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Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannil Enna Kaarkaalam

From Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
20 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannil enna kaarkaalam
Kannagalil neerkolam
Manamae ninaivae maranthu vidu
Thunai naan azhagae thuyaram vidu
Vizhiyil vizhum thuli
En maarbil veezhntathae kannae
Amutham sinthum kannil kanneero
Niyaayamaa pennae oo…..
Kannil enna kaarkaalam
Kannagalil neerkolam
Naanae un sumaiyaaga yaen vanthaen
Siragellam sidhaiyaaga vaazhgindraen
Naan urangum naal vaendum
Saainthu kolla thol vaendum
Naan urangum naal vaendum
Saainthu kolla thol vaendum
En kannil neer vaendum
Sugamaaga azha vaendum
Kannil enna kaarkaalam
Kannagalil neerkolam
Irul moodum kadalodu naan ingae
En thoni karai saerum naalaengae
Poovukkul bhoogambam
Engu varum aanantham
Poovukkul bhoogambam
Engu varum aanantham
Nizhalaaga nee vanthaal
Idhu pothum perinbam
Kannil enna kaarkaalam
Kannagalil neerkolam
Manamae ninaivae maranthu vidu
Thunai naan azhagae thuyaram vidu
Vizhiyil vizhum thuli
En maarbil veezhntathae kannae
Amutham sinthum kannil kanneero
Niyaayamaa pennae oo…..
Kannil enna kaarkaalam
Kannagalil neerkolam
Why is there a rainy season in your eyes?
And patterns of tears upon your cheeks?
O heart, let go of these memories;
I am here beside you, my love, let go of your sorrow.
The tear falling from your eyes
has fallen onto my chest, my darling.
Should eyes that pour out sweetness shed tears?
Is this fair, my love? Oh...
Why is there a rainy season in your eyes?
And patterns of tears upon your cheeks?
Why did I become a burden to you?
I live with my wings burning like a funeral pyre.
I long for a day when I can sleep,
I need a shoulder to lean on.
I long for a day when I can sleep,
I need a shoulder to lean on.
I want tears in my eyes,
I just want to cry in sweet relief.
Why is there a rainy season in your eyes?
And patterns of tears upon your cheeks?
I am stranded here beside a sea covered in darkness;
When will the day come for my boat to reach the shore?
When there is an earthquake inside a flower,
where can joy ever come from?
When there is an earthquake inside a flower,
where can joy ever come from?
If you walk beside me like a shadow,
that great happiness is enough for me.
Why is there a rainy season in your eyes?
And patterns of tears upon your cheeks?
O heart, let go of these memories;
I am here beside you, my love, let go of your sorrow.
The tear falling from your eyes
has fallen onto my chest, my darling.
Should eyes that pour out sweetness shed tears?
Is this fair, my love? Oh...
Why is there a rainy season in your eyes?
And patterns of tears upon your cheeks?
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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