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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
Movie name
Ambikapathy (Old)
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
11 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannilae iruppadhenna
Kanni ilamaanae
Kaviyamoo oviyamoo
Kanni ilamaanae
Kannilae iruppadhenna
Kanni ilamaanae
Kaviyamoo oviyamoo
Kanni ilamaanae
Vanna mugha vennilavil
Kanni ilamaanae
Vanna mugha vennilavil
Kanni ilamaanae
Vandu vandhadheppadiyo
Kanni ilamaanae
Anna nadai pinnuvadhen
Kanni ilamaanae
Yaar vizhighal pattanavo
Kanni ilamaanae
Chinna idai minnalellaam
Kanni ilamaanae
Chinna idai minnalellaam
Kanni ilamaanae
Thendral thandha seedhanamo
Kanni ilamaanae
Kannilae iruppadhenna
Kanni ilamaanae
Kaviyamoo oviyamoo
Kanni ilamaanae
What is that in your eyes,
O gentle young deer?
Is it a poem or a painting,
O gentle young deer?
What is that in your eyes,
O gentle young deer?
Is it a poem or a painting,
O gentle young deer?
Upon the bright moon of your lovely face,
O gentle young deer,
Upon the bright moon of your lovely face,
O gentle young deer,
How did a black bee find its way,
O gentle young deer?
Why does your graceful, swan-like walk falter,
O gentle young deer...?
Whose gaze has fallen upon you,
O gentle young deer?
That slender waist like a flash of lightning,
O gentle young deer,
That slender waist like a flash of lightning,
O gentle young deer,
Is it a wedding gift from the gentle breeze,
O gentle young deer?
What is that in your eyes,
O gentle young deer?
Is it a poem or a painting,
O gentle young deer?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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