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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanniyaval Naanukiral

From Thanga Kalasam · 1988

Lyricist
London Gopal
Singers
K. J. Jesudass, K. S. Chitra
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thanga Kalasam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kanniyaval naanugiraalThe maiden blushes
Kadhalan kai thodavaeAs her lover's hand touches her
Kanniyaval naanugiraalThe maiden blushes
Kadhalan kai thodavaeAs her lover's hand touches her
Male
Vanna thaen malaraanaalShe became a colorful honey-flower
Innamutham idhazh parugaTo drink the sweet nectar from her lips
Vanna thaen malaraanaalShe became a colorful honey-flower
Innamutham idhazh parugaTo drink the sweet nectar from her lips
Male
Kanniyaval naanugiraalThe maiden blushes
Kadhalan kai thodavaeAs her lover's hand touches her
Female
Ennalaigal kodi peraA crore of thought-waves arise
Mannavanin maarbinilaeUpon her king's chest
Ennalaigal kodi peraA crore of thought-waves arise
Mannavanin maarbinilaeUpon her king's chest
Female
Vinnulagai kaanugiraalShe glimpses the heavenly world
Kannayarnthu kaal thalaraClosing her eyes as her feet grow weary
Kannayarnthu kaal thalaraClosing her eyes as her feet grow weary
Female
Kanniyaval naanugiraalThe maiden blushes
Kadhalan kai thodavaeAs her lover's hand touches her
Male
Thaan adaintha kadhalaninFor the lover she has attained
Thaenithazhakku yaengugiraalShe yearns for his honeyed lips
Thaan adaintha kadhalaninFor the lover she has attained
Thaenithazhakku yaengugiraalShe yearns for his honeyed lips
Female
Thaen adhu thevittidumoWill that honey ever become cloying?
Thellamutham theethaamoWill pure nectar ever cause harm?
Thellamutham theethaamoWill pure nectar ever cause harm?
Female
Kanniyaval naanugiraalThe maiden blushes
Kadhalan kai thodavaeAs her lover's hand touches her
Male
Pani karaintha inba mazhaiIn the blissful rain of melted dew
Panneeril neenthukiraalShe swims in fragrance and rosewater
Pani karaintha inba mazhaiIn the blissful rain of melted dew
Panneeril neenthukiraalShe swims in fragrance and rosewater
Punithamigu kadhalilaeIn this most sacred love
Puththinbam kaanugiralShe experiences a newly found bliss
Puththinbam kaanugiralShe experiences a newly found bliss

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song captures the intimate emotion and coy bashfulness of a young woman upon being touched by her lover. She experiences overwhelming joy and warmth, comparing her lover's embrace to heavenly bliss and his affection to sweet nectar. Resting upon her lover's chest, her mind blossoms with endless thoughts of deep love and devotion. She marvels at whether such pure love could ever lose its sweetness or cause harm, ultimately surrendering herself to the sacred and everlasting bliss of their union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pani karaintha inba mazhai / Panneeril neenthukiraal

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds across words within the same line, such as 'Pani' and 'Panneeril' or 'Punithamigu' and 'Puththinbam'.

Uvamai / Metaphor

Vanna thaen malaraanaal

Comparing the heroine to a colorful honey-flower ('Vanna thaen malar') and her lover's lips to honeyed nectar ('Thaenithazh').

Rhetorical Question

Thaen adhu thevittidumo / Thellamutham theethaamo

The lyricist uses poetic questioning ('Will honey ever cloy? Will pure nectar harm?') to emphasize the eternal sweetness of true love.

Anaphora / Refrain

Kanniyaval naanugiraal / Kadhalan kai thodavae

The thematic repetition of the opening couplet reinforces the central theme of coy modesty and romantic touch.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features lyrics penned by London Gopal for the 1988 Tamil film 'Thanga Kalasam'. London Gopal was one of the few overseas diaspora lyricists who contributed songs to Tamil cinema during the late 1980s.

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