- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Suseela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Anandhi
- Movie release year
- 1965
- Lyrics added on
- 27 Jun 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
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