Kanne En Kannaa
From Gramatthu Minnal · 1987
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Gramatthu Minnal1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| :Aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Aa…aa….aa…aa….aa… | Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Female | |
| Kannae en kannaa nee | Oh my precious eye, my darling, |
| Kan thoongu kan thoongu | Sleep, close your eyes and sleep. |
| Neeyo siru pillai | You are a little child, |
| Manam veesum kodi mullai | A fragrant jasmine creeper. |
| Neeyo siru pillai | You are a little child, |
| Manam veesum kodi mullai | A fragrant jasmine creeper. |
| Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae | My deer, my peacock, do not worry, |
| Thunai naan thaan ini melae | I will be your support from now on. |
| Female | |
| :Kannae en kannaa nee | Oh my precious eye, my darling, |
| Kan thoongu kan thoongu | Sleep, close your eyes and sleep. |
| Female | |
| Saelaiyila thooli katta | Tying a cradle using a saree, |
| Thekku pakkam kaathu varum | The wind arrives from the south. |
| Solaiyila poova thottu | Touching the flowers in the garden, |
| Mettu onnu paadi varum | It arrives singing a sweet melody. |
| Kaatta thottu maetta thottu | Touching the forest and the hillock, |
| Aariraaro paattu chatham | The sound of the lullaby song rings out. |
| Aattu kutti potta kutti | The little lamb and the little pup, |
| Kettu puttu thoongi vidum | Will listen to it and fall fast asleep. |
| Aathoram paadura thooli | The cradle swinging and singing by the riverbank, |
| Naan potten unakkaaga | I put it up especially for you. |
| Naan paadum paattaiyum kettu | Listening to the song I sing, |
| Nee thoongu kanakkaaga | May you sleep soundly. |
| Aaro aaro aaree raaro raaro | Lullaby refrains (Aaro aaro aaree raaro raaro) |
| Female | |
| Kannae en kannaa nee | Oh my precious eye, my darling, |
| Kan thoongu kan thoongu | Sleep, close your eyes and sleep. |
| Neeyo siru pillai | You are a little child, |
| Manam veesum kodi mullai | A fragrant jasmine creeper. |
| Neeyo siru pillai | You are a little child, |
| Manam veesum kodi mullai | A fragrant jasmine creeper. |
| Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae | My deer, my peacock, do not worry, |
| Thunai naan thaan ini melae | I will be your support from now on. |
| Female | |
| Kannae en kannaa nee | Oh my precious eye, my darling, |
| Kan thoongu kan thoongu | Sleep, close your eyes and sleep. |
| Male | |
| Anjarivu jeevan ellaam | While five-sensed creatures, |
| Aadharavaa vaazhum podhu | Live supporting one another, |
| Aararivu ulladhellaam | Those endowed with six senses (humans), |
| Akku veru aani veru | Tear each other apart down to the roots. |
| Unga pola serndhu vaazha | To live together harmoniously like you animals, |
| Inga oru saadhi illa | There is no such unified community here among humans. |
| Neenga vaazhum vaazhvu pola | Unlike the innocent life you live, |
| Inga oru needhi illa | There is no justice found here. |
| Anbaala oottura paalu | Milk fed with pure affection, |
| Aaraaga oorumadi | Flows abundantly like a river. |
| Andraadam vaazhura paasam | The love lived day by day, |
| Alaiyaaga aadumadi | Sways gracefully like ocean waves. |
| Kannae ponnae chinna poovae thaenae | My eye, my gold, my little flower, my honey! |
| Female | |
| Kannae en kannaa nee | Oh my precious eye, my darling, |
| Kan thoongu kan thoongu | Sleep, close your eyes and sleep. |
| Neeyo siru pillai | You are a little child, |
| Manam veesum kodi mullai | A fragrant jasmine creeper. |
| Neeyo siru pillai | You are a little child, |
| Manam veesum kodi mullai | A fragrant jasmine creeper. |
| Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae | My deer, my peacock, do not worry, |
| Thunai naan thaan ini melae | I will be your support from now on. |
| Female | |
| Kannae en kannaa nee | Oh my precious eye, my darling, |
| Kan thoongu kan thoongu | Sleep, close your eyes and sleep. |
ஹா....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ......
