Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Thanga Kalasam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanniyaval Naanukiral

From Thanga Kalasam · 1988

Lyricist
London Gopal
Singers
K. J. Jesudass, K. S. Chitra
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Thanga Kalasam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
23 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanniyaval naanugiraal
Kadhalan kai thodavae
Kanniyaval naanugiraal
Kadhalan kai thodavae
Vanna thaen malaraanaal
Innamutham idhazh paruga
Vanna thaen malaraanaal
Innamutham idhazh paruga
Kanniyaval naanugiraal
Kadhalan kai thodavae
Ennalaigal kodi pera
Mannavanin maarbinilae
Ennalaigal kodi pera
Mannavanin maarbinilae
Vinnulagai kaanugiraal
Kannayarnthu kaal thalara
Kannayarnthu kaal thalara
Kanniyaval naanugiraal
Kadhalan kai thodavae
Thaan adaintha kadhalanin
Thaenithazhakku yaengugiraal
Thaan adaintha kadhalanin
Thaenithazhakku yaengugiraal
Thaen adhu thevittidumo
Thellamutham theethaamo
Thellamutham theethaamo
Kanniyaval naanugiraal
Kadhalan kai thodavae
Pani karaintha inba mazhai
Panneeril neenthukiraal
Pani karaintha inba mazhai
Panneeril neenthukiraal
Punithamigu kadhalilae
Puththinbam kaanugiral
Puththinbam kaanugiral
The young woman blushes shyly
as her lover's hand touches her.
The young woman blushes shyly
as her lover's hand touches her.
She becomes a colorful flower full of honey,
for his lips to drink the sweet nectar.
She becomes a colorful flower full of honey,
for his lips to drink the sweet nectar.
The young woman blushes shyly
as her lover's hand touches her.
With countless waves of emotion rising,
resting upon her beloved's chest,
With countless waves of emotion rising,
resting upon her beloved's chest,
she sees a glimpse of heaven,
as her eyes drift shut and her legs grow weak.
as her eyes drift shut and her legs grow weak.
The young woman blushes shyly
as her lover's hand touches her.
From the lover she has found,
she longs for his honey-sweet lips.
From the lover she has found,
she longs for his honey-sweet lips.
Can honey ever become too sweet?
Can pure nectar ever do any harm?
Can pure nectar ever do any harm?
The young woman blushes shyly
as her lover's hand touches her.
In a blissful rain of melting dew,
she swims in fragrant rosewater.
In a blissful rain of melting dew,
she swims in fragrant rosewater.
In this sacred love,
she discovers a brand-new joy.
she discovers a brand-new joy.
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Thanga Kalasam

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.