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Isaimozhi
Jeevanadhi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannang Karunguyil

From Jeevanadhi · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. Janaki, K. J. Jesudass
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Jeevanadhi
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
16 Feb 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayil
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthu
Yaen yaen yaen
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi ena
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalil
Thaen thaen thaen
Unthan thegam themaangani
Nenjil aadum sinthaamani
Unthan thegam themaangani
Nenjil aadum sinthaamani
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayil
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthu
Yaen yaen yaen
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi ena
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalil
Thaen thaen thaen
Oru aayiram kalaigal
Padiththidum abinaya vizhigal
Female :Ilam kadhalan karangal
Udalinil ezhuthidum surangal
Enna isaiyo enna sugamo
Female :Intha sugame endrum varumo
Male :Ini naalum yaegaathasi
Iru kangal thoongaathadi
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayil
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthu
Yaen yaen yaen
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi ena
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalil
Thaen thaen thaen
Adi paarkadal amuthae
Dhinam varum pournami nilave
Female :Iru kangalin kanave
Iravilum enakkoru nizhalae
Velli mulaikkum enthan kizhakkae
Female :Enthan uyirae endrum unakkae
Male :Unthan paarvai deepavali
Female :Unthan vaarththai geethaanjali
Kannag karunguyil chinna ilamayil
Mella sirikkuthu muththai iraikkuthu
Yaen yaen yaen
Katti pidiyena vanjikkodi ena
Vantha rathi magal thotta idangalil
Thaen thaen thaen
The dark sweet cuckoo, the graceful young peacock,
smiles softly, scattering pearls!
Why? Why? Why?
Saying "embrace me like a slender vine,"
wherever Rathi (the goddess of beauty) touches,
there is honey, honey, honey!
Your body is a sweet, ripe mango,
a precious jewel swaying upon the heart!
Your body is a sweet, ripe mango,
a precious jewel swaying upon the heart!
The dark sweet cuckoo, the graceful young peacock,
smiles softly, scattering pearls!
Why? Why? Why?
Saying "embrace me like a slender vine,"
wherever Rathi (the goddess of beauty) touches,
there is honey, honey, honey!
A thousand art forms
are taught by these expressive dancing eyes!
Female: The hands of my young lover
write musical notes across my body!
What sweet melody is this? What sheer joy is this?
Female: Will this happiness last forever?
Male: From now on, every day is Ekadasi (a sacred night of staying awake),
and our two eyes will never sleep!
The dark sweet cuckoo, the graceful young peacock,
smiles softly, scattering pearls!
Why? Why? Why?
Saying "embrace me like a slender vine,"
wherever Rathi (the goddess of beauty) touches,
there is honey, honey, honey!
Oh, sweet nectar from the milky ocean,
the full moon that shines every day!
Female: Oh, dream of both my eyes,
a comforting shade for me even at night!
You are my eastern dawn where the morning star rises!
Female: My very life belongs to you forever!
Male: Your glance is Deepavali (the festival of lights)!
Female: Your words are Geetanjali (an offering of songs)!
The dark sweet cuckoo, the graceful young peacock,
smiles softly, scattering pearls!
Why? Why? Why?
Saying "embrace me like a slender vine,"
wherever Rathi (the goddess of beauty) touches,
there is honey, honey, honey!
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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