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Lyrics & meaning

Kannukkul Ethanai Vellamadi

From Deivathin Deivam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Deivathin Deivam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannukkul ethanai vellamadiHow much flood of tears is in your eyes, my dear!
Un kannathil ethanai pallamadiHow many dimples are on your cheeks, my dear!
Pennukkul ethanai ullamadiHow many hidden depths lie within a woman's heart, my dear!
Konjam pesi vittal enna mosamadiWhat harm would it do if you just spoke a little, my dear?
Konjam pesi vittal enna mosamadiWhat harm would it do if you just spoke a little, my dear?
Kannukkul ethanai vellamadi…How much flood of tears is in your eyes, my dear...
Male
Mukkani saaru pilinthu vaithuHaving squeezed the nectar of the three classic fruits,
Adhai moodi vittaai oru adaiyittuYou have kept it covered under a lid;
Sakkarai pandhalai pottu veithuHaving erected a grand canopy made of sugar,
Sakkarai pandhalai pottu veithuHaving erected a grand canopy made of sugar,
Vaasal saathi vittaai oru vaeliyittuYou locked the entrance and built a fence around it;
Vaasal saathi vittaai oru vaeliyittuYou locked the entrance and built a fence around it;
Kannukkul ethanai vellamadi…How much flood of tears is in your eyes, my dear...
Male
Aasai muluvathum thaekki veithenI accumulated all my desires,
Adhil aayiram karpanai aakki veithenAnd fashioned a thousand dreams out of them;
Aasai muluvathum thaekki veithenI accumulated all my desires,
Adhil aayiram karpanai aakki veithenAnd fashioned a thousand dreams out of them;
Paasathil naan enna baakki veithenWhat did I leave incomplete in showing my affection?
Paasathil naan enna baakki veithenWhat did I leave incomplete in showing my affection?
Endha pabathirkko ennai neekki veithaaiFor what sin of mine have you set me aside?
Endha pabathirkko ennai neekki veithaaiFor what sin of mine have you set me aside?
Male
Kannukkul ethanai vellamadiHow much flood of tears is in your eyes, my dear,
Un kannathil ethanai pallamadiHow many dimples are on your cheeks, my dear,
Pennukkul ethanai ullamadiHow many hidden depths lie within a woman's heart, my dear,
Konjam pesi vittal enna mosamadiWhat harm would it do if you just spoke a little, my dear?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Kannukkul Ethanai Vellamadi', the protagonist lovingly appeals to his silent and distant beloved, yearning for her to break her silence. He marvels at her beauty, her dimples, and the ocean of emotions hidden in her eyes, while expressing frustration over the enigmatic and reserved nature of a woman's mind. He uses vivid metaphors of squeezing sweet fruit juice only to cover it, and setting up a canopy of sugar only to lock the gate, illustrating how she offers sweet love yet keeps him walled off. He reflects on the intense love and thousands of imaginative dreams he cultivated for her. Wondering if some past sin or unknown mistake caused her to push him away, he plaintively asks what harm it would do if she simply spoke a few tender words to resolve his heartache.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kannukkul / Un kannathil / Pennukkul

The second consonant 'nn' matches across consecutive lines, creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

vellamadi / pallamadi / ullamadi / mosamadi

The repetitive ending '-adi' at the end of each phrase creates a lyrical and affectionate refrain.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Sakkarai pandhalai pottu veithu / Vaasal saathi vittaai oru vaeliyittu

Comparing love and beauty to a canopy of sugar (Sakkarai pandhal) and fruit nectar (Mukkani saaru) that is frustratingly kept locked away.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the veteran maestro G. Ramanathan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song from 'Deivathin Deivam' (1962) features lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan. The film starred S. S. Rajendran and C. R. Vijayakumari, and this track remains iconic for its sweet Carnatic-influenced melody and rich poetic imagery.

Keep listening

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