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Bhadrakali album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannan Oru

From Bhadrakali · 1976

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Bhadrakali
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
19 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
Kangal sollum poongavidhai
Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai
Kondu sellum en manadhai
Kaiyirandil naan eduthu
Paadugindren aaraaro
Mai vizhiyae thaalaelo
Maadhavanae thaalaelo
Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
Kangal sollum poongavidhai
Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai
Kondu sellum en manadhai
Un madiyil naan uranga
Kannirandum thaan mayanga
Enna thavam seidheno
Ennavendru solveno
Un madiyil naan uranga
Kannirandum thaan mayanga
Enna thavam seidheno
Ennavendru solveno
Ezh pirappum inaindhirukkum
Sondhamindha sondhamammaa
Vaazhvirukkum naal varaikkum
Thanjam undhan nenjamammaa
Annammidum kaigalilae
Aadi varum pillai idhu
Un arugil naan irundhaal
Aanandhathin ellai adhu
Gaayathri mandhirathai
Ucharikkum bakthanammaa
Ketkum varam kidaikkum varai
Kannurakkam marandhadhammaa
Manjal kondu neeraadi
Moi kuzhalil poo choodi
Vanji magal varum podhu
Aasai varum oru kodi
Manjal kondu neeraadi
Moi kuzhalil poo choodi
Vanji magal varum podhu
Aasai varum oru kodi
Kattazhagan kangalukku
Mai eduthu ezhudhatumaa
Kangal pada koodum endru
Pottu ondru vaikkattumaa
Kannan oru kai kuzhandhai
Kangal sollum poongavidhai
Male :Kannam sindhum thaenamudhai
Kondu sellum en manadhai
Female :Kaiyirandil naan eduthu
Paadugindren aaraaro
Male :Mai vizhiyae thaalaelo
Female :Maadhavanae thaalaelo
Aaraariro
Male :Aaraariro
Female :Aaraariro
Male :Aaraariro
Krishna is a tiny baby in my arms,
His eyes speak sweet poetry.
The honey-sweet nectar spilling from his cheeks
Steals my heart away.
Holding him in both my arms,
I sing a sweet lullaby.
Lullaby to your kohl-lined eyes,
Lullaby to you, Madhava (Krishna).
Krishna is a tiny baby in my arms,
His eyes speak sweet poetry.
The honey-sweet nectar spilling from his cheeks
Steals my heart away.
For me to sleep on your lap,
While my eyes drift into a sweet daze,
What penance must I have done?
How could I ever put it into words?
For me to sleep on your lap,
While my eyes drift into a sweet daze,
What penance must I have done?
How could I ever put it into words?
Bound together across seven lifetimes,
Is this deep bond of ours.
As long as there is life in me,
Your heart is my only shelter.
Fed by your loving hands,
I am a child that dances with joy.
When I am by your side,
It is the very peak of bliss.
Like a devotee chanting the sacred Gayatri mantra,
I chant your name with devotion.
Until I receive the blessing I seek,
My eyes have forgotten sleep.
Bathed in fragrant turmeric,
With sweet flowers in your thick hair,
When my graceful love comes to me,
Countless desires awaken in my heart.
Bathed in fragrant turmeric,
With sweet flowers in your thick hair,
When my graceful love comes to me,
Countless desires awaken in my heart.
For the eyes of this handsome man,
Shall I apply dark kohl?
Lest envious eyes fall upon you,
Shall I place a small protective dot?
Krishna is a tiny baby in my arms,
His eyes speak sweet poetry.
[Male]: The honey-sweet nectar spilling from your cheeks
Steals my heart away.
[Female]: Holding you in both my arms,
I sing a sweet lullaby.
[Male]: Lullaby to your dark, beautiful eyes,
[Female]: Lullaby to you, Madhava.
Aarariro,
[Male]: Aarariro,
[Female]: Aarariro,
[Male]: Aarariro.
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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