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Lyrics & meaning

Kannazhagil Neeyum

From Unga Veettu Kalyanam · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, S. Janaki
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Unga Veettu Kalyanam1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannazhagil neeyumoru kamatchiIn the beauty of your eyes, you are Goddess Kamatchi.
Pennazhagil then madurai meenaatchiIn womanly charm, you are Sweet Madurai Meenakshi.
Unnazhagil innum enna aaraatchiWhat research is left to be done on your beauty?
Nenjodu nee aadavaa…..Will you come and dance close to my heart?
Female
Penmai ennum deivamThe goddess named womanhood
Un koyil kondathuHas made your heart her temple.
Pesum kangal konduWith expressive, speaking eyes,
Un vaasal vanthathuShe has arrived at your doorstep.
Female
Kanigal moondrum kalanthuCombining the richness of the three sacred fruits,
Kodiyai kaatta vendumA romantic banner must be raised.
Mannavaa….mellavaa…unnavaa….Oh my king... gently... yours forever...
Female
Kannazhagil neeyumoru kamatchiIn the beauty of your eyes, you are Goddess Kamatchi.
Pennazhagil then madurai meenaatchiIn womanly charm, you are Sweet Madurai Meenakshi.
Unnazhagil innum enna aaraatchiWhat research is left to be done on your beauty?
Nenjodu nee aadavaa….Will you come and dance close to my heart?
Male
Ilaneerum pazhachaarum ondraanathoDid tender coconut water and fruit juice blend into one?
Ilamangai vadivaaga nindraaduthaeStanding and swaying in the form of a young maiden.
Female :Nee vanthu thaavendru vendumpozhuthuFemale: When you come and ask me to yield,
Nanaththil kannmoodum paavai manathuThis maiden heart closes its eyes in bashfulness.
Male :Naanamum…achamum….naadagam….Male: Shyness and fear are merely a playful act...
Male
Kannazhagil neeyumoru kamatchiIn the beauty of your eyes, you are Goddess Kamatchi.
Pennazhagil then madurai meenaatchiIn womanly charm, you are Sweet Madurai Meenakshi.
Unnazhagil innum enna aaraatchiWhat research is left to be done on your beauty?
Nenjodu nee aadavaa…..Will you come and dance close to my heart?
Male
Oru kannam parugaatha madhukinnamaaIs one cheek an untouched cup of wine?
Maru kannam parikkaatha malar vannamoIs the other cheek an unplucked colorful flower?
Female :Paalaadai niram konda thegam enathuFemale: My body bears the fair shade of milk cream,
Paarththaalum theeraathaa mogam unathuIs your longing unquenched no matter how much you gaze?
Male :Ennathaan….mogamo….sollavaa…Male: What kind of longing is this... shall I describe it?
Female
Kannazhagil neeyumoru kamatchiIn the beauty of your eyes, you are Goddess Kamatchi.
Pennazhagil then madurai meenaatchiIn womanly charm, you are Sweet Madurai Meenakshi.
Unnazhagil innum enna aaraatchiWhat research is left to be done on your beauty?
Nenjodu nee aadavaa….Will you come and dance close to my heart?
Male
Nee enthan pinnaadum nizhal allavaaAre you not the shadow that follows behind me?
Neengaamal enai vaattum ninaivallavaaAre you not the memory that teases me endlessly without departing?
Female :Naan un manavaanil veesim nilavuFemale: I am the moon shining brightly in the sky of your mind.
Nedungaalam piriyaamal vaazhum uravuA bond that lives forever without any separation.
Male :Kannilum…..nenjilum……unmugam….Male: In my eyes and in my heart, only your face resides...
Male
Kannazhagil neeyumoru kamatchiIn the beauty of your eyes, you are Goddess Kamatchi.
Pennazhagil then madurai meenaatchiIn womanly charm, you are Sweet Madurai Meenakshi.
Unnazhagil innum enna aaraatchiWhat research is left to be done on your beauty?
Nenjodu nee aadavaa….Will you come and dance close to my heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannazhagil Neeyumoru Kamatchi is a classic romantic duet from the 1975 Tamil movie Unga Veettu Kalyanam, featuring music by K. Vijaya Bhaskar, lyrics by Vaali, and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and S. Janaki. The song is a rich, poetic exchange between lovers wherein the hero praises the heroine's grace and ethereal beauty, comparing her eyes to Goddess Kamatchi and her feminine elegance to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. He describes her features using sweet imagery like wine cups, flowers, and fruit juices. In response, the heroine expresses her deep affection, coy shyness, and everlasting commitment to him. The song beautifully balances divine metaphors with sensual romance, highlighting the eternal nature of their emotional and physical connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Eybhai / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kannazhagil neeyumoru kamatchi / Pennazhagil then madurai meenaatchi / Unnazhagil innum enna aaraatchi

The line endings 'Kamatchi', 'Meenaatchi', and 'Aaraatchi' end with rhyming sounds, creating a musical rhythm in the refrain.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Penmai ennum deivam / Un koyil kondathu

Womanhood is directly equated to a deity ('Penmai ennum deivam') and the hero's heart to a temple ('Un koyil kondathu').

Sensory Imagery

Ilaneerum pazhachaarum ondraanatho / Ilamangai vadivaaga nindraaduthae

The imagery blends taste and sight, comparing the maiden's grace to a mixture of tender coconut water and fresh fruit juice.

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

Oru kannam parugaatha madhukinnamaa / Maru kannam parikkaatha malar vannamo

The lover's cheeks are poetically personified as an untouched cup of wine and an unpicked bloom.

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Trivia

This track stands out in 1970s Tamil cinema music as it was composed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar, a celebrated maestro best known for his landmark contributions to Kannada cinema. His collaboration with legendary Tamil lyricist Vaali created a rare, melody-rich classical romance composition for TMS and S. Janaki.

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