Kannan Oru
From Bhadrakali · 1976
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Bhadrakali1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai | Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms |
| Kangal sollum poongavidhai | Eyes recite a flower-like poem |
| Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai | The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks |
| Kondu sellum en manadhai | Steals and takes away my heart |
| Kaiyirandil naan eduthu | Holding in both my hands |
| Paadugindren aaraaro | I am singing a lullaby, aaraaro |
| Mai vizhiyae thaalaelo | Oh kohl-adorned eyes, lullaby |
| Maadhavanae thaalaelo | Oh Madhava, lullaby |
| Female | |
| Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai | Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms |
| Kangal sollum poongavidhai | Eyes recite a flower-like poem |
| Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai | The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks |
| Kondu sellum en manadhai | Steals and takes away my heart |
| Male | |
| Un madiyil naan uranga | For me to sleep in your lap |
| Kannirandum thaan mayanga | While both my eyes swoon gently |
| Enna thavam seidheno | What great penance did I perform? |
| Ennavendru solveno | How shall I ever express it? |
| Female | |
| Un madiyil naan uranga | For me to sleep in your lap |
| Kannirandum thaan mayanga | While both my eyes swoon gently |
| Enna thavam seidheno | What great penance did I perform? |
| Ennavendru solveno | How shall I ever express it? |
| Male | |
| Ezh pirappum inaindhirukkum | Bound together through seven births |
| Sondhamindha sondhamammaa | This relation is an eternal bond |
| Vaazhvirukkum naal varaikkum | For as long as life lasts |
| Thanjam undhan nenjamammaa | Your heart is my sanctuary |
| Female | |
| Annammidum kaigalilae | In the hands that lovingly feed rice |
| Aadi varum pillai idhu | This child comes dancing along |
| Un arugil naan irundhaal | When I am near you |
| Aanandhathin ellai adhu | That is the absolute limit of bliss |
| Male | |
| Gaayathri mandhirathai | Reciting the sacred Gayatri mantra |
| Ucharikkum bakthanammaa | I am a devoted believer |
| Ketkum varam kidaikkum varai | Until the requested blessing is granted |
| Kannurakkam marandhadhammaa | Eye-closing sleep has been forgotten |
| Female | |
| Manjal kondu neeraadi | Bathing thoroughly with turmeric |
| Moi kuzhalil poo choodi | Adorning flowers in dense tresses |
| Male | |
| Vanji magal varum podhu | When the slender maiden arrives |
| Aasai varum oru kodi | Ten million desires arise |
| Female | |
| Manjal kondu neeraadi | Bathing thoroughly with turmeric |
| Moi kuzhalil poo choodi | Adorning flowers in dense tresses |
| Male | |
| Vanji magal varum podhu | When the slender maiden arrives |
| Aasai varum oru kodi | Ten million desires arise |
| Female | |
| Kattazhagan kangalukku | For the eyes of this handsome man |
| Mai eduthu ezhudhatumaa | Shall I apply kohl to beautify? |
| Kangal pada koodum endru | Lest an evil eye should cast its gaze |
| Pottu ondru vaikkattumaa | Shall I place a protective spot? |
| Female | |
| Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai | Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms |
| Kangal sollum poongavidhai | Eyes recite a flower-like poem |
| Male :Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai | Male: The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks |
| Kondu sellum en manadhai | Steals and takes away my heart |
| Female :Kaiyirandil naan eduthu | Female: Holding in both my hands |
| Paadugindren aaraaro | I am singing a lullaby, aaraaro |
| Male :Mai vizhiyae thaalaelo | Male: Oh kohl-adorned eyes, lullaby |
| Female :Maadhavanae thaalaelo | Female: Oh Madhava, lullaby |
| Aaraariro | Aaraariro |
| Male :Aaraariro | Male: Aaraariro |
| Female :Aaraariro | Female: Aaraariro |
| Male :Aaraariro | Male: Aaraariro |
கண்ணன் ஒரு கைக்குழந்தை
கண்கள் சொல்லும் பூங்கவிதை
கன்னம் சிந்தும் தேன் அமுதை
கொண்டு செல்லும் என் மனதை
கையிரண்டில் நான் எடுத்து
பாடுகின்றேன் ஆராரோ
மைவிழியே தாலேலோ
மாதவனே தாலேலோ
Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms
Eyes recite a flower-like poem
The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks
Steals and takes away my heart
Holding in both my hands
I am singing a lullaby, aaraaro
Oh kohl-adorned eyes, lullaby
Oh Madhava, lullaby
கண்ணன் ஒரு கைக்குழந்தை
கண்கள் சொல்லும் பூங்கவிதை
கன்னம் சிந்தும் தேன் அமுதை
கொண்டு செல்லும் என் மனதை
Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms
Eyes recite a flower-like poem
The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks
Steals and takes away my heart
உன் மடியில் நான் உறங்க
கண்ணிரண்டும் தான் மயங்க
என்ன தவம் செய்தேனோ
என்னவென்று சொல்வேனோ
For me to sleep in your lap
While both my eyes swoon gently
What great penance did I perform?
