Kannizhantha Pillaikku
From Enippadigal · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Enippadigal1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Anbu mikka oru manam | A heart full of deep love, |
| Nallavarkku oru gunam | A noble quality belonging to good people. |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Anbu mikka oru manam | A heart full of deep love, |
| Nallavarkku oru gunam | A noble quality belonging to good people. |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Female | |
| {Thaayin kural kettadhundu | {He has heard his mother's voice, |
| Thanthai mugam paarththadhundu | He has seen his father's face, |
| Jeevanattra kangalukku | For those lifeless eyes, |
| Dhevan mugam therigindradhu} (2) | The face of God now appears} (2) |
| Female | |
| Andha mara kilaidhanilae | On the branch of that tree, |
| Vanthamarntha paravai ondru | A bird came and perched, |
| Andha mara kilaidhanilae | On the branch of that tree, |
| Vanthamarntha paravai ondru | A bird came and perched, |
| Thanthadhoru anbu kandu | Seeing the love it bestowed, |
| Thanthai thannai maranthadhundu | The father forgot himself, |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Anbu mikka oru manam | A heart full of deep love, |
| Nallavarkku oru gunam | A noble quality belonging to good people. |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Female | |
| {Yaetri vitta yaeni ondru | {The ladder that helped them climb up, |
| Nindrabadi nirkkiradhu | Stands remaining where it was, |
| Yeri vitta oru manamo | While the mind of the one who climbed, |
| Veru vazi nadakkiradhu} (2) | Walks along a different path} (2) |
| Female | |
| Yetriyadhum kuttramillai | There is no fault in raising someone up, |
| Yaeniyilum pavamillai | Nor is there any sin in the ladder, |
| Yetriyadhum kuttramillai | There is no fault in raising someone up, |
| Yaeniyilum pavamillai | Nor is there any sin in the ladder, |
| Maatriyadhu kadavul ennum | What changed everything is, |
| Maayakkaaran leelaiyamma | The playful illusion of God the master magician, Oh dear! |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Female | |
| {Dhevanavan kovililae | {In the temple of that Lord, |
| Kodai veiyil sudugiradhu | The harsh summer heat scorches, |
| Dhevi aval vaasalilo | At the doorstep of the Goddess, |
| Selva mazhai pozigiradhu}(2) | A rain of wealth pours down}(2) |
| Female | |
| Nallavarkku porul edharkku | Why do good people need wealth? |
| Naadi varum pugazh edharkku | Why do they need fame that comes searching? |
| Nallavarkku porul edharkku | Why do good people need wealth? |
| Naadi varum pugazh edharkku | Why do they need fame that comes searching? |
| Unnudaiya vasanthaththilae | In your spring season, |
| Ondrum illai rasippatharkku | There is nothing left to enjoy. |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God, |
| Anbu mikka oru manam | A heart full of deep love, |
| Nallavarkku oru gunam | A noble quality belonging to good people. |
| Female | |
| Kannizhantha pillaikku | To the child who lost his sight, |
| Dheivam thantha dharisanam | A divine vision granted by God. |
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
அன்பு மிக்க ஒரு மனம்
நல்லவருக்கு ஒரு குணம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
A heart full of deep love,
A noble quality belonging to good people.
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
அன்பு மிக்க ஒரு மனம்
நல்லவருக்கு ஒரு குணம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
A heart full of deep love,
A noble quality belonging to good people.
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
{தாயின் குரல் கேட்டதுண்டு
தந்தை முகம் பார்த்ததுண்டு
ஜீவனற்ற கண்களுக்கு
தேவன் முகம் தெரிகின்றது} (2)
{He has heard his mother's voice,
He has seen his father's face,
For those lifeless eyes,
The face of God now appears} (2)
அந்த மர கிளைதனிலே
வந்தமர்ந்த பறவை ஒன்று
அந்த மர கிளைதனிலே
வந்தமர்ந்த பறவை ஒன்று
தந்ததொரு அன்பு கண்டு
தந்தை தன்ன மறந்ததுண்டு
On the branch of that tree,
A bird came and perched,
On the branch of that tree,
A bird came and perched,
Seeing the love it bestowed,
The father forgot himself,
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
அன்பு மிக்க ஒரு மனம்
நல்லவருக்கு ஒரு குணம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
A heart full of deep love,
A noble quality belonging to good people.
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
{ஏற்றிவிட்ட ஏணி ஒன்று
நின்றபடி நிற்கிறது
ஏறி விட்ட ஒரு மனமோ
வேறு வழி நடக்கிறது} (2)
{The ladder that helped them climb up,
Stands remaining where it was,
While the mind of the one who climbed,
Walks along a different path} (2)
ஏற்றியதும் குற்றமில்லை
ஏணியிலும் பாவமில்லை
ஏற்றியதும் குற்றமில்லை
ஏணியிலும் பாவமில்லை
மாற்றியது கடவுள் என்னும்
மாயக்காரன் லீலையம்மா
There is no fault in raising someone up,
Nor is there any sin in the ladder,
There is no fault in raising someone up,
Nor is there any sin in the ladder,
What changed everything is,
The playful illusion of God the master magician, Oh dear!
