Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannana Kanne Kanneer

From Puyal Paadum Paatu · 1987

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Puyal Paadum Paatu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaana kannaeOh precious child, dear as my eyes
Kanneer yaen ingaeWhy are there tears here?
Anbaana nenjae sandhosham engaeOh loving heart, where is happiness?
Thaai paadum raagamThe melody sung by a mother
Naan paadum naeramNow is the time for me to sing
Female
Kannaana kannaeOh precious child, dear as my eyes
Kanneer yaen ingaeWhy are there tears here?
Anbaana nenjae sandhosham engaeOh loving heart, where is happiness?
Female
Bodhai thaedi pogum nenjilIn a heart that seeks intoxication
Nyaana dheepam yaerumaaWill the lamp of wisdom light up?
Odum neeril podum kolamA pattern drawn on running water
Kannil vandhu thondrumaaWill it ever be visible to the eyes?
Female
Bodhai thaedi pogum nenjilIn a heart that seeks intoxication
Nyaana dheepam yaerumaaWill the lamp of wisdom light up?
Odum neeril podum kolamA pattern drawn on running water
Kannil vandhu thondrumaaWill it ever be visible to the eyes?
Female
Maerkkil kaalai thondraadhuThe morning sun does not rise in the west
Minnal maalai aagaadhuA flash of lightning does not become a garland
Tholodu thaangi thaalaattu paadiHolding close to the shoulders, singing a lullaby
Aalaakkum ullam ennenna ennumWhat thoughts fill the heart that raises a child?
Unnai naan ketkum kelvi ondru thaanThere is only one question I ask of you
Female
Kannaana kannaeOh precious child, dear as my eyes
Kanneer yaen ingaeWhy are there tears here?
Anbaana nenjae sandhosham engaeOh loving heart, where is happiness?
Female
Aa… aa…aa…aaa…aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…Vocalizing melodic tones (Aa... aa...)
Female
Kangal mooda neram indruNow it is time to close eyes
Pillai thoonga paaduvaalShe sings for the child to sleep
Kaatru vandhu theendum endruFearing that the wind might touch the child
Saelai kondu mooduvaalShe covers with her saree
Anbu konda thaai paasamThe affection of a loving mother
Ellai illaa aagaasamIs an endless sky
Noiyodu vaadum thaai vaazha vendumThe mother suffering with illness must live
Needoozhi kaalam nee vaazha vendumMay you live a very long life
Unnai naan anbu kondu vaazhthinaenI blessed you with all my love
Female
Kannaana kannaeOh precious child, dear as my eyes
Kanneer yaen ingaeWhy are there tears here?
Anbaana nenjae sandhosham engaeOh loving heart, where is happiness?
Thaai paadum raagamThe melody sung by a mother
Naan paadum neramNow is the time for me to sing
Female
Kannaana kannaeOh precious child, dear as my eyes
Kanneer yaen ingaeWhy are there tears here?
Anbaana nenjae sandhosham engaeOh loving heart, where is happiness?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannaana Kannae is an emotionally charged lullaby that reflects deep affection, care, and philosophical musing on maternal love and life's hardships. The speaker comforts a suffering loved one, asking why there are tears in a heart meant for joy, and cautions against losing oneself in destructive distractions like intoxication, comparing impossible expectations to drawing patterns on running water or seeing the sun rise in the west. The song highlights the boundless selflessness of a mother who shields her child from the wind and prays for long life and healing. Ultimately, it stands as a soulful prayer of love, wishing for health, longevity, and peace for the mother and child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Odum neeril podum kolam

'Odum neeril podum kolam' compares futile actions to drawing a Kolam pattern on flowing water, which disappears instantly.

Rhetorical Question

Nyaana dheepam yaerumaa

'Nyaana dheepam yaerumaa' asks whether the lamp of wisdom can light up in a mind lost in intoxication, emphasizing the absurdity of the path.

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Ellai illaa aagaasam

'Ellai illaa aagaasam' compares a mother's boundless love to the infinite sky.

Did you know?

Trivia

Puyal Paadum Paatu (1987) is a drama film whose songs center heavily on familial bonds, maternal affection, and emotional resilience.

Keep listening

More from Puyal Paadum Paatu