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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannang Karunguyil

From Jeevanadhi · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. Janaki, K. J. Jesudass
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Jeevanadhi1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayilThe dark black cuckoo, the tender young peacock
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthuGently smiles and scatters pearls of laughter
Yaen yaen yaenWhy, why, why?
Female
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi enaLike a slender vine pleading to be held
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalilIn the spots touched by the goddess of love, Rathi
Thaen thaen thaenHoney, honey, honey!
Male
Unthan thegam themaanganiYour body is a ripe, sweet mango
Nenjil aadum sinthaamaniA precious gem dancing upon the heart
Unthan thegam themaanganiYour body is a ripe, sweet mango
Nenjil aadum sinthaamaniA precious gem dancing upon the heart
Female
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayilThe dark black cuckoo, the tender young peacock
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthuGently smiles and scatters pearls of laughter
Yaen yaen yaenWhy, why, why?
Male
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi enaLike a slender vine pleading to be held
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalilIn the spots touched by the goddess of love, Rathi
Thaen thaen thaenHoney, honey, honey!
Male
Oru aayiram kalaigalA thousand fine arts
Padiththidum abinaya vizhigalAre mastered by those expressive eyes
Female :Ilam kadhalan karangalFemale: The hands of a youthful lover
Udalinil ezhuthidum surangalCompose musical notes on the canvas of the body
Male
Enna isaiyo enna sugamoWhat divine music this is, what heavenly bliss!
Female :Intha sugame endrum varumoFemale: Will this divine joy last forever?
Male :Ini naalum yaegaathasiMale: Hereafter, every day is a sacred vigil of Ekadashi
Iru kangal thoongaathadiAnd these two eyes shall know no sleep, my dear
Male
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayilThe dark black cuckoo, the tender young peacock
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthuGently smiles and scatters pearls of laughter
Yaen yaen yaenWhy, why, why?
Female
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi enaLike a slender vine pleading to be held
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalilIn the spots touched by the goddess of love, Rathi
Thaen thaen thaenHoney, honey, honey!
Male
Adi paarkadal amuthaeOh nectar churned from the milky ocean!
Dhinam varum pournami nilaveOh full moon that shines every single day!
Female :Iru kangalin kanaveFemale: The cherished dream of both eyes
Iravilum enakkoru nizhalaeA guiding shadow to me even in the dark night
Male
Velli mulaikkum enthan kizhakkaeMy eastern horizon where Venus, the morning star, rises
Female :Enthan uyirae endrum unakkaeFemale: My very life belongs to you forever
Male :Unthan paarvai deepavaliMale: Your glance is a festival of Deepavali
Female :Unthan vaarththai geethaanjaliFemale: Your soft words are a divine Geethanjali
Female
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayilThe dark black cuckoo, the tender young peacock
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthuGently smiles and scatters pearls of laughter
Yaen yaen yaenWhy, why, why?
Male
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi enaLike a slender vine pleading to be held
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalilIn the spots touched by the goddess of love, Rathi
Thaen thaen thaenHoney, honey, honey!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannag Karunguyil is a romantic duet from the film Jeevanadhi (1986), composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by lyricist Pulamaipithan. The song celebrates intimacy, beauty, and deep emotional devotion between lovers. The lyrics draw rich imagery from classical mythology, nature, and art, comparing the lovers' tender touch to musical notes on a body, and their gazes to luminous celestial events like the morning star, full moon, and festival of light.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthu

Compares the beloved's gentle smile to pearls being scattered.

Rupaka (Metaphor)

Unthan thegam themaangani / Nenjil aadum sinthaamani

Metaphorically compares the loved one's body to a sweet mango fruit ('themaangani') and a precious gem ('sinthaamani').

Monai (Alliteration)

Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi ena

Initial letter rhyme in 'Katti' and 'Kodi' / 'Vanjikkodi'.

Metaphor

Unthan paarvai deepavali / Unthan vaarththai geethaanjali

Equating the loved one's glance to the celebration of Deepavali and her speech to Geethanjali (offering of song).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is sung by legend S. Janaki and K. J. Yesudas. M. S. Viswanathan's composition blends classical carnatic undertones with rhythmic light-music arrangements typical of mid-80s Tamil cinema melodramas.

Keep listening

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