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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannondru Naadum

From Sarasa B.A. · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Movie name
Sarasa B.A.
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
1 Mar 2026

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannondru naadum
Kaiyondru thaedum
Manam ondru ennum vaai ondru solum
Vedikkai ulgathai ninaithene
Ingae vedhanai ulagathil vilundhenae
Aadidum kalaithanai arindhenae
Pugazh aayiram varumena ninaithenae
Vaadikkai kaarargal koodidum sabaiyil
Vedikkai porulaai aanenae
Paruvathin meruginai ninaithenae
Kula paavaiyar perumaiyai marandhenae
Oruvarin marbinil uyirulla varaiyilum
Ondraai vaazhndhadhai marandhenae
The eyes seek one thing,
The hands reach for another,
The heart thinks of one thing, but the mouth speaks another.
I thought this world was full of fun,
Yet here I have fallen into a world of pain.
I learned the art of dancing,
I believed a thousand praises would come my way,
In a hall where customers gather,
I became merely an object of amusement.
I thought only of the charm of my youth,
And forgot the dignity of virtuous women.
Resting on one man's chest as long as life lasts,
I forgot what it means to live together as one.
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song reflects the deep lamentation and tragic self-realization of a woman who was lured by the allure of public performance, glamour, and fame, only to find herself reduced to an object of entertainment for patrons. She reflects on the deceptive nature of the world, where people's eyes, hands, minds, and words are never in harmony. Through her grief, she mourns losing her moral compass and traditional values. She realizes too late that the superficial sparkle of youth and public applause is hollow compared to the sacred, lasting bond of a devoted relationship with a single life partner.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

ninaithenae / vilundhenae / arindhenae / aanenae / marandhenae

The repetitive ending '-enai' / '-enae' across lines creates a rhythmic, sorrowful cadence emphasizing personal lamentation.

Antithesis / Wordplay

Vedikkai ulgathai ninaithene / Ingae vedhanai ulagathil vilundhenae

Juxtaposition of 'Vedikkai' (amusement/fun) and 'Vedhanai' (agony/pain) to highlight her tragic shift in perception.

Moonaal / Alliteration

Kannondru naadum / Kaiyondru thaedum

Repetition of the initial sound 'K' in consecutive opening phrases.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from the 1965 film 'Sarasa B.A.' was rendered by the legendary multi-talented actress and classical singer P. Bhanumathi herself. Kannadasan's lyrics powerfully encapsulate philosophical regret, a recurring hallmark of his songwriting.

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