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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannukkul Minnal

From Genova · 1953

Lyricist
Suratha
Singers
A. M. Rajah, P. Leela
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, M. S. Gnanamani, T. A. Kalyanam
Movie name
Genova
Movie release year
1953
Lyrics added on
25 May 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannukkul minnal kaattum
Deiva kadhal jothiyae
Kannukkul minnal kaattum
Deiva kadhal jothiyae
Silaipola mounam neeyae
Silaipola mounam neeyae
Seivathaeno maanae
Jodiyaaga paaduvomae
Vaasa roja vaa vaa
Jodiyaaga paaduvomae
Vaasa roja vaa vaa
Kannukkul minnal kaattum
Deiva kadhal jothiyae
Kannukkul minnal kaattum
Deiva kadhal jothiyae
Nilaavi naam ulaavidum neramae
Karai thaavum alaipolae hae…hae….
Enai konjavae vantha thootharae
Kannaadiyaal oviyam thanaiyae hae hae
Maraiththaal theriyaatho…oo…oo…
Naanarivaenae ungal
Jaalam pothum pothumae
Naanarivaenae ungal
Jaalam pothum pothumae
Thiththikkum inbamae hae…hae…
Vendi vanthaenae hae
Thaamathamaeno thanga
Padhumaiyae enai neeyae
Thavikka viduvathu thagumo
Ponvandu poovai thedi vanthaal
Kelvi ketpatho
Ponvandu poovai thedi vanthaal
Kelvi ketpatho
Maanin paarvai pesuthae
Female :Idhazhil oliyai veesuthae
Male :Maanin paarvai pesuthae
Female :Idhazhil oliyai veesuthae
Vanna poovin roopamae
Female :Vaana chanthira deepamae
Male :Vanna poovin roopamae
Female :Vaana chanthira deepamae
Male :Naathamae
Female :Geethamae
Male :Naathamae
Female :Geethamae
You flash lightning in my eyes,
O divine flame of love!
You flash lightning in my eyes,
O divine flame of love!
Silent as a statue,
silent as a statue,
why do you stay quiet, my gentle deer?
Let us sing together as a pair,
come, fragrant rose, come!
Let us sing together as a pair,
come, fragrant rose, come!
You flash lightning in my eyes,
O divine flame of love!
You flash lightning in my eyes,
O divine flame of love!
At this hour when we stroll in the moonlight,
leaping like a wave rushing to the shore, hey... hey...
O messenger who came to charm and caress me!
If you hide a painting behind glass, hey hey,
won't it still be seen?
I can see right through your charms,
enough of your playful games, that is enough!
I can see right through your charms,
enough of your playful games, that is enough!
Longing for sweet happiness, hey... hey...
I have come seeking you, hey!
Why this delay, my golden
doll? How can you
leave me longing in pain? Is it fair?
When a golden bee comes seeking a flower,
is it right to question it?
When a golden bee comes seeking a flower,
is it right to question it?
Your deer-like gaze speaks,
light shines from your lips!
Your deer-like gaze speaks,
light shines from your lips!
O beauty of a vibrant flower!
O shining moon in the sky!
O beauty of a vibrant flower!
O shining moon in the sky!
O pure melody!
O sweet song!
O pure melody!
O sweet song!
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic duet from 'Genova' (1953) portrays a romantic conversation between two lovers under the moonlit sky. The male protagonist compares his beloved to a divine light, a fragrant rose, and a golden doll, gently coaxing her out of her quiet bashfulness so they can sing and rejoice together. The female lover playfully responds, acknowledging his loving advances while teasing him about his charm and magical words. Through metaphors of nature—waves leaping to the shore, golden beetles seeking flowers, and moonlight filling the night—the song captures the joy, playful bantering, and deep romantic connection between the pair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Silaipola mounam neeyae

Comparing the heroine's silence to a lifeless, still statue ('Silaipola mounam').

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Kannukkul minnal kaattum / Deiva kadhal jothiyae

Comparing love to a divine glowing light ('Deiva kadhal jothiyae') and eyes emitting sparks like lightning ('Kannukkul minnal').

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Ponvandu poovai thedi vanthaal

Describing the lover as a golden beetle ('Ponvandu') seeking the beloved flower ('Poovai').

Anuprasa (Alliteration)

Ponvandu poovai thedi vanthaal

Repetition of the soft 'p' sound in 'Ponvandu poovai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Genova (1953) marked the debut film of M. S. Viswanathan (as part of the music team with M. S. Gnanamani and T. A. Kalyanam) prior to his legendary duo partnership with T. K. Ramamoorthy. The film was a trilingual release starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. S. Saroja.

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