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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Unakku

From Poo Pootha Nandavanam · 1988

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Poo Pootha Nandavanam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivduDarling, tell me what is troubling you
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thalli viduWhy tears? Wipe them away from your eyes
Nenjil ittu konji sirichcha neeyum pillathaanIf you embrace and smile with love, you too are a child
Ingu naanum pillathaan….Here, I too am a child...
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivduDarling, tell me what is troubling you
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thalli viduWhy tears? Wipe them away from your eyes
Nenjil ittu konji sirichcha neeyum pillathaanIf you embrace and smile with love, you too are a child
Ingu naanum pillathaan….Here, I too am a child...
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivdu….Darling, tell me what is troubling you...
Male
Paarkkum paarvai pothumaeJust a glance from you is enough
Paalum thaenum oorumaeMilk and honey will flow abundantly
Paarvaiyila paasam vanthuThe affection in your eyes
Em pasikku paaloottumFeeds milk to soothe my hunger
Paavai unthan kai valaiyalThe bangles on your hand, my lady
Paattu solli thaalaattumSing a song and hum a lullaby
Male
Peththeduththa thaai muaththaThe kiss of the mother who gave birth to me
Naan maranthu naalaachchuIt has been many days since I forgot
Thaththeduththa thaayaa ennaLike an adoptive mother
Thaangi kolla neeyaachchuYou came to hold and comfort me
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivduDarling, tell me what is troubling you
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thalli viduWhy tears? Wipe them away from your eyes
Nenjil ittu konji sirichcha neeyum pillathaanIf you embrace and smile with love, you too are a child
Ingu naanum pillathaan….Here, I too am a child...
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivdu….Darling, tell me what is troubling you...
Male
Paasam ulla nenjilaeIn a heart filled with affection
Paaram indru vanthathaeA heavy burden has arrived today
Maiyezhuthum kannukkullaeInside the eyes adorned with kohl
Veli mulla vachchenaaDid I place a thorn from a fence?
Poovirukkum nenjukkullaeInside the heart soft as a flower
Oosi kondu thachchnaaDid I pierce with a needle?
Selaiyila moodi vachchu thinga vachcha rasaaththiHiding food in your saree to feed me, my sweet princess
Dheivangalum kai vanangumEven the gods will bow their hands to you
Dheivam onnu needhandiYou are a living deity yourself
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivduDarling, tell me what is troubling you
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thalli viduWhy tears? Wipe them away from your eyes
Nenjil ittu konji sirichcha neeyum pillathaanIf you embrace and smile with love, you too are a child
Ingu naanum pillathaan….Here, I too am a child...
Male
Kannae unakku enna kurai sollivdu….Darling, tell me what is troubling you...
Kanneer edhukku on vizhiyil thalli vidu…..Why tears? Wipe them away from your eyes...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song expresses deep devotion, gratitude, and tender consolation. The singer comforts his beloved, asking her why she is shedding tears and reassuring her that affection elevates them both to innocent childhood. He reflects on how her loving gaze and care substitute for the lost touch of a mother, elevating her role to that of an adoptive mother and a divine figure in his life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Peththeduththa thaai muaththa / Thaththeduththa thaayaa enna

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Peththeduththa' and 'Thaththeduththa' creating a rhythmic flow.

Moonaal / Alliteration

Paarkkum paarvai pothumae / Paalum thaenum oorumae

Repetition of initial consonants like 'P' in 'Paarkkum', 'Paalum', 'Paarvaiyila', and 'Paavai'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Dheivangalum kai vanangum / Dheivam onnu needhandi

Directly equating the beloved's gentle, nurturing nature to that of a deity ('Dheivam onnu needhandi') and an adoptive mother ('Thaththeduththa thaayaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Pulamaipithan, the song utilizes poignant maternal and child imagery to evoke deep emotional resonance, highlighting the comforting and sacred nature of pure affection.

Keep listening

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