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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannana Kanna Unnai Male

From Neethaana Andha Kuyil · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Neethaana Andha Kuyil1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannaana kanna unnaOh child precious as my eyes,
Enna solli thaalaattaWith what words shall I sing you a lullaby?
Paarvathi yaarumillaeThere is no Goddess Parvathi here,
Paasam vanthu paaloottaTo come with affection and feed you milk.
Unnai vittu poga matten naanaeI will never leave you and go,
Solladha sondham ingae nee thaanaeYou are my unannounced bond here.
Male
Kannaana kanna unnaOh child precious as my eyes,
Enna solli thaalaattaWith what words shall I sing you a lullaby?
Paarvathi yaarumillaeThere is no Goddess Parvathi here,
Paasam vanthu paaloottaTo come with affection and feed you milk.
Male
Kalyanam aagavillaiI am not even married yet,
Appaninnu sonnaayaaDid you call me your father?
Appanukku ponnu paarkkaTo look for a bride for the father,
Appan kooda vanthaayaDid you come along with the father?
Male
Kalyanam aagavillaiI am not even married yet,
Appaninnu sonnaayaaDid you call me your father?
Appanukku ponnu paarkkaTo look for a bride for the father,
Appan kooda vanthaayaDid you come along with the father?
Male
Koban oru kannukullaeAnger in one eye,
Paasam oru kannukullaeLove in the other eye.
Sambandham illaiyinnaThough there is no blood relation,
Sathisanam nambavillaiMy kinsmen would not believe it.
Male
Koodiya kootathirukkuTo the gathered crowd,
Komaliyaai aanenaaDid I become a clown?
Poonaiyai koottikittuTaking a cat along with me,
Ponnu paarkka ponenaaDid I go to see a bride?
Male
Kannaana kanna unnaOh child precious as my eyes,
Enna solli thaalaattaWith what words shall I sing you a lullaby?
Paarvathi yaarumillaeThere is no Goddess Parvathi here,
Paasam vanthu paaloottaTo come with affection and feed you milk.
Unnai vittu poga matten naanaeI will never leave you and go,
Solladha sondham ingae nee thaanaeYou are my unannounced bond here.
Male
Chaera chozha pandiyanaiSearching like digging for the Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties,
Thondi paarthu sonnenaeI dug up and looked everywhere, I say.
Unnai petha appan aathaThe father and mother who gave birth to you,
Kaana villai senthaenaeI could not find, my sweet honey.
Male
Chaera chozha pandiyanaiSearching like digging for the Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties,
Thondi paarthu sonnenaeI dug up and looked everywhere, I say.
Unnai petha appan aathaThe father and mother who gave birth to you,
Kaana villai senthaenaeI could not find, my sweet honey.
Male
Thangam unnai thatheduthenI adopted you, precious gold,
Tharaiyilae mutheduthenI picked up a pearl from the dust.
Paavi unnai kaanoominnuFearing I lost you, poor sinner that I am,
Paasathilae thathalichenI squirmed in agony out of affection.
Male
Moodi vacha kannukkullaeInside your closed eyes,
Muthu muthaa kaneeruTears fell like pearls.
Naanirukka sogam ennaWhy be sad when I am here?
Nandu paiya nallaaruLittle crab of a boy, stay well!
Male
Anbaana appa unnai enna solli paarattaLoving father, with what words shall I praise you?
Paarvathi thevai illai paiyanukku paaloottaNo Parvathi is needed to feed milk to this boy.
Anaadhai pola vandhen naanaeI came like an orphan,
Appavum ammavum thaan neethaanaeYet you are both my father and mother.
Male
Anbaana appa unnai enna solli paarattaLoving father, with what words shall I praise you?
Paarvathi thevai illai paiyanukku paaloottaNo Parvathi is needed to feed milk to this boy.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This touching song from 'Neethaana Andha Kuyil' depicts the deep emotional bond between an unmarried man and a young orphan child he has taken under his wing. The guardian lovingly expresses his affection while reflecting on the humorous yet sweet awkwardness of being called 'father' when he is still single and searching for a bride. He describes his futile search for the child's birth parents and how he eventually adopted the child like finding a precious pearl in the dirt. In the final stanza, the child responds with heartfelt gratitude, declaring that he no longer considers himself an orphan because his guardian fills the role of both father and mother. The track highlights themes of unconditional love, non-biological parenthood, and the emotional solace found in unexpected human relationships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kannaana kanna unna / Enna solli thaalaatta

Matching second consonant 'n' sound across adjacent lines ('Kannaana' / 'Enna').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Thangam unnai thatheduthen / Tharaiyilae mutheduthen

Comparing the child to a pearl found on the floor/ground ('Tharaiyilae mutheduthen').

Simile (Uvamai)

Moodi vacha kannukkullae / Muthu muthaa kaneeru

Comparing teardrops to precious pearls falling from closed eyes ('Muthu muthaa kaneeru').

Alliteration / Monai (First-letter Harmony)

Poonaiyai koottikittu / Ponnu paarkka ponenaa

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Poonaiyai' / 'Ponnu' / 'Paarkka' / 'Ponenaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. 'Neethaana Andha Kuyil' (1986) is a Tamil drama directed by R. Sundarrajan starring Raja and Sulakshana, known for its soulful soundtrack reflecting deep interpersonal bonds.

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