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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannan Ennum

From Vennira Aadai · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Vennira Aadai1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannan ennum mannan paeraiAs I keep uttering the name of the king named Kannan,
Solla sollaSaying it again and again,
Kallum mullum poovaai maarumEven stones and thorns turn into flowers,
Mella mellaSlowly and gradually.
Female
Kannan ennum mannan paeraiAs I keep uttering the name of the king named Kannan,
Solla sollaSaying it again and again,
Kallum mullum poovaai maarumEven stones and thorns turn into flowers,
Mella mellaSlowly and gradually.
Female
Ennam ennum aasai padaguAs the boat of desire called thoughts,
Sella sellaSails further and further,
Vellam perugum penmai ullamThe womanly heart floods with emotions,
Thulla thullaLeaping and dancing with joy.
Ennam ennum aasai padaguAs the boat of desire called thoughts,
Sella sellaSails further and further,
Vellam perugum penmai ullamThe womanly heart floods with emotions,
Thulla thullaLeaping and dancing with joy.
Female
Kannan ennum mannan paeraiAs I keep uttering the name of the king named Kannan,
Solla sollaSaying it again and again,
Kallum mullum poovaai maarumEven stones and thorns turn into flowers,
Mella mellaSlowly and gradually.
Female
Thendral indru paadum paadalThe song that the breeze sings today,
Enna ennaWhat could it be?
Thendral indru paadum paadalThe song that the breeze sings today,
Enna ennaWhat could it be?
Chinna kiligal sollum kadhaigalThe stories told by little parrots,
Enna ennaWhat could they be?
Chinna kiligal sollum kadhaigalThe stories told by little parrots,
Enna ennaWhat could they be?
Kannum nenjum ondrukkondruAs the eyes and heart entwine with each other,
Pinna pinnaWoven closely together,
Ennai thunbam seiyum ennamWhat is this feeling that torments me?
Enna ennaWhat could it be?
Female
Kannan ennum mannan paeraiAs I keep uttering the name of the king named Kannan,
Solla sollaSaying it again and again,
Kallum mullum poovaai maarumEven stones and thorns turn into flowers,
Mella mellaSlowly and gradually.
Female
Aa… aa… lalalalala laalalaa…Aa… aa… lalalalala laalalaa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Female
Akkam pakkam yaarum paarthaalIf anyone around looks at me,
Vetkam vetkamShyness and embarrassment,
Akkam pakkam yaarum paarthaalIf anyone around looks at me,
Vetkam vetkamShyness and embarrassment,
Anbae unnai naeril kandaalMy beloved, if I see you in person,
Naanam naanamModesty takes over,
Anbae unnai naeril kandaalMy beloved, if I see you in person,
Naanam naanamModesty takes over,
Female
Aasai nenjai solla ponaalIf I try to speak out my longing heart,
Acham achamFear and hesitation arise,
Andrum indrum adhu thaan nenjilThen and now, that alone in my heart,
Micham michamRemains behind.
Female
Kannan ennum mannan paeraiAs I keep uttering the name of the king named Kannan,
Solla sollaSaying it again and again,
Kallum mullum poovaai maarumEven stones and thorns turn into flowers,
Mella mellaSlowly and gradually.
Female
Ennam ennum aasai padaguAs the boat of desire called thoughts,
Sella sellaSails further and further,
Vellam perugum penmai ullamThe womanly heart floods with emotions,
Thulla thullaLeaping and dancing with joy.
Female
Kannan ennum mannan paeraiAs I keep uttering the name of the king named Kannan,
Solla sollaSaying it again and again,
Kallum mullum poovaai maarumEven stones and thorns turn into flowers,
Mella mellaSlowly and gradually.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kannan Ennum Mannan Paerai' expresses the sweet inner turmoil, joy, and modesty experienced by a young woman in love. By chanting the name of her beloved Kannan, even hard obstacles like stones and thorns seem soft like flowers to her. The song captures the delicate emotions of romance, where nature itself—the breeze and the birds—seems to whisper the language of love, while her own shyness (Naanam) and fear (Acham) keep her from directly expressing her feelings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Solla solla / Mella mella

Repeated words like 'solla solla', 'mella mella', 'sella sella', and 'thulla thulla' build rhythmic musicality and emphasize continuous progression.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ennam ennum aasai padagu

Comparing thoughts to a boat of desire ('Ennam ennum aasai padagu') moving on a stream of emotions.

Contrast (Edhiraai Niruthal)

Kallum mullum poovaai maarum

Contrasting rough elements ('Kallum mullum') with soft beauty ('Poovaai maarum') to show the transformative power of love.

Traditional Feminine Qualities (Nalvagai Penmai Gunangal)

Vetkam vetkam ... Naanam naanam ... Acham acham

Refers to traditional traits of womanhood such as Vetkam (shyness), Naanam (modesty), and Acham (fear/hesitation) when facing love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and written by Kannadasan, this song from Vennira Aadai (1965) features the soulful vocals of P. Susheela. The film marked the silver screen debut of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.

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