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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanni Koyil

From Vaanavil · 2000

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Deva
Details
Vaanavil2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ho ho ho ho hoHo ho ho ho ho
Oo ho ho ho oo ho hoOo ho ho ho oo ho ho
Female
Oo…..ho ho ho hoOo... ho ho ho ho
Ooho ho oho hoOoho ho oho ho
Male
Kannik kovilMaiden's temple
Kannik kovil devathaiyaeO Goddess of the maiden's temple!
Kanni pennukkuFor young unmarried women,
Thaali vazhangum thaai madiyaeYou are the mother's lap that grants the sacred wedding thread!
Ungal pengal poo manjal sooda seithaayaeYou made your women adorn flowers and turmeric!
Engal pengalum maaalaikal sooda sei thaayaeGrant that our women too wear wedding garlands!
Male
Kannik kovilMaiden's temple
Kannik kovil devathaiyaeO Goddess of the maiden's temple!
Kanni pennukkuFor young unmarried women,
Thaali vazhangum thaai madiyaeYou are the mother's lap that grants the sacred wedding thread!
Chorus
………………................
Male
En thaai mannila un paadham padhichchiduImprint your divine feet upon my motherland!
Poo soodamal vaazhum pengalai kaaththiduProtect the women who live without wearing flowers!
Manjal idammaa maalai kodammaaApply turmeric, O Mother, grant us wedding garlands!
Thirunaall varumaa aa….aa……aa….Will that auspicious holy day arrive? Ah... ah... ah...
Male
Kannik kovilMaiden's temple
Kannik kovil devathaiyaeO Goddess of the maiden's temple!
Kanni pennukkuFor young unmarried women,
Thaali vazhangum thaai madiyaeYou are the mother's lap that grants the sacred wedding thread!
Ungal pengal poo manjal sooda seithaayaeYou made your women adorn flowers and turmeric!
Engal pengalum maaalaikal sooda sei thaayaeGrant that our women too wear wedding garlands!
Male
Kannik kovilMaiden's temple
Kannik kovil devathaiyaeO Goddess of the maiden's temple!
Kanni pennukkuFor young unmarried women,
Thaali vazhangum thaai madiyaeYou are the mother's lap that grants the sacred wedding thread!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kannik Kovil' from the movie Vaanavil (2000) is a devotional plea directed towards the Goddess of the virgin shrine. It reflects traditional values, praying for the wellbeing and marriage of young maiden girls in the community. Through references to auspicious items like turmeric (manjal), flower garlands (maalai), and the sacred matrimonial thread (thaali), the lyricist emphasizes the community's desire for happiness, societal dignity, and divine intervention in the lives of unmarried women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thaali vazhangum thaai madiyae

Comparing the deity's protective grace to a comforting 'mother's lap' (thaai madi) that grants the sacred wedding thread.

Cultural Synecdoche / Symbolism

Ungal pengal poo manjal sooda seithaayae

Using symbols of marital status in Tamil culture—flowers, turmeric, and garlands—to represent holy matrimony and social prosperity.

Anaphora (Monaai)

Kannik kovil / Kannik kovil devathaiyae

Repetition of words and sound patterns at the beginning of lines to create a chant-like devotional rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Vaanavil (2000) starred Arjun Sarja, Abhirami, and Prakash Raj. The soundtrack for the movie was composed by Deva, featuring heartfelt lyricism by Vairamuthu. The song captures authentic Tamil village devotion centered around local female deities.

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