Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannathil Ennadi

From Thanippiravi · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thanippiravi1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...
Female
Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…Female: This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Male
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippuWhat is this swelling on your fruit-like lips?
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippuFemale: It is a crack caused by the chilly winter wind.
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…Female: This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Male
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippuWhat is this swelling on your fruit-like lips?
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippuFemale: It is a crack caused by the chilly winter wind.
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...
Female :Mmm mmm…Female: Mmm mmm...
Male
Mmm..mmm……Mmm..mmm......
Male
Thottu thazhuviya tholukkuFor these shoulders that touched and embraced,
Maappillai thulli ezhundhu vittaanoDid the groom suddenly leap up with joy?
Thaen alli kudithu vittaanoDid he scoop up and drink honey?
Thottu thazhuviya tholukkuFor these shoulders that touched and embraced,
Maappillai thulli ezhundhu vittaanoDid the groom suddenly leap up with joy?
Thaen alli kudithu vittaanoDid he scoop up and drink honey?
Female
Avan thottadhum kannathil ittadhumHis touch and the kiss he gave on the cheek,
Unnidam thoodhuvan vandhu sonnaanoDid a messenger come and tell you about it?
Illai kaadhalanae nee thaanoOr are you yourself my lover?
Avan thottadhum kannathil ittadhumHis touch and the kiss he gave on the cheek,
Unnidam thoodhuvan vandhu sonnaanoDid a messenger come and tell you about it?
Illai kaadhalanae nee thaanoOr are you yourself my lover?
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…Female: This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Male
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippuWhat is this swelling on your fruit-like lips?
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippuFemale: It is a crack caused by the chilly winter wind.
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...
Female
Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...
Male
Maalai karukkalil saelai ravikkaiyaiIn the dusk of the evening, changing saree and blouse,
Maatriyadhennadi kolamWhat is this new attire you have taken?
Kan kaattuvadhennadi jaalamWhat magic are your eyes demonstrating?
Maalai karukkalil saelai ravikkaiyaiIn the dusk of the evening, changing saree and blouse,
Maatriyadhennadi kolamWhat is this new attire you have taken?
Kan kaattuvadhennadi jaalamWhat magic are your eyes demonstrating?
Female
Saelathu patendru vaangi vandhaarHe brought a silk saree from Salem,
Indha chinnavari poi kaelumGo ask this young girl about it,
Kannaadi mun nindru paarumStand before the mirror and look at yourself.
Saelathu patendru vaangi vandhaarHe brought a silk saree from Salem,
Indha chinnavari poi kaelumGo ask this young girl about it,
Kannaadi mun nindru paarumStand before the mirror and look at yourself.
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…Female: This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Male
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippuWhat is this swelling on your fruit-like lips?
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippuFemale: It is a crack caused by the chilly winter wind.
Male
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…What is this injury on your cheek, my girl?
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...
Female
Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…This is the magic done by a colorful parrot...
M…mm…mmm…mmm…M...mm...mmm...mmm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a romantic banter between two lovers (or a husband and wife). The hero playfully teases the heroine about visible marks of passion on her face and lips—asking about the bite marks on her cheek and the swelling on her lips. She playfully deflects his questions using romantic metaphors, blaming a 'colorful parrot' for the cheek mark and the cold winter breeze for her swollen lips. The playful interrogation continues as they exchange witty remarks about love, secret messengers, dressing up at twilight, and gifts like fine silk sarees from Salem, establishing a lighthearted and affectionate intimate mood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Kani udhatil ennadi thadippu

'Vannakkili' (colorful parrot) is used as a poetic metaphor for the lover who pecked her cheek, while 'Kani udhadhu' compares soft lips to sweet ripe fruit.

Ethirhai (எதுகை - Second Letter Rhyme)

Kannathil ennadi kaayam… / Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…

The second letter 'n' (ன்/ண) rhymes across 'Kannathil' and 'Vannakkili', adding rhythmic beauty to the refrain.

Emona / Rhetorical Questioning

Illai kaadhalanae nee thaano

The song employs continuous playful questioning ('ennadi kaayam', 'ezhundhu vittaano', 'nee thaano') to create a lively conversational rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic song from 'Thanippiravi' (1966) features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and J. Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The playback singing was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Thanippiravi