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Lyrics & meaning

Kannil Kandathellam

From Pattanathil Bhootham · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Govardhanam
Details
Pattanathil Bhootham1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaaIs everything seen with the eyes real?
Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaaAre your own eyes a witness that tells the truth?
Male
Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaaIs everything seen with the eyes real?
Female :Ahaa ha haaFemale: Ahaa ha haa
Male :Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaaMale: Are your own eyes a witness that tells the truth?
Female :Hhmmm…Female: Hhmmm...
Male
Verum sandhegamaaIs it pure suspicion?
Kobam vanavilin varnajaalamaaIs anger just a colorful display like a rainbow?
Female :Ohoo hoo ho hooFemale: Ohoo hoo ho hoo
Male :Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaaMale: Is everything seen with the eyes real?
Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaaAre your own eyes a witness that tells the truth?
Male
Moodikonda kaigalilaeIn closed hands,
Muthum irukkumThere may be a pearl.
Female :Hmm..oru mullum irukkumFemale: Hmm.. there may also be a thorn.
Male :Thedi vandha kangalukkuFor eyes that come searching,
Thevai irukkumThere will be a need.
Female :Nooru paavai irukkumFemale: There will be a hundred maidens.
Male
Moodikonda kaigalilaeIn closed hands,
Muthum irukkumThere may be a pearl.
Female :Oru mullum irukkumFemale: There may be a thorn.
Male :Thedi vandha kangalukkuFor eyes that come searching,
Thevai irukkumThere will be a need.
Female :Nooru paavai irukkumFemale: There will be a hundred maidens.
Male
Oodal seiya pengalukkuFor women to engage in love-sulking,
Neram irukkumThere will be time.
Female :Nenjil baaram irukkumFemale: There will be a weight in the heart.
Male :Unmai kanda pinnaaleMale: After the truth is realized,
Nenjam thirakkumThe heart will open up.
Adhilum vanjam irukkumFemale: Even in that, there might be deceit.
Male
Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaaIs everything seen with the eyes real?
Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaaAre your own eyes a witness that tells the truth?
Male
{Paarthu konjam pesa vandhaal{If I come to look and talk a little,
Yethanai kobamHow much anger there is!
Female :Angae paarthadhu podhumFemale: What you saw there is enough!
Male :Pazhagiyapin pirivadhendraalMale: After being close, if we separate,
Yethanai paavamWhat a sin it is!
Female :En penmaikku laabam} (2)Female: It is a gain for my womanhood} (2)
Male
Dheivam vandhu saatchi sonnaalIf God comes and bears witness,
Kobam theerumaaWill your anger subside?
Female :Dheivam poiyum koorumaaFemale: Would God even lie?
Male :Kaigalilae uyir izhandhaalMale: If I lose my life in your arms,
Paasam thondrumaaWill affection arise?
Female :Uyirum vesham podumaaFemale: Would even life wear a disguise?
Male :Hmm..mm…Male: Hmm..mm...
Male
Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaaIs everything seen with the eyes real?
Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaaAre your own eyes a witness that tells the truth?
Ilam penn dhegamaeIs a young woman's body
Verum sandhegamaaMere doubt?
Kobam vaanavilin varnajaalamaaIs anger a magical display of rainbow colors?
Male
Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaaIs everything seen with the eyes real?
Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaaAre your own eyes a witness that tells the truth?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannil Kandadhellam Kaatchiyaa is a playful romantic duet between lovers centered on themes of perception, jealousy, trust, and love-sulking ('oodal'). The male lover attempts to clear his partner's doubts and anger by questioning whether visual appearances can be misleading, comparing anger to a fleeting rainbow. The female lover playfully counters each argument with sharp metaphors of her own, refusing to yield easily to his charms. Written by Kannadasan for Pattanathil Bhootham (1967), the song showcases poetically rich philosophical exchanges wrapped in a lighthearted, romantic dialogue.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

Kannil kandadhellam kaatchiyaa / Unn kannae unmai sollum saatchiyaa

The lines end with rhyming suffixes 'kaatchiyaa' and 'saatchiyaa' to maintain musical rhythm and lyricism.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kobam vanavilin varnajaalamaa

Anger is metaphorically described as the transient, colorful magic trick of a rainbow.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Muthum irukkum / Female :Hmm..oru mullum irukkum

Contrasts 'Muthu' (pearl/treasure) with 'Mullu' (thorn/pain) to illustrate the duality of hidden intentions.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattanathil Bhootham (1967) features music composed by R. Goverdhanam with lyrics written by Kannadasan. This popular duet was rendered by legendary playback singers T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, picturized on Jaishankar and K. R. Vijaya.

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