Kannama Kannama
From Thendral Sudum · 1989
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thendral Sudum1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| O… o… oo.. hoho… o… hoho o… o hoho | (Vocalizing / Melodic humming) |
| O… o… oo.. hoho… o… hoho o… o hoho | (Vocalizing / Melodic humming) |
| Ooo…ooo…oo…ooo…ooo…ooo..ooo..ooo | (Vocalizing / Melodic humming) |
| Ooo…ooo…oo…ooo…ooo…ooo..ooo..ooo | (Vocalizing / Melodic humming) |
| Male | |
| Kannammaa kannammaa | Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma, |
| Onnu naan sollalaamaa | May I tell you one thing? |
| Adi unnai pol pen ellaam | Should women like you |
| Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa | Continually suffer in sorrow? |
| Indha ulagam pora pokkammaa | Look at the way this world is moving, my dear, |
| Pen thaniyaa vaazha aagumaa | Can a woman live all alone? |
| Verum kalagam podum oorilae | In a town that only brews conflict, |
| Oru thunai thaan unakku vendumae | You certainly need a companion. |
| Male | |
| Kannammaa kannammaa | Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma, |
| Onnu naan sollalaamaa | May I tell you one thing? |
| Adi unnai pol pen ellaam | Should women like you |
| Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa | Continually suffer in sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Buthanukku thaevai enna | What does a Buddha need? |
| Vaazhkkai thunai vendaamadi | He does not need a life partner, my dear. |
| Sithanukkum thaevai enna | What does an ascetic Siddhar need? |
| Pennin thunai vendaamadi | He does not need the companionship of a woman. |
| Nammai pola maanidarkkellaam | For ordinary human beings like us, |
| Sutram indri vaazhvae yaedhu | Where is a life without family and kin? |
| Unnai pola pengalai ellaam | For women like you, |
| Kutram sollaa oorum yaedhu | Where is a town that will not find fault? |
| Male | |
| Kannammaa kannammaa | Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma, |
| Kodikkor kambu thaan ulladhaa illaiyaa sol | Tell me, isn't there a supporting stick for every creeper vine? |
| Idhu ennammaa ennammaa | What is this, my dear, what is this? |
| Vaazhkkaiyae vambu thaan | Has life become a bundle of trouble, |
| Kondadhaa mullaiyae sol | Tell me, oh Jasmine creeper? |
| Oru thunai thaan unkkirundhal | If you have just one companion, |
| Varum thunbam adhuvum illaamal pogum | Even incoming sorrows will completely disappear. |
| Male | |
| Kannammaa kannammaa | Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma, |
| Onnu naan sollalaamaa | May I tell you one thing? |
| Adi unnai pol pen ellaam | Should women like you |
| Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa | Continually suffer in sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Hoo oo oo hoo oo ooo hoo oo | (Vocalizing / Melodic humming) |
| Hoo oo ooo oo oo oo… | (Vocalizing / Melodic humming) |
| Male | |
| Payanam seiyum vandiyilae | While traveling in a bullock cart, |
| Thalai mel yendi baaram baaram | Why carry the heavy weight on your own head? |
| Baarangalai keezhae vaithaal | If you set your burdens down on the floor, |
| Sumandhae vandi pogum pogum | The cart will carry them and keep moving forward. |
| Ellorukkum baaram undu | Everyone carries their own burdens, |
| Illaadhavar yaar thaan ingae | Who is there here without any? |
| Pollaadhavar vaazhum ooril | In a world where wicked people dwell, |
| Vendum thunai anbae anbae | You need a supportive companion, my love. |
| Male | |
| Aanai pol penni pol edhilum irandu | Like male and female, isn't everything in nature paired? |
| Ulladhaa illaiyaa sol | Tell me, isn't that true? |
| Ingu inaiyaai thunaiyaa inaindhae irundhaal | If you stay united here as equal partners, |
| Thavarae ennammaa sol | Tell me, my dear, what is wrong with that? |
| Mayangaadhae marukkaadhae | Do not be confused, do not reject, |
| Ini inbam thunbam rendaagi pogum | From now on, joy and sorrow will be shared between two. |
| Male | |
| Kannammaa kannammaa | Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma, |
| Onnu naan sollalaamaa | May I tell you one thing? |
| Adi unnai pol pen ellaam | Should women like you |
| Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa | Continually suffer in sorrow? |
| Indha ulagam pora pokkammaa | Look at the way this world is moving, my dear, |
| Pen thaniyaa vaazha aagumaa | Can a woman live all alone? |
| Verum kalagam podum oorilae | In a town that only brews conflict, |
| Oru thunai thaan unakku vendumae | You certainly need a companion. |
| Male | |
| Kannammaa kannammaa | Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma, |
| Onnu naan sollalaamaa | May I tell you one thing? |
| Adi unnai pol pen ellaam | Should women like you |
| Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa | Continually suffer in sorrow? |
ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஹோஹோ.....ஓ.....
ஹோஹோ...ஒ...ஒ.ஹோஹோ
ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஹோஹோ.....ஓ.....
ஹோஹோ...ஒ...ஒ.ஹோஹோ
ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ...
ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ... ஓ...
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லலாமா
அடி உன்னைப் போல் பெண் எல்லாம்
துன்பம் தான் கொள்ளலாமா
இந்த உலகம் போற போக்கம்மா
பெண் தனியா வாழ ஆகுமா
வெறும் கலகம் போடும் ஊரிலே
ஒரு துணைதான் உனக்கு வேண்டுமே
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
May I tell you one thing?
Should women like you
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Look at the way this world is moving, my dear,
Can a woman live all alone?
In a town that only brews conflict,
You certainly need a companion.
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லலாமா
அடி உன்னைப் போல் பெண் எல்லாம்
துன்பம் தான் கொள்ளலாமா
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
May I tell you one thing?
Should women like you
Continually suffer in sorrow?
புத்தனுக்கு தேவை என்ன
வாழ்க்கைத் துணை வேண்டாமடி
சித்தனுக்கும் தேவை என்ன
பெண்ணின் துணை வேண்டாமடி
நம்மைப் போல மானிடர்க்கெல்லாம்
சுற்றம் இன்றி வாழ்வே ஏது
உன்னைப் போல பெண்களை எல்லாம்
குற்றம் சொல்லா ஊரும் ஏது
What does a Buddha need?
He does not need a life partner, my dear.
What does an ascetic Siddhar need?
He does not need the companionship of a woman.
For ordinary human beings like us,
Where is a life without family and kin?
For women like you,
Where is a town that will not find fault?
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா
கொடிக்கோர் கம்புதான்
உள்ளதா இல்லையா சொல்
இது என்னம்மா என்னம்மா
வாழ்க்கையே வம்பு தான்
கொண்டதா முல்லையே சொல்
ஒரு துணைதான் உனக்கிருந்தால்
வரும் துன்பம் அதுவும் இல்லாமல் போகும்
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Tell me, isn't there a supporting stick for every creeper vine?
What is this, my dear, what is this?
Has life become a bundle of trouble,
Tell me, oh Jasmine creeper?
If you have just one companion,
Even incoming sorrows will completely disappear.
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லலாமா
அடி உன்னைப் போல் பெண் எல்லாம்
துன்பம் தான் கொள்ளலாமா
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
May I tell you one thing?
Should women like you
Continually suffer in sorrow?
ஹோ ஊ ஊ ஹோ ஊ ஓஒ ஹோ ஊ
ஹோ ஒ ஓஒ ஊ ஊ ஓ
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
பயணம் செய்யும் வண்டியிலே
தலை மேல் ஏண்டி பாரம் பாரம்
பாரங்களை கீழே வைத்தால்
சுமந்தே வண்டி போகும் போகும்
எல்லோருக்கும் பாரம் உண்டு
இல்லாதவர் யார் தான் இங்கே
பொல்லாதவர் வாழும் ஊரில்
வேண்டும் துணை அன்பே அன்பே
While traveling in a bullock cart,
Why carry the heavy weight on your own head?
If you set your burdens down on the floor,
The cart will carry them and keep moving forward.
Everyone carries their own burdens,
Who is there here without any?
In a world where wicked people dwell,
You need a supportive companion, my love.
ஆணைப் போல் பெண்ணைப் போல்
எதிலும் இரண்டு உள்ளதா இல்லையா சொல்
இங்கு இணையாய் துணையா இணைந்தே இருந்தால்
தவறே என்னம்மா சொல்
மயங்காதே மறுக்காதே
இனி இன்பம் துன்பம் ரெண்டாகிப் போகும்
Like male and female, isn't everything in nature paired?
Tell me, isn't that true?
If you stay united here as equal partners,
Tell me, my dear, what is wrong with that?
Do not be confused, do not reject,
From now on, joy and sorrow will be shared between two.
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லலாமா
அடி உன்னைப் போல் பெண் எல்லாம்
துன்பம் தான் கொள்ளலாமா
இந்த உலகம் போற போக்கம்மா
பெண் தனியா வாழ ஆகுமா
வெறும் கலகம் போடும் ஊரிலே
ஒரு துணை தான் உனக்கு வேணுமே
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
May I tell you one thing?
Should women like you
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Look at the way this world is moving, my dear,
Can a woman live all alone?
In a town that only brews conflict,
You certainly need a companion.
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா
ஒண்ணு நான் சொல்லலாமா
அடி உன்னைப் போல் பெண் எல்லாம்
துன்பம்தான் கொள்ளலாமா
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
May I tell you one thing?
Should women like you
Continually suffer in sorrow?
O… o… oo.. hoho… o… hoho o… o hoho
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
O… o… oo.. hoho… o… hoho o… o hoho
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
Ooo…ooo…oo…ooo…ooo…ooo..ooo..ooo
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
Ooo…ooo…oo…ooo…ooo…ooo..ooo..ooo
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
Kannammaa kannammaa
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Onnu naan sollalaamaa
May I tell you one thing?
Adi unnai pol pen ellaam
Should women like you
Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Indha ulagam pora pokkammaa
Look at the way this world is moving, my dear,
Pen thaniyaa vaazha aagumaa
Can a woman live all alone?
