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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
Details
Vesham1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannae balu kanmani baluOh my darling Balu, my precious Balu
Sonna sonnatha keluListen to what I say
Male
Kannae balu kanmani baluOh my darling Balu, my precious Balu
Sonna sonnatha keluListen to what I say
Male
Ada unnaalaththanaeOnly because of you
Naadu munnaera vendumThe country needs to progress
Male
Nal vaazhththukkalai vazhangukiromWe extend our good wishes to you
Pokkiri raja unakkuTo you, the rogue king
Male
Happy birthday to youHappy birthday to you
Happy birthday to youHappy birthday to you
Male
Naattai aandida pogumAre you tomorrow's minister
Naalaiya mandhiri neeyoWho is going to rule the country?
Oottai pottathum neethaanOnce you cast your vote, will you yourself
Oorai maranthiduvaayoForget the whole town?
Male
Ellaarum kudichchu kummaalam adikkaSo everyone drinks and makes merry,
Nallaachchi nadaththiduvaayoWill you run a good government?
Yaeraalamaaga saaraya kadaiyaWill you open liquor shops
Engayum thiranthiduvaayoIn abundance everywhere?
Male
Nalla pillai polaeththaanJust like a good child,
Nadippaayo neeyumthaanWill you act too?
Unanai nambi thesamthaanBelieving in you, the nation
Uruvaagum naeramthaanIs at the time of taking shape
Male
Kannae balu kanmani baluOh my darling Balu, my precious Balu
Sonna sonnatha keluListen to what I say
Male
Ada unnaalaththanaeOnly because of you
Naadu munnaera vendumThe country needs to progress
Male
Nal vaazhththukkalai vazhangukiromWe extend our good wishes to you
Pokkiri raja unakkuTo you, the rogue king
Male
Tirupur kumaranai polaeLike Tirupur Kumaran,
Kodiyai pidichchiduvaayoWill you hold high the flag?
Illai meenampaakkaththin ullaeOr inside the Meenambakkam airport,
Vediya vedichchiduvaayoWill you detonate a bomb?
Male
Pettaikku pettai Sodaava odichchuSmasher of soda bottles in neighborhood after neighborhood,
Poraattam nadaththiduvaayoWill you lead a protest?
Male
Vaendaatha pera koondukkul niruththiPutting unwanted people in the dock,
Veeraappu pesiduvaayoWill you talk arrogantly?
Male
Istampola neeyumthaanWill you, as per your whims,
Arasaala poraayoGo on to rule?
Enna unthan ennamthaanWhat on earth is your intention?
Engalidam kooraayoTell us!
Male
Kannae balu kanmani baluOh my darling Balu, my precious Balu
Sonna sonnatha keluListen to what I say
Male
Ada unnaalaththanaeOnly because of you
Naadu munnaera vendumThe country needs to progress
Male
Nal vaazhththukkalai vazhangukiromWe extend our good wishes to you
Pokkiri raja unakkuTo you, the rogue king

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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