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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannanai Ninaithaal

From Subrabatham · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Vani Jairam, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Subrabatham1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannanai ninaiththaal sonnathu palikkumIf you think of Lord Krishna, whatever is spoken will come true
Kaalangal thorum ninaiththathu nadakkumThroughout all times, whatever is wished for will come to pass
Kaalangal thorum ninaiththathu nadakkumThroughout all times, whatever is wished for will come to pass
Female
Kannaa gobalaO Krishna, O Gopala!
Radha krishnaa sri devaRadha Krishna, divine Lord!
Kannaa gobalaO Krishna, O Gopala!
Radha krishnaa sri devaRadha Krishna, divine Lord!
Male
Ponmani vannan sonnathu geedhaiThe golden-hued Lord imparted the holy Gita
Poomagan maarbinil thavazhnthaval radhaiRadha is the one who rested on the chest of the divine lotus-like Lord
Poomagan maarbinil thavazhnthaval radhaiRadha is the one who rested on the chest of the divine lotus-like Lord
Male
Nallavar selvathu avanathu paathaiThe path walked by righteous people is His path
Naadiya manithan ulagaththil medhaiThe human who seeks Him becomes a wise genius in this world
Male
Kannanai ninaiththaal sonnathu pallikkumIf you think of Lord Krishna, whatever is spoken will come true
Kaalangal thorum ninaiththathu nadakkumThroughout all times, whatever is wished for will come to pass
Kaalangal thorum ninaiththathu nadakkumThroughout all times, whatever is wished for will come to pass
Female
Aattrinil pengal selaiyai eduththaanHe took away the clothes of the women bathing in the river
Adhaiyae draupathi kettathum koduththaanYet He provided that very protection the moment Draupadi prayed for it
Kaattrilum isaiyilum kannanin kuralaeKrishna's divine voice resonates in the wind and in music
Paattinil varuvathu pullaanguzhalaeThat which manifests as song is His sacred flute
Female
Kannaa gobalaO Krishna, O Gopala!
Radha krishnaa sri devaRadha Krishna, divine Lord!
Male :Kannaa gobalaMale: O Krishna, O Gopala!
Radha krishnaa sri devaRadha Krishna, divine Lord!
Male
Gopiyar naduvae kannanin naadhamKrishna's divine melody resounds among the Gopis
Guruvaayooril kuzhanthaiyin geedhamIn Guruvayur, it is the song of the divine child
Guruvaayooril kuzhanthaiyin geedhamIn Guruvayur, it is the song of the divine child
Male
Devargal sabhaiyil sri krishna vedhamIn the assembly of the gods, it is Sri Krishna's sacred Veda
Thirumalai thanilae thava subrabathamOn the sacred Tirumalai hill, it is your divine morning awakening
Both :Thava subrabatham thava subrabathamBoth: Your holy morning awakening, your holy morning awakening

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soul-stirring devotional song from the film Subrabatham praises Lord Krishna, emphasizing that meditating upon Him brings fulfillment, wisdom, and divine blessing. Kannadasan weaves together various aspects of Krishna's avatar—His role as the teacher of the Bhagavad Gita, His sweet bond with Radha, His divine omnipresence as pure music, and His presence across holy shrines like Guruvayur and Tirupati.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaaphora / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Kannanai ninaiththaal sonnathu palikkum / Kaalangal thorum ninaiththathu nadakkum

Repetition of initial letters/sounds like 'Kannai' and 'Kaalangal' creating a rhythmic, melodic structure.

Paradox / Contrast (Muran)

Aattrinil pengal selaiyai eduththaan / Adhaiyae draupathi kettathum koduththaan

Kannadasan contrasts Krishna's playful act of taking away the Gopis' clothes in the river with His compassionate act of instantly bestowing infinite clothes to protect Draupadi's honor.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kaattrilum isaiyilum kannanin kuralae / Paattinil varuvathu pullaanguzhalae

Describing the divine voice of Krishna as identical to the wind, music, and the sacred bamboo flute itself.

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Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyricist Kannadasan, this devotional melody masterfully connects Krishna's famous mythological episodes (Gopika Vastraharanam, Draupadi Vastraharan, Bhagavad Gita) with famous Krishna pilgrimage spots like Guruvayur and Tirumalai in a single compact composition.

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