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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannamma (Acapella)

From Kaala · 2018

Lyricist
Uma Devi
Singer
Ananthu
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Kaala2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aa….Ahaa…aaa…aaa…aa….
Ahaa….aa…aaa…aaa….Ahaa….aa…aaa…aaa….
Kannamma kannammaOh my beloved Kannamma, Kannamma
Kannamma kannammaOh my beloved Kannamma, Kannamma
Male
Thaa nana naanaana naanana nanaThaa nana naanaana naanana nana
Naanana nana naanaana naanana nanaNaanana nana naanaana naanana nana
Kannamma kannammaOh my beloved Kannamma, Kannamma
Kannamma kannammaOh my beloved Kannamma, Kannamma
Kannamma …….Kannamma……
Male
Naanaa nana naanaa nanaNaanaa nana naanaa nana
Naaa nee neee……Naaa nee neee……
Naanaa nana naanaa nanaNaanaa nana naanaa nana
Naananaa nee neee……Naananaa nee neee……
Male
Meettaadha veenaiLike an unplayed veena
Tharukindra raagamThat yields a silent raga
Kekaathu poogaandhalaeUnheard in the gentle breeze
Oottadha thaayinLike an unfed mother's
Kanakkindra paal polHeavily swelling breast milk
En kaadhal kidakkindrathaeMy unexpressed love lies brimming within
Male
Kaayangal aatrumHealing all the wounds
Thalaikkodhi thettrumStroking my hair and comforting me
Kaalangal kaikooduthae..kaikooduthaeThe times are finally coming together... coming together
Thoduvaanam indru neduvaanam aagiToday the touching horizon has become a vast sky
Thodumneram tholaivaaguthaeAnd the moment of touch moves further away
Male
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Kannamma
Kannilae ennammaWhat is that in your eyes, my dear?
Kannammaaa…..Kannammaaa…..
Male
Aagayam saayamaIs the sky changing its shade?
Chorus :ThannannaaChorus: Thannannaa
Male :ThoovaanamethuMale: What drizzle is this?
Chorus :ThannannaaChorus: Thannannaa
Male :Aaraama aaraamaMale: Unhealing, unhealing
Chorus :ThannannaaChorus: Thannannaa
Male :KaayangalethuMale: What wounds are these?
Chorus :ThannannaaChorus: Thannannaa
Male
Kannamma…aaaa…aa…Kannamma…aaaa…aa…
Kannamma…Kannamma…
Kannamma…aaa….Kannamma…aaa….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannamma from Kaala is a deeply melancholic yet tender reflection on mature love, long-held longing, and emotional healing. The lyrics paint a picture of love that has been suppressed for years, comparing it to an unplayed instrument emitting silent music or an un-nursed mother's overflowing affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Oottadha thaayin / Kanakkindra paal pol

Compares unexpressed love to the heavy, un-nursed milk of a mother (Oottadha thaayin kanakkindra paal pol), conveying a profound burden of tenderness.

Metaphor (Uruvaagam)

Meettaadha veenai / Tharukindra raagam

Compares unspoken emotions to an unplayed veena emitting an unheard raga into the breeze.

Monai / Etukai (Alliteration & Rhyme)

Thoduvaanam indru neduvaanam aagi / Thodumneram tholaivaaguthae

Uses matching sounds in 'Thoduvaanam' and 'Neduvaanam', as well as 'Thodumneram' and 'Tholaivaaguthae' to build rhythmic poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Santhosh Narayanan and written by Dr. Uma Devi, 'Kannamma' portrays the mature nostalgic romance between Kaala (Rajinikanth) and Zareena (Huma Qureshi) in the 2018 movie Kaala.

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