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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Kannil Paarvai

From Naan Kadavul · 2009

Lyricist: Vaali
Singer: Shreya Ghoshal
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Naan Kadavul
Movie release year: 2009
Lyrics added on: 23 Dec 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Kannil paarvai pona podhum

Kannil eeram thadhumbum thadhumbum

Kannilladha perai kandaal

Kanaakkal odhungum odhungum

Kanaavil kooda inbam

Vaaramal indha janmam

Oh deivamae idhu sammadhamo…

Kannil paarvai pona podhum

Kannil eeram thadhumbum thadhumbum

Kannilladha perai kandaal

Kanaakkal odhungum odhungum

Yaarkkum poloru annai thandhai

Enakkum irundhadhu undu

Yaarkkum poloru dhegam… thaagam

Enakkum valarndhathu ingu

Yaarkum polae

Vizhigal irundhum

Ulagamo irulil

Oliyai polae orr thunai

Vandhu sendra thunbam yaarkkum undo….

Kannil paarvai pona podhum

Kannil eeram thadhumbum thadhumbum

Kannilladha perai kandaal

Kanaakkal odhungum odhungum

Veedhi endroru veedum undu

Enakadhu sondham indru

Vaanam endroru koorai undu

Vizhigalum ariyaadhu

Veliyilla solaikkaaga

Vandhadhorr kaaval

Kangal konda theivavumum

Kaavalan kondu sendradheno…

Kannil paarvai pona podhum

Kannil eeram thadhumbum thadhumbum

Kannilladha perai kandaal

Kanaakkal odhungum odhungum

Kanaavil kooda inbam

Vaaramal indha janmam

Oh deivamae idhu sammadhamo…

Kannil paarvai pona podhum

Kannil eeram thadhumbum thadhumbum

Kannilladha perai kandaal

Kanaakkal odhungum odhungum

Even though sight has left my eyes,

tears still well up and overflow.

When they see someone without sight,

even dreams step aside and stay away.

Without finding happiness even in dreams,

to go through this lifetime—

oh God, is this acceptable to you?

Even though sight has left my eyes,

tears still well up and overflow.

When they see someone without sight,

even dreams step aside and stay away.

Like anyone else, a mother and a father,

I too once had.

Like anyone else, a body and its desires

grew within me as well.

Just like anyone else,

though I have eyes,

my world is trapped in darkness.

Like a ray of light, a companion

arrived and then left—has anyone known such pain?

Even though sight has left my eyes,

tears still well up and overflow.

When they see someone without sight,

even dreams step aside and stay away.

There is a home called the street,

and today it belongs to me.

There is a roof called the open sky,

which my eyes cannot even see.

For this garden without a fence,

a protector came along.

Why did the God who has eyes

take that protector away?

Even though sight has left my eyes,

tears still well up and overflow.

When they see someone without sight,

even dreams step aside and stay away.

Without finding happiness even in dreams,

to go through this lifetime—

oh God, is this acceptable to you?

Even though sight has left my eyes,

tears still well up and overflow.

When they see someone without sight,

even dreams step aside and stay away.

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kannil Paarvai from Bala's movie Naan Kadavul is a heart-wrenching song describing the plight of visually impaired individuals caught in the brutal world of organized begging. The lyrics reflect their acute physical darkness, emotional abandonment, and longing for basic human dignity. Vaali's evocative words highlight that despite having standard human feelings, parental roots, and physical needs like anyone else, their lives are reduced to enduring unending misery where even dreams refuse to offer comfort. The song poses deep philosophical questions to God, challenging the unfairness of destiny and divine silent approval of such extreme human suffering. The street becomes their home and the sky their roof, embodying ultimate helplessness and vulnerability.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Kannil eeram thadhumbum thadhumbum”

The words 'thadhumbum' and 'odhungum' are repeated sequentially to emphasize overflowing emotion and the lingering avoidance of dreams.

Metaphor (Uvameya)

“Veedhi endroru veedum undu”

Comparing the public street to a home ('veedhi endroru veedum') and the sky to a roof ('vaanam endroru koorai') illustrates extreme homelessness and exposure to nature.

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Kannilladha perai kandaal”

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in 'Kannil', 'Kannilladha', and 'Kanaakkal' creates a rhythmic acoustic harmony.

Rhetorical Question

“Oh deivamae idhu sammadhamo…”

The singer directly questions God ('Oh deivamae idhu sammadhamo'), demanding an answer for why such cruelty is sanctioned.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naan Kadavul (2009), directed by Bala, features a score composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by legendary poet Vaali. This specific track depicts visually impaired beggars who are exploited by a ruthless begging ring in Tamil Nadu and Kasi. The haunting vocal performance and realistic picturization contributed heavily to the movie winning the National Film Award for Best Direction.

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