Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne En Kanmaniyae

From Kathavarayan · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
A. P. Komala, Ghantasala
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kathavarayan1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannae en kannmaniyaeOh my eyes, my precious apple of my eye
Kali theerkka vantha kula maamaniyaeOh grand gem of our lineage who came to dispel our sorrow
Karpagamae kannurangaaiOh wish-fulfilling tree, sleep peacefully
Female
Amutha oottrilae kumutha malar polaeLike a night lily blooming in a spring of nectar
Avathariththaai pennaeYou were incarnated, oh girl
Engal aaruyirae kannaeOh my precious life, my eye
Female
Amutha oottrilae kumutha malar polaeLike a night lily blooming in a spring of nectar
Avathariththaai pennaeYou were incarnated, oh girl
Engal aaruyirae kannaeOh my precious life, my eye
Male
Paalvadiyum vathaamae thirushti padum kelaayoOh face overflowing with innocence, listen lest the evil eye falls on you
Pattaadaiyudan angu odaamal vaaraayoWon't you come here without running away in your silk attire?
Paalodu pazham undu en selvamae paaraayo paaraayoThere is milk and fruits, my precious wealth, look here, look here
Male
Paalaivanaththilae jeevanathi polaLike a perennial river flowing in a desert
Vaazhvinil neethaanae varum kaalaththin komaanaeIn life, you are the ruler of the coming future
Paalaivanaththilae jeevanathi polaLike a perennial river flowing in a desert
Vaazhvinil neethaanae varum kaalaththin komaanaeIn life, you are the ruler of the coming future
Female
Vasanthamum thendralum jathi podavaeAs spring and the gentle breeze set the rhythmic beats
vandinam aasaiyaai kavi paadavaeAs swarms of bees lovingly sing poetic verses
Vanna malar aanantha nadamaadavaeAs colorful blossoms perform a joyful dance
Female
Pullimaan pola thulli vilaiyaadumPrancing and playing like a spotted deer
Poongodiyum neeyae ulagam pugazha vantha thaayaeYou are the flowering vine, the mother born to be acclaimed by the world
Pullimaan pola thulli vilaiyaadumPrancing and playing like a spotted deer
Poongodiyum neeyae ulagam pugazha vantha thaayaeYou are the flowering vine, the mother born to be acclaimed by the world
Male
Villaenthum veeranaeOh warrior wielding a bow
Vel vilaiyaattin theeranaeOh master of spear games
Pollaatha vaalodu poraadum sooranaeOh hero battling with a fierce sword
Puvanamae pugazhnthidum kaaththaravaayanaeOh Kathavarayan, praised by the whole universe
Jaathi illai madha pedham illaiyae…ae…ae…There is no caste, no religious differentiation...
Jaathi illai madha pedham illaiyae….There is no caste, no religious differentiation...
Yaedhum kavalai illaiyaeThere is no worry whatsoever
Jaathi illai madha pedham illaiyae….There is no caste, no religious differentiation...
Yaedhum kavalai illaiyaeThere is no worry whatsoever
Male
Thaarani meedhiyinilaeUpon this vast earth
Thaarani meedhiyinilaeUpon this vast earth
Enakkaarum nigarillaiyaeThere is no one equal to me
Thaarani meedhiyinilaeUpon this vast earth
Enakkaarum nigarillaiyaeThere is no one equal to me
Female
Illai illai endru solluvaarThey will claim 'No, no'
Bedham illai illai endru solluvaarThey will claim 'There is no discrimination, no'
Edhuvum illai illai endru solluvaarThey will claim 'There is nothing at all, nothing'
Antha inbang kandaal Vanthu thulluvaarYet seeing those pleasures, they come leaping with joy
Ellaam kadanthavar pol villuvaarThey boast like someone who has transcended everything
Ellaam kadanthavar pol villuvaarThey boast like someone who has transcended everything
Entha yaengiyum oppukkollvaarYearning inside, they will eventually agree
Female
Illai illai endru solluvaarThey will claim 'No, no'
Bedham illai illai endru solluvaarThey will claim 'There is no discrimination, no'

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the folklore-based classic Kathavarayan (1958) blends thematic elements of lullaby, heroic praise, and social commentary. The opening verses lovingly extol a child/beloved as a divine gift, comparing her appearance to a lotus blooming in nectar and a river refreshing a desert. It transitions into praising the brave warrior Kathavarayan, highlighting his mastery over weapons like the bow, spear, and sword.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Amutha oottrilae kumutha malar polae

Compares the child/beloved to a lotus in a spring of nectar ('Amutha oottrilae kumutha malar polae') and a river in a desert ('Paalaivanaththilae jeevanathi pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kali theerkka vantha kula maamaniyae

Refers to the loved one directly as the wish-fulfilling tree ('Karpagamae') and the royal jewel of the clan ('kula maamaniyae').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Ethirai)

Villaenthum veeranae / Vel vilaiyaattin theeranae

Frequent use of second-letter rhyming (Ethirai) across lines, such as 'Villaenthum' / 'Vel' / 'Pollaatha' / 'Puvanamae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kathavarayan (1958) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri in lead roles. The music score composed by G. Ramanathan remains one of the highlights of golden-era Tamil cinema, blending Carnatic melodies with popular folk storytelling traditions based on the deity Kathavarayan Swamy.

Keep listening

More from Kathavarayan