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Lyrics & meaning

Kannirandum Thevaiyillai Kaanbadharkku

From Madappura · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Madappura1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkkuTwo eyes are not required to see
Kaadhirandum thevaiyillai ketpadharkkuTwo ears are not required to hear
Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkkuTwo eyes are not required to see
Kaadhirandum thevaiyillai ketpadharkkuTwo ears are not required to hear
Female
Unmai anbu irundhuvittaalIf true love exists
PodhaadhaaIs it not enough?
Naam ullathinaal unarndhu kolla mudiyaadhaaCan we not feel and understand it through our heart?
Unmai anbu irundhuvittaalIf true love exists
PodhaadhaaIs it not enough?
Naam ullathinaal unarndhu kolla mudiyaadhaaCan we not feel and understand it through our heart?
Female
Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkkuTwo eyes are not required to see
Kaadhirandum thevaiyillai ketpadharkkuTwo ears are not required to hear
Female
Kannillaa kumudha malar iravinilumEven in the dark night, the eyeless night-lily flower
Vennilavu thondruvadhai unarvadhillaiyaaDoes it not sense the appearance of the full moon?
Kannillaa kumudha malar iravinilumEven in the dark night, the eyeless night-lily flower
Vennilavu thondruvadhai unarvadhillaiyaaDoes it not sense the appearance of the full moon?
Female
Chinna chinna idhazh virithuOpening its tiny petals
Sirippai sindhi muga malarndhuScattering smiles with a blooming face
Ennathil inbam ponga iruppadhillaiyaaDoes it not remain with joy overflowing in its thoughts?
Chinna chinna idhazh virithuOpening its tiny petals
Sirippai sindhi muga malarndhuScattering smiles with a blooming face
Ennathil inbam ponga iruppadhillaiyaaDoes it not remain with joy overflowing in its thoughts?
Female
Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkkuTwo eyes are not required to see
Kaadhirandum thevaiyillai ketpadharkkuTwo ears are not required to hear
Female
Nenjil ezhum alaigalukkuFor the waves that rise within the heart
Kangal unduThere are eyes
Adhil neendhum uyar anuvukkellaamFor all the noble particles swimming within them
Sevigalum unduThere are ears as well
Female
Nenjil ezhum alaigalukkuFor the waves that rise within the heart
Kangal unduThere are eyes
Adhil neendhum uyar anuvukkellaamFor all the noble particles swimming within them
Sevigalum unduThere are ears as well
Female
Anbu manam padaithavargalThose blessed with a loving heart
Inba vaazhvu koduppavargalThose who bestow a joyful life
Engirundha podhumNo matter where they are
Avai arindhu sollaadhaaWon't those feelings perceive and convey it?
Female
Anbu manam padaithavargalThose blessed with a loving heart
Inba vaazhvu koduppavargalThose who bestow a joyful life
Engirundha podhumNo matter where they are
Avai arindhu sollaadhaaWon't those feelings perceive and convey it?
Female
Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkkuTwo eyes are not required to see
Kaadhirandum thevaiyillai ketpadharkkuTwo ears are not required to hear
Unmai anbu irundhuvittaalIf true love exists
PodhaadhaaIs it not enough?
Naam ullathinaal unarndhu kolla mudiyaadhaaCan we not feel and understand it through our heart?
Female
Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkkuTwo eyes are not required to see
Kaadhirandum thevaiyillai ketpadharkkuTwo ears are not required to hear

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the philosophical and romantic idea that physical senses like eyes and ears are unnecessary to experience true love and connection. Love is a profound internal emotion that transcends sight and sound, capable of being felt deeply through the heart and soul. The lyricist draws a beautiful analogy with the night-blooming lily flower (kumudha malar), which lacks physical eyes yet senses the moon's arrival in the night sky and blossoms in joy. Similarly, people united by genuine affection can feel each other's presence, thoughts, and emotions regardless of physical sensory perception or distance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkku

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Kannirandum' and 'Kaadhirandum' at the start of consecutive lines.

Personification / Analogy (Uwamai)

Kannillaa kumudha malar iravinilum

The night-blooming lily (kumudha malar) is personified as sensing the moon without eyes and blossoming with joy, symbolizing pure intuitive feeling.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Nenjil ezhum alaigalukku Kangal undu

Attributing physical senses like 'eyes' and 'ears' to emotions and internal waves of the heart.

Anaphora / Refrain

Kannirandum thevaiyillai kaanbadharkku

Repetition of the opening couplet throughout the song to emphasize the core philosophical message.

Did you know?

Trivia

Madappura is a 1962 Tamil film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi emphasize deep emotional intuition over sensory sight, reflecting a recurring philosophical trope in 1960s Tamil cinema where true connection is portrayed as spiritual and heartfelt.

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