Verum kalagam podum oorilae
In a town that only brews conflict,
Oru thunai thaan unakku vendumae
You certainly need a companion.
Kannammaa kannammaa
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Onnu naan sollalaamaa
May I tell you one thing?
Adi unnai pol pen ellaam
Should women like you
Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Buthanukku thaevai enna
What does a Buddha need?
Vaazhkkai thunai vendaamadi
He does not need a life partner, my dear.
Sithanukkum thaevai enna
What does an ascetic Siddhar need?
Pennin thunai vendaamadi
He does not need the companionship of a woman.
Nammai pola maanidarkkellaam
For ordinary human beings like us,
Sutram indri vaazhvae yaedhu
Where is a life without family and kin?
Unnai pola pengalai ellaam
For women like you,
Kutram sollaa oorum yaedhu
Where is a town that will not find fault?
Kannammaa kannammaa
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Kodikkor kambu thaan ulladhaa illaiyaa sol
Tell me, isn't there a supporting stick for every creeper vine?
Idhu ennammaa ennammaa
What is this, my dear, what is this?
Vaazhkkaiyae vambu thaan
Has life become a bundle of trouble,
Kondadhaa mullaiyae sol
Tell me, oh Jasmine creeper?
Oru thunai thaan unkkirundhal
If you have just one companion,
Varum thunbam adhuvum illaamal pogum
Even incoming sorrows will completely disappear.
Kannammaa kannammaa
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Onnu naan sollalaamaa
May I tell you one thing?
Adi unnai pol pen ellaam
Should women like you
Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Hoo oo oo hoo oo ooo hoo oo
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
Hoo oo ooo oo oo oo…
(Vocalizing / Melodic humming)
Payanam seiyum vandiyilae
While traveling in a bullock cart,
Thalai mel yendi baaram baaram
Why carry the heavy weight on your own head?
Baarangalai keezhae vaithaal
If you set your burdens down on the floor,
Sumandhae vandi pogum pogum
The cart will carry them and keep moving forward.
Ellorukkum baaram undu
Everyone carries their own burdens,
Illaadhavar yaar thaan ingae
Who is there here without any?
Pollaadhavar vaazhum ooril
In a world where wicked people dwell,
Vendum thunai anbae anbae
You need a supportive companion, my love.
Aanai pol penni pol edhilum irandu
Like male and female, isn't everything in nature paired?
Ulladhaa illaiyaa sol
Tell me, isn't that true?
Ingu inaiyaai thunaiyaa inaindhae irundhaal
If you stay united here as equal partners,
Thavarae ennammaa sol
Tell me, my dear, what is wrong with that?
Mayangaadhae marukkaadhae
Do not be confused, do not reject,
Ini inbam thunbam rendaagi pogum
From now on, joy and sorrow will be shared between two.
Kannammaa kannammaa
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Onnu naan sollalaamaa
May I tell you one thing?
Adi unnai pol pen ellaam
Should women like you
Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Indha ulagam pora pokkammaa
Look at the way this world is moving, my dear,
Pen thaniyaa vaazha aagumaa
Can a woman live all alone?
Verum kalagam podum oorilae
In a town that only brews conflict,
Oru thunai thaan unakku vendumae
You certainly need a companion.
Kannammaa kannammaa
Oh Kannamma, my dear Kannamma,
Onnu naan sollalaamaa
May I tell you one thing?
Adi unnai pol pen ellaam
Should women like you
Thunbam thaan kollalaamaa
Continually suffer in sorrow?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a tender and philosophical counsel addressed to a woman named Kannamma who is trying to face life's hardships completely alone. The singer gently questions her decision to isolate herself, pointing out that while enlightened ascetics or spiritual figures like Buddha and Siddhars may not need life partners, ordinary human beings thrive on companionship, kinship, and mutual support. The lyricist emphasizes that society often judges single women unfairly, making a strong companion essential to navigate a world full of challenges.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamanai/Uvameyam)
“Kodikkor kambu thaan ulladhaa illaiyaa sol”
Comparing a woman to a creeping vine ('kodi') and a jasmine flower ('mullai'), highlighting her need for a support stick ('kambu') to grow safely.
Analogy / Allegory
“Payanam seiyum vandiyilae thalai mel yendi baaram baaram”
The cart metaphor explains that carrying burdens on one's own head while sitting in a cart is redundant; sharing burdens with a partner lets life carry the load smoothly.
Rhyme / Monai (Initial Rhyming)
“Payanam seiyum vandiyilae”
Use of matching sound patterns at the beginning of adjacent lines (Payanam / Thalai / Baarangalai).
Rhetorical Question
“Pen thaniyaa vaazha aagumaa”
Asking questions where the answer is evident to persuade Kannamma to seek a companion.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Thendral Sudum' (1989) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this song. Ilaiyaraaja frequently used simple everyday metaphors—such as a passenger carrying luggage on their head while riding inside a vehicle—to convey deep philosophical lessons on human relationships and life's shared responsibilities.
Keep listening
More from Thendral Sudum
Thendral Sudum
Thendral Sudum
Thendral Sudum
Thendral Sudum