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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannile Iruppathenna Male

From Ambikapathy (Old) · 1957

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

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that residing in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Male
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that residing in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Male
Vanna mugha vennilavilIn the full moon of your colorful face,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe,
Vanna mugha vennilavilIn the full moon of your colorful face,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe,
Vandu vandhadheppadiyoHow did a honeybee land there,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Male
Anna nadai pinnuvadhenWhy does your swan-like gait waver,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Yaar vizhighal pattanavoWhose gaze has cast a spell upon you,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Male
Chinna idai minnalellaamAll the lightning flashes of your slender waist,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe,
Chinna idai minnalellaamAll the lightning flashes of your slender waist,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe,
Thendral thandha seedhanamoAre they a dowry given by the gentle southern breeze,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Male
Kannilae iruppadhennaWhat is that residing in your eyes,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?
Kaviyamoo oviyamooIs it an epic poem or a painting,
Kanni ilamaanaeOh youthful, gentle doe?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic, classic Tamil lyrical piece where the protagonist affectionately addresses his beloved as a gentle young doe ('Kanni ilamaanae'). He admires her enchanting eyes, questioning whether the beauty held within them is an epic poem or a masterpiece painting. He praises her radiant moon-like face, her graceful swan-like walk, and her delicate waist that flickers like lightning, marveling at how nature itself seems to have gifted her such incomparable elegance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)

“Vanna mugha vennilavil”

Compares the beloved's face to a full moon ('vennilav') and her waist to a flash of lightning ('minnal').

Uvamaani (Animal/Nature Imagery)

“Anna nadai pinnuvadhen”

Compares her graceful walking style to that of a swan ('Anna nadai').

Refrain / Madakku

“Kanni ilamaanae”

The term 'Kanni ilamaanae' (young doe) is repeated as a rhythmic refrain at the end of every line.

Internal Rhyme / Ethirai

“Kaviyamoo oviyamoo”

Assonance and internal rhyming between 'Kaviyamoo' and 'Oviyamoo' creates musical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1957 historical romantic film 'Ambikapathy' featured music composed by legendary music director G. Ramanathan and starred Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi. The lyricist K. D. Santhanam was renowned for using rich classical imagery and Tamil poetic conventions in his film songs.

Keep listening

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