Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannale Kadhal Kavithai

From Athma · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Athma1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithaiWith her eyes, a poem of love
Sonnaalae enakaaghaShe recited just for me
Female
Kannaalan aasai manathaiThe desirable heart of my lover
Thanthaanae adharkaaghaHe gave it to me for that reason
Male
Kalloori vandhu poghumComing and going from college
Vaanavil neethaanYou are a rainbow
Azhagae nee enghaeOh beautiful one, wherever you are
En paarvai… anghaeMy sight is right there
Female
Kannaalan aasai manathaiThe desirable heart of my lover
Thanthaanae adharkaaghaHe gave it to me for that reason
Male
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithaiWith her eyes, a poem of love
Sonnaalae enakaaghaShe recited just for me
Female
Kadarkarai thannil neeyum naanumWhen you and I on the seashore
Ulavum pozhuthuStroll around together
Male
Paravaiyai pol gaanam paadiSinging songs like a bird
Parakum manadhuThe heart flies high
Female
Ingu paaivathu pudhu vellamaeWhat flows here is a fresh flood of joy
Inai sernthathu iru ullamaeTwo hearts have united together
Male
Kulir vaadai thaan senthalirilaeThe cool north wind brushes soft tender leaves
Intha vaalibam than thunaiyilaeIn the companionship of this youth
Female
Ilam meni un vasamoo…Is this youthful body in your control?
Male
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithaiWith her eyes, a poem of love
Sonnaalae enakaaghaShe recited just for me
Female
Kannaalan aasai manathaiThe desirable heart of my lover
Thanthaanae adharkaaghaHe gave it to me for that reason
Female
Unakkena mani vaasal polaeJust for you, like a jewel-studded doorway
Manathai thiranthenI opened my heart
Male
Manathirkul oru oonjal aadiSwinging on a swing inside the mind
Ulaghai maranthenI forgot the whole world
Female
Valaiyosaigal un varavai kanduThe jingle of bangles seeing your arrival
Isai koottidum en thalaivan endruCreates music, hailing you as my leader
Male
Nedun kaalangal nam uravai kanduSeeing our relationship over long eras
Nammai vaazhthida nal idhayam unduGood hearts exist to bless us
Female
Inba oorvalam idhuvoo….Is this a grand procession of happiness?
Male
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithaiWith her eyes, a poem of love
Sonnaalae enakaaghaShe recited just for me
Female
Kannaalan aasai manathaiThe desirable heart of my lover
Thanthaanae adharkaaghaHe gave it to me for that reason
Male
Kalloori vandhu poghumComing and going from college
Vaanavil neethaanYou are a rainbow
Azhagae nee enghaeOh beautiful one, wherever you are
En paarvai… anghaeMy sight is right there
Female
Kannaalan aasai manathaiThe desirable heart of my lover
Thanthaanae adharkaaghaHe gave it to me for that reason
Male
Kannaalae kaadhal kavithaiWith her eyes, a poem of love
Sonnaalae enakaaghaShe recited just for me

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

More from Athma