How shall I ever express it?
உன் மடியில் நான் உறங்க
கண்ணிரண்டும் தான் மயங்க
என்ன தவம் செய்தேனோ
என்னவென்று சொல்வேனோ
For me to sleep in your lap
While both my eyes swoon gently
What great penance did I perform?
How shall I ever express it?
ஏழ்பிறப்பும் இணைந்திருக்கும்
சொந்தம் இந்த சொந்தமம்மா
வாழ்விருக்கும் நாள் வரைக்கும்
தஞ்சம் உந்தன் நெஞ்சமம்மா
Bound together through seven births
This relation is an eternal bond
For as long as life lasts
Your heart is my sanctuary
அன்னமிடும் கைகளிலே
ஆடிவரும் பிள்ளையிது
உன் அருகில் நானிருந்தால்
ஆனந்தத்தின் எல்லை அது
In the hands that lovingly feed rice
This child comes dancing along
When I am near you
That is the absolute limit of bliss
காயத்ரி மந்திரத்தை
உச்சரிக்கும் பக்தனம்மா
கேட்கும் வரம் கிடைக்கும்வரை
கண்ணுறக்கம் மறந்ததம்மா
Reciting the sacred Gayatri mantra
I am a devoted believer
Until the requested blessing is granted
Eye-closing sleep has been forgotten
மஞ்சள் கொண்டு நீராடி
மொய் குழலில் பூ சூடி
Bathing thoroughly with turmeric
Adorning flowers in dense tresses
வஞ்சி மகள் வரும் போது
ஆசை வரும் ஒரு கோடி
When the slender maiden arrives
Ten million desires arise
மஞ்சள் கொண்டு நீராடி
மொய் குழலில் பூ சூடி
Bathing thoroughly with turmeric
Adorning flowers in dense tresses
வஞ்சி மகள் வரும் போது
ஆசை வரும் ஒரு கோடி
When the slender maiden arrives
Ten million desires arise
கட்டழகன் கண்களுக்கு
மை எடுத்து எழுதட்டுமா
கண்கள் பாட கூடும் என்று
பொட்டு ஒன்று வைக்கட்டுமா
For the eyes of this handsome man
Shall I apply kohl to beautify?
Lest an evil eye should cast its gaze
Shall I place a protective spot?
கண்ணன் ஒரு கைக்குழந்தை
கண்கள் சொல்லும் பூங்கவிதை
Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms
Eyes recite a flower-like poem
Male: The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks
Steals and takes away my heart
Female: Holding in both my hands
I am singing a lullaby, aaraaro
Male: Oh kohl-adorned eyes, lullaby
Female: Oh Madhava, lullaby
Aaraariro
Male: Aaraariro
Female: Aaraariro
Male: Aaraariro
கன்னம் சிந்தும் தேன் அமுதை
கொண்டு செல்லும் என் மனதை
கையிரண்டில் நான் எடுத்து
பாடுகின்றேன் ஆராரோ
மைவிழியே தாலேலோ
மாதவனே தாலேலோ
ஆராரிரோ
ஆராரிரோ
ஆராரிரோ
ஆராரிரோ
ஆராரிரோ
Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms
Kangal sollum poongavidhai
Eyes recite a flower-like poem
Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai
The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks
Kondu sellum en manadhai
Steals and takes away my heart
Kaiyirandil naan eduthu
Holding in both my hands
Paadugindren aaraaro
I am singing a lullaby, aaraaro
Mai vizhiyae thaalaelo
Oh kohl-adorned eyes, lullaby
Maadhavanae thaalaelo
Oh Madhava, lullaby
Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms
Kangal sollum poongavidhai
Eyes recite a flower-like poem
Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai
The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks
Kondu sellum en manadhai
Steals and takes away my heart
Un madiyil naan uranga
For me to sleep in your lap
Kannirandum thaan mayanga
While both my eyes swoon gently
Enna thavam seidheno
What great penance did I perform?
