- Lyricist
- Uma Devi
- Singers
- Pradeep Kumar, Dhee, Ananthu
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Movie name
- Kaala
- Movie release year
- 2018
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Apr 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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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