ஹா......ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஆ
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
கண்ணே என் கண்ணா நீ
கண் தூங்கு கண் தூங்கு
நீயோ சிறு பிள்ளை
மணம் வீசும் கொடி முல்லை
நீயோ சிறு பிள்ளை
மணம் வீசும் கொடி முல்லை
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
You are a little child,
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
You are a little child,
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
My deer, my peacock, do not worry,
I will be your support from now on.
மானே மயிலே கலங்காதே
துணை நான்தான் இனி மேலே
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
கண்ணே என் கண்ணா நீ
கண் தூங்கு கண் தூங்கு....
Tying a cradle using a saree,
The wind arrives from the south.
Touching the flowers in the garden,
It arrives singing a sweet melody.
Touching the forest and the hillock,
The sound of the lullaby song rings out.
The little lamb and the little pup,
Will listen to it and fall fast asleep.
The cradle swinging and singing by the riverbank,
I put it up especially for you.
Listening to the song I sing,
May you sleep soundly.
Lullaby refrains (Aaro aaro aaree raaro raaro)
சேலையில தூளி கட்ட
தெக்குப் பக்கம் காத்து வரும்
சோலையில பூவத் தொட்டு
மெட்டு ஒண்ணு பாடி வரும்
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
You are a little child,
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
You are a little child,
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
My deer, my peacock, do not worry,
I will be your support from now on.
காட்டத் தொட்டு மேட்டத் தொட்டு
ஆரிராரோ பாட்டுச் சத்தம்
ஆட்டுக் குட்டி போட்ட குட்டி
கேட்டுப் புட்டு தூங்கி விடும்
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
ஆத்தோரம் பாடுற தூளி
நான் போட்டேன் உனக்காக
நான் பாடும் பாட்டையும்
கேட்டு நீ தூங்கு கணக்காக
ஆரோ ஆரோ ஆரீ ராரோ ராரோ
While five-sensed creatures,
Live supporting one another,
Those endowed with six senses (humans),
Tear each other apart down to the roots.
To live together harmoniously like you animals,
There is no such unified community here among humans.
Unlike the innocent life you live,
There is no justice found here.
Milk fed with pure affection,
Flows abundantly like a river.
The love lived day by day,
Sways gracefully like ocean waves.
My eye, my gold, my little flower, my honey!
கண்ணே என் கண்ணா நீ
கண் தூங்கு கண் தூங்கு
நீயோ சிறு பிள்ளை
மணம் வீசும் கொடி முல்லை
நீயோ சிறு பிள்ளை
மணம் வீசும் கொடி முல்லை
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
You are a little child,
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
You are a little child,
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
My deer, my peacock, do not worry,
I will be your support from now on.
மானே மயிலே கலங்காதே
துணை நான்தான் இனி மேலே
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
கண்ணே என் கண்ணா நீ
கண் தூங்கு கண் தூங்கு....
அஞ்சறிவு ஜீவன் எல்லாம்
ஆதரவா வாழும் போது
ஆறறிவு உள்ளதெல்லாம்
அக்குவேறு ஆணிவேரு
உங்க போல சேர்ந்து வாழ
இங்க ஒரு சாதி இல்லை
நீங்க வாழும் வாழ்வு போல
இங்க ஒரு நீதி இல்லை
அன்பால ஊட்டுற
பாலு ஆறாக ஊறுமடி
அன்றாடம் வாழுற பாசம்
அலையாக ஆடுமடி
கண்ணே பொன்னே
சின்னப் பூவே தேனே
கண்ணே என் கண்ணா நீ
கண் தூங்கு கண் தூங்கு
நீயோ சிறு பிள்ளை
மணம் வீசும் கொடி முல்லை
நீயோ சிறு பிள்ளை
மணம் வீசும் கொடி முல்லை
மானே மயிலே கலங்காதே
துணை நான்தான் இனி மேலே
கண்ணே என் கண்ணா நீ
கண் தூங்கு கண் தூங்கு....
:Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa…aa….aa…aa….aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Kannae en kannaa nee
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
Neeyo siru pillai
You are a little child,
Manam veesum kodi mullai
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
Neeyo siru pillai
You are a little child,
Manam veesum kodi mullai
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae
My deer, my peacock, do not worry,
Thunai naan thaan ini melae
I will be your support from now on.
