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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanneer Thuli

From Raja Kaiya Vacha · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raja Kaiya Vacha1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hmm mm mm mm mmHumming...
Hmm mm mm mm mm mmmHumming...
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilaeWhy is there a tear in your eyes?
Nee solladi poonthendralaeTell me, oh gentle breeze!
Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal ennaEven if it falls into the mouth of fire,
Thangam endrum thangam thaanaeGold will always remain gold.
Male
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilaeWhy is there a tear in your eyes?
Nee solladi poonthendralaeTell me, oh gentle breeze!
Male
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Vocalizing melodiously...
En kooda piravaadha thangaiA sister who was not born with me,
Edharkkaaga azha vaendum inguWhy should she weep here?
Kanneerai thudaikkindra en kaiMy hand that wipes away your tears,
Kannae un sumai thaangum indruOh dear, will bear your burden today.
Kulir kaalam ponaal maanaeOnce the cold winter passes, my dear,
Ilavaenil thondrum thaanaeSpringtime will surely emerge.
Kaalam yaavum kaaval naanaeI will be your guardian for all time.
Male
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilaeWhy is there a tear in your eyes?
Nee solladi poonthendralaeTell me, oh gentle breeze!
Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal ennaEven if it falls into the mouth of fire,
Thangam endrum thangam thaanaeGold will always remain gold.
Male
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilaeWhy is there a tear in your eyes?
Nee solladi poonthendralaeTell me, oh gentle breeze!
Male
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Vocalizing melodiously...
Ellorkkum edhir kaalam ondruFor everyone, a bright future,
Illaamal pogaadhu inguWill never fail to exist here.
Edhir neechal nee podu indruSwim against the tide today,
Karai vandhu kai neettum pinbuThe shore will reach out its hand to you later.
Irul soozhum naeram paadhiThe time engulfed in darkness is only half,
Pagal vaelai thaanae meedhiDaylight forms the remaining rest.
Endrum idhu thaan iyarkai needhiThis is eternally the law of nature.
Male
Kanneer thuli yaen kannilaeWhy is there a tear in your eyes?
Nee solladi poonthendralaeTell me, oh gentle breeze!
Theeyin vaayil veezhndhaal ennaEven if it falls into the mouth of fire,
Thangam endrum thangam thaanaeGold will always remain gold.
Male
Hmm mm mm mm mmHumming...
Hmm mm mm mm mm mmmHumming...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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