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Isaimozhi
Athma album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannale Kadhal Kavithai

From Athma · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Athma
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
11 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithai
Sonnaalae enakaagha
Kannaalan aasai manathai
Thanthaanae adharkaagha
Kalloori vandhu poghum
Vaanavil neethaan
Azhagae nee enghae
En paarvai… anghae
Kannaalan aasai manathai
Thanthaanae adharkaagha
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithai
Sonnaalae enakaagha
Kadarkarai thannil neeyum naanum
Ulavum pozhuthu
Paravaiyai pol gaanam paadi
Parakum manadhu
Ingu paaivathu pudhu vellamae
Inai sernthathu iru ullamae
Kulir vaadai thaan senthalirilae
Intha vaalibam than thunaiyilae
Ilam meni un vasamoo…
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithai
Sonnaalae enakaagha
Kannaalan aasai manathai
Thanthaanae adharkaagha
Unakkena mani vaasal polae
Manathai thiranthen
Manathirkul oru oonjal aadi
Ulaghai maranthen
Valaiyosaigal un varavai kandu
Isai koottidum en thalaivan endru
Nedun kaalangal nam uravai kandu
Nammai vaazhthida nal idhayam undu
Inba oorvalam idhuvoo….
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithai
Sonnaalae enakaagha
Kannaalan aasai manathai
Thanthaanae adharkaagha
Kalloori vandhu poghum
Vaanavil neethaan
Azhagae nee enghae
En paarvai… anghae
Kannaalan aasai manathai
Thanthaanae adharkaagha
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithai
Sonnaalae enakaagha
With her eyes, a poem of love
She recited just for me.
My beloved gave his loving heart
In return for that.
Coming and going from college,
You are a rainbow.
My beauty, wherever you are,
My eyes are right there...
My beloved gave his loving heart
In return for that.
With her eyes, a poem of love
She recited just for me.
When you and I stroll together
Along the seashore,
Singing a song like a bird,
My heart takes flight.
A fresh flood of joy rushes here,
As two hearts unite as one.
A cool breeze touches the tender leaf,
As youth finds its companion.
Is this young body completely yours now...?
With her eyes, a poem of love
She recited just for me.
My beloved gave his loving heart
In return for that.
Like a grand doorway, just for you,
I opened up my heart.
Swaying on a swing inside my heart,
I forgot the entire world.
Seeing you arrive, the sound of my bangles
Creates music, calling you my love.
Seeing our bond endure through time,
Good hearts are here to bless us.
Is this a procession of pure joy...?
With her eyes, a poem of love
She recited just for me.
My beloved gave his loving heart
In return for that.
Coming and going from college,
You are a rainbow.
My beauty, wherever you are,
My eyes are right there...
My beloved gave his loving heart
In return for that.
With her eyes, a poem of love
She recited just for me.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kannaalae Kaadhal Kavithai is a romantic duet from the movie Athma (1993) that celebrates the joy, excitement, and depth of young love. The song expresses how silent glances speak love poems and how two souls seamlessly merge into one another, finding immense joy in each other's presence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

“Kalloori vandhu poghum Vaanavil neethaan”

Compares the beloved to a rainbow visiting the college, highlighting her vibrant and fleetingly beautiful presence.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Paravaiyai pol gaanam paadi”

Compares the joyful heart singing and flying to a free bird using the comparative marker 'pol'.

Rhyme / Assonance (Monaai and Edhugai)

“Ingu paaivathu pudhu vellamae / Inai sernthathu iru ullamae”

Rhyming structure and matching second letters across lines ('Ingu' / 'Inai').

Visual Imagery

“Unakkena mani vaasal polae / Manathai thiranthen”

Paints a vivid poetic picture of a jewel-like entrance opening up inside the mind.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1993 mystery-thriller movie Athma, starring Rahman, Gautami, and Nassar, with lyrics penned by the legendary Vaali.

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