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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannang Karutha Kuyil

From Dr. Siva · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Kovai Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Dr. Siva1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………
Male
………………………….
Male
Kannangarutha kuyil nirathavalaeO girl with the jet-black color of a cuckoo,
Iru kannam kuzyiyum vannam sirithavalaeO girl who smiled in a way that dimpled both your cheeks!
Male
Kannangarutha kuyil nirathavalaeO girl with the jet-black color of a cuckoo,
Iru kannam kuzyiyum vannam sirithavalaeO girl who smiled in a way that dimpled both your cheeks!
Thennangaruthu yena valandhavalaeO girl who grew up tall like a tender coconut palm,
Ennai kannaalae maelum keezhum alandhavalaeO girl who scanned me up and down with your eyes!
Orange thotta pakkam aattam pottu vandhaenI came dancing near the orange orchard,
Orange thotta pakkam aattam pottu vandhaenI came dancing near the orange orchard,
Naalanju naalaa unnai nottam pottu vandhenI have been eyeing you for the past four or five days,
Naalanju naalaa unnai nottam pottu vandhaenI have been eyeing you for the past four or five days.
Male
Kannangarutha kuyil nirathavalaeO girl with the jet-black color of a cuckoo,
Iru kannam kuzyiyum vannam sirithavalaeO girl who smiled in a way that dimpled both your cheeks!
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Naan javvaadhu malaiyilae jodi pudichaenI found my match in the Javvadhu Hills,
Pazha chaarum kedachadhoru jaadi kudichaenAnd drank a whole jar of fruit juice I got.
Ding dingdingding dingdingding dingdi dingding dingDing dingdingding dingdingding dingdi dingding ding
Dingding dingdingding dingdingding dingdi dingding dingDingding dingdingding dingdingding dingdi dingding ding
Male
Naan javvaadhu malaiyilae jodi pudichaenI found my match in the Javvadhu Hills,
Pazha chaarum kedachadhoru jaadi kudichaenAnd drank a whole jar of fruit juice I got.
Themmaangu raagathilae paattu padichaen… ae…I sang a song in a folk melody...
Themmaangu raagathilae paattu padichaen…I sang a song in a folk melody...
Adhai semmaanguyilai naan kaettu padichaenI learned it by listening to the sweet red cuckoo,
Andha semmaanguyilai naan kaettu padichaenI learned it by listening to that sweet red cuckoo.
Kaavaeri aathu pakkam kaathu vaanga vandhaenI came to catch the breeze near the Kaveri river,
Katthodu kannae unnai saethu vaanga vandhaenAlong with the breeze, my dear, I came to take you with me!
Male
Kannangarutha kuyil nirathavalaeO girl with the jet-black color of a cuckoo,
Iru kannam kuzyiyum vannam sirithavalaeO girl who smiled in a way that dimpled both your cheeks!
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Nee thanneeril kulikkaiyil meenu kadikkaWhen you were bathing in the water, a fish bit you,
Andha meenin vadivedtthum naanum irukkaAnd I was right there, having taken the form of that fish!
Male
Nee thanneeril kulikkaiyil meenu kadikkaWhen you were bathing in the water, a fish bit you,
Andha meenin vadivedtthum naanum irukkaAnd I was right there, having taken the form of that fish!
Ammaadi endru solli ennai anaikkaExclaiming in surprise and hugging me tight,
Adi summaa nee nadikkirae endru nenachaenI thought you were just playing pretend, my girl!
Maelaadai eerathodu maeni vannam kanduSeeing your beautiful form through wet garments,
Thaalaadha aasai vandhu thaangi kondadhunduAn uncontrollable desire arose and took hold of me.
Male
Kannangarutha kuyil nirathavalaeO girl with the jet-black color of a cuckoo,
Iru kannam kuzyiyum vannam sirithavalaeO girl who smiled in a way that dimpled both your cheeks!
Chorus
……………………………
Male
……………………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk-style duet expresses the romantic teasing between a lover and his beloved. The hero praises the heroine's striking dark beauty, dimpled cheeks, and graceful tall stature. He reminisces about watching her near orange orchards, wandering through the Javvadhu hills, and singing folk tunes by the Kaveri river.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Kannangarutha kuyil nirathavalae / Thennangaruthu yena valandhavalae

The second consonant 'nna' rhymes between 'Kannangarutha' and 'Thennangaruthu', creating a melodic rhythm typical of Tamil folk poetry.

Uvamai (Simile)

Thennangaruthu yena valandhavalae

The heroine's height and youthful growth are poetically compared to a tall, prosperous tender coconut palm tree (Thennangaruthu).

Metaphor / Playful Hyperbole

Andha meenin vadivedtthum naanum irukka

The hero humorously claims he took the form of a fish in the river just to touch her while she was bathing.

Did you know?

Trivia

Dr. Siva (1975) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa in the lead roles. The film's musical score was composed by the legendary maestro M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Vaali.

Keep listening

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