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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Kalaimaane

From Moondram Pirai · 1982

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: K. J. Yesudas
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Moondram Pirai
Movie release year: 1982
Lyrics added on: 20 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

{ Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilena

Kanden unnai nanae } (2)

Anthi pagal unnai naan paarkiren

Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkiren

Raariraaro oraariro … raariraaro oraariro

Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilena

Kanden unnai nanae

Oomai endral oru vagai amaithi

Yelai endral athil oru amaithi

Neeyo kili pedu

Panpaadum aanantha kuyil pedu

Yeno deivam sathi seithathu

Pethai polae vithi seithathu

Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilena

Kanden unnai nanae

Anthi pagal unnai naan paarkiren

Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkiren

Raariraaro oraariro … raariraaro oraariro

Kaadhal konden kanavinai valarthen

Kanmani unnai naan karuthinil niraithen

Unakae uyiraanen ennalum ennai nee maravadhae

Nee illaamal ethu nimathi

Nee thaan endrum en sannithi

Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilena

Kanden unnai nanae

Anthi pagal unnai naan paarkiren

Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkiren

{ Raariraaro oraariro … raariraaro oraariro } (2)

My precious one, gentle deer, like a young peacock,

that is how I see you.

Day and night, I gaze at you,

and this is all I ask of God.

Raari raaro, oraariro... raari raaro, oraariro

My precious one, gentle deer, like a young peacock,

that is how I see you.

If one cannot speak, there is a kind of peace in it;

if one is poor, there is a kind of peace in that too.

Yet you are like a sweet parrot,

a joyful cuckoo singing lovely melodies.

Why did God play such a cruel trick on you,

and make fate leave you like a helpless, innocent child?

My precious one, gentle deer, like a young peacock,

that is how I see you.

Day and night, I gaze at you,

and this is all I ask of God.

Raari raaro, oraariro... raari raaro, oraariro

I fell in love and nurtured sweet dreams,

my dearest, I filled my entire heart with you.

My life belongs only to you; please never forget me.

Without you, what peace is there for me?

You alone are forever my sacred shrine.

My precious one, gentle deer, like a young peacock,

that is how I see you.

Day and night, I gaze at you,

and this is all I ask of God.

Raari raaro, oraariro... raari raaro, oraariro

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kannae Kalaimaanae is a poignant lullaby sung by the protagonist (Cheenu) to comfort a young woman (Viji) suffering from retrograde amnesia, who behaves like a child. He expresses his deep, unconditional love and devotion while lamenting the cruelty of fate that stripped away her consciousness and memories. Through tender metaphors of nature, he vows to protect her and considers her his sacred refuge.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai Ani (Simile)

“Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilena”

Compares the beloved's grace and innocent beauty directly to a deer ('kalaimaanae'), a young peacock ('kanni mayilena'), and an innocent child ('pethai polae').

Urugavam (Metaphor)

“Nee thaan endrum en sannithi”

Metaphorically addresses her as a female parrot ('kili pedu') and cuckoo ('kuyil pedu'), and describes her as his holy sanctuary ('sannithi').

Monaai & Edhugai (Tamil Rhyme and Alliteration)

“Kaadhal konden kanavinai valarthen”

Use of matching initial sounds across lines, such as 'Kaadhal' and 'Kanmani', and structural rhyming in 'Oomai' / 'Yelai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song holds historical significance as it was the last song written by the legendary Kaviarasu Kannadasan before his death in 1981. Directed by Balu Mahendra for the masterpiece 'Moondram Pirai', the music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung flawlessly by K. J. Yesudas.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Shanthi NilayamTenderLullaby Like

Poomarathu Nizhalumundu1969

Kuzhanthai UllamTenderDevotion

Ada Appan Mavane1981

Sathya SundharamGriefFate

En Aatha Pon Aatha1993

UzhavanGriefSolitude

Budhi Sigamani Petra Pillai1963

Iruvar UllamLongingLullaby Refrains

Aararo Aararo1987

AnandDevotionTender

From the same album

More songs from Moondram Pirai

Kanne Kalaimaane (Sad)1982

Moondram PiraiMelancholic

Moondram PiraiPlayful

Vaanengum Thanga1982

Moondram PiraiCelebratory

Ponmeni Uruguthey1982

Moondram PiraiPassionate

Poongaatru Puthithaanathu1982

Moondram PiraiRomantic

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