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Lyrics & meaning

Kannile Iruppathenna Female

From Ambikapathy (Old) · 1957

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singer
Banumathy
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Ambikapathy (Old)1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Female
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Female
Vanna mugha vennilavilIn the full moon of your bright face,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden,
Vanna mugha vennilavilIn the full moon of your bright face,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden,
Vandu vandhadheppadiyoHow did a bee come and hover?
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden,
Vandu vandhadheppadiyoHow did a bee come and hover?
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Female
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Female
Anna nadai pinnuvadhenWhy does your swan-like walk stumble,
Kanni ilamaanae… ae…Oh young doe-like maiden...
Aa… aaa… aaa… aaa…Aa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Female
Anna nadai pinnuvadhenWhy does your swan-like walk stumble,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Yaar vizhighal pattanavoWhose envious eyes have fallen upon you,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Chinna idai minnalellaamIs your slender, lightning-like waist,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden,
Thendral thandha seedhanamoA dowry gifted by the gentle breeze,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Female
Kaar kuzhalai yen valarthaaiWhy did you grow such dark raincloud hair,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Kaalayarai kattudharkkoIs it to bind and capture young men,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Female
Kaar kuzhalai yen valarthaaiWhy did you grow such dark raincloud hair,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Kaalayarai kattudharkkoIs it to bind and capture young men,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Paarvaiyilae noi koduthaaiThrough your gaze you gave me an affliction,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden,
Pakkam vandhu theertthu vaippaaiSo come close and cure me of it,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden.
Female
Pal varisai mullai endraalIf your row of teeth is like jasmine buds,
Kanni ilamaanae.. ae…Oh young doe-like maiden...
Ae… ae…ae… aa…aaa..aaAe... ae...ae... aa...aaa..aa
Female
Pal varisai mullai endraalIf your row of teeth is like jasmine buds,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden,
Paadum vandaai naan varavaaShall I come to you as a singing bee,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Baanumathi maari varumShining bright like Bhanumathi,
Vaanagathu meenaeOh celestial star in the heavens,
Paarkka unnai thaedudhadiMy eyes search to catch a sight of you,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden!
Female
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh young doe-like maiden?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannilae Iruppadhenna is a charming romantic song from the 1957 Tamil historical film Ambikapathy, featuring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by K. D. Santhanam, the song features the male protagonist admiring his beloved's beauty using classical Sangam-style imagery and playful praise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vanna mugha vennilavil

Comparing the heroine's face to a full moon ('Vennilav') and her teeth to jasmine buds ('Mullai').

Refrain (Anaphora / Madakku)

Kanni ilamaanae

The term 'Kanni ilamaanae' (young doe-like maiden) is repeated consistently at the end of every alternate line as a rhythmic call and refrain.

Hyperbole (Ushaiyokthi)

Kaalayarai kattudharkko

Exaggerating her dark long hair as ropes meant to tie up and capture young men.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1957 film Ambikapathy was a major hit retelling the legendary romance of medieval Tamil poet Kambar's son Ambikapathy and Princess Amaravathi. The song is celebrated for its traditional Tamil poetic tropes and melody set by legendary composer G. Ramanathan.

Keep listening

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