Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannara Kaanpadhenro

From Rajakumari · 1947

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
M. M. Mariyappa
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Rajakumari1947

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannaara kaanbadhendroWhen will I see with my own eyes
Kaadhal valarthaThe one who nurtured love
Pennaalai kaanbadhendroWhen will I see that woman?
Kannaara kaanbadhendroWhen will I see with my own eyes
Kaadhal valarthaThe one who nurtured love
Pennaalai kaanbadhendroWhen will I see that woman?
Male
Mannaalum magaraajan magalenumAs the daughter of a king ruling the realm
Thuyar vaazhvaiHer life of royal distress
Mannaalum magaraajan magalenumAs the daughter of a king ruling the realm
Thuyar vaazhvaiHer life of royal distress
Ennaamalae ezhai enadhanbinWithout caring about status, for this poor man's love
Mana poovaiThe flower of my heart
Ennaamalae ezhai enadhanbinWithout caring about status, for this poor man's love
Mana poovaiThe flower of my heart
Male
Kannaara kaanbadhendroWhen will I see with my own eyes
Kaadhal valarthaThe one who nurtured love
Pennaalai kaanbadhendroWhen will I see that woman?
Male
Kanavinilae kanduSeeing in a dream
Kaamurum porul polae…Like a desired object...
Hae…aae…hae…ae…ae…ae…Hae...aae...hae...ae...ae...ae...
Kanavinilae kanduSeeing in a dream
Kaamurum porul polaeLike a desired object
Kai konda kaniyadhuLike a fruit held in hand
Vaai kettaa vidham polae…Slipping away right before the mouth...
Hae…aae…hae…ae…ae…ae…Hae...aae...hae...ae...ae...ae...
Kai konda kaniyadhuLike a fruit held in hand
Vaai kettaa vidham polae…Slipping away right before the mouth...
Male
Ninaivadhu veenaachae neerinirThat memory went to waste like water's
Kumizh polaeBubble
Ninaivadhu veenaachae neerinirThat memory went to waste like water's
Kumizh polaeBubble
Naesamaai enaiyaal eesanun arulaalaeBy the grace of God who lovingly governs me
Naesamaai enaiyaal eesanun arulaalaeBy the grace of God who lovingly governs me
Male
Kannaara kaanbadhendroWhen will I see with my own eyes
Kaadhal valarthaThe one who nurtured love
Pennaalai kaanbadhendroWhen will I see that woman?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the intense anguish and passionate longing of a protagonist aching to be reunited with his beloved. Although she is born a princess into a life of royal burden, she disregards class boundaries to offer her heart to a humble man. Yet, fate frustrates their union, leaving his hopes feeling as fragile as water bubbles and as tantalizingly out of reach as fruit slipping away at the lips. Surrounded by despair, he ultimately surrenders to divine grace, hoping God will bring his cherished beloved back before his eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ninaivadhu veenaachae neerinir Kumizh polae

Compares fleeting memories and broken hopes to a fragile water bubble ('neerinir kumizh polae') and a fruit in hand failing to reach the mouth ('kai konda kaniyadhu vaai kettaa vidham polae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mana poovai

Metaphorically describes the beloved's affection and heart as a flower ('mana poovai').

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Kannaara kaanbadhendro / Kaadhal valartha

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines ('Kannaara', 'Kaadhal').

Did you know?

Trivia

Rajakumari (1947) marked the debut of M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in a lead role. The film's music score was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu along with C. R. Subbaraman, featuring lyrics by the renowned nationalist poet Udumalai Narayanakavi.

Keep listening

More from Rajakumari