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Lyrics & meaning

Kannodu Meenai Kandu

From Thalai Prasavam · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thalai Prasavam1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hae…hae….hae…ho…thoo…thoo….Playful vocalizations and laughter
Male
Kannodu meenaikkanduSeeing the fish-like shape in your eyes
Kannaadi maenikkanduSeeing your mirror-like body
Kannodu meenaikkanduSeeing the fish-like shape in your eyes
Kannaadi maenikkanduSeeing your mirror-like body
Thullal poduthu thoondil poduthuLeaping playfully and casting a hook
En manamae pon manamae un vasamaeMy heart, my golden heart, is completely under your spell
Female
Kaipodum thoondil kanduSeeing the hook cast by your hands
Mai podum kangal renduBoth of your kohl-adorned eyes
Vattam poduthu thittam poduthuAre circling around and making a plan
Avasaramaa adhisayamaa ragasiyamaaIs it out of urgency, a wonder, or a secret?
Female
Sempanju kozhunthu poovaaga malarnthuBlossoming like a soft red cotton bud into a flower
Sempanju kozhunthu poovaaga malarnthuBlossoming like a soft red cotton bud into a flower
Thaenukkul neeraadum maayam ennaWhat is this magic of bathing within honey?
Male
Sampangi nizhalae shenpagam pazhuthaeO shadow of the Sampangi blossom, like a ripe Shenbagam fruit
Maanidanthaan paadum raagam ennaWhat is this ragam that a human is singing?
Female :Manjal itta penmai un pakkam kondaadaFemale: The turmeric-adorned womanhood celebrates right by your side
Male :Konjum kili endru en kangal vanthaadaMale: Calling you a prattling parrot, my eyes dance in delight
Female
Thullal poduthu thoondil poduthuLeaping playfully and casting a hook
En manamae pon manamae un vasamaeMy heart, my golden heart, is completely under your spell
Male :En manamae pon manamae un vasamaeMale: My heart, my golden heart, is under your spell
Male
Ilai vizhunthu malar vizhunthuLeaves falling, flowers falling
Kaai vizhunthu kani vizhunthuUnripe fruits falling, ripe fruits falling
Saainthaen naan kannaeI leaned over in love, my dear
Female
Arugirunthu oru virunthuA feast served from nearby
Pudhu virunthu madhuvirunthuA fresh feast, a honeyed feast
Paainthaen naan kannaaI rushed forward to take it, my beloved
Male
Enna solli unnaiWith what words should I
Azhaippathu ammaadiCall you, oh sweet lady?
Female :Manjam solli kaiyilFemale: Talk about the wedding bed and take me
Edungal appaadiInto your arms, oh my goodness!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This duets from Thalai Prasavam (1973) captures a charming and intimate conversation between two lovers exploring their mutual attraction. Through sensual yet elegant poetic metaphors created by Kannadasan, the song paints eyes as darting fish, soft skin as translucent mirrors, and lovemaking as a sweet feast submerged in honey. Set to M. S. Viswanathan's vibrant rhythm and sung effortlessly by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela, the song playfully transitions from sweet tease to passionate surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kannodu meenaikkandu / Kannaadi maenikkandu

Comparing eyes to darting fish ('Kannodu meen') and the body to a polished mirror ('Kannaadi maeni').

Rhyme / Monai & Ethirhai

Thullal poduthu thoondil poduthu / Vattam poduthu thittam poduthu

Playful internal rhyming with 'Thullal' and 'Thoondil', and 'Vattam' and 'Thittam'.

Sensory Imagery

Thaenukkul neeraadum maayam enna / Sampangi nizhalae shenpagam pazhuthae

Vivid imagery evoking sweetness, warmth, and fragrance using flowers, honey, and ripe fruits.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan for the 1973 film Thalai Prasavam, this track highlights Kannadasan's signature style of blending high literary Tamil romantic metaphors with catchy, rhythmically synchronized phrasing tailored for SPB and P. Susheela.

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