting eyes... |
பெண் குழு :
....................................
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age?
Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places?
There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache?
பெண் குழு :
சல சல சல
சோலை கிளியே சோலைய
தேடிக்க சிலு சிலு சிலு சா்க்கர
நிலவே மாலைய மாத்திக்க
{ மாமன்காரன் ராத்திாி வந்தா
மடியில கட்டிக்க மாமன் தந்த
சங்கதி எல்லாம் மனசுள வச்சுக்க } (2)
When your subtle glance fell upon me, my heart, my heart...
My heart loses all control and overflows...
When my fine silk garment fluttered, just a little...
He caught a fleeting glimpse of my crescent-like face...
{ கண்ணாளனே எனது
கண்ணை நேற்றோடு காணவில்லை
என் கண்களைப் பறித்துக்கொண்டு
ஏனின்னும் பேசவில்லை ஆளான
ஒரு சேதி அறியாமலே அலைபாயும்
சிறு பேதை நானோ உன் பேரும் என்
பேரும் தொியாமலே உள்ளங்கள் இடம்
மாறும் ஏனோ வாய் பேசவே வாய்ப்பில்லையே
வலி தீர வழி என்னவோ } (2)
Like a water bubble boiling in a raging cauldron as my blood surges,
Like a single leaf trembling against a fierce tempest as my mind quivers,
What can a mere dewdrop do when fire descends upon a bamboo forest?
Especially if this maiden herself has become that bamboo forest...
..........................................
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age?
Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places?
There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache?
உந்தன் கண்ஜாடை
விழுந்ததில் நெஞ்சம் நெஞ்சம்
தறிகெட்டுத் தளும்புது நெஞ்சம்
எந்தன் நுாலாடை பறந்ததில்
கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சம் பிறை முகம்
பாா்த்தது கொஞ்சம்
The sheer, electric speed of that single glance...
I discovered and experienced it through you.
The deep yearning that awakens within a woman...
I discovered and recognized it within myself.
பெண்
: ரத்தம் கொதிகொதிக்கும்
உலை கொதித்திடும் நீா்க்குமிழ் போல
சித்தம் துடிதுடிக்கும் புயல் எதிா்த்திடும்
ஓா் இலை போல பனித்துளிதான் என்ன
செய்யுமோ மூங்கில் காட்டில் தீ விழும்போது
மூங்கில் காடென்று மாறினள் மாது
I have completely forgotten myself; I no longer exist in this world, I do not exist.
If I were to lose you, there is no honey in any flower, no sweetness anywhere.
Is this a dream or reality? I pinched myself and realized the truth.
Upon gazing at you, I even forgot my mother tongue.
கண்ணாளனே எனது
கண்ணை நேற்றோடு காணவில்லை
என் கண்களைப் பறித்துக்கொண்டு
ஏனின்னும் பேசவில்லை ஆளான
ஒரு சேதி அறியாமலே அலைபாயும்
சிறு பேதை நானோ உன் பேரும் என்
பேரும் தொியாமலே உள்ளங்கள் இடம்
மாறும் ஏனோ வாய் பேசவே வாய்ப்பில்லையே
வலி தீர வழி என்னவோ
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age?
Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places?
There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache?
பெண் குழு :
....................................
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Oh beloved with enchanting eyes...
பெண் குழு :
சல சல சல
சோலை கிளியே சோலைய
தேடிக்க சிலு சிலு சிலு சா்க்கர
நிலவே மாலைய மாத்திக்க
{ மாமன்காரன் ராத்திாி வந்தா
மடியில கட்டிக்க மாமன் தந்த
சங்கதி எல்லாம் மனசுள வச்சுக்க } (2)
ஒரு மின்சாரம் பாா்வையின்
வேகம் வேகம் உன்னோடு நான்
கண்டுகொண்டேன் ஒரு பெண்ணோடு
தோன்றிடும் தாபம் தாபம் என்னோடு
நான் கண்டுகொண்டேன்
என்னை மறந்துவிட்டேன்
இந்த உலகத்தில் நானில்லை
நானில்லை உன்னை இழந்துவிட்டால்
எந்த மலாிலும் தேனில்லை தேனில்லை
இது கனவா இல்லை நினைவா என்னை
கிள்ளி உண்மை தெளிந்தேன் உன்னைப்
பாா்த்தெந்தன் தாய்மொழி மறந்தேன்
கண்ணாளனே எனது
கண்ணை நேற்றோடு காணவில்லை
என் கண்களைப் பறித்துக்கொண்டு
ஏனின்னும் பேசவில்லை ஆளான
ஒரு சேதி அறியாமலே அலைபாயும்
சிறு பேதை நானோ உன் பேரும் என்
பேரும் தொியாமலே உள்ளங்கள் இடம்
மாறும் ஏனோ வாய் பேசவே வாய்ப்பில்லையே
வலி தீர வழி என்னவோ
கண்ணாளனே எனது
கண்ணை நேற்றோடு காணவில்லை
என் கண்களைப் பறித்துக்கொண்டு
ஏனின்னும் பேசவில்லை கண்ணாளனே
{ Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
En kangalai parithu kondu en innum pesavillai
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Aalaana oru seidhi ariyamalae alaipaayum siru pedhai naano
Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age?
