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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Kannin Maniye

From Nenjangal · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Nenjangal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………
Female
Kannae kannin maniyaeMy dear eye, the apple of my eye
Pasumponnae ponnin oliyaePure green gold, the lustre of gold
Chinna kuzhanthaigalae thanga kalasangalaeLittle children, golden finials
Chinna kuzhanthaigalae thanga kalasangalaeLittle children, golden finials
Annai thaalaattum ulagangalaeWorlds lulled by a mother's lullaby
Female
Kannae kannin maniyaeMy dear eye, the apple of my eye
Pasumponnae ponnin oliyaePure green gold, the lustre of gold
Female
Ondrae kulam ingu ondrae inamThere is only one community here, only one race
Endru naalthorum paadungalaenSing this every single day
Muththumani thiral raththinamaeCluster of pearls, precious gems
Mullai poo nagai chiththiramaePicturesque ones with jasmine-flower smiles
Uravodu vaazhungalaenLive together with unity and affection
Female
Kannae kannin maniyaeMy dear eye, the apple of my eye
Pasumponnae ponnin oliyaePure green gold, the lustre of gold
Chinna kuzhanthaigalae thanga kalasangalaeLittle children, golden finials
Annai thaalaattum ulagangalaeWorlds lulled by a mother's lullaby
Female
Kannae kannin maniyaeMy dear eye, the apple of my eye
Pasumponnae ponnin oliyaePure green gold, the lustre of gold
Male
…………………
Female
Pillai nalam intha annai vasamThe child's welfare rests with this mother
Bayam illaamal aadungalaenDance without any fear
Hae hae pillai nalam intha annai vasamHey hey, the child's welfare rests with this mother
Bayam illaamal aadungalaenDance without any fear
Kitta varum pagai vettiduvaenI will slice down any enemy that approaches
Kattu kaavalil vaiththiduvaenI will keep you under strict protection
Kalippodu paadungalaenSing with joy
Chorus
…………..
Male
Paththu payalgalai oththa kuththilaeWith a single punch against ten boys
Moththi saaiththidum ariya periya sooranA rare, grand hero who knocks them down
Pillai thirudanai kalla kabadanaiThe child snatcher and deceitful rogue
Killi kalaivathil agila ulaga veeranA global champion at pinching and weeding them out
Male
Modhi paaru mutti paaru ennoduTry clashing with me, try knocking against me
Mookku mugarai egiri pogum palloduYour face and nose will blow away along with your teeth
Male
Paththu payalgalai oththa kuththilaeWith a single punch against ten boys
Moththi saaiththidum ariya periya sooranA rare, grand hero who knocks them down
Pillai thirudanai kalla kabadanaiThe child snatcher and deceitful rogue
Killi kalaivathil agila ulaga veeranA global champion at pinching and weeding them out
Male
Modhi paaru mutti paaru ennoduTry clashing with me, try knocking against me
Mookku mugarai egiri pogum palloduYour face and nose will blow away along with your teeth
Ha odampeppadi odhaikkattumaaHa, how shall I kick your body?
Female :Udumbu pidi kazhutha pidikkattumaaFemale: Shall I grab your neck with a monitor lizard's grip?
Male
Pottaen podu podaa oduI challenged you, now run away
Pidippaen mithippaen adippaenI will catch, trample, and strike you
Odippaen thappippaayo neeI will break your bones, will you escape?
Vaadaa naayae needhaan peyaeCome on dog, you are a devil
Vidavae maattaen padavaa rascolI won't let you go, rogue rascal
Thandippenae naan…I will punish you...
Male
Pottaen podu podaa oduI challenged you, now run away
Pidippaen mithippaen adippaenI will catch, trample, and strike you
Odippaen thappippaayo neeI will break your bones, will you escape?
Vaadaa naayae needhaan peyaeCome on dog, you are a devil
Vidavae maattaen padavaa rascolI won't let you go, rogue rascal
Thandippenae naan…dei…I will punish you... hey...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Nenjangal' (1982) begins as a gentle, tender lullaby celebrating children as precious golden treasures and urging social harmony and unity ('Ondrae kulam, ondrae inam'). The lyricist Vaali paints a picture of maternal love, assuring children that they can dance and rejoice without fear under a mother's protective care. As the song progresses, the tone shifts dynamically into a heroic and combative warning against child snatchers and malicious rogues. The speaker vows strict vigil and violent retaliation against anyone who dares to harm the innocent, blending deep affection with fierce guardianship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Chinna kuzhanthaigalae thanga kalasangalae

Compares little children directly to golden temple finials ('thanga kalasangalae') and precious pearls/gems ('muththumani thiral raththinamae').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Pottaen podu podaa odu

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Pottaen', 'podu', 'podaa') creating a rhythmic, punchy emphasis.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Paththu payalgalai oththa kuththilae

The second consonant 'th' matches across consecutive lines ('Paththu', 'Moththi').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Mookku mugarai egiri pogum pallodu

Exaggerated heroic assertion of knocking out ten boys with a single punch and blowing away teeth and face.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nenjangal (1982), directed by Major Sundarrajan and starring Sivaji Ganesan, features music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh. The track showcases a rare stylistic shift from a soft lullaby sung with traditional warmth to an energetic action-sequence song, highlighting T. M. Soundararajan's heroic vocal style combined with Vani Jairam's versatile performance.

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