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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanne Unnai Thodum

From Thooya Ullam · 1961

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Movie name
Thooya Ullam
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
14 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannae kannae unnai thodum
Aalai ippodhu
Innarendru kndupidikka venum thappadhu
Kannae kannae unnai thodum
Aalai ippodhu
Innarendru kndupidikka venum thappadhu
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Female and Chorus :Kannae kannae unnai thodum
Aalai ippodhu
Innarendru kndupidikka venum thappadhu
Mara iruttil kilai thavari paaindhidaathu mandhi
Manushanukum thevai andha nidhanam thaan thambhi
Vizhi irundhum kuzhidhanilae vizhuvaar tham polae
Vazhi thavari pogamalae nadanthu sel mele
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Female and Chorus :Kannae kannae unnai thodum
Aalai ippodhu
Innarendru kndupidikka venum thappadhu
Munnal vandhu thotta kitta irukki pudichukko
Pinnaal thattum perai solli kannae thirumbhikko
Munnal vandhu thotta kitta irukki pudichukko
Pinnaal thattum perai solli kannae thirumbhikko
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Female and Chorus :Kannae kannae unnai thodum
Aalai ippodhu
Innarendru kndupidikka venum thappadhu
Aattathilae pottiyittu kootturavai thedu
Arivarindhu pazhagiay pin thannurimai naadu
Koottathilae cinna chinna kurai irundhaalum
Gunathai kondu nogamale kulaviduvom naalum
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Karuthu nilai maarame kattai avizhthu paramae
Female and Chorus :Kannae kannae unnai thodum
Aalai ippodhu
Innarendru kndupidikka venum thappadhu
My dear, the person who touches you
right now,
you must correctly find out who it is, without fail!
My dear, the person who touches you
right now,
you must correctly find out who it is, without fail!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Female and Chorus: My dear, the person who touches you
right now,
you must correctly find out who it is, without fail!
In the dark of the trees, a monkey never misses a branch as it leaps;
human beings also need that same steady caution, little brother!
Do not be like those who fall into a pit despite having eyes;
do not lose your way, keep walking forward!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Female and Chorus: My dear, the person who touches you
right now,
you must correctly find out who it is, without fail!
If someone comes in front and touches you, hold them tight;
if someone taps you from behind, name them and turn around, my dear!
If someone comes in front and touches you, hold them tight;
if someone taps you from behind, name them and turn around, my dear!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Female and Chorus: My dear, the person who touches you
right now,
you must correctly find out who it is, without fail!
Compete in the game, but build togetherness;
understand people well as you mingle, then claim your rights!
Even if there are small faults in the crowd,
let us focus on their good nature, hurt no one, and rejoice every day!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Keeping your mind steady, untie the blindfold and see!
Female and Chorus: My dear, the person who touches you
right now,
you must correctly find out who it is, without fail!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song uses the premise of a traditional blindfold game (Kannamoochi / blind man's buff) as an allegory for living life with mindfulness, focus, and social harmony. Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, the lyrics encourage the listener to keep their composure, make clear judgments, and identify people correctly rather than acting blindly.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Allegory (Uvamai / Uruvam)

Kannae kannae unnai thodum

The blindfold game serves as a metaphor for navigating life's illusions, temptations, and social interactions with inner vision and awareness.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Mara iruttil kilai thavari / Manushanukum thevai andha

The second letter harmony seen across lines such as 'Mara' and 'Manushanukum', creating rhythmic flow.

Emona / Rhyme Scheme

Munnal vandhu thotta kitta irukki pudichukko / Pinnaal thattum perai solli kannae thirumbhikko

End rhymes such as 'pudichukko' and 'thirumbhikko' create a playful, accessible lyrical structure suitable for a game-oriented song.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed rationalist poet Udumalai Narayanakavi, 'Thooya Ullam' (1961) features music by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. Narayanakavi was famous for embedding philosophical, moral, and social commentary into simple game-play songs in Tamil cinema.

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