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Lyrics & meaning

Kannamma Song Lyrics – Kaala

From Kaala · 2018

Lyricist
Uma Devi
Singers
Pradeep Kumar, Dhee, Ananthu
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Kaala2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poovaaga en kaadhal thaenoorudhoLike a flower, does my love ooze honey?
Thaenaaga thaenaaga vaanoorudhoAs honey, as honey, does the sky drip with sweetness?
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Oh Kannamma
Kannilae ennamma…What is that in your eyes, my dear?
Male
Aagayam saayama thoovaanamethuWithout the sky tilting, what is this sudden drizzle?
Aaraama aaraama kayangalethuWithout healing, what are these unhealing wounds?
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Oh Kannamma
Kannilae ennamma…What is that in your eyes, my dear?
Female
Un kaadhal vaasamThe fragrance of your love
En dhegam poosumSmeared all over my body
Kaalangal poiyaanadhaeTime has turned out to be an illusion
Theeratha kaadhalAn unquenchable love
Theeyaga moothaIgnited like a blazing fire
Dhoorangal madai maarumoWill these vast distances ever divert their path?
Female
Vaan paarthu yengumLooking up at the sky in longing
Siru pullin dhaagamThe thirst of a tiny blade of grass
Kaanalgal niraivetrumooCan a mirage ever fulfill it?
Neerindri meenumLike a fish without water
Saerundu vaazhumLiving together in the mud
Male & Female :[Male & Female Voice]
Vaazhvingu vaazhvaagumoWill life here ever become a true life?
Male
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Oh Kannamma
Kannilae ennamma…What is that in your eyes, my dear?
Aagayam saayama thoovaanamethuWithout the sky tilting, what is this sudden drizzle?
Aaraama aaraama kayangalethuWithout healing, what are these unhealing wounds?
Male
Meettaadha veenaiLike a song offered by an unplayed veena
Tharukindra raagamThe ragam it generates
Kekaathu poogaandhalae..ae…Goes unheard in the wind...
Oottadha thaayinLike the heavy milk of a mother
Kanakkindra paal polWho hasn't fed her child
En kaadhal kidakkindrathaeMy love lies unfulfilled
Male
Kaayangal aatrumHealing the deep wounds
Thalaikkodhi thettrumStroking the hair to offer solace
Kaalangal kaikooduthaeGood times are aligning now
Thoduvaanam indru neduvaanam aagiToday the nearby horizon becomes a distant sky
Thodumneram tholaivaakuthaeJust as I reach to touch, it moves far away
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Oh Kannamma
Kannilae ennamma…What is that in your eyes, my dear?
Male
Aagayam saayama thoovaanamethuWithout the sky tilting, what is this sudden drizzle?
Aaraama aaraama kaayangalethuWithout healing, what are these unhealing wounds?
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Oh Kannamma
Kannamma kannammaOh Kannamma, Oh Kannamma
Kannilae ennamma…What is that in your eyes, my dear?
Kannamma …………Oh Kannamma...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannamma is a deeply evocative and poignant romantic track from Kaala that explores longing, emotional distance, and enduring affection between separated lovers. Through rich metaphors of nature—drizzling skies, thirsty blades of grass, mirages, and unplayed musical instruments—the lyricist Uma Devi articulates the profound grief of unfulfilled love alongside the quiet solace found in memory and hope.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Meettaadha veenai / Tharukindra raagam

Compares unexpressed love to the unplayed music of a veena and heavy unexpressed milk of a nursing mother.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Siru pullin dhaagam / Kaanalgal niraivetrumoo

Metaphorically compares the yearning of love to a blade of grass seeking rain from a mirage.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Aagayam saayama / Aaraama aaraama

Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive lines rhyme ('aagayam' and 'aaraama').

Anaphora / Repetition

Kannamma kannamma

Repetition of 'Kannamma' creates a rhythmic emotional plea.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Santhosh Narayanan with lyrics by Dr. Uma Devi, 'Kannamma' references the iconic poetic archetype 'Kannamma' popularized by the legendary Tamil poet Subramania Bharati. Sung by Pradeep Kumar and Dhee, the song beautifully encapsulates the re-connection of long-separated characters Kaala and Zareena in Pa. Ranjith's movie 'Kaala'.

Keep listening

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