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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanneerthan Kaanikkaiya

From Maappillai 1952 Film · 1952

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
N. S. Balakrishnan, T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Maappillai 1952 Film
Movie release year
1952
Lyrics added on
25 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanneerthaan kaanikkaiyaa deivamae
Pennaaga pirandha al ennaalum ulagilae
Kanneerthaan kaanikkaiyaa deivamae
Polladha sadhiyoo ellaam
En thalai vidhiyoo
Manamilladha malar pol mapaaviyaanaenae
Kanneerthaan kaanikkaiyaa deivamae
Paazhaanadhae endhan
Vaazh naal ellam thunbamae
Edhirpaaraamal paal manam maaradha sei thanai
Veenaaga yen pirithaar
Kanneerthaan kaanikkaiyaa deivamae
Are tears my only offering, oh God?
Just because I was born a woman in this world,
are tears my only offering, oh God?
Is this all an evil conspiracy,
or is it just my fate?
Like a flower without fragrance, I have become so wretched and unfortunate.
Are tears my only offering, oh God?
Ruined completely is my life,
filled with nothing but sorrow all my days.
Without warning, from my innocent little child,
why did they tear me away for no reason?
Are tears my only offering, oh God?
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This melancholic song portrays a woman lamenting her tragic plight and questioning God about her endless suffering. She compares herself to a scentless flower—a life stripped of its joy and purpose—and wonders if her sorrow is the result of cruel conspiracies or preordained fate. The pain deepens as she mourns the unexpected separation from her innocent child, leaving her with nothing but tears as an offering to the Almighty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Manamilladha malar pol mapaaviyaanaenae

Compares a joyless, tragic life to a scentless flower ('malar pol').

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Polladha sadhiyoo ellaam / En thalai vidhiyoo

Uses rhyming line endings ('sadhiyoo' and 'vidhiyoo') to emphasize the conflict between conspiracy and fate.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Edhirpaaraamal paal manam maaradha sei thanai

Employs 'paal manam' (milky heart) as a metaphor for the untainted innocence of a child.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maappillai' (1952) featured memorable music composed by T. R. Pappa and N. S. Balakrishnan, with lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The song was rendered by legendary playback singer P. Leela, known for her emotional depth in classical and pathos songs.

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