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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannanavan Sonnathellam

From Valathu Kaalai Vaithu Vaa · 1989

Lyricist
Muthu Bharathi
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Premi -Sreeni
Details
Valathu Kaalai Vaithu Vaa1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannanavan sonnadhellamEverything my Kannan said,
Kavidhai endrirundhenI thought was poetry.
Kannanavan sonnadhellamEverything my Kannan said,
Kavidhai endrirundhenI thought was poetry.
Female
Andru nee niraindha vizhiyilIn the eyes where you once dwelt filled with love,
Indru neer niraindhadhennaWhy are they filled with water today?
Kanneer niraindhadhennaWhy are they filled with tears?
Female
Kannanavan sonnadhellamEverything my Kannan said,
Kavidhai endrirundhenI thought was poetry.
Female
Uravaedhu pagaiyaedhuWho is kin and who is foe,
Ariyaadha ilamaaninWith the innocent young deer who does not know,
Vidhiyodu vilaiyadinaaiYou played a game with fate.
Nalla thunaiyaaga unai thediSeeking you as a good companion,
Varum pennin ila nenjaiThe young heart of the woman who comes to you,
Puriyaamal vilai pesinaaiWithout understanding, you bargained it away.
Female
Gunam naalum kuraiyaamalWithout virtue diminishing each day,
Manavaalan nalam vendiWishing for the well-being of my husband,
Pala koyil padi yerinenI climbed the steps of many temples.
Undhan manam maaru thirunaalaiThe sacred day when your heart changes,
Imaiyaadha vizhiyoduWith unblinking eyes,
Dhinam dhorum ethirpaarkkirenI await every single day.
Unai naanum edhirpaarkkirenI am waiting for you too.
Female
Kannanavan sonnadhellamEverything my Kannan said,
Kavidhai endrirundhen….I thought was poetry....
Female
Aaa…aa…aa..Aaa...aa...aa..
Female
Unakaaga oru roja valarthenaeI grew a rose just for you,
Mana maettil un maarbil adhai serkkavaeTo place it on your chest on the altar of mind,
Andha malargindra pozhudhendhenAs that flower was blooming,
Viral meedhu kaayangal poo yeno mullaanadhaeWounds appeared on my fingers; why did the flower turn into a thorn?
Female
Oru vaanam oru boomiOne sky, one earth,
Oru ennam oru sondhamOne thought, one relationship,
Endrendrum naan venduvenThis is what I forever wish for.
Ini uruvaagum edhirkaalamThe future that will form hereafter,
Nalamaagum namadhaagumWill be prosperous and will become ours,
Annaalai edhirpaarkkirenI eagerly await that day.
Nannaalai edhirpaarkkirenI eagerly await that auspicious day.
Female
Kannanavan sonnadhellamEverything my Kannan said,
Kavidhai endrirundhenI thought was poetry.
Female
Andru nee niraindha vizhiyilIn the eyes where you once dwelt filled with love,
Indru neer niraindhadhennaWhy are they filled with water today?
Kanneer niraindhadhennaWhy are they filled with tears?
Female
Kannanavan sonnadhellamEverything my Kannan said,
Kavidhai endrirundhenI thought was poetry.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannanavan Sonnadhellam from Valathu Kaalai Vaithu Vaa (1989) is a poignant Tamil composition reflecting the grief, steadfast devotion, and resilient hope of a woman whose beloved's promises turned into sorrow. She laments how every word he spoke once felt like poetry, but now leaves her eyes welled with tears. Comparing herself to an innocent deer playing with fate, she describes how her act of nurturing love like a tender rose ended in painful thorns. Despite the hurt, her faith remains unbroken. She climbs temple steps praying for her husband's well-being and waits with unblinking eyes for the auspicious day his heart changes and brings them back together under one sky and earth. Expressed through K. S. Chithra's melancholic vocals and Muthu Bharathi's evocative lyrics, the song captures both heartbreak and eternal optimism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Contrast (Assonance)

Andru nee niraindha vizhiyil / Indru neer niraindhadhenna

Contrast between 'nee' (you) who filled her eyes in the past and 'neer / kanneer' (water / tears) filling them today.

Metaphor

Ariyaadha ilamaanin / Vidhiyodu vilaiyadinaai

Comparing the innocent young bride/woman to a young deer ('ilamaan') who cannot distinguish kin from foe.

Symbolism / Metaphor

Viral meedhu kaayangal poo yeno mullaanadhae

The rose ('roja') symbolises her love nurtured for him, which turns into thorns ('mull') causing painful wounds.

Anaphora

Oru vaanam oru boomi / Oru ennam oru sondham

Repetition of 'Oru' (One) to emphasize singular devotion and unity in relationship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Valathu Kaalai Vaithu Vaa (1989) featured music composed by the composer duo Premi-Sreeni. Sung soulfully by K. S. Chithra, this tragic melody stands out for its deep classical undertones and emotional lyrical imagery written by Muthu Bharathi.

Keep listening

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