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Raja Sevai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannana Kanmaniye

From Raja Sevai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Leela, Chorus
Music director
T. V. Raju
Movie name
Raja Sevai
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
23 Sept 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannana kanmaniye kali theerkka vandhavalae
Chorus :Kannana kanmaniye kali theerkka vandhavalae
Female :Ponnaana silaiyae pugazh maevum kaliyae
Puviyala pirandhavalae
Chorus :Kannana kanmaniye kali theerkka vandhavalae
Veerapuli eendra vithaaga pirandhaai
Vidhiyin sadhiyaale nilaimaari valarndhaai
Veerapuli eendra vithaaga pirandhaai
Vidhiyin sadhiyaale nilaimaari valarndhaai
Paaril unai tahndha uyir tahndhai polae
Poraadu pugazhaanaal magizhnvaen thannalae
Kannaana kanmaiyae kali theertha vinmaniyae
Villambin munnalae veeram nilladhu
Un sollambin munnalae edhuvum solladhu
Villambin munnalae veeram nilladhu
Un sollambin munnalae edhuvum solladhu
Veera maniyaaga ennaalum neeyae
Vilangidum nilai kandu magizhvomae thaayae
Chorus :Kannana kanmaniye kali theerkka vandhavalae
Vaedhaandha kalaiyodu oli veesa vendum
Vingyaana arivodu vialiyaada vendum
Vaedhaandha kalaiyodu oli veesa vendum
Vingyaana arivodu vialiyaada vendum
Varungaala verranendru ulagorr kondaada
Vaazhnaalil kaanadha pugazh vaanga vendum
Kannaana kanmaiyae kali theertha vinmaniyae
Hmm mm mm mm
Hmm mm mm mm
Oh precious apple of my eye, you who came to bring us joy!
Chorus: Oh precious apple of my eye, you who came to bring us joy!
Female: Golden idol of grace, shining with fame,
You who were born to rule this earth!
Chorus: Oh precious apple of my eye, you who came to bring us joy!
You were born as the offspring of a brave tiger,
Yet by the cruel turn of fate, your circumstances changed as you grew.
You were born as the offspring of a brave tiger,
Yet by the cruel turn of fate, your circumstances changed as you grew.
Just like the loving father who gave you life in this world,
Fight on—when you win fame, my heart will truly rejoice!
Oh beloved light of my eyes, heavenly jewel who filled us with joy!
No courage can withstand a swift bow and arrow,
And nothing can speak against the sharp arrows of your words!
No courage can withstand a swift bow and arrow,
And nothing can speak against the sharp arrows of your words!
As a shining jewel of bravery forever,
Seeing your glorious rise, we will rejoice, my dear child!
Chorus: Oh precious apple of my eye, you who came to bring us joy!
You must shine bright with the wisdom of philosophy,
And effortlessly master the knowledge of science!
You must shine bright with the wisdom of philosophy,
And effortlessly master the knowledge of science!
So that the whole world celebrates you as the hero of tomorrow,
You must achieve glory never seen before in a lifetime!
Oh beloved light of my eyes, heavenly jewel who filled us with joy!
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from Raja Sevai (1959) is an empowering lullaby and ode sung by P. Leela. It expresses a mother's deep affection, proud encouragement, and high aspirations for her child. The lyrics address the child as noble offspring born of heroic lineage ('a seed of a brave tiger') who was displaced from royal heritage due to fate's unpredictable plot. The song inspires the child to master both martial prowess and persuasive speech. It uniquely calls for a balance of traditional philosophy (Vedanta) and modern scientific intellect (Vingyaanam), wishing for the child to rise as a celebrated future hero of global renown.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Veerapuli eendra vithaaga pirandhaai”

Comparing the child to the 'seed of a brave tiger' ('Veerapuli eendra vithu') to denote noble and courageous lineage.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Un sollambin munnalae edhuvum solladhu”

Comparing words to arrows ('sollambin') to signify the powerful impact of eloquent speech.

Edugai (Rhyme on second letter)

“Villambin munnalae veeram nilladhu / Un sollambin munnalae edhuvum solladhu”

The second letter 'l' matches in 'Villambin' and 'sollambin', creating a pleasing poetic rhyme.

Monai (Alliteration on first letter)

“Vaedhaandha kalaiyodu oli veesa vendum / Vingyaana arivodu vialiyaada vendum”

The first letter 'Va' repeats across 'Vaedhaandha' and 'Vingyaana', emphasizing the contrast between philosophy and science.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Raja Sevai' (1959), directed by K. Shankar with music by T. V. Raju, lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass incorporated progressive modern ideas like scientific learning ('Vingyaana arivu') alongside ancient wisdom ('Vaedhaandha kalai') within a traditional period-drama song structure.

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