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Lyrics & meaning

Kannilae Anbirundhaal Female

From Anandhi · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Suseela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anandhi1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Female
Nenjilae aasai vanthaalIf desire arises in the heart,
Neerilum theanoorum….mm….Even water will taste as sweet as honey... mm...
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Nenjilae aasai vanthaalIf desire arises in the heart,
Neerilum theanoorum….mm….Even water will taste as sweet as honey... mm...
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Female
Nellilae mani irukkumJust as grain resides within the paddy,
Sollaatha ninaivirukkumThere are unexpressed memories within.
Sollaatha ninaivirukkumThere are unexpressed memories within.
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Nenjilae aasai vanthaalIf desire arises in the heart,
Neerilum theanoorum….mm….Even water will taste as sweet as honey... mm...
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Female
Pillaiyo un manadhuIs your heart like that of an innocent child?
Illaiyo oor ninaivuDo you have no thought of this world?
Pillaiyo un manadhuIs your heart like that of an innocent child?
Illaiyo oor ninaivuDo you have no thought of this world?
Female
Munnaalae mugamirunthumWhen a face is right in front of you,
Kannaadi ketpathennaWhy do you ask for a mirror?
Kannaadi ketpathennaWhy do you ask for a mirror?
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Female
Sonthamo puriyavillaiI do not understand our bond,
Sollavo mozhiyumillaiNor do I have words to describe it.
Ellaamum neeyarinthaalIf you understood everything on your own,
Inneram kelvi illaiThere would be no questions left by now.
Inneram kelvi illaiThere would be no questions left by now.
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varumGod will manifest even in a stone.
Nenjilae aasai vanthaalIf desire arises in the heart,
Neerilum theanoorum….mm….Even water will taste as sweet as honey... mm...
Female
Kannilae anbirunthaalIf there is love in the eyes,
Kallilae dheivam varum…God will manifest even in a stone...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannilae Anbirunthaal is a classic lyrical masterpiece written by Kannadasan that explores how perspective and emotion shape human perception. The opening refrain asserts that love alters reality: a simple stone appears divine when viewed through loving eyes, and plain water tastes like sweet honey when the heart is filled with desire. The song delicately captures unspoken affection, emotional innocence, and implicit understanding between two souls. The lyrics compare unexpressed thoughts to grains tucked inside paddy shells, questioning why one needs external reflections or formal words when true love is evident right before them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Rhyme (Ethukai)

Kannilae anbirunthaal / Kallilae dheivam varum

Second letter rhyming in Tamil poetic structure (nn and ll/ll harmony across lines like Kannilae / Kallilae).

Analogy (Uvamai)

Nellilae mani irukkum / Sollaatha ninaivirukkum

Compares silent, deep memories hidden in the mind to precious grains hidden inside husks of paddy.

Hyperbole / Poetic Exaggeration

Nenjilae aasai vanthaal / Neerilum theanoorum

Exaggerates the sweet experience of love by stating plain water will taste like honey when love fills the heart.

Rhetorical Question

Munnaalae mugamirunthum / Kannaadi ketpathenna

Asks why someone needs a mirror when the loved person's face is standing directly before them.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by P. Susheela for the 1965 film 'Anandhi', starring Gemini Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya. Lyricist Kannadasan's opening lines remain among the most famous Tamil adages regarding perception and devotion.

Keep listening

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