Kannodu Kanbathellam
From Jeans · 1998
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Nithyasree Mahadevan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Jeans1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| { Pa pani panipama | Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras) |
| Panipama gamapa sagasani | Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras) |
| Panipama gamagasa gamapa } (2) | Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras) |
| Female | |
| { Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagajam } (2) | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Female | |
| Kannodu kaanbadhellam | Everything seen by the eyes, |
| Thalaiva kangaluku chonthamillai | My beloved, does not belong to the eyes. |
| Kangaluku chonthamillai | Does not belong to the eyes. |
| Female | |
| Kannodu maniyanaai | Like the pupil residing inside the eye, |
| Athanaal kannai vittu pirivathillai | It never leaves the eye. |
| Nee ennai vittu pirivathillai | You never leave me. |
| Female | |
| { Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagajam } (2) | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Female | |
| Pirithu vaithal | If kept apart, |
| Niyayam illai | It is not fair. |
| Pirithu paarthaal | If analyzed separately, |
| Porulum illai | It holds no meaning. |
| Rendallo rendum ondrallo | Though they are two, aren't they both just one? |
| Female | |
| { Dhinaku dhinaku dhina | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Dhinthinnaanaa naagirudhaani | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Dhongirudhaani dhinathom } (2) | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Female | |
| Iravum pagalum vanthaalum | Though day and night come separately, |
| Naal enbathu ondrallo | Isn't a full day just one unit? |
| Kaalgal irandu kondaalum | Though we are given two legs, |
| Payanam enbathu ondrallo | Isn't the journey just one? |
| Female | |
| Idhayam irandu endraalum | Though there are two hearts, |
| Kaadhal enbathu ondrallo | Isn't our love just one? |
| Female | |
| Kannodu kaanbadhellam | Everything seen by the eyes, |
| Thalaiva kangaluku chonthamillai | My beloved, does not belong to the eyes. |
| Kangaluku chonthamillai | Does not belong to the eyes. |
| Female | |
| { Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagradhim | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Thagra thagra thagajam } (2) | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Female | |
| Andril paravai | The mythical Andril birds, |
| Irattai piravi | Are born as inseparable pairs. |
| Ondril ondraai | As one inside the other, |
| Vaazhum piravi | Is how they live their lives. |
| Piriyadhae vittu piriyadhae | Do not separate, never leave me. |
| Female | |
| Kannum kannum | Both eyes, |
| Irattai piravi | Are a twin creation. |
| Oru vizhi azhuthaal | If one eye cries, |
| Iruvizhi aruvi | A stream flows from both eyes, |
| Pozhiyadho anbae vazhiyadho | Doesn't love pour and overflow like that? |
| Female | |
| { Dhinaku dhinaku dhina | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Dhinthinnaanaa naagirudhaani | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Dhongirudhaani dhinathom } (2) | Rhythmic percussion bols |
| Female | |
| Oruvar thoongum thookathil | In the slumber slept by one, |
| Iruvar kanavugal kaanugirom | Both of us dream. |
| Oruvar vaangum suvaasathil | In the breath taken by one, |
| Iruvar irudhayam vaazhugirom | Both our hearts stay alive. |
| Female | |
| Thaavikolla mattum thaan | Only to embrace each other, |
| Thani thaniyae thedugindrom | Do we seek each other separately. |
| Female | |
| Pa pa ni ni sa sa ga | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ga ma ma pa pa ni ni sa sa | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ni sa ga ma pa ni dha pa ma | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ga ma pa ni sasa ga ra sa ni | Carnatic swara notes |
| Sa ma ga ri sa ni dha | Carnatic swara notes |
| Female | |
| Kannodu kaanbadhellam thalaiva …. | Everything seen by the eyes, my beloved... |
| Female | |
| Ri ri ri sasa ni sa | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ri ri sa sa ri ri ni ni sa sa | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ga ri sa ni si ga ri sa ni dha | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ni dha pa ma ga ni sa ga sa | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ga ma ga ma pa dha pa ma | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ni ma pa na sa ga ri sa ga | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ri sa ni sa ni dha pa ma | Carnatic swara notes |
| Ga ri sa ri ma | Carnatic swara notes |
| Female | |
| Kannodu kaanbadhellam | Everything seen by the eyes, |
| Thalaiva kangaluku chonthamillai | My beloved, does not belong to the eyes. |
| Kangaluku chonthamillai | Does not belong to the eyes. |
| Female | |
| Kannodu maniyanaai | Like the pupil residing inside the eye, |
| Athanaal kannai vittu pirivathillai | It never leaves the eye. |
| Nee ennai vittu pirivathillai | You never leave me. |
{ ப பனி பனிபம
பனிபம கமப சகசனி
பனிபம கமகச கமப } (2)
Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras)
Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras)
Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras)
{ தக்ர தக்ர தக்ரதிம்
தக்ர தக்ர தக்ரதிம் தக்ர தக்ர
தக்ரதிம் தக்ர தக்ர தகஜம் } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
கண்ணோடு
காண்பதெல்லாம் தலைவா
கண்களுக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
கண்களுக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
Everything seen by the eyes,
My beloved, does not belong to the eyes.
