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Aval Oru Thodarkathai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannilae Enna Undu

From Aval Oru Thodarkathai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Aval Oru Thodarkathai
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
30 Jun 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannilae enna undu
Kangal thaan ariyum
Kannilae enna undu
Kangal thaan ariyum
Kallilae eeram undu
Kangalaa ariyum
En manam ennavendru
Ennai andri yaarukku theriyum
Kannilae enna undu
Kangal thaan ariyum
Kallilae eeram undu
Kangalaa ariyum
{Neruppendru sonnaal
Neerilum anaiyum
Neer endru sonnaal
Neruppilum vegum} (2)
Naan konda neruppu
Anaikkindra neruppu
Naan konda neruppu
Anaikkindra neruppu
Yaar anaippaaro iraivanin poruppu
En manam ennavendru
Ennai andri yaarukku theriyum
Kannilae enna undu
Kangal thaan ariyum
Kallilae eeram undu
Kangalaa ariyum
Selaikkul aadum
Mangayin maeni
Maenikkul aadum
Manam enum gnyaani
Gnyaaniyin manamum
Aasayil thaeni
Gnyaaniyin manamum
Aasayil thaeni
Naan oru raani pengalil gnyaani
En manam ennavendru
Ennai andri yaarukku theriyum
Kodaiyil oru naal
Mazhai vara koodum
Koil silaikkum
Uyir vara koodum
{Kaalangalaalae
Kaariyam pirakkum} (2)
Kaariyam pirandhaal
Kaaranam vilangum
En manam ennavendru
Ennai andri yaarukku theriyum
Kannilae enna undu
Kangal thaan ariyum
Kannilae enna undu
Kangal thaan ariyum
What is in the eyes,
Only the eyes know.
What is in the eyes,
Only the eyes know.
There is moisture even inside a stone,
Can eyes ever see it?
What lies in my heart,
Who could know but me?
What is in the eyes,
Only the eyes know.
There is moisture even inside a stone,
Can eyes ever see it?
If you say it is fire,
It can be put out with water.
If you say it is water,
It will boil in fire.
The fire within me
Is a fire waiting to be put out.
The fire within me
Is a fire waiting to be put out.
Who will put it out is in God's hands.
What lies in my heart,
Who could know but me?
What is in the eyes,
Only the eyes know.
There is moisture even inside a stone,
Can eyes ever see it?
Wrapped inside a saree
Is a woman's body.
Living inside that body
Is a sage called the mind.
Even a sage's mind
Is a honeybee drawn to desire.
Even a sage's mind
Is a honeybee drawn to desire.
I am a queen, a sage among women.
What lies in my heart,
Who could know but me?
One day in summer,
Rain may fall.
Even a temple idol
May come to life.
With the passage of time,
Events will unfold.
Once things happen,
The reason will be clear.
What lies in my heart,
Who could know but me?
What is in the eyes,
Only the eyes know.
What is in the eyes,
Only the eyes know.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a deeply philosophical and psychological exploration of female interiority and complex emotions. The protagonist reflects on the unknowable nature of her inner world, emphasizing that no external observer can truly comprehend her thoughts, pain, or desires. Through evocative imagery—such as stone holding hidden moisture, fire burning in water, and the mind functioning as a sage lured by sweet desire—Kannadasan illustrates the paradoxes of human feelings and womanhood. The song ultimately offers a hopeful outlook on fate, suggesting that time will eventually reveal the deeper purpose and meaning behind life's trials, just as summer eventually yields rain and an inanimate statue receives life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Kannilae enna undu / Kangal thaan ariyum”

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in lines like 'Kannilae' and 'Kangal', or 'Kallilae' and 'Kangalaa'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kodaiyil oru naal / Koil silaikkum”

Rhyming of the second consonant 'da' in 'Kodaiyil' and 'Koil'.

Urvagam (Metaphor)

“Manam enum gnyaani / Gnyaaniyin manamum aasayil thaeni”

Metaphorically identifying the human mind as a 'gnyaani' (wise sage) and desire as a sweet bee ('aasayil thaeni').

Antithesis / Contradiction

“Neruppendru sonnaal neerilum anaiyum / Neer endru sonnaal neruppilum vegum”

Juxtaposition of fire ('neruppu') and water ('neer') to express the paradoxical nature of inner emotional passion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kannilae Enna Undu' is from the iconic 1974 Tamil film 'Aval Oru Thodarkathai', directed by K. Balachander. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), with lyrics penned by Kannadasan and sung brilliantly by S. Janaki. The song captures the complex psyche of the female protagonist navigating sacrifice and personal dignity.

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