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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Kalaimaane

From Moondram Pirai · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Moondram Pirai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilenaOh my precious one, like a stag deer, like a virgin peacock
Kanden unnai nanae } (2)I saw you myself (Repeated)
Anthi pagal unnai naan paarkirenDay and night, I look at you
Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkirenThis is all I pray to God for
Raariraaro oraariro … raariraaro oraariroLullaby refrain (Raariraaro oraariro...)
Male
Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilenaOh my precious one, like a stag deer, like a virgin peacock
Kanden unnai nanaeI saw you myself
Male
Oomai endral oru vagai amaithiIf one is mute, there is a kind of peace
Yelai endral athil oru amaithiIf one is poor, there is a peace in that too
Neeyo kili peduBut you are a female parrot
Panpaadum aanantha kuyil peduA joyful female cuckoo singing melodies
Yeno deivam sathi seithathuWhy did God plot against you?
Pethai polae vithi seithathuWhy did fate make you like an innocent child?
Male
Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilenaOh my precious one, like a stag deer, like a virgin peacock
Kanden unnai nanaeI saw you myself
Anthi pagal unnai naan paarkirenDay and night, I look at you
Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkirenThis is all I pray to God for
Raariraaro oraariro … raariraaro oraariroLullaby refrain (Raariraaro oraariro...)
Male
Kaadhal konden kanavinai valarthenI fell in love, I nurtured a dream
Kanmani unnai naan karuthinil niraithenMy precious gem, I filled my thoughts with you
Unakae uyiraanen ennalum ennai nee maravadhaeI became your life; never forget me on any day
Nee illaamal ethu nimathiWithout you, where is peace?
Nee thaan endrum en sannithiYou alone are forever my sacred sanctuary
Male
Kannae kalaimaanae kanni mayilenaOh my precious one, like a stag deer, like a virgin peacock
Kanden unnai nanaeI saw you myself
Anthi pagal unnai naan paarkirenDay and night, I look at you
Aandavanai ithai thaan ketkirenThis is all I pray to God for
{ Raariraaro oraariro … raariraaro oraariro } (2)Lullaby refrain (Raariraaro oraariro...) (Repeated)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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