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Lyrics & meaning

Kanni Vayadhu

From Kaveriyin Kanavan · 1959

Lyricist
P. K. Muthusami
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaveriyin Kanavan1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanni vayadhu ilam paruvathilaeDuring my young and tender maidenhood,
Kanavan endra uruvathilaeIn the guise of a husband,
Yaaroo enakku maalaiyittaarSomeone placed a garland around my neck,
Avar oorper theriyaamal pirindhu vittarAnd departed without even letting me know his name or hometown.
Female
Kanni vayadhu ilam paruvathilaeDuring my young and tender maidenhood,
Kanavan endra uruvathilaeIn the guise of a husband,
Yaaroo enakku maalaiyittaarSomeone placed a garland around my neck,
Avar oorper theriyaamal pirindhu vittarAnd departed without even letting me know his name or hometown.
Female
Thaali kattiya naal mudhalaaiFrom the very day he tied the sacred thread,
Thalaivarin nizhalaiyum kandathillaiI have not even caught a glimpse of my lord's shadow.
Thaali kattiya naal mudhalaaiFrom the very day he tied the sacred thread,
Thalaivarin nizhalaiyum kandathillaiI have not even caught a glimpse of my lord's shadow.
Aazhi soozhndha ulagathilaeIn this vast world surrounded by the seas,
Ennai avathikku aalaakki pirindhuvittarHe subjected me to endless distress and left.
Aazhi soozhndha ulagathilaeIn this vast world surrounded by the seas,
Ennai avathikku aalaakki pirindhuvittarHe subjected me to endless distress and left.
Female
Kanni vayadhu ilam paruvathilaeDuring my young and tender maidenhood,
Kanavan endra uruvathilaeIn the guise of a husband,
Yaaroo enakku maalaiyittaarSomeone placed a garland around my neck,
Avar oorper theriyaamal pirindhu vittarAnd departed without even letting me know his name or hometown.
Female
Idhayamilladhavar seyalaaleDue to the actions of a heartless person,
Illara padagum kavizhndhadhadaThe boat of my married life has capsized.
Idhayamilladhavar seyalaaleDue to the actions of a heartless person,
Illara padagum kavizhndhadhadaThe boat of my married life has capsized.
Sidhariya naangal idhuvaraiyilWe who were scattered apart,
Thirumbavum ondraai seravillaiHave not reunited together till this day.
Sidhariya naangal idhuvaraiyilWe who were scattered apart,
Thirumbavum ondraai seravillaiHave not reunited together till this day.
Female
Kanni vayadhu ilam paruvathilaeDuring my young and tender maidenhood,
Kanavan endra uruvathilaeIn the guise of a husband,
Yaaroo enakku maalaiyittaarSomeone placed a garland around my neck,
Avar oorper theriyaamal pirindhu vittarAnd departed without even letting me know his name or hometown.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sorrowful track conveys the deep grief and anguish of a young woman who was married off in her youth to a man whose identity and background remained unknown to her. Immediately following the ceremony, her husband abandoned her, leaving her to endure a life of isolation and suffering without even having seen his shadow since the day of their wedding.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Illara padagum kavizhndhadhada

The line compares domestic/married life to a boat ('Illara padagu') that has capsized, symbolizing a wrecked marriage.

Initial Rhyme / Monai

Thaali kattiya naal mudhalaai / Thalaivarin nizhalaiyum kandathillai

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' in consecutive lines ('Thaali' and 'Thalaivarin').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Thalaivarin nizhalaiyum kandathillai

Expressing extreme abandonment by stating she has not even seen her husband's shadow since their wedding day.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaveriyin Kanavan' (1959) featured timeless music by K. V. Mahadevan. This track, sung by P. Susheela with lyrics by P. K. Muthusami, showcases classic mid-20th-century Tamil cinema melancholic melody tropes.

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