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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannazhagil Mannulagai

From Avare En Deivam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Avare En Deivam
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
16 Aug 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannazhagil mannulagai aada vaippaen
En kaalazhagil unnai vendru ooda vaippaen
Jaadhiyaa padhamaa thagathimi thaamenum nadamaa
Ennazhagil unnai vendru aada vaippaen
Nee en madiyilae vizhunthu aada vaippaen
Padhamaa padhamaa idhu bharatha naattiya vadhamaa…
Kannanukku kayilundu pullaanguzhal
Kaamanukku kayilundu panjapaanam
Unnidaththil enna undu vaaththiyaarae
Unnai oda oda naanadippaen aadippaaru
Saelai kattum pengalukku naanam vendum
Naan thedi thedi paarththuvittaen angae kaanom
Yaaridaththil savaal vittaai pottu paaru
Nee arinthu vantha aththanaiyum kaatti paaru
Nadai ketta kettukku naattiyam veraa
Adangattum un aattam
Un nadanaththai paarththaal kalai kettu pogum
Udambae peyaattam….
Yaedhu kettu ponaal enakennadi
Adi adangattum vaalaattam
Naan izhukkira izhuppil mithikkira midhiyil
Podipadum un aattam
Ennidam ullathu ennavendru neeyarinthu
Unnidaththil ullavattrai kaattalaam
Aadi kaattalaam
Idhuvaraikkum vantha pinbu
Idhula mattum enna ambu
Aadadi kaalai podadi
Mudiyum mattum moodi paarththu
Vidiyum mattum aadi paarththu solladi
Vanthu nilladi
Keli pechchu thappu endru
Tholvi thannai oppu kondu
Kenjadi ennai konjadi…..
With the beauty of my eyes, I will make the world dance.
With the charm of my feet, I will defeat you and make you flee.
Is it a rhythmic beat, an expressive song, or a dance to 'thakadimi tha'?
With my beauty, I will conquer you and make you dance.
I will make you fall into my lap and dance.
Is this a soulful song, or is it the slaughter of Bharatanatyam?
Lord Krishna holds a flute in his hand.
Lord Kama holds his five flower-arrows in his hand.
What do you have with you, master?
I will chase you and beat you—try dancing if you dare!
Women who wear sarees should have modesty.
I searched and searched, but could find none in you.
Whom are you challenging? Come, test your skills!
Show everything you have learned!
With such terrible rhythm and posture, why even try to dance?
Let your wild show come to a stop!
Looking at your dance, the art itself will be ruined.
Your whole body shakes like a frenzied ghost!
Whatever gets ruined, why should I care, girl?
Hey girl, put an end to your arrogance!
With the pull of my moves and the stamp of my feet,
Your dance will be crushed to dust!
Once you realize what I am capable of,
You can show what you have got.
You can dance and prove it!
Having come all this way,
Why create trouble over this now?
Dance, girl, step up and move your feet!
Cover up your flaws as best as you can,
Dance till dawn and tell me,
Come and stand before me!
Admit that your mocking words were wrong,
Accept your defeat,
Beg for my mercy and pamper me!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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