Ennavendru solveno
How shall I ever express it?
Un madiyil naan uranga
For me to sleep in your lap
Kannirandum thaan mayanga
While both my eyes swoon gently
Enna thavam seidheno
What great penance did I perform?
Ennavendru solveno
How shall I ever express it?
Ezh pirappum inaindhirukkum
Bound together through seven births
Sondhamindha sondhamammaa
This relation is an eternal bond
Vaazhvirukkum naal varaikkum
For as long as life lasts
Thanjam undhan nenjamammaa
Your heart is my sanctuary
Annammidum kaigalilae
In the hands that lovingly feed rice
Aadi varum pillai idhu
This child comes dancing along
Un arugil naan irundhaal
When I am near you
Aanandhathin ellai adhu
That is the absolute limit of bliss
Gaayathri mandhirathai
Reciting the sacred Gayatri mantra
Ucharikkum bakthanammaa
I am a devoted believer
Ketkum varam kidaikkum varai
Until the requested blessing is granted
Kannurakkam marandhadhammaa
Eye-closing sleep has been forgotten
Manjal kondu neeraadi
Bathing thoroughly with turmeric
Moi kuzhalil poo choodi
Adorning flowers in dense tresses
Vanji magal varum podhu
When the slender maiden arrives
Aasai varum oru kodi
Ten million desires arise
Manjal kondu neeraadi
Bathing thoroughly with turmeric
Moi kuzhalil poo choodi
Adorning flowers in dense tresses
Vanji magal varum podhu
When the slender maiden arrives
Aasai varum oru kodi
Ten million desires arise
Kattazhagan kangalukku
For the eyes of this handsome man
Mai eduthu ezhudhatumaa
Shall I apply kohl to beautify?
Kangal pada koodum endru
Lest an evil eye should cast its gaze
Pottu ondru vaikkattumaa
Shall I place a protective spot?
Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
Lord Krishna is a small infant in arms
Kangal sollum poongavidhai
Eyes recite a flower-like poem
Male :Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai
Male: The sweet nectar spilling from the cheeks
Kondu sellum en manadhai
Steals and takes away my heart
Female :Kaiyirandil naan eduthu
Female: Holding in both my hands
Paadugindren aaraaro
I am singing a lullaby, aaraaro
Male :Mai vizhiyae thaalaelo
Male: Oh kohl-adorned eyes, lullaby
Female :Maadhavanae thaalaelo
Female: Oh Madhava, lullaby
Aaraariro
Aaraariro
Male :Aaraariro
Male: Aaraariro
Female :Aaraariro
Female: Aaraariro
Male :Aaraariro
Male: Aaraariro
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic lullaby-style duet expresses profound romantic devotion and familial warmth by comparing the beloved to Lord Krishna as an innocent infant. The lovers cherish their deep spiritual bond, viewing their connection as something predestined across seven lifetimes and sustained through pure devotion. Through gentle imagery of feeding, sleeping in one another's lap, and protective rituals, the song celebrates love as both a divine blessing and a safe sanctuary.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai / Kangal sollum poongavidhai”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines creating a melodic rhythm.
Edukki / Ezhuthu Rhyme (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai / Kangal sollum poongavidhai”
Rhyming of the second consonants 'n' and 'ng' in successive line openings.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)
“Kangal sollum poongavidhai / Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai”
Comparing the gaze of the eyes to a flowering poem ('poongavidhai') and cheek blush to sweet nectar ('thaenamudhu').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai' is one of Ilaiyaraaja's earliest iconic hit melodies, sung by K.J. Yesudas and P. Susheela for Bhadrakali (1976). Tragically, lead actress Rani Chandra died in a plane crash during the filming, requiring completion of remaining scenes using a double.
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