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
{தேவனவன் கோவிலிலே
கோடை வெயில் சுடுகிறது
தேவை அவள் வாசலிலோ
செல்வா மழை பொழிகிறது} (2)
{In the temple of that Lord,
The harsh summer heat scorches,
At the doorstep of the Goddess,
A rain of wealth pours down}(2)
நல்லவர்க்கு பொருள் எதற்கு
நாடி வரும் புகழ் எதற்கு
நல்லவர்க்கு பொருள் எதற்கு
நாடி வரும் புகழ் எதற்கு
உன்னுடைய வசந்தத்திலே
ஒன்றும் இல்லை ரசிப்பதற்கு
Why do good people need wealth?
Why do they need fame that comes searching?
Why do good people need wealth?
Why do they need fame that comes searching?
In your spring season,
There is nothing left to enjoy.
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
அன்பு மிக்க ஒரு மனம்
நல்லவருக்கு ஒரு குணம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God,
A heart full of deep love,
A noble quality belonging to good people.
கண்ணிழந்த பிள்ளைக்கு
தெய்வம் தந்த தரிசனம்
To the child who lost his sight,
A divine vision granted by God.
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
Anbu mikka oru manam
A heart full of deep love,
Nallavarkku oru gunam
A noble quality belonging to good people.
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
Anbu mikka oru manam
A heart full of deep love,
Nallavarkku oru gunam
A noble quality belonging to good people.
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
{Thaayin kural kettadhundu
{He has heard his mother's voice,
Thanthai mugam paarththadhundu
He has seen his father's face,
Jeevanattra kangalukku
For those lifeless eyes,
Dhevan mugam therigindradhu} (2)
The face of God now appears} (2)
Andha mara kilaidhanilae
On the branch of that tree,
Vanthamarntha paravai ondru
A bird came and perched,
Andha mara kilaidhanilae
On the branch of that tree,
Vanthamarntha paravai ondru
A bird came and perched,
Thanthadhoru anbu kandu
Seeing the love it bestowed,
Thanthai thannai maranthadhundu
The father forgot himself,
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
Anbu mikka oru manam
A heart full of deep love,
Nallavarkku oru gunam
A noble quality belonging to good people.
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
{Yaetri vitta yaeni ondru
{The ladder that helped them climb up,
Nindrabadi nirkkiradhu
Stands remaining where it was,
Yeri vitta oru manamo
While the mind of the one who climbed,
Veru vazi nadakkiradhu} (2)
Walks along a different path} (2)
Yetriyadhum kuttramillai
There is no fault in raising someone up,
Yaeniyilum pavamillai
Nor is there any sin in the ladder,
Yetriyadhum kuttramillai
There is no fault in raising someone up,
Yaeniyilum pavamillai
Nor is there any sin in the ladder,
Maatriyadhu kadavul ennum
What changed everything is,
Maayakkaaran leelaiyamma
The playful illusion of God the master magician, Oh dear!
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
{Dhevanavan kovililae
{In the temple of that Lord,
Kodai veiyil sudugiradhu
The harsh summer heat scorches,
Dhevi aval vaasalilo
At the doorstep of the Goddess,
Selva mazhai pozigiradhu}(2)
A rain of wealth pours down}(2)
Nallavarkku porul edharkku
Why do good people need wealth?
Naadi varum pugazh edharkku
Why do they need fame that comes searching?
Nallavarkku porul edharkku
Why do good people need wealth?
Naadi varum pugazh edharkku
Why do they need fame that comes searching?
Unnudaiya vasanthaththilae
In your spring season,
Ondrum illai rasippatharkku
There is nothing left to enjoy.
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God,
Anbu mikka oru manam
A heart full of deep love,
Nallavarkku oru gunam
A noble quality belonging to good people.
Kannizhantha pillaikku
To the child who lost his sight,
Dheivam thantha dharisanam
A divine vision granted by God.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song from 'Enippadigal' (1979) reflects on life's ironies, devotion, morality, and divine play. Using the metaphor of a visually impaired child receiving a spiritual vision of God, lyricist Kannadasan contrasts physical blindness with inner divine insight. The song addresses themes of filial devotion, selfless help, and the painful nature of human ingratitude. Through the powerful metaphor of a ladder left behind after helping someone reach higher ground, the lyrics critique human selfishness and how people often forget those who elevated them. Ultimately, it emphasizes that pure-hearted people do not chase worldly riches or fame, accepting life's vicissitudes as the divine illusion (leela) of God.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamanai)
“Yaetri vitta yaeni ondru Nindrabadi nirkkiradhu”
The ladder (Yaeni) is used as a metaphor for a selflessly helpful person or mentor who aids others in climbing to higher status while remaining stationary themselves.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Yaetri vitta yaeni ondru ... Veru vazi nadakkiradhu”
The second consonant 'y' (ya/ee) rhymes across the consecutive lines ('Yaetri' and 'Veru').
Monaif (Initial Alliteration)
“Yetriyadhum kuttramillai / Yaeniyilum pavamillai”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ye' across adjacent lines creates rhythmic harmony.
Irony and Contrast
“Dhevanavan kovililae Kodai veiyil sudugiradhu Dhevi aval vaasalilo Selva mazhai pozigiradhu”
Contrasts the harsh heat in the God's temple with the rain of wealth at the Goddess's door to show the paradoxical distribution of worldly fortune.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Enippadigal' (1979) stars Sivakumar and Shoba, directed by P. Madhavan with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The title 'Enippadigal' translates to 'Ladder Steps', directly referencing the iconic ladder metaphor written by Kannadasan in this song to depict human ambition and betrayal.
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