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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannil Enna Kaarkaalam

From Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannil enna kaarkaalamWhy is there a monsoon season in your eyes?
Kannagalil neerkolamWhy is there a decorative pattern of tears on your cheeks?
Manamae ninaivae maranthu viduO mind, forget these memories.
Thunai naan azhagae thuyaram viduI am your companion, beautiful one; let go of your sorrow.
Male
Vizhiyil vizhum thuliThe tear drop falling from your eyes,
En maarbil veezhntathae kannaeHas fallen upon my chest, my dear.
Amutham sinthum kannil kanneeroTears in eyes that spill sweet nectar,
Niyaayamaa pennae oo…..Is this fair, my dear girl? Oh...
Male
Kannil enna kaarkaalamWhy is there a monsoon season in your eyes?
Kannagalil neerkolamWhy is there a decorative pattern of tears on your cheeks?
Female
Naanae un sumaiyaaga yaen vanthaenWhy did I enter your life as a heavy burden?
Siragellam sidhaiyaaga vaazhgindraenI live with all my wings reduced to ashes.
Naan urangum naal vaendumI long for a day when I can sleep peacefully.
Saainthu kolla thol vaendumI need a shoulder to lean on.
Naan urangum naal vaendumI long for a day when I can sleep peacefully.
Saainthu kolla thol vaendumI need a shoulder to lean on.
En kannil neer vaendumI want tears in my own eyes,
Sugamaaga azha vaendumTo cry out freely and comfortably.
Male
Kannil enna kaarkaalamWhy is there a monsoon season in your eyes?
Kannagalil neerkolamWhy is there a decorative pattern of tears on your cheeks?
Female
Irul moodum kadalodu naan ingaeI am here beside a sea enveloped in darkness.
En thoni karai saerum naalaengaeWhen will the day come when my boat reaches the shore?
Poovukkul bhoogambamAn earthquake inside a delicate flower,
Engu varum aananthamWhere will happiness ever come from?
Poovukkul bhoogambamAn earthquake inside a delicate flower,
Engu varum aananthamWhere will happiness ever come from?
Nizhalaaga nee vanthaalIf you come along even as a shadow,
Idhu pothum perinbamThis alone is supreme bliss for me.
Male
Kannil enna kaarkaalamWhy is there a monsoon season in your eyes?
Kannagalil neerkolamWhy is there a decorative pattern of tears on your cheeks?
Manamae ninaivae maranthu viduO mind, forget these memories.
Thunai naan azhagae thuyaram viduI am your companion, beautiful one; let go of your sorrow.
Male
Vizhiyil vizhum thuliThe tear drop falling from your eyes,
En maarbil veezhntathae kannaeHas fallen upon my chest, my dear.
Amutham sinthum kannil kanneeroTears in eyes that spill sweet nectar,
Niyaayamaa pennae oo…..Is this fair, my dear girl? Oh...
Male
Kannil enna kaarkaalamWhy is there a monsoon season in your eyes?
Kannagalil neerkolamWhy is there a decorative pattern of tears on your cheeks?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kannil Enna Kaarkaalam' from the 1985 film 'Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal' is a melancholic duet that explores emotional turmoil, solace, and deep devotion between two souls. The lyrics vividly express the pain of watching a loved one cry, metaphorically equating tears to a stormy monsoon season ('Kaarkaalam') and tears on cheeks to liquid artwork ('Neerkolam'). The speaker offers his chest as a shield to absorb her sorrow and promises to be her unwavering companion. In the verse sections, the lyrics capture feelings of existential fatigue—describing life as an earthquake within a delicate flower ('Poovukkul Bhoogambam') and comparing the soul's struggle to a lost boat in a dark sea. Despite the intense sadness, the song highlights how even the mere presence or shadow of a loved one brings divine comfort ('Perinbam') amidst life's heavy burdens.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kannil enna kaarkaalam / Kannagalil neerkolam

Comparing tears and sadness in the eyes to the monsoon season ('Kaarkaalam') and streams of tears to 'Neerkolam' (floor art made of water).

Oxymoron / Imagery

Poovukkul bhoogambam

Juxtaposing 'Poovukkul' (inside a soft flower) with 'Bhoogambam' (a destructive earthquake) to highlight intense emotional distress within a fragile person.

Metaphor

Amutham sinthum kannil kanneero

Comparing eyes that express sweetness to 'Amutham' (nectar) spilling out tears.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Irul moodum kadalodu / En thoni karai saerum

Rhyming the second consonant sound of consecutive lines ('ru' sound in Irul and En).

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie title 'Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal' is inspired by a iconic line from a poem penned by Mahakavi Subramania Bharati. The film was directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Rajinikanth and Sripriya, with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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