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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannan Enthan Kaadhalan

From Oru Thaai Makkal · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oru Thaai Makkal1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannan endhan kaadhalanKannan is my lover,
Kannil aadum maayavanThe magician who dances before my eyes,
Ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me,
Kanavil ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me in my dream.
Female
Kannan endhan kaadhalanKannan is my lover,
Kannil aadum maayavanThe magician who dances before my eyes,
Ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me,
Kanavil ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me in my dream.
Male
Kaadhal dhevan kovililIn the temple of the god of love,
Maalai maattrinaalShe exchanged garlands.
Kaadhal dhevan kovililIn the temple of the god of love,
Maalai maattrinaalShe exchanged garlands.
Kannirandil aasai ennumIn both eyes, the lamp called desire,
Dheepam yaettrinaalShe lit bright.
Male
Raadhai endhan kaadhaliRadha is my sweetheart,
Thaththi chellum vanna paingiliA colorful, hopping little parrot,
Oonjalaadinaal manadhil oonjalaadinaalShe swung like a cradle inside my heart.
Female
Vizhigal kettu vaangi varumWhat the eyes request and receive,
Idhayam allavoIsn't it the heart?
Vizhigal kaettu vaangi varumWhat the eyes request and receive,
Idhayam allavoIsn't it the heart?
Adhu thaenodai kandu neeraadaSeeing that stream of honey and bathing in it,
Innum podhaadhu endru poraadaIt yearns and fights, saying it is still not enough.
Male
Neela vanna poonguzhalDark blue-hued flower-adorned locks,
Mugathai moodudhaeCover the face.
Neela vanna poonguzhalDark blue-hued flower-adorned locks,
Mugathai moodudhaeCover the face.
Naanam vandhu pona pinbuAfter shyness arrives and departs,
Sugathai thaedudhaeIt seeks eternal bliss.
Female
Kannan endhan kaadhalanKannan is my lover,
Kannil aadum maayavanThe magician who dances before my eyes,
Ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me,
Kanavil ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me in my dream.
Male
Kodiyil pootha jaadhi mullaiThe jasmine that blossomed on the vine,
Madiyil poothadhoDid it blossom on the lap?
Kodiyil pootha jaadhi mullaiThe jasmine that blossomed on the vine,
Madiyil poothadhoDid it blossom on the lap?
Malar kothaada nagai muthaadaClusters of flowers sway, pearls of smiles play,
Indha vandaada manam thindaadaAs this bee dances, the heart struggles in joy.
Female
Aa… kannam ennum thaamaraiAh... the lotus called the cheek,
Sivandhu pogalaamMay turn blushing red.
Kannam ennum thaamaraiThe lotus called the cheek,
Sivandhu pogalaamMay turn blushing red.
Siragillaamal idhaya vaanilWithout wings, in the sky of the heart,
Parandhu pogalaamOne can fly away.
Male
Raadhai endhan kaadhaliRadha is my sweetheart,
Thaththi chellum vanna paingiliA colorful, hopping little parrot,
Oonjalaadinaal manadhil oonjalaadinaalShe swung like a cradle inside my heart.
Female
Aa… kannan endhan kaadhalanAh... Kannan is my lover,
Kannil aadum maayavanThe magician who dances before my eyes,
Ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me,
Kanavil ennai serndhavanThe one who united with me in my dream.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannan Endhan Kaadhalan is a classic romantic duet from the 1971 Tamil film 'Oru Thaai Makkal', penned by lyricist Vaali. The song draws upon the mythological allegory of Radha and Lord Krishna to portray the deep, blissful love between the lead couple. The female lead envisions her beloved Krishna uniting with her in dreams and lighting the lamp of desire in her eyes, while the male lead compares his ladylove to a hopping parrot and blooming jasmine that sways his heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Kannan endhan kaadhalan / Kannil aadum maayavan

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines establishing rhythm.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kodiyil pootha jaadhi mullai / Madiyil poothadho

Rhyming of the second letter 'di' in 'Kodiyil' and 'Madiyil'.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kannam ennum thaamarai Sivandhu pogalaam

Directly equating cheeks to a blooming lotus ('Kannam ennum thaamarai') and desire to a lit lamp ('aasai ennum dheepam').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Malar kothaada nagai muthaada / Indha vandaada manam thindaada

Matching end sounds with '-aada' creating internal poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the song context lists details as unknown, this popular track from 'Oru Thaai Makkal' (1971 starring M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa) was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan alongside P. Susheela.

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