Does not belong to the eyes.
கண்ணோடு
மணியானாய் அதனால்
கண்ணைவிட்டுப் பிரிவதில்லை
நீ என்னைவிட்டு பிரிவதில்லை
Like the pupil residing inside the eye,
It never leaves the eye.
You never leave me.
{ தக்ர தக்ர தக்ரதிம்
தக்ர தக்ர தக்ரதிம் தக்ர தக்ர
தக்ரதிம் தக்ர தக்ர தகஜம் } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
சலசல சலசல
இரட்டைக் கிளவி தகதக
தகதக இரட்டைக் கிளவி
உண்டல்லோ தமிழில்
உண்டல்லோ
If kept apart,
It is not fair.
If analyzed separately,
It holds no meaning.
Though they are two, aren't they both just one?
பிரித்து வைத்தால்
நியாயம் இல்லை பிரித்துப்
பார்த்தால் பொருளும் இல்லை
இரண்டல்லோ இரண்டும் ஒன்றல்லோ
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
{ தினக்கு தினக்கு
தின திந்தின்னானா
நாகிருதானி தோங்கிருதானி
தினதோம் } (2)
Though day and night come separately,
Isn't a full day just one unit?
Though we are given two legs,
Isn't the journey just one?
இரவும் பகலும்
வந்தாலும் நாள் என்பது
ஒன்றல்லோ கால்கள்
இரண்டு கொண்டாலும்
பயணம் என்பது ஒன்றல்லோ
Though there are two hearts,
Isn't our love just one?
இதயம் இரண்டு
என்றாலும் காதல் என்பது
ஒன்றல்லோ
Everything seen by the eyes,
My beloved, does not belong to the eyes.
Does not belong to the eyes.
கண்ணோடு
காண்பதெல்லாம் தலைவா
கண்களுக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
கண்களுக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
{ தக்ர தக்ர தக்ரதிம்
தக்ர தக்ர தக்ரதிம் தக்ர தக்ர
தக்ரதிம் தக்ர தக்ர தகஜம் } (2)
The mythical Andril birds,
Are born as inseparable pairs.
As one inside the other,
Is how they live their lives.
Do not separate, never leave me.
அன்றில் பறவை
இரட்டைப் பிறவி ஒன்றில்
ஒன்றாய் வாழும் பிறவி
பிரியாதே விட்டுப் பிரியாதே
Both eyes,
Are a twin creation.
If one eye cries,
A stream flows from both eyes,
Doesn't love pour and overflow like that?
கண்ணும் கண்ணும்
இரட்டைப் பிறவி ஒரு விழி
அழுதால் இருவிழி அருவி
பொழியாதோ அன்பே வழியாதோ
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
Rhythmic percussion bols
{ தினக்கு தினக்கு
தின திந்தின்னானா
நாகிருதானி தோங்கிருதானி
தினதோம் } (2)
In the slumber slept by one,
Both of us dream.
In the breath taken by one,
Both our hearts stay alive.
ஒருவர் தூங்கும்
தூக்கத்தில் இருவர்
கனவுகள் காணுகிறோம்
ஒருவர் வாங்கும் சுவாசத்தில்
இருவர் இருதயம் வாழுகிறோம்
தாவிக்கொள்ள மட்டும்தான்
தனித்தனியே தேடுகின்றோம்
Only to embrace each other,
Do we seek each other separately.
ப ப னி னி ச
ச க க ம ம ப ப னி னி
ச ச னி ச க ம ப னி த
ப ம க ம ப னி ச ச க ரா
ச னி ச ம க ரி ச னி தா
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
கண்ணோடு
காண்பதெல்லாம் தலைவா
Everything seen by the eyes, my beloved...
ரி ரி ரி ச ச னி ச
ரி ரி ச ச ரி ரி னி னி ச ச
க ரி ச னி சி க ரி ச னி த
னி த ப ம க னி ச க ச க
ம க ம ப த ப ம னி ம ப ந
ச க ரி ச க ரி ச னி ச னி த
ப ம க ரி ச ரி ம
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
Carnatic swara notes
கண்ணோடு
காண்பதெல்லாம் தலைவா
கண்களுக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
கண்களுக்குச் சொந்தமில்லை
Everything seen by the eyes,
My beloved, does not belong to the eyes.
Does not belong to the eyes.
கண்ணோடு
மணியானாய் அதனால்
கண்ணைவிட்டுப் பிரிவதில்லை
நீ என்னைவிட்டு பிரிவதில்லை
Like the pupil residing inside the eye,
It never leaves the eye.
You never leave me.
{ Pa pani panipama
Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras)
Panipama gamapa sagasani
Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras)
Panipama gamagasa gamapa } (2)
Musical solfege notes (solkattu / swaras)
{ Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagajam } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Kannodu kaanbadhellam
Everything seen by the eyes,
Thalaiva kangaluku chonthamillai
My beloved, does not belong to the eyes.
