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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannazhagil Mannulagai

From Avare En Deivam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Avare En Deivam1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannazhagil mannulagai aada vaippaenWith the beauty of my eyes, I will make the world dance.
En kaalazhagil unnai vendru ooda vaippaenWith the beauty of my feet, I will defeat you and make you run.
Jaadhiyaa padhamaa thagathimi thaamenum nadamaaIs it a Jathi, a Padam, or a dance set to Thagathimi Thaam?
Ennazhagil unnai vendru aada vaippaenWith my beauty, I will defeat you and make you dance.
Nee en madiyilae vizhunthu aada vaippaenI will make you fall into my lap and dance.
Padhamaa padhamaa idhu bharatha naattiya vadhamaa…Is this a Padam or a total slaughter of Bharatanatyam?
Female
Kannanukku kayilundu pullaanguzhalLord Krishna has a flute in his hand.
Kaamanukku kayilundu panjapaanamLord Kamadeva has five flower arrows in his hand.
Unnidaththil enna undu vaaththiyaaraeWhat do you have in your hand, master?
Unnai oda oda naanadippaen aadippaaruI will beat you and make you run; try dancing!
Female
Saelai kattum pengalukku naanam vendumWomen who wear sarees should possess modesty.
Naan thedi thedi paarththuvittaen angae kaanomI searched and searched, but I see none there!
Yaaridaththil savaal vittaai pottu paaruWhom are you challenging? Compete and see!
Nee arinthu vantha aththanaiyum kaatti paaruShow everything that you have learned and brought!
Female
Nadai ketta kettukku naattiyam veraaFor someone with such a ruined gait, why attempt dance?
Adangattum un aattamLet your dancing arrogance be subdued!
Un nadanaththai paarththaal kalai kettu pogumWatching your dance ruins the art itself.
Udambae peyaattam….Your body is flailing like a possessed dance!
Female
Yaedhu kettu ponaal enakennadiWhatever gets ruined, what do I care, girl?
Adi adangattum vaalaattamHey, let your tail-wagging antics be subdued!
Naan izhukkira izhuppil mithikkira midhiyilIn the tugging I exert and under the stamping of my feet,
Podipadum un aattamYour dance will be crushed into dust!
Female
Ennidam ullathu ennavendru neeyarinthuKnowing what I possess,
Unnidaththil ullavattrai kaattalaamYou may show what you have.
Aadi kaattalaamCome, dance and show it!
Female
Idhuvaraikkum vantha pinbuHaving come this far,
Idhula mattum enna ambuWhat secret weapon is left in this?
Aadadi kaalai podadiDance, girl! Step your feet, girl!
Mudiyum mattum moodi paarththuTry covering it up as much as you can,
Vidiyum mattum aadi paarththu solladiDance till dawn, test yourself, and tell me!
Vanthu nilladiCome and stand here, girl!
Female
Keli pechchu thappu endruAdmit that mocking talk was a mistake,
Tholvi thannai oppu konduAccept your defeat,
Kenjadi ennai konjadi…..Plead with me and flatter me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a high-energy dance duel (Savaal Paattu) full of artistic arrogance, sharp taunts, and rhythmic banter. The female dancer initiates the duel by boasting that her mesmerizing eyes and rhythmic feet can subjugate anyone and make the whole world dance to her tune. In response, the male lead mockingly criticizes her form, calling her performance a slaughter of Bharatanatyam and comparing her moves to a chaotic demonic dance rather than refined art.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kannazhagil mannulagai aada vaippaen

The second consonant sound 'n' is repeated across lines (Kannazhagil / En kaalazhagil), creating a melodious Tamil poetic rhythm.

Adukku Thodar (Rhythmic Repetition)

Padhamaa padhamaa idhu bharatha naattiya vadhamaa…

The word 'Padhamaa' is repeated sequentially to mimic the rhythmic footsteps and time-keeping (Talam) of classical dance.

Parallelism & Mythological Imagery

Kannanukku kayilundu pullaanguzhal

The lyricist draws iconic comparisons with Lord Krishna holding his flute and Kamadeva holding his flower arrows to challenge the opponent's artistic strength.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, this song serves as a classic example of a 'Savaal Paattu' (challenge duet) in Tamil cinema, where classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam are blended with fiery vocal sparring between two lead characters.

Keep listening

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