Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannanai Ninaikkatha

From Seervarisai · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Seervarisai1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannanai ninaikkaatha naalillaiyaeThere is no day when I do not think of Krishna
Kadhalil thudikkaatha naalillaiyaeThere is no day when my heart does not throb in love
Unnimpothum urangumpothumWhile eating and while sleeping
Ennam muzhuthum kannanthaanaeMy entire mind is filled only with Krishna
Female
Kannanai ninaikkaatha naalillaiyaeThere is no day when I do not think of Krishna
Kadhalil thudikkaatha naalillaiyaeThere is no day when my heart does not throb in love
Unnimpothum urangumpothumWhile eating and while sleeping
Ennam muzhuthum kannanthaanaeMy entire mind is filled only with Krishna
Kannaa…..aa…..kannaa….aa….Oh Krishna... oh Krishna...
Male :Kannanthaanae kannanthaanaeMale: It is Krishna indeed, it is Krishna indeed
Male
Radhavin jaadai rojavin vaadaiWith Radha's demeanor and the fragrance of a rose
Annaththin pedai naan aadum medaiA female swan, the stage upon which I dance
Radhavin jaadai rojavin vaadaiWith Radha's demeanor and the fragrance of a rose
Annaththin pedai naan aadum medaiA female swan, the stage upon which I dance
Senthoora regai minnaamal minnumThe vermilion mark gleams without even flashing
Singaara thogai nee enthan kannuYou are a beautiful peacock plume, my dear eyes
Female
Kannan manivannan thiruvaaimozhiKrishna, the gem-hued one, speaks holy words
Unnaal manamengum yamuna nadhiBecause of you, my entire mind is the Yamuna river
Male :Kannan manivannan thiruvaaimozhiMale: Krishna, the gem-hued one, speaks holy words
Unnaal manamengum yamuna nadhiBecause of you, my entire mind is the Yamuna river
Female :Kannaa…..unnai marappenaaFemale: Oh Krishna... will I ever forget you?
Naan unnai marappenaaWill I ever forget you?
Female
Kannanai ninaikkaatha naalillaiyaeThere is no day when I do not think of Krishna
Male :Kadhalil thudikkaatha naalillaiyaeMale: There is no day when my heart does not throb in love
Female :UnnimpothumFemale: While eating
Male :UrangumpothumMale: While sleeping
Female :Ennam muzhuthum kannanthaanaeFemale: My entire mind is filled only with Krishna
Female
Venneela kangal ullaaga nindruMoonlike eyes standing within my soul
Ennodu pesum ullaasam kanduSeeing the joy of speaking with me
Venneela kangal ullaaga nindruMoonlike eyes standing within my soul
Ennodu pesum ullaasam kanduSeeing the joy of speaking with me
Naalaaga aaga thaalaathu kannaaAs days pass, it is a lullaby, my Krishna
Nee illai endraal naan enna pennaaWithout you, am I even a woman?
Male
Ganga nadhi vanthaal varum margazhiIf the river Ganges arrives, the month of Margazhi arrives
Un kai adhil en kai adhuthaan vazhiMy hand in yours, that alone is the path
Female :Ganga nadhi vanthaal varum margazhiFemale: If the river Ganges arrives, the month of Margazhi arrives
Un kai adhil en kai adhuthaan vazhiMy hand in yours, that alone is the path
Male :Kanae unnai marappaenoMale: Oh my precious one, will I ever forget you?
Naan unnai marappaenoWill I ever forget you?
Chorus
Jeya kannaa mugunthaa muraaraeHail Krishna, Mukunda, Murari!
Jeya kannaa mugunthaa muraaraeHail Krishna, Mukunda, Murari!
Jeya kannaa mugunthaa muraaraeHail Krishna, Mukunda, Murari!
Jeya kannaa mugunthaa muraaraeHail Krishna, Mukunda, Murari!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kannanai Ninaikkaatha Naalillaiyae' is a classic duet from the 1978 movie Seervarisai, composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by Kannadasan. The song blends romantic intimacy with spiritual devotion by drawing parallels between human love and the eternal, divine romance of Radha and Krishna. Both lovers express their constant devotion, noting that every moment—whether awake, eating, or sleeping—is consumed by thoughts of each other. Through imagery of holy rivers, peacock feathers, and sacred months, the lyricist frames their devotion as sacred and unending, closing with traditional chants exalting Krishna.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Radhavin jaadai rojavin vaadai / Annaththin pedai naan aadum medai

The second letter 'd' aligns in 'Radhavin' and 'Annaththin', creating a melodious rhythm across consecutive lines.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Radhavin jaadai rojavin vaadai / Annaththin pedai naan aadum medai

The line ends with matching rhyming sounds 'jaadai' and 'vaadai', as well as 'pedai' and 'medai'.

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

Unnaal manamengum yamuna nadhi

The mind flooded with love is directly equated to the sacred Yamuna river.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Senthoora regai minnaamal minnum / Singaara thogai nee enthan kannu

The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'S' in 'Senthoora' and 'Singaara'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan frequently utilized Krishna-oriented devotional motifs as metaphors for romantic affection in Tamil cinema. This song seamlessly blends classical devotion with romantic playback music, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela under the music direction of M. S. Viswanathan.

Keep listening

More from Seervarisai