Kangaluku chonthamillai
Does not belong to the eyes.
Kannodu maniyanaai
Like the pupil residing inside the eye,
Athanaal kannai vittu pirivathillai
It never leaves the eye.
Nee ennai vittu pirivathillai
You never leave me.
{ Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagajam } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Pirithu vaithal
If kept apart,
Niyayam illai
It is not fair.
Pirithu paarthaal
If analyzed separately,
Porulum illai
It holds no meaning.
Rendallo rendum ondrallo
Though they are two, aren't they both just one?
{ Dhinaku dhinaku dhina
Rhythmic percussion bols
Dhinthinnaanaa naagirudhaani
Rhythmic percussion bols
Dhongirudhaani dhinathom } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Iravum pagalum vanthaalum
Though day and night come separately,
Naal enbathu ondrallo
Isn't a full day just one unit?
Kaalgal irandu kondaalum
Though we are given two legs,
Payanam enbathu ondrallo
Isn't the journey just one?
Idhayam irandu endraalum
Though there are two hearts,
Kaadhal enbathu ondrallo
Isn't our love just one?
Kannodu kaanbadhellam
Everything seen by the eyes,
Thalaiva kangaluku chonthamillai
My beloved, does not belong to the eyes.
Kangaluku chonthamillai
Does not belong to the eyes.
{ Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagradhim
Rhythmic percussion bols
Thagra thagra thagajam } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Andril paravai
The mythical Andril birds,
Irattai piravi
Are born as inseparable pairs.
Ondril ondraai
As one inside the other,
Vaazhum piravi
Is how they live their lives.
Piriyadhae vittu piriyadhae
Do not separate, never leave me.
Kannum kannum
Both eyes,
Irattai piravi
Are a twin creation.
Oru vizhi azhuthaal
If one eye cries,
Iruvizhi aruvi
A stream flows from both eyes,
Pozhiyadho anbae vazhiyadho
Doesn't love pour and overflow like that?
{ Dhinaku dhinaku dhina
Rhythmic percussion bols
Dhinthinnaanaa naagirudhaani
Rhythmic percussion bols
Dhongirudhaani dhinathom } (2)
Rhythmic percussion bols
Oruvar thoongum thookathil
In the slumber slept by one,
Iruvar kanavugal kaanugirom
Both of us dream.
Oruvar vaangum suvaasathil
In the breath taken by one,
Iruvar irudhayam vaazhugirom
Both our hearts stay alive.
Thaavikolla mattum thaan
Only to embrace each other,
Thani thaniyae thedugindrom
Do we seek each other separately.
Pa pa ni ni sa sa ga
Carnatic swara notes
Ga ma ma pa pa ni ni sa sa
Carnatic swara notes
Ni sa ga ma pa ni dha pa ma
Carnatic swara notes
Ga ma pa ni sasa ga ra sa ni
Carnatic swara notes
Sa ma ga ri sa ni dha
Carnatic swara notes
Kannodu kaanbadhellam thalaiva ….
Everything seen by the eyes, my beloved...
Ri ri ri sasa ni sa
Carnatic swara notes
Ri ri sa sa ri ri ni ni sa sa
Carnatic swara notes
Ga ri sa ni si ga ri sa ni dha
Carnatic swara notes
Ni dha pa ma ga ni sa ga sa
Carnatic swara notes
Ga ma ga ma pa dha pa ma
Carnatic swara notes
Ni ma pa na sa ga ri sa ga
Carnatic swara notes
Ri sa ni sa ni dha pa ma
Carnatic swara notes
Ga ri sa ri ma
Carnatic swara notes
Kannodu kaanbadhellam
Everything seen by the eyes,
Thalaiva kangaluku chonthamillai
My beloved, does not belong to the eyes.
Kangaluku chonthamillai
Does not belong to the eyes.
Kannodu maniyanaai
Like the pupil residing inside the eye,
Athanaal kannai vittu pirivathillai
It never leaves the eye.
Nee ennai vittu pirivathillai
You never leave me.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kannodu Kaanbadhellam is a iconic Carnatic-fusion love song from the 1998 Tamil film Jeans, composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by Nithyasree Mahadevan. The song centers on the poetic concept of non-duality in love, expressing how two individual lovers merge into a single emotional and spiritual entity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Kannodu maniyanaai / Athanaal kannai vittu pirivathillai”
Compares the beloved to the pupil inside the eye, highlighting an inseparable connection.
Parallelism & Paradox
“Kaalgal irandu kondaalum payanam enbathu ondrallo”
Uses physical dualities (two legs, night/day, two eyes) to emphasize singular emotional unity (one journey, one day, one love).
Cultural Imagery (Andril Paravai)
“Andril paravai irattai piravi”
References the classic Tamil literary motif of the Andril bird pair, legendary for dying of grief if separated from its partner.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track marked the prominent film music debut of classical vocalist Nithyasree Mahadevan. A.R. Rahman composed the melody based on the classical ragam Abheri, blending complex Carnatic swara passages (kalpanaswaram) with contemporary orchestral arrangements.
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