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Raja Kaiya Vacha album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanneer Thuli

From Raja Kaiya Vacha · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Raja Kaiya Vacha
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
9 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
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Kanneer thuli yaen kannilae
Nee solladi poonthendralae
Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal enna
Thangam endrum thangam thaanae
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilae
Nee solladi poonthendralae
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
En kooda piravaadha thangai
Edharkkaaga azha vaendum ingu
Kanneerai thudaikkindra en kai
Kannae un sumai thaangum indru
Kulir kaalam ponaal maanae
Ilavaenil thondrum thaanae
Kaalam yaavum kaaval naanae
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilae
Nee solladi poonthendralae
Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal enna
Thangam endrum thangam thaanae
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilae
Nee solladi poonthendralae
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ellorkkum edhir kaalam ondru
Illaamal pogaadhu ingu
Edhir neechal nee podu indru
Karai vandhu kai neettum pinbu
Irul soozhum naeram paadhi
Pagal vaelai thaanae meedhi
Endrum idhu thaan iyarkai needhi
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilae
Nee solladi poonthendralae
Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal enna
Thangam endrum thangam thaanae
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Why are there tears in her eyes?
Tell me, gentle breeze.
Even if it falls into the fire,
Gold will always remain gold, won't it?
Why are there tears in her eyes?
Tell me, gentle breeze.
Aa.....aa.....aa.....aa....aa....
Sister, though we were not born to the same mother,
Why should you weep here?
My hand that wipes away your tears
Will bear your burdens today, my dear.
Once the winter passes, my dear,
Spring will surely arrive, won't it?
For all time, I will stand as your guard.
Why are there tears in her eyes?
Tell me, gentle breeze.
Even if it falls into the fire,
Gold will always remain gold, won't it?
Why are there tears in her eyes?
Tell me, gentle breeze.
Aa.....aa.....aa.....aa....aa....
For everyone in this world, a future
Will never cease to exist.
Swim against the tide today,
And the shore will reach out its hand to you later.
Darkness covers half our time,
And the rest belongs to daylight.
This has always been the law of nature.
Why are there tears in her eyes?
Tell me, gentle breeze.
Even if it falls into the fire,
Gold will always remain gold, won't it?
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Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a comforting, brotherly anthem offering hope, solace, and resilience to a distressed woman addressed as a sister. The speaker reassures her that hardship is temporary and that purity of character remains unsullied even through intense suffering, much like pure gold surviving fire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Analogy

“Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal enna / Thangam endrum thangam thaanae”

Comparing a pure human spirit to gold ('Thangam') that retains its value even when cast into fire ('Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal').

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Irul soozhum naeram paadhi / Pagal vaelai thaanae meedhi”

Rhyming of the second letter 'ru' in 'Irul' and 'ga'/'ga' sounds in neighboring philosophical lines.

Personification / Urvagathal

“Nee solladi poonthendralae”

Addressing the gentle breeze ('Poonthendralae') as a confidante who can speak and answer questions about sorrow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics featured here correspond to 'Kanneer Thuli Yaen' (from the movie 'Raja Kaiya Vacha' / 'Apoorva Sagodharargal' era), composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, highlighting Vaali's signature therapeutic philosophy.

Keep listening

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Endhan Ponvanamme Male1979
Naan VazhavaippenGriefHope
Endhan Ponvanamme Female1979
Naan VazhavaippenGriefHope
Kannana Kanne Kanneer1987
Puyal Paadum PaatuGriefHope
Santhanakiliye Senbagapoove1984
Ingeyum Oru GangaiGriefLoss

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