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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannu Mayangi

From Penne Nee Vazhga · 1967

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Penne Nee Vazhga1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannu mayangi mayangi thavichaIf eyes are dazed, confused, and struggling,
Adhai theliya veikkanumpaaYou must make them clear, my friend!
Kaal thavari thavari nadanthaalIf feet slip and stumble while walking,
Adhai thiruthi veikkanumpaaYou must correct them, my friend!
Male
Manam tthadukki thadukki vilundhaalIf the mind stumbles and falls,
Adhai niruthi veikkanumpaaYou must stop it from falling, my friend!
Buthi valainju valainju irundhaIf the intellect is bent and crooked,
Adhai nimirthi veikkanumpaaYou must straighten it out, my friend!
Male
Kannu mayangi mayangi thavichaIf eyes are dazed, confused, and struggling,
Adhai theliya veikkanumpaaYou must make them clear, my friend!
Kaal thavari thavari nadanthaalIf feet slip and stumble while walking,
Adhai thiruthi veikkanumpaaYou must correct them, my friend!
Chorus
Humming …..[Humming]
Male
Humming …….[Humming]
Male
Pulla padikkira paaduThe way the child studies,
Appan panathukku keduIs a loss to the father's money.
Indha varushathodu vaguppa maathiBy changing class this year,
Uruppada paaruTry to improve yourself!
Male
Pulla padikkira paaduThe way the child studies,
Appan panathukku keduIs a loss to the father's money.
Indha varushathodu vaguppa maathiBy changing class this year,
Uruppada paaruTry to improve yourself!
Male
Naan ulladhai solla nalladhai sollaWhen I speak the truth and good things,
Unnaiyum ennaiyum serthu sollaSpeaking including you and me,
Naan ulladhai solla nalladhai sollaWhen I speak the truth and good things,
Unnaiyum ennaiyum serthu sollaSpeaking including you and me,
Urutti meratti thurathi verattaTo glare, intimidate, chase, and drive away,
Thuninjavan yaaruWho is the brave one?
Chorus
Humming …..[Humming]
Male
Kannu mayangi mayangi thavichaIf eyes are dazed, confused, and struggling,
Adhai theliya veikkanumpaaYou must make them clear, my friend!
Kaal thavari thavari nadanthaalIf feet slip and stumble while walking,
Adhai thiruthi veikkanumpaaYou must correct them, my friend!
Male
Manam tthadukki thadukki vilundhaalIf the mind stumbles and falls,
Adhai niruthi veikkanumpaaYou must stop it from falling, my friend!
Buthi valainju valainju irundhaIf the intellect is bent and crooked,
Adhai nimirthi veikkanumpaaYou must straighten it out, my friend!
Chorus
Humming …..[Humming]
Male
Humming…..[Humming]
Male
Mandhi porandhadhu mundhiMonkeys were born first,
Naama porandhadhu pindhiWe were born later,
Andha gunamum manamumReflect on how that nature and mind,
Dhinamum unnidam iruppadhai sindhiRemain in you every day!
Male
Mandhi porandhadhu mundhiMonkeys were born first,
Naama porandhadhu pindhiWe were born later,
Andha gunamum manamumReflect on how that nature and mind,
Dhinamum unnidam iruppadhai sindhiRemain in you every day!
Male
Nee thinnaikku thinnai paduthu thoonghiYou sleep lying on veranda after veranda,
Vambhu sandaiya vilaikku vaanghiBuying useless gossip and fights,
Nee thinnaikku thinnai paduthu thoonghiYou sleep lying on veranda after veranda,
Vambhu sandaiya vilaikku vaanghiBuying useless gossip and fights,
Udambhu peruthu moolai siruthuGrowing a large body while shrinking the brain,
Kedappadhai niruthuStop remaining in such a state!
Udambhu peruthu moolai siruthuGrowing a large body while shrinking the brain,
Kedappadhai niruthuStop remaining in such a state!
Chorus
Humming …..[Humming]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kannu Mayangi Mayangi Thavicha' from the 1967 film Penne Nee Vazhga is a playful yet deeply philosophical song written by Vaali and composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung with characteristic vigor by T. M. Soundararajan, the song serves as a social commentary urging individuals to wake up from ignorance, overcome lazy and foolish habits, and rectify their errors in life. Through sharp satire, the lyricist urges people to sharpen their intellect rather than wasting away in idle gossip and evolutionary regression.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Reduplication)

Kannu mayangi mayangi thavicha

Words like 'mayangi mayangi', 'thavari thavari', and 'thadukki thadukki' are repeated sequentially to emphasize continuous confusion, stumbling, and physical or mental disorientation.

Emon / Ethirai (Rhyme Scheme)

Mandhi porandhadhu mundhi

End-rhymes such as 'mundhi', 'pindhi', and 'sindhi' create a rhythmic, conversational cadence typical of Tamil folk poetry.

Metaphor and Contrast

Udambhu peruthu moolai siruthu

Contrasts physical growth with intellectual stagnation ('Udambhu peruthu moolai siruthu') to mock lazy human behavior.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song reflects the social reform movement prevalent in 1960s Tamil cinema, where songs carried philosophical advice mixed with humor to resonate with the common audience.

Keep listening

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