Kannenna Kannenna
From Periya Idathu Penn · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Periya Idathu Penn1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pattanam paartha | Oh city-exposed girl, |
| Maapilaiyai paarka | who came to see the city-bred groom, |
| Vandha kilipillae | little parrot girl who came, |
| Male | |
| { Pattikaata | { Looking at the village |
| Paarthu paarthu | again and again, |
| Nenapadhenna manasilae } (2) | what is this thought in your heart? } (2) |
| Kilipille kilipille kilipille | Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot! |
| Male | |
| { Kannenna | { Why are your eyes, |
| Kannenna kalangudhu | why are your eyes tearing up? |
| Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu | Why is your golden form swooning? |
| Male | |
| Ennenna | What all, |
| Ennenna ninaikudhu | what all is it thinking? |
| Ennangal engengae parakudhu } (2) | Where all are your thoughts flying? } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Pattanam paartha | { Oh city-exposed girl, |
| Maapilaiyai paarka | who came to see the city-bred groom, |
| Vandha kilipillae } (2) | little parrot girl who came } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Pattikaata | { Looking at the village |
| Paarthu paarthu | again and again, |
| Nenapadhenna manasilae } (2) | what is this thought in your heart? } (2) |
| Kilipille kilipille kilipille | Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot! |
| Male | |
| Kannenna | Why are your eyes, |
| Kannenna kalangudhu | why are your eyes tearing up? |
| Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu | Why is your golden form swooning? |
| Male | |
| Ennenna | What all, |
| Ennenna ninaikudhu | what all is it thinking? |
| Ennangal engengae parakudhu | Where all are your thoughts flying? |
| Male | |
| Kungumathai sumandhu | Carrying vermilion on her forehead, |
| Kondu kulungi varum singaari | a stylish beauty swaying as she comes, |
| Gundu malli poovai kondu | adorned with round jasmine flowers, |
| Kozhanji varum oiyaari | a graceful beauty sashaying along! |
| Male | |
| Oh hoi kungumathai | Oh hoi, carrying vermilion, |
| Sumandhu kondu kulungi | swaying elegantly as she comes, |
| Varum singaari gundu malli | a stylish beauty with round jasmine |
| Poovai kondu kozhanji varum oiyaari | flowers, a graceful beauty sashaying along! |
| Male | |
| Katti mugam | With a sulky face, |
| Kondavalae kaadhal | oh girl who came |
| Pesa vandhavalae | to talk of love, |
| Male | |
| Aa haa katti mugam | Ah ha, with a sulky face, |
| Kondavalae kaadhal | oh girl who came |
| Pesa vandhavalae | to talk of love! |
| Male | |
| Etti etti | Standing far off, |
| Ninnu ninnu | standing far off, |
| Thavipadhenna irutilae | why suffer in the darkness? |
| Male | |
| Pattikaata | Looking at the village |
| Paarthu paarthu | again and again, |
| Nenapadhenna manasilae | what is this thought in your heart? |
| Kilipille kilipille kilipille | Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot! |
| Male | |
| Kannenna | Why are your eyes, |
| Kannenna kalangudhu | why are your eyes tearing up? |
| Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu | Why is your golden form swooning? |
| Male | |
| Ennenna | What all, |
| Ennenna ninaikudhu | what all is it thinking? |
| Ennangal engengae parakudhu | Where all are your thoughts flying? |
| Male | |
| { Aatrangarai orathilae | { On the banks of the river, |
| Andru vandha uruvamaa | is that the figure that appeared that day? |
| Azhagazhaga aadai katti | Dressed in beautiful attire, |
| Pazhaga vandha paruvama } (2) | is it youth coming to mingle? } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Netriravu | { The one who came |
| Vandhavana neranja | last night and filled life |
| Inbam thandhavana } (2) | with abundant bliss } (2) |
| Male | |
| Avana ivan enavae | Wondering whether he is that person or this person, |
| Asaivadhenna vizhiyilae | why are your eyes darting restless? |
| Angum ingum paarthu | Looking here and there, |
| Paarthu nenapadhenna | looking again and again, what is this thought |
| Manasilae kilipille kilipille kilipille | in your heart, little parrot, little parrot, little parrot! |
| Male | |
| Kannenna | Why are your eyes, |
| Kannenna kalangudhu | why are your eyes tearing up? |
| Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu | Why is your golden form swooning? |
| Male | |
| Ennenna | What all, |
| Ennenna ninaikudhu | what all is it thinking? |
| Ennangal engengae parakudhu | Where all are your thoughts flying? |
பட்டணம் பார்த்த
மாப்பிள்ளையை பார்க்க
வந்த கிளிப்பிள்ளே
Oh city-exposed girl,
who came to see the city-bred groom,
little parrot girl who came,
{ பட்டிகாட்ட பார்த்து
பார்த்து நெனப்பதென்ன
மனசிலே } (2)
கிளிப்பிள்ளே கிளிப்பிள்ளே
கிளிப்பிள்ளே
{ Looking at the village
again and again,
what is this thought in your heart? } (2)
Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
{ கண்ணென்ன
கண்ணென்ன கலங்குது
பொன்னென்ன பொன்னென்ன
மயங்குது
{ Why are your eyes,
why are your eyes tearing up?