Un perum en perum theriyamalae ullangal idam maarum yeno
Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places?
Vaai pesavae vaaipillaiyae vali theera vazhi ennavo } (2)
There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache?
Undhan kanjaadai vizhundhadhil nenjam nenjam
When your subtle glance fell upon me, my heart, my heart...
Tharikettu thalumbudhu nenjam
My heart loses all control and overflows...
Endhan nulaadai parandhadhil konjam konjam
When my fine silk garment fluttered, just a little...
Pirai mugam paarthadhu konjam
He caught a fleeting glimpse of my crescent-like face...
Ratham kodhikodhikum ulai kodhithidum neerkumizh polae
Like a water bubble boiling in a raging cauldron as my blood surges,
Sitham thudithudikum puyal edhirthidum oar ilai polae
Like a single leaf trembling against a fierce tempest as my mind quivers,
Panithulidhaan enna seiyumo moongil kaatil thee Vizhumpozhudhu
What can a mere dewdrop do when fire descends upon a bamboo forest?
Moongil kaadenru aayinal maadhu
Especially if this maiden herself has become that bamboo forest...
Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
En kangalai parithukondu en innum pesavillai
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Aalaana oru seidhi ariyamalae alaipaayum siru pedhai naano
Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age?
Un perum en perum theriyamalae ullangal idam maarum yeno
Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places?
Vaai pesavae vaaipillaiyae vali theera vazhi ennavo
There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache?
Oru minsaram paarvaiyin vegam vegam
The sheer, electric speed of that single glance...
Unnodu naan kandukonden
I discovered and experienced it through you.
Oru pennodu thonridum thaabam thaabam
The deep yearning that awakens within a woman...
Ennodu naan kandukonden
I discovered and recognized it within myself.
Ennai marandhuvitten indha ulagathil naanillai naanillai
I have completely forgotten myself; I no longer exist in this world, I do not exist.
Unnai izhandhuvitaal endha malarilum thaenillai thaenillai
If I were to lose you, there is no honey in any flower, no sweetness anywhere.
Idhu kanava illai ninaiva ennai killi unmai thelindhen
Is this a dream or reality? I pinched myself and realized the truth.
Unnai paarthendhan thaaimozhi marandhen
Upon gazing at you, I even forgot my mother tongue.
Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
En kangalai parithu kondu en innum pesavillai
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Aalaana oru seidhi ariyamalae alaipaayum siru pedhai naano
Am I a naive young girl tossed about, unaware of what it truly means to come of age?
Un perum en perum theriyamalae ullangal idam maarum yeno
Without knowing your name or my name, why are our hearts exchanging places?
Vaai pesavae vaaipillaiyae vali theera vazhi ennavo
There is no chance to speak aloud; what is the way to ease this ache?
Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai
My beloved with enchanting eyes, I haven't seen my own eyes since yesterday
En kangalai parithu kondu en innum pesavillai
Having stolen my eyes away, why haven't you spoken to me yet?
Kannalanae …ae
Oh beloved with enchanting eyes...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kannalane is a hauntingly romantic track from Mani Ratnam's 1995 film 'Bombay', composed by A.R. Rahman and written by Vairamuthu. Sung rendered by Chithra, the song captures the inner turmoil, awakenings, and overwhelmed passion of Shaila Bano (played by Manisha Koirala) as she falls deeply in love with Shekhar (Arvind Swamy). It explores the suddenness of romantic awakening—where a single glance ignites an unquenchable fire of longing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uragavani)
“Panithulidhaan enna seiyumo moongil kaatil thee Vizhumpozhudhu”
The lyrics compare the heroine's soul to a bamboo forest caught on fire ('moongil kaatil thee'), signifying how consuming love is compared to a fragile dewdrop.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Sitham thudithudikum puyal edhirthidum oar ilai polae”
Compares her agitated mental state to a single leaf resisting a storm ('puyal edhirthidum oar ilai polae') and a bubble in boiling water ('ulai kodhithidum neerkumizh polae').
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Kannalanae enadhu kannai netrodu kaanavillai”
Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive lines rhyme ('Kannalanae' and 'En kangalai').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Unnai paarthendhan thaaimozhi marandhen”
Exaggerates the overwhelming feeling of love to the extent of forgetting one's own native language upon looking at the beloved.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by K.S. Chithra, 'Kannalane' remains one of Indian cinema's most celebrated love ballads. The song incorporates Sufi Qawwali influences blended with Carnatic classical elements, earning widespread critical acclaim across multiple language dubs.
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