:Kannae en kannaa nee
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
Saelaiyila thooli katta
Tying a cradle using a saree,
Thekku pakkam kaathu varum
The wind arrives from the south.
Solaiyila poova thottu
Touching the flowers in the garden,
Mettu onnu paadi varum
It arrives singing a sweet melody.
Kaatta thottu maetta thottu
Touching the forest and the hillock,
Aariraaro paattu chatham
The sound of the lullaby song rings out.
Aattu kutti potta kutti
The little lamb and the little pup,
Kettu puttu thoongi vidum
Will listen to it and fall fast asleep.
Aathoram paadura thooli
The cradle swinging and singing by the riverbank,
Naan potten unakkaaga
I put it up especially for you.
Naan paadum paattaiyum kettu
Listening to the song I sing,
Nee thoongu kanakkaaga
May you sleep soundly.
Aaro aaro aaree raaro raaro
Lullaby refrains (Aaro aaro aaree raaro raaro)
Kannae en kannaa nee
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
Neeyo siru pillai
You are a little child,
Manam veesum kodi mullai
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
Neeyo siru pillai
You are a little child,
Manam veesum kodi mullai
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae
My deer, my peacock, do not worry,
Thunai naan thaan ini melae
I will be your support from now on.
Kannae en kannaa nee
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
Anjarivu jeevan ellaam
While five-sensed creatures,
Aadharavaa vaazhum podhu
Live supporting one another,
Aararivu ulladhellaam
Those endowed with six senses (humans),
Akku veru aani veru
Tear each other apart down to the roots.
Unga pola serndhu vaazha
To live together harmoniously like you animals,
Inga oru saadhi illa
There is no such unified community here among humans.
Neenga vaazhum vaazhvu pola
Unlike the innocent life you live,
Inga oru needhi illa
There is no justice found here.
Anbaala oottura paalu
Milk fed with pure affection,
Aaraaga oorumadi
Flows abundantly like a river.
Andraadam vaazhura paasam
The love lived day by day,
Alaiyaaga aadumadi
Sways gracefully like ocean waves.
Kannae ponnae chinna poovae thaenae
My eye, my gold, my little flower, my honey!
Kannae en kannaa nee
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
Neeyo siru pillai
You are a little child,
Manam veesum kodi mullai
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
Neeyo siru pillai
You are a little child,
Manam veesum kodi mullai
A fragrant jasmine creeper.
Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae
My deer, my peacock, do not worry,
Thunai naan thaan ini melae
I will be your support from now on.
Kannae en kannaa nee
Oh my precious eye, my darling,
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Sleep, close your eyes and sleep.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kannae en kannaa nee' is a soulful traditional Tamil lullaby (Thaalattu) from the 1987 film Gramatthu Minnal, written by Gangai Amaran. The song features a protector lulling an innocent young child to sleep with affectionate metaphors, equating the child to a delicate jasmine creeper, a deer, and a peacock while promising everlasting care and companionship. Beyond tender motherly affection, the song delivers a poignant philosophical contrast. It compares five-sensed animals that live peacefully in nature with six-sensed humans who tear society apart through injustice and discrimination. Ultimately, it celebrates the untainted purity of love that flows continuously like a river and sways like ocean waves.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Manam veesum kodi mullai”
Compares the child directly to a fragrant jasmine creeper ('kodi mullai') to emphasize innocence and delicacy.
Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Saelaiyila thooli katta / Solaiyila poova thottu”
The second consonant 'la' rhymes across successive lines ('Saelaiyila' and 'Solaiyila').
Simile (Uvamai)
“Aaraaga oorumadi / Alaiyaaga aadumadi”
Compares maternal affection and living together to natural elements like flowing rivers and ocean waves ('Aaraaga', 'Alaiyaaga').
Anaphora / Repetition
“Kannae ponnae chinna poovae thaenae”
Repetition of gentle endearments and lullaby refrains to induce a calming, soothing musical effect.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Gangai Amaran subtly weaves social criticism regarding human discrimination and lack of justice into a traditional village lullaby format, contrasting human society with the harmony of nature.
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