Why is your golden form swooning?
என்னென்ன
என்னென்ன நினைக்குது
எண்ணங்கள் எங்கெங்கே
பறக்குது } (2)
What all,
what all is it thinking?
Where all are your thoughts flying? } (2)
{ பட்டணம் பார்த்த
மாப்பிள்ளையை பார்க்க
வந்த கிளிப்பிள்ளே } (2)
{ Oh city-exposed girl,
who came to see the city-bred groom,
little parrot girl who came } (2)
{ பட்டிகாட்ட பார்த்து
பார்த்து நெனப்பதென்ன
மனசிலே } (2)
கிளிப்பிள்ளே கிளிப்பிள்ளே
கிளிப்பிள்ளே
{ Looking at the village
again and again,
what is this thought in your heart? } (2)
Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
கண்ணென்ன
கண்ணென்ன கலங்குது
பொன்னென்ன பொன்னென்ன
மயங்குது
Why are your eyes,
why are your eyes tearing up?
Why is your golden form swooning?
என்னென்ன
என்னென்ன நினைக்குது
எண்ணங்கள் எங்கெங்கே
பறக்குது
What all,
what all is it thinking?
Where all are your thoughts flying?
குங்குமத்தை சுமந்து
கொண்டு குலுங்கி வரும்
சிங்காரி குண்டு மல்லி
பூவை கொண்டு கொழஞ்சி
வரும் ஒய்யாரி
Carrying vermilion on her forehead,
a stylish beauty swaying as she comes,
adorned with round jasmine flowers,
a graceful beauty sashaying along!
ஓ ஹோய்
குங்குமத்தை சுமந்து
கொண்டு குலுங்கி வரும்
சிங்காரி குண்டு மல்லி
பூவை கொண்டு கொழஞ்சி
வரும் ஒய்யாரி
Oh hoi, carrying vermilion,
swaying elegantly as she comes,
a stylish beauty with round jasmine
flowers, a graceful beauty sashaying along!
கட்டி முகம்
கொண்டவளே காதல்
பேச வந்தவளே
With a sulky face,
oh girl who came
to talk of love,
ஆ ஹா
கட்டி முகம்
கொண்டவளே காதல்
பேச வந்தவளே
Ah ha, with a sulky face,
oh girl who came
to talk of love!
எட்டி எட்டி
நின்னு நின்னு
தவிப்பதென்ன
இருட்டிலே
Standing far off,
standing far off,
why suffer in the darkness?
பட்டிகாட்ட பார்த்து
பார்த்து நெனப்பதென்ன
மனசிலே கிளிப்பிள்ளே
கிளிப்பிள்ளே கிளிப்பிள்ளே
Looking at the village
again and again,
what is this thought in your heart?
Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
கண்ணென்ன
கண்ணென்ன கலங்குது
பொன்னென்ன பொன்னென்ன
மயங்குது
Why are your eyes,
why are your eyes tearing up?
Why is your golden form swooning?
என்னென்ன
என்னென்ன நினைக்குது
எண்ணங்கள் எங்கெங்கே
பறக்குது
What all,
what all is it thinking?
Where all are your thoughts flying?
{ ஆற்றங்கரை
ஓரத்திலே அன்று
வந்த உருவமா
அழகழகா ஆடை
கட்டி பழக வந்த
பருவமா } ( 2)
{ On the banks of the river,
is that the figure that appeared that day?
Dressed in beautiful attire,
is it youth coming to mingle? } (2)
{ நேற்றிரவு
வந்தவனா நெறஞ்ச
இன்பம் தந்தவனா } (2)
{ The one who came
last night and filled life
with abundant bliss } (2)
அவனா இவன்
எனவே அசைவதென்ன
விழியிலே அங்கும் இங்கும்
பார்த்து பார்த்து நெனப்பதென்ன
மனசிலே கிளிப்பிள்ளே
கிளிப்பிள்ளே கிளிப்பிள்ளே
Wondering whether he is that person or this person,
why are your eyes darting restless?
Looking here and there,
looking again and again, what is this thought
in your heart, little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
கண்ணென்ன
கண்ணென்ன கலங்குது
பொன்னென்ன பொன்னென்ன
மயங்குது
Why are your eyes,
why are your eyes tearing up?
Why is your golden form swooning?
என்னென்ன
என்னென்ன நினைக்குது
எண்ணங்கள் எங்கெங்கே
பறக்குது
What all,
what all is it thinking?
Where all are your thoughts flying?
Pattanam paartha
Oh city-exposed girl,
Maapilaiyai paarka
who came to see the city-bred groom,
Vandha kilipillae
little parrot girl who came,
{ Pattikaata
{ Looking at the village
Paarthu paarthu
again and again,
Nenapadhenna manasilae } (2)
what is this thought in your heart? } (2)
Kilipille kilipille kilipille
Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
{ Kannenna
{ Why are your eyes,
Kannenna kalangudhu
why are your eyes tearing up?
Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu
Why is your golden form swooning?
Ennenna
What all,
Ennenna ninaikudhu
what all is it thinking?
Ennangal engengae parakudhu } (2)
Where all are your thoughts flying? } (2)
{ Pattanam paartha
{ Oh city-exposed girl,
Maapilaiyai paarka
who came to see the city-bred groom,
Vandha kilipillae } (2)
little parrot girl who came } (2)
{ Pattikaata
{ Looking at the village
Paarthu paarthu
again and again,
Nenapadhenna manasilae } (2)
what is this thought in your heart? } (2)
Kilipille kilipille kilipille
Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
Kannenna
Why are your eyes,
Kannenna kalangudhu
why are your eyes tearing up?
Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu
Why is your golden form swooning?
Ennenna
What all,
Ennenna ninaikudhu
what all is it thinking?
Ennangal engengae parakudhu
Where all are your thoughts flying?
Kungumathai sumandhu
Carrying vermilion on her forehead,
Kondu kulungi varum singaari
a stylish beauty swaying as she comes,
Gundu malli poovai kondu
adorned with round jasmine flowers,
Kozhanji varum oiyaari
a graceful beauty sashaying along!
Oh hoi kungumathai
Oh hoi, carrying vermilion,
Sumandhu kondu kulungi
swaying elegantly as she comes,
Varum singaari gundu malli
a stylish beauty with round jasmine
Poovai kondu kozhanji varum oiyaari
flowers, a graceful beauty sashaying along!
Katti mugam
With a sulky face,
Kondavalae kaadhal
oh girl who came
Pesa vandhavalae
to talk of love,
Aa haa katti mugam
Ah ha, with a sulky face,
Kondavalae kaadhal
oh girl who came
Pesa vandhavalae
to talk of love!
Etti etti
Standing far off,
Ninnu ninnu
standing far off,
Thavipadhenna irutilae
why suffer in the darkness?
Pattikaata
Looking at the village
Paarthu paarthu
again and again,
Nenapadhenna manasilae
what is this thought in your heart?
Kilipille kilipille kilipille
Little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
Kannenna
Why are your eyes,
Kannenna kalangudhu
why are your eyes tearing up?
Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu
Why is your golden form swooning?
Ennenna
What all,
Ennenna ninaikudhu
what all is it thinking?
Ennangal engengae parakudhu
Where all are your thoughts flying?
{ Aatrangarai orathilae
{ On the banks of the river,
Andru vandha uruvamaa
is that the figure that appeared that day?
Azhagazhaga aadai katti
Dressed in beautiful attire,
Pazhaga vandha paruvama } (2)
is it youth coming to mingle? } (2)
{ Netriravu
{ The one who came
Vandhavana neranja
last night and filled life
Inbam thandhavana } (2)
with abundant bliss } (2)
Avana ivan enavae
Wondering whether he is that person or this person,
Asaivadhenna vizhiyilae
why are your eyes darting restless?
Angum ingum paarthu
Looking here and there,
Paarthu nenapadhenna
looking again and again, what is this thought
Manasilae kilipille kilipille kilipille
in your heart, little parrot, little parrot, little parrot!
Kannenna
Why are your eyes,
Kannenna kalangudhu
why are your eyes tearing up?
Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu
Why is your golden form swooning?
Ennenna
What all,
Ennenna ninaikudhu
what all is it thinking?
Ennangal engengae parakudhu
Where all are your thoughts flying?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and romantic song features teaseful banter directed at a young woman (addressed tenderly as a 'little parrot') who has returned to the countryside or met a groom from the city. She appears confused, bashful, and overcome with conflicting romantic feelings. Her eyes tear up, her mind wanders back to sweet nocturnal memories and riverbank encounters, and she hesitates nervously between distant shyness and love. Kannadasan uses vivid imagery of traditional female adornments—vermilion (kumkum) and round jasmine flowers—contrasted against rustic settings like riverbanks and night meetings. The song captures the tender emotional state of a young bride-to-be whose heart is fluttering with love, doubt, and yearning.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Reduplication / Repetition)
“Paarthu paarthu”
Emphasis through repeated words like 'Paarthu paarthu' (looking again and again), 'Etti etti' (standing far off), and 'Kilipille kilipille'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kannenna / Ponnenna ponnenna mayankudhu”
Rhyming of the second consonant across consecutive lines: 'Kannenna', 'Ponnenna', 'Ennenna'.
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Endearment)
“Vandha kilipillae”
Addressing the heroine lovingly as 'Kilipillae' (little parrot girl), symbolizing innocence and charm.
Moonaal / Alliteration
“Kungumathai sumandhu / Kondu kulungi varum singaari”
Matching initial consonant sounds such as 'Kungumathai' and 'Kondu', or 'Pattanam' and 'Pattikaata'.
Did you know?
Trivia
From the hit 1963 Tamil film 'Periya Idathu Penn' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The film's iconic music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics written by Kannadasan.
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