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Moondram Pirai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Kalaimaane (Sad)

From Moondram Pirai · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Moondram Pirai
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
7 Nov 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaadhal konden
Kanavinai valarthen
Kanmani unai naan
Karuthinil niraithen
Unakae uyiraanen
Innaalil enai nee marandhayae
Nee illaamal edhu nimathi
Nee thaan endrum en sannidhi
Kannae kalaimaanae
Kanni mayilena
Kanden unai nanae
Andhi pagal unnai naan paarkiren
Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkiren
Raariraaro oraariroo…
Raariraaro oraariroo….
I fell in love,
I nurtured a dream,
My precious one, I
Filled my every thought with you,
My very life became yours,
Yet today, you have forgotten me.
Without you, what peace can I find?
You alone are forever my sacred sanctuary.
My darling, like a graceful deer,
Like a tender young peacock,
I saw you.
Day and night, I watch over you,
And this is all I ask of God.
Raariraaro, oh, raariro,
Raariraaro, oh, raariro.....
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This heartwarming lullaby from 'Moondram Pirai' conveys deep, unconditional affection and devotion. The protagonist reflects on how he lovingly nurtured dreams around his beloved, viewing her as his peace and sanctuary. Even as fate creates distance or forgetfulness between them, his devotion remains constant as he prays to God while watching over her day and night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaadhal konden / Kanavinai valarthen / Kanmani unai naan / Karuthinil niraithen

The repetition of the initial 'Ka' consonant sound in consecutive lines creates a poetic rhythm.

Uvamai (Simile)

Kanni mayilena

Comparing the beloved's grace to that of a youthful peacock using the comparison suffix 'ena'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kannae kalaimaanae

Directly metaphorizing the beloved as 'Kannae' (precious eye) and 'Kalaimaanae' (artful deer).

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song holds historical significance as it was the final song written by the legendary Tamil poet and lyricist Kannadasan before his death in October 1981. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and rendered by K. J. Yesudas, it remains one of the most beloved lullabies in Tamil cinema.

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