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Gramatthu Minnal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne En Kannaa

From Gramatthu Minnal · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Gramatthu Minnal
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
21 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
:Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa…aa….aa…aa….aa…
Kannae en kannaa nee
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Neeyo siru pillai
Manam veesum kodi mullai
Neeyo siru pillai
Manam veesum kodi mullai
Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae
Thunai naan thaan ini melae
:Kannae en kannaa nee
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Saelaiyila thooli katta
Thekku pakkam kaathu varum
Solaiyila poova thottu
Mettu onnu paadi varum
Kaatta thottu maetta thottu
Aariraaro paattu chatham
Aattu kutti potta kutti
Kettu puttu thoongi vidum
Aathoram paadura thooli
Naan potten unakkaaga
Naan paadum paattaiyum kettu
Nee thoongu kanakkaaga
Aaro aaro aaree raaro raaro
Kannae en kannaa nee
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Neeyo siru pillai
Manam veesum kodi mullai
Neeyo siru pillai
Manam veesum kodi mullai
Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae
Thunai naan thaan ini melae
Kannae en kannaa nee
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Anjarivu jeevan ellaam
Aadharavaa vaazhum podhu
Aararivu ulladhellaam
Akku veru aani veru
Unga pola serndhu vaazha
Inga oru saadhi illa
Neenga vaazhum vaazhvu pola
Inga oru needhi illa
Anbaala oottura paalu
Aaraaga oorumadi
Andraadam vaazhura paasam
Alaiyaaga aadumadi
Kannae ponnae chinna poovae thaenae
Kannae en kannaa nee
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Neeyo siru pillai
Manam veesum kodi mullai
Neeyo siru pillai
Manam veesum kodi mullai
Maanae mayilae kalangaadhae
Thunai naan thaan ini melae
Kannae en kannaa nee
Kan thoongu kan thoongu
Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah...
Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah...
Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah... Ah...
My precious darling, my dear child,
Close your eyes and sleep, go to sleep.
You are just a little child,
A sweet-smelling jasmine vine.
You are just a little child,
A sweet-smelling jasmine vine.
My little deer, my peacock, do not worry,
I will be your support from now on.
My precious darling, my dear child,
Close your eyes and sleep, go to sleep.
As I tie a saree to make a cradle,
The southern breeze comes blowing.
Gently touching the flowers in the grove,
It comes humming a sweet tune.
Brushing past the woods and the hills,
Hearing the sound of this lullaby,
The little lambs and innocent young ones
Will listen and gently drift to sleep.
A cradle swinging by the riverbank,
I have tied just for you.
Listen to the song I sing,
And sleep sweetly and peacefully.
Aaro aaro aari raaro raaro...
My precious darling, my dear child,
Close your eyes and sleep, go to sleep.
You are just a little child,
A sweet-smelling jasmine vine.
You are just a little child,
A sweet-smelling jasmine vine.
My little deer, my peacock, do not worry,
I will be your support from now on.
My precious darling, my dear child,
Close your eyes and sleep, go to sleep.
While creatures with five senses
Live supporting one another,
Humans blessed with six senses
Are completely torn apart and divided.
To live together in harmony like you do,
There is no such kind among people here.
Like the simple, pure life you live,
There is no justice found here.
The milk fed with genuine love
Wells up and flows like a river.
The deep love we share every day
Ripples gently like rolling waves.
My darling, my treasure, little flower, sweet honey,
My precious darling, my dear child,
Close your eyes and sleep, go to sleep.
You are just a little child,
A sweet-smelling jasmine vine.
You are just a little child,
A sweet-smelling jasmine vine.
My little deer, my peacock, do not worry,
I will be your support from now on.
My precious darling, my dear child,
Close your eyes and sleep, go to sleep.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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.

Keep listening

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