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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Balu Kanmani Balu

From Vesham · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Sundar Rajan, Vivek Sarathy, Sakthi Shanmugam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Vesham
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
26 Oct 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannae balu kanmani balu
Sonna sonnatha kelu
Kannae balu kanmani balu
Sonna sonnatha kelu
Ada unnaalaththanae
Naadu munnaera vendum
Nal vaazhththukkalai vazhangukirom
Pokkiri raja unakku
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Naattai aandida pogum
Naalaiya mandhiri neeyo
Oottai pottathum neethaan
Oorai maranthiduvaayo
Ellaarum kudichchu kummaalam adikka
Nallaachchi nadaththiduvaayo
Yaeraalamaaga saaraya kadaiya
Engayum thiranthiduvaayo
Nalla pillai polaeththaan
Nadippaayo neeyumthaan
Unanai nambi thesamthaan
Uruvaagum naeramthaan
Kannae balu kanmani balu
Sonna sonnatha kelu
Ada unnaalaththanae
Naadu munnaera vendum
Nal vaazhththukkalai vazhangukirom
Pokkiri raja unakku
Tirupur kumaranai polae
Kodiyai pidichchiduvaayo
Illai meenampaakkaththin ullae
Vediya vedichchiduvaayo
Pettaikku pettai Sodaava odichchu
Poraattam nadaththiduvaayo
Vaendaatha pera koondukkul niruththi
Veeraappu pesiduvaayo
Istampola neeyumthaan
Arasaala poraayo
Enna unthan ennamthaan
Engalidam kooraayo
Kannae balu kanmani balu
Sonna sonnatha kelu
Ada unnaalaththanae
Naadu munnaera vendum
Nal vaazhththukkalai vazhangukirom
Pokkiri raja unakku
Oh dear Balu, precious Balu,
listen to what we say!
Oh dear Balu, precious Balu,
listen to what we say!
Ah, only through you
must this country progress!
We offer our best wishes
to you, our rogue king!
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you!
Going to rule the nation,
are you tomorrow's minister?
Once the votes are cast,
will you forget this town?
So everyone can drink and make merry,
will you run a good government?
Will you open countless liquor shops
everywhere across the land?
Like a well-behaved boy,
will you put on an act too?
Trusting in you,
it is time for this nation to take shape!
Oh dear Balu, precious Balu,
listen to what we say!
Ah, only through you
must this country progress!
We offer our best wishes
to you, our rogue king!
Like Tiruppur Kumaran (patriotic freedom fighter),
will you hold high the flag?
Or inside Meenambakkam,
will you set off a bomb?
Smashing soda bottles in every neighborhood,
will you stage protests?
Putting those you dislike in the prisoner's dock,
will you boast with swagger?
Just as you please,
will you rule over us?
What is really on your mind?
Won't you tell us?
Oh dear Balu, precious Balu,
listen to what we say!
Ah, only through you
must this country progress!
We offer our best wishes
to you, our rogue king!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a satirical birthday wish addressed to a character named Balu (termed 'Pokkiri Raja' or rogue king). The lyrics use biting humor and political irony to question what kind of leader Balu will grow up or turn out to be. The singer questions whether he will become a corrupt politician who forgets voters, opens liquor shops everywhere, and acts innocent while causing trouble, or if he will turn out to be a selfless hero like patriot Tirupur Kumaran. Through contrasting imagery—such as holding a patriotic flag versus planting bombs or smashing soda bottles in street riots—lyricist Pulamaipithan critiques contemporary political culture, social unrest, and electoral hypocrisy under the guise of a upbeat birthday celebration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Monodistich Assonance)

Naattai aandida pogum / Oottai pottathum neethaan

Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines, e.g., 'Naattai' and 'Oottai', 'Ellaarum' and 'Yaeraalamaaga'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Kannae balu kanmani balu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line, such as 'Kannae' and 'kanmani'.

Satire / Irony

Pokkiri raja unakku / Happy birthday to you

Juxtaposition of wholesome birthday wishes with questions about political corruption, bombing, and street violence.

Historical / Cultural Allusion

Tirupur kumaranai polae / Kodiyai pidichchiduvaayo

References Tirupur Kumaran, a famous Indian freedom fighter who died holding the nationalist flag, contrasting him with destructive social elements.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the movie 'Vesham' (1985). Lyricist Pulamaipithan was famous for writing sharp, politically charged satirical lyrics in Tamil cinema, often embedding socio-political commentary into situational situational songs.

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