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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanneer Thuliye

From Kireedam · 2007

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
Vijay Yesudas
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Kireedam2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kanneer thuliyae thuliyaeOh teardrop, oh teardrop,
Un kavalaigal thudaithidum kaigal ingaeHere are the hands to wipe away your worries.
Kadal mel mazhai neer vizhundhaalIf rainwater falls upon the ocean,
Adhai uppendru sollum ulagam ingaeThis world will simply call it salty water.
Male
Kangal endru irundhu vittaalIf eyes do exist,
Adhil kanneerukkum idam indri povadhillaiThey never fail to make room for tears as well.
Kadavulukkum kavalai unduEven God has worries of His own,
Engum inbam mattum irukindra idhayamillaiThere is no heart anywhere that knows only joy.
Male
Indha paasam adhu romba pollaadhadhuThis deep affection is a very dangerous thing,
Adhilae vizhundhaal nee ezhundhida vazhiyillaiIf you fall into it, there is no way to rise up again.
Male
Kanneer thuliyae thuliyaeOh teardrop, oh teardrop,
Un kavalaigal thudaithidum kaigal ingaeHere are the hands to wipe away your worries.
Kadal mel mazhai neer vizhundhaalIf rainwater falls upon the ocean,
Adhai uppendru sollum ulagam ingaeThis world will simply call it salty water.
Male
Manadhilae aayiramIn the mind, a thousand
Aasaigal kadakkumaeDesires cross by.
Ninaithadhu vazhiyilAlong the path of our thoughts,
Vidi vandhu kedukkumaeFate comes and ruins them.
Male
Nadhiyinil vizhundha ilaigalukkuFor the leaves that fall into the river,
Pogum dhisaigal purivadhillaiThe direction they travel is incomprehensible.
Karaiyil irukkum odathukkuFor a boat resting safely on the shore,
Kadalin kavalaigal therivadhillaiThe sorrow of the vast ocean is unknown.
Male
Yaaridamum kutramillaiNo person is at fault here,
Kaalam seidhaIs this a crime
Kuttram idhu dhaanoCommitted by Time itself?
Male
Kanneer thuliyae thuliyaeOh teardrop, oh teardrop,
Un kavalaigal thudaithidum kaigal ingaeHere are the hands to wipe away your worries.
Kadal mel mazhai neer vizhundhaalIf rainwater falls upon the ocean,
Adhai uppendru sollum ulagam ingaeThis world will simply call it salty water.
Male
Yaar vandhu idaiyilWho came in between
Inbathai keduthadhuAnd ruined the happiness?
Paravaigal kootilaeIn the nest of the birds,
Kilaiyai murithadhuWho broke the branch?
Male
Kanavil pookkum pookalinaiFlowers that bloom in dreams
Kaigalil parithida mudivadhillaiCannot be plucked by human hands.
Kaadhalai marakka ulagathilaeIn this world, to forget love,
Marundhugal edhuvum kidaipadhillaiThere is no medicine to be found.
Male
Yaaridamum kuttramillaiNo person is at fault here,
Kaalam seidhaIs this a crime
Kuttram idhu dhaanoCommitted by Time itself?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kanneer Thuliyae from the film Kireedam (2007) is a deeply moving philosophical song that reflects on pain, vulnerability, and the harsh realities of destiny. The song offers comfort to a grieving soul while contemplating how grief is an inescapable part of human existence. Through rich poetic metaphors—such as pure rain losing its sweetness when merging into a salty sea, or fallen leaves swept helplessly along a river—lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar conveys how human lives are often derailed by circumstances beyond their control. Ultimately, the song concludes that neither person involved is to blame; rather, it is the inexorable hand of Time and Fate that brings unexpected tragedy and heartache.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Nadhiyinil vizhundha ilaigalukku / Pogum dhisaigal purivadhillai

Comparing human life swept away by destiny to leaves falling into a river that have no control over their direction.

Contrast / Metaphor

Karaiyil irukkum odathukku / Kadalin kavalaigal therivadhillai

Contrasting a safe boat on the shore with the tumultuous sea, representing how outsiders cannot comprehend the depth of someone else's suffering.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kangal endru irundhu vittaal / Adhil kanneerukkum idam indri povadhillai

Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across 'Kangal' and 'Kanneerukkum' creating melodic resonance.

Personification

Kaalam seidha / Kuttram idhu dhaano

Attributing human criminal intent to 'Time' (Kaalam), asking if time itself committed the tragic act.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kireedam (2007) was directed by A. L. Vijay and features music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. This soul-stirring track was sung by Vijay Yesudas, with lyrics written by Na. Muthu Kumar. The song serves as a central emotional anchor in the film, accompanying the hero's painful transition into tragic circumstances forced upon him by fate.

Keep listening

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