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Lyrics & meaning

Kanne En Kanmaniye

From Kavithai Paadum Alaigal · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kavithai Paadum Alaigal1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannae en kanmaniyaeMy darling, the apple of my eye
En kaiyil vandha poonthottamaeA flower garden that arrived in my hands
Ponnae en pon maniyaeMy golden girl, my precious gem
Dhenam pongi varum neerottamaeA stream flowing endlessly every day
Nee kekka thaanae naan paadinenI sang only for you to listen
Nee illaadha neram naan thaedinenIn the moments without you, I searched for you
Vaadi vaadi maanaeCome, come my dear doe
Female
Raasaa en raasaa kannuKing, my dear king
Onna nambi vandha rosaa kannuA rose darling who came trusting you
Onnoda onnaa ninnuStanding together as one with you
Dhenam onna ennum chinna ponnuA young girl who counts you as her world every day
Male
Maalaikkum maalaEvening after evening
En maaman ponnu saelaMy cousin's saree
Azhaikkum vela asathum aalaAt the time of calling, a stunning person
Female
Saelaikkum mela naanAbove the saree, I am
Serndhirukkum solaA grove united together
Kattunga vaazha kottunga poovaTie the banana trees, scatter the flowers
Male
Nee kooru velaYou fix the time
Ini ver yedhu velaWhat other work is there now?
Female
En maaman tholaMy cousin's shoulder
Dhenam naan serum maalaA garland I join every day
Onnu thaanga koora chaelaGive me a bridal saree
Male
Kaalam serndhadhumOnce the time unites us
Maala maathanumWe must exchange garlands
Kaadhai kadha solliTelling stories into the ears
Bodha yethanumWe must stir up an intoxication
Vaadi vaadi maanaeCome, come my dear doe
Female
Raasaa en raasaa kannuKing, my dear king
Onna nambi vandha rosaa kannuA rose darling who came trusting you
Onnoda onnaa ninnuStanding together as one with you
Dhenam onna ennum chinna ponnuA young girl who counts you as her world every day
Female
Ullathukkulla nee sonnaInside the heart, you told
Kadha nooruA hundred stories
Nenachu paathaa inikkum paaruThinking about them tastes so sweet, see
Male
Kannukkul unna naan kattiI bound you inside my eyes
Vechen paaruAnd kept you safe, see
Kalaippadhaaru pirippadhaaruWho can disrupt it, who can separate us?
Female
Thaenoda paalumHoney with milk
Dhenam naan ootha venumI should pour every day
Male
Poovaana vaanamA sky full of flowers
Adhil poi aada venumWe should go and dance in it
Ini mela enna venumWhat more is needed now?
Female
Naalum pozhudhellaamAll day and all time
Onna nenaikkirenI think only of you
Thaniyaa paduthu thaanLying down alone
Sogamaa rasikkirenI relish sweet yearning
Raajaa raani polaLike a king and queen
Male
Kannae en kanmaniyaeMy darling, the apple of my eye
En kaiyil vandha poonthottamaeA flower garden that arrived in my hands
Ponnae en pon maniyaeMy golden girl, my precious gem
Dhenam pongi varum neerottamaeA stream flowing endlessly every day
Female
Nee kekka thaanae naan paadinenI sang only for you to listen
Nee illaadha neram naan thaedinenIn the moments without you, I searched for you
Vaanga vaanga raasaCome, come my king
Male
Kannae en kanmaniyaeMy darling, the apple of my eye
En kaiyil vandha poonthottamaeA flower garden that arrived in my hands
Female :Raasaa en raasaa kannuFemale: King, my dear king
Onna nambi vandha rosaa kannuA rose darling who came trusting you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannae En Kanmaniyae is a sweet romantic duet from the 1990 film Kavithai Paadum Alaigal, penned by Gangai Amaran. The song features two lovers exchanging deep affection and expressing their romantic longings for each other. The male lead affectionately addresses his lover as a flower garden and a stream of gold, declaring that his singing exists purely for her enjoyment. The female lead responds with equal adoration, referring to him as her king and reaffirming her devotion. Throughout the song, the lovers dream of their upcoming wedding—symbolized by exchanging garlands, auspicious banana trees, and bridal sarees—and look forward to a blissful life filled with shared stories, intimate companionship, and royal joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

En kaiyil vandha poonthottamae

Comparing the beloved directly to a 'poonthottam' (flower garden) and 'neerottam' (flowing stream) to emphasize her beauty and vitality.

Mona (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannae en kanmaniyae

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' in 'Kannae' and 'kanmaniyae'.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ponnae en pon maniyae

Matching second letter 'nn' in 'Kannae' and 'Ponnae'.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Vaadi vaadi maanae

Repeated use of 'Vaadi vaadi' and 'Vaanga vaanga' to convey intense affection and playful invitation.

Imagery

Thaenoda paalum

Use of sensory details like milk, honey, flower sky, and wedding garlands to paint a picture of lush romance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kavithai Paadum Alaigal (1990) features lyrics by renowned lyricist-director Gangai Amaran. The song showcases classic late-80s/early-90s Tamil folk-pop melodic structures, leaning heavily on traditional acoustic rhythm arrangements.

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