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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannukkulle

From Pennin Manathai Thottu · 2000

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Unni Menon
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Pennin Manathai Thottu2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannukullae unnai vaithen kannammaI placed you inside my eyes, my dear Kannamma,
Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama..aahI will not close my eyes, my darling...
Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama..I will not close my eyes, my darling...
Male
Adi needhaan en sandhoshamOh, you alone are my happiness,
Poovellaam unn vaasamAll flowers carry your fragrance,
Nee pesum pechellaamEvery word you speak,
Naan ketkum sangeedhamIs music that I listen to.
Male
Unn punnagai naanYour smile is the wealth,
Semikindra selvamadi..That I save, my dear...
Nee illai endraal naanumWithout you, I too,
Ingae ezhaiyadiAm a poor man here.
Male
Manidhargalai vaasikirenI read human nature,
Manidhanai poovaai yaasikirenI beg for human kindness like seeking a flower,
Unarvugalai nesikirenI love deep feelings,
Unaithaanae uyiraai swasikirenI breathe you alone as my life.
Male
Enakullae unn moochuYour breath resides inside me,
Edharkaaga en moochuWhy then do I need my own breath?
Adi mounam vendam kanmaniyaeOh, do not stay silent, my dear,
Oru vaarthai pesividuSpeak just one word.
Naan enakkul illai tholaithuvittenI am no longer within myself, I am lost,
Nee ennai meettukoduPlease rescue and return me to myself.
Male
Kannukullae unnai vaithen kannammaI placed you inside my eyes, my dear Kannamma,
Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama..aahI will not close my eyes, my darling...
Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama..I will not close my eyes, my darling...
Chorus
Ohooo..ooo..ooo..oohooOhooo..ooo..ooo..oohoo
Ohooo..ooo..ooo..oohooOhooo..ooo..ooo..oohoo
Male
Sugam enbadhu tholaivaanadhuHