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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannukkulla Thookkam Pochi

From Therkathi Kallan · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Therkathi Kallan1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannukkulla thookam pochchuSleep in my eyes is gone
Ennamellam un maelaeAll my thoughts are centered on you
Ponnukkulla yaetho aachchuSomething peculiar has happened inside this girl
Saanjukonga en maelaeLean on me now
Female
Mogaththula thegaththilaeIn passion and in the physical body
Aasai varum vegaththilaeIn the speed with which desire surges
Female
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Female
Kannukkulla thookam pochchuSleep in my eyes is gone
Ennamellam un maelaeAll my thoughts are centered on you
Ponnukkulla yaetho aachchuSomething peculiar has happened inside this girl
Saanjukonga en maelaeLean on me now
Female
Aalaana naalthorum yaedho theduraenEver since I came of age, I have been searching for something every day
Raasaa un per solli raagam paaduraenOh my king, I sing melodies uttering your name
Aalaana naalthorum yaedho theduraenEver since I came of age, I have been searching for something every day
Raasaa un per solli raagam paaduraenOh my king, I sing melodies uttering your name
Female
Kaaman kanai pottu ponaaIf Cupid shoots his arrow and leaves
Kaayum nilaa paayum veenaaThe scorching moon's light strikes in vain
Saayangaalam naeramaanaaWhen the evening hours arrive
Noyil vizhum thegam thaanaaThe body naturally falls into a state of yearning
Neethaan kaaranam neeyaa maaranumYou are the sole cause, and you must bring the change
Female
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Female
Kannukkulla thookam pochchuSleep in my eyes is gone
Ennamellam un maelaeAll my thoughts are centered on you
Ponnukkulla yaetho aachchuSomething peculiar has happened inside this girl
Saanjukonga en maelaeLean on me now
Female
Poovaadai kaaththaada podhai yaeruthuAs the breeze carrying flower scents blows, intoxication rises
Maelaadai paalaadai paadhai maaruthuThe upper drape and silky mantle wander off course
Poovaadai kaaththaada podhai yaeruthuAs the breeze carrying flower scents blows, intoxication rises
Maelaadai paalaadai paadhai maaruthuThe upper drape and silky mantle wander off course
Female
Pootti vachcha veettukullaInside a locked house
Pulli vachcha kaattukullaInside a dense forest with spots of sunlight
Paaththukonga yaarumillaLook around, there is no one here
Saeththukitaa paaramillaIf you embrace me, there will be no burden
Yaedho aaguthu yaeno noguthuSomething is happening within, why does it ache so?
Female
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Female
Kannukkulla thookam pochchuSleep in my eyes is gone
Ennamellam un maelaeAll my thoughts are centered on you
Ponnukkulla yaetho aachchuSomething peculiar has happened inside this girl
Saanjukonga en maelaeLean on me now
Female
Mogaththula thegaththilaeIn passion and in the physical body
Aasai varum vegaththilaeIn the speed with which desire surges
Female
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Alli kodu mamaGive generously, my beloved
Solli kodu aamaaTeach me love, yes
Female
Kannukkulla thookam pochchuSleep in my eyes is gone
Ennamellam un maelaeAll my thoughts are centered on you
Ponnukkulla yaetho aachchuSomething peculiar has happened inside this girl
Saanjukonga en maelaeLean on me now

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kannukkulla Thookam Pochchu' expresses a young woman's passionate romantic yearning and playful affection for her partner. She sings about how her peace and sleep have vanished ever since her heart became consumed with thoughts of him. Through evocative imagery of cool breezes, dusk, and intimacy, she asks him to embrace her and teach her the language of love. Written by Gangai Amaran, the song blends folk-style rhythm with sensual expression. The protagonist conveys her vulnerability and intense longing, pleading with her lover to heal the sweet torment caused by Cupid's arrow and to share a deep physical and emotional bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Second-letter Rhyme (Edukai)

Kannukkulla thookam pochchu / Ponnukkulla yaetho aachchu

Matching second consonant sounds in successive lines ('Ka-n-nukkulla' and 'Po-n-nukkulla').

End Rhyme (Iyaippu)

Mogaththula thegaththilae / Aasai varum vegaththilae

Matching line endings creating rhythmic musicality ('thegaththilae' and 'vegaththilae').

Internal Rhyme / Internal Assonance

Maelaadai paalaadai paadhai maaruthu

Repetition of sound patterns across words within the same line ('Maelaadai', 'paalaadai', 'paadhai').

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Noyil vizhum thegam thaanaa

Comparing evening yearning and emotional anguish to a bodily affliction or sickness ('noyil vizhum thegam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1988 Tamil action film 'Therkathi Kallan', starring Vijayakanth and Radhika. Although the film's soundtrack is widely credited to Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, lyrics were penned by his brother Gangai Amaran.

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