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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanni Oruthi

From Neerum Neruppum · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Neerum Neruppum1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanni oruthi madiyilIn the lap of a maiden,
Kaalai oruvan mayangiA young man swooned,
Kadhai kadhaiyaai solla vandhaanAnd came to tell stories upon stories.
Kanni oruthi madiyilIn the lap of a maiden,
Kaalai oruvan mayangiA young man swooned,
Kadhai kadhaiyaai solla vandhaanAnd came to tell stories upon stories.
Male
Kaalai pozhudhum vidiyaAs the morning dawned,
Kaadhal muzhudhum mudiyaAnd love reached its fulfillment,
Suvai suvaiyaai alli thandhaal aa… aa…She offered delight after delight, aa... aa...
Male
Kanni oruthi madiyilIn the lap of a maiden,
Kaalai oruvan mayangiA young man swooned,
Kadhai kadhaiyaai solla vandhaanAnd came to tell stories upon stories.
Aa…aa…Aa...aa...
Female
Solli solli mudithu vittaanHe finished telling everything,
Adhai sollum varai thudikka vittaanMaking her heart throb until he spoke.
Solli solli mudithu vittaanHe finished telling everything,
Adhai sollum varai thudikka vittaanMaking her heart throb until he spoke.
Male
Penmai ennum poovum konjamThe flower of womanhood,
Menmai maari pogum vannamIn a way that altered its delicate softness,
Penmai ennum poovum konjamThe flower of womanhood,
Menmai maari pogum vannamIn a way that altered its delicate softness,
Male
Sevvilani chaareduthu koduthaaloDid she offer him sweet tender coconut juice?
Thannai oru thennai yena ninaithaalo hoDid she consider herself a coconut tree? Ho!
Sevvilani chaareduthu koduthaaloDid she offer him sweet tender coconut juice?
Thannai oru thennai yena ninaithaaloDid she consider herself a coconut tree?
Idhazhgalai idhazh kondu maraithaaloDid she cover lips with lips?
Eerettu vayadhinil malarndhaaloDid she blossom at sixteen years of age?
Female
Thaenaruvi chaaralena ninaithaanoDid he think of her as a spray from a honey stream?
Thottu thottu pattudalai nanaithaanoDid he touch her repeatedly, drenching her silky body?
Thaenaruvi chaaralena ninaithaanoDid he think of her as a spray from a honey stream?
Thottu thottu pattudalai nanaithaanoDid he touch her repeatedly, drenching her silky body?
Kadalinil padagena midhandhaanoDid he float like a boat in the sea?
Kaalathai kaadhalil marandhaanoDid he forget time in the midst of love?
Male
Aa…haa kanni oruthi madiyilAa...haa in the lap of a maiden,
Kaalai oruvan mayangiA young man swooned,
Kadhai kadhaiyaai solla vandhaanAnd came to tell stories upon stories.
Aa…aa…Aa...aa...
Male
Kothu malar poonghuzhalaiHer fragrant hair adorned with clusters of flowers,
Methai polaeLike a soft bed,
Kondu vandha vanji magal nenjin melaeUpon the chest of the slender young woman who brought it,
Kothu malar poonghuzhalaiHer fragrant hair adorned with clusters of flowers,
Methai polaeLike a soft bed,
Kondu vandha vanji magal nenjin melaeUpon the chest of the slender young woman who brought it,
Mani vizhi mayangida kidandhaanoDid he lie down as his gem-like eyes swooned?
Maeniyai kai kondu alandhaanoDid he measure her body with his hands?
Female
Moongilai kaadirukkum idam paarthuLooking at the place where the bamboo forest lies,
Mellidaiyai allugira karan saerththuJoining hands that embrace her slender waist,
Moongilai kaadirukkum idam paarthuLooking at the place where the bamboo forest lies,
Mellidaiyai allugira karan saerththuJoining hands that embrace her slender waist,
Kalaigalai pazhagida thunindhaanoDid he dare to practice the arts of love?
Kaaviya poo magal thuvandaaloDid the epic flower-like maiden wilt in ecstasy?
Male
Aa…aaAa...aa
Male
Kaalai pozhudhum vidiyaAs the morning dawned,
Kaadhal muzhudhum mudiyaAnd love reached its fulfillment,
Suvai suvaiyaai alli thandhaalShe offered delight after delight.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kanni Oruthi Madiyil' from the 1971 movie 'Neerum Neruppum' is a sensual romantic duet that vividly describes intimacy between two lovers spending the night together. The lyrics allegorically capture the ecstasy, warmth, and tender playful affection shared between the hero and heroine until daybreak.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kanni oruthi madiyil

Matching second consonants across lines like 'Kanni' and 'Madiyil' / 'Solli' and 'Adhai'.

Moonaai (First-letter Alliteration)

Kanni oruthi madiyil / Kaalai oruvan mayangi

Alliteration of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kanni' and 'Kaalai'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Penmai ennum poovum konjam

Comparing womanhood directly to a flower ('Penmai ennum poovum').

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Solli solli mudithu vittaan

Repetition of words like 'solli solli' and 'thottu thottu' to emphasize continuous action and affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan for M. G. Ramachandran's swashbuckling film 'Neerum Neruppum' (1971), directed by P. Neelakantan. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela with lyrics by Vaali, the song remains a classic example of poetic romance in Tamil cinema.

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