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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannathil Ennadi

From Thanippiravi · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thanippiravi
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
13 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippu
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippu
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippu
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippu
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
Female :Mmm mmm…
Mmm..mmm……
Thottu thazhuviya tholukku
Maappillai thulli ezhundhu vittaano
Thaen alli kudithu vittaano
Thottu thazhuviya tholukku
Maappillai thulli ezhundhu vittaano
Thaen alli kudithu vittaano
Avan thottadhum kannathil ittadhum
Unnidam thoodhuvan vandhu sonnaano
Illai kaadhalanae nee thaano
Avan thottadhum kannathil ittadhum
Unnidam thoodhuvan vandhu sonnaano
Illai kaadhalanae nee thaano
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippu
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippu
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
Maalai karukkalil saelai ravikkaiyai
Maatriyadhennadi kolam
Kan kaattuvadhennadi jaalam
Maalai karukkalil saelai ravikkaiyai
Maatriyadhennadi kolam
Kan kaattuvadhennadi jaalam
Saelathu patendru vaangi vandhaar
Indha chinnavari poi kaelum
Kannaadi mun nindru paarum
Saelathu patendru vaangi vandhaar
Indha chinnavari poi kaelum
Kannaadi mun nindru paarum
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
Female :Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
Kani udhatil ennadi thadippu
Female :Pani kaattrinilae vandha vedippu
Kannathil ennadi kaayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
Idhu vannakkili seidha maayam…
M…mm…mmm…mmm…
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Female: It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Why is there a swelling on your sweet lips?
Female: It's just chapped from the chilly breeze!
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Female: It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Why is there a swelling on your sweet lips?
Female: It's just chapped from the chilly breeze!
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
Female: Mmm... mmm...
Mmm... mmm...
To embrace your shoulders,
did your groom leap up in excitement?
Did he scoop up and drink your honey?
To embrace your shoulders,
did your groom leap up in excitement?
Did he scoop up and drink your honey?
That he touched me and kissed my cheek,
did a messenger come and tell you?
Or are you that lover yourself?
That he touched me and kissed my cheek,
did a messenger come and tell you?
Or are you that lover yourself?
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Female: It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Why is there a swelling on your sweet lips?
Female: It's just chapped from the chilly breeze!
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
In the evening twilight, why did you change
your saree and blouse into this look?
What magic are your eyes working?
In the evening twilight, why did you change
your saree and blouse into this look?
What magic are your eyes working?
He bought and brought me a Salem silk saree,
Just listen to this young girl's lies!
Stand before the mirror and see for yourself!
He bought and brought me a Salem silk saree,
Just listen to this young girl's lies!
Stand before the mirror and see for yourself!
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Female: It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Why is there a swelling on your sweet lips?
Female: It's just chapped from the chilly breeze!
What is that mark on your cheek, my girl?
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
It's the magic done by a colorful parrot...
Mmm... mm... mmm... mmm...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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