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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannanukku Kobam Enna

From Annapoorni · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Annapoorni1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannanukku kobam ennaWhy is Krishna (my beloved) angry?
Kannil oar thaabamennaWhat is this yearning in his eyes?
Kannanukku kobam ennaWhy is Krishna angry?
Kannil oar thaabamennaWhat is this yearning in his eyes?
Mangai manam puriyaathoDo you not understand a young woman's heart?
Maalaiyittu laabamennaWhat was the point of garlanding if you do not?
Male
Kannan konda kobamennaWhat is this anger Krishna holds?
Kannilulla thaabamennaWhat is this passion in his eyes?
Mannan manam puriyaathoDo I not understand my king's heart?
Maaliyittu laabamennaWhat is the benefit of garlanding if not?
Kannan konda kobam enna..What is this anger Krishna holds?
Male
Ammamma un kayilOh my, in your hands
Adhikaaram irukaiyileywhen authority rests,
Ishtam pol sattangallaws as per your whim
Idukindraai ilamiyileyyou impose in your youth!
Male
Ammamma un kayilOh my, in your hands
Adhikaaram irukaiyileywhen authority rests,
Ishtam pol sattangallaws as per your whim
Idukindraai ilamiyileyyou impose in your youth!
Ithai naan arivaenI know this well,
Female
En anbaey un anbaeymy love, your love
Ponnenbaen enthilamaiI consider my youth as golden,
Ennullam en selvammy heart is my wealth,
Un sontham Unathadimaiit belongs to you, your humble servant.
Nizhalpol varuvaenI will follow like a shadow.
Male
Magaaraaniyin sagavaasam yaenWhy company with a queen?
Magaaraaniyin sagavaasam yaenWhy company with a queen?
Female
Magraajan unakintha pidivaatham yaenOh king, why this stubbornness of yours?
Male
Kannan konda kobam ennaWhat is this anger Krishna holds?
Kannilulla thaabamennaWhat is this yearning in his eyes?
Mannan manam puriyaathoDo I not understand my king's heart?
Maaliyittu laabamennaWhat is the benefit of garlanding if not?
Kannan konda kobam enna..What is this anger Krishna holds?
Female
Pon manjal poomaalaiGolden turmeric and floral garland,
Maangalyam vazhangiyavarthe one who bestowed the sacred thread,
Un sollaey ennaalumyour word alone is always
En vaetham vadivazhaganmy Veda, oh handsome one,
Madimael vizhunthaenI have fallen into your lap.
Female
Pon manjal poomaalaiGolden turmeric and floral garland,
Maangalyam vazhangiyavarthe one who bestowed the sacred thread,
Un sollaey ennaalumyour word alone is always
En vaetham vadivazhaganmy Veda, oh handsome one,
Madimael vizhunthaenI have fallen into your lap.
Male
Paalaru thaenaaruRiver of milk, river of honey,
Evvaaru koodiyathohow did they join together?
Avvaru ivvelaiJust like that at this time,
Sevvaayil oadiyathohas it flowed on red lips?
Paarthaen malaithaenI looked and was awestruck.
Female
Neeraadalaam nee aadalaamWe can bathe in water, you can dance,
Neeraadalaam nee aadalaamWe can bathe in water, you can dance,
Male
Poadhaamal menmelum poraadalaamNot satisfied, we can playfully fight further.
Female
Kannanukku kobam ennaWhy is Krishna angry?
Kannil oar thaabamennaWhat is this yearning in his eyes?
Male :Mangai manam purinthu kondaenMale: I have understood the young woman's heart,
Oodal vanthu laabamenna…What is the gain in lovers' spats?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kannanukku Kobam Enna' from the 1978 movie Annapoorni is a romantic duet composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Vaali, sung by P. Susheela and K. J. Yesudas. The song captures a sweet lover's quarrel (Oodal) between a couple. The female lead playfully teases her partner about his feigned anger and passionate longing, reaffirming her complete devotion to him as her king and lord, while declaring that her youth and heart belong to him. She uses vivid imagery of rivers of milk and honey to express intimacy. By the end of the song, the male lead warmly responds, expressing that he has understood her heart and realizing there is no value in maintaining a love quarrel. The track beautifully blends romantic charm, intimacy, and classical Tamil poetic themes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Kannanukku kobam enna / Kannil oar thaabamenna

Rhyming of the second letter across lines ('nn' in Kannanukku / Kannil).

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Paalaru thaenaaru Evvaaru koodiyatho

Comparing intimate passion and sweetness of lips to merging rivers of milk and honey.

Simile (Uvamaana Uruvagam)

Nizhalpol varuvaen

Comparing devotion and presence to following like a shadow.

Sangam Concept (Oodal)

Male :Mangai manam purinthu kondaen Oodal vanthu laabamenna…

Incorporates the traditional Tamil literary theme of 'Oodal', representing a playful quarrel between lovers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Annapoorni (1978) features music composed by V. Kumar, who was celebrated for creating soft, melodious Tamil film tracks in the 1970s. The song highlights the classic Sangam poetic concept of 'Oodal' (playful romantic quarrel), brought to life by lyricist Vaali and vocalized by legendary singers K. J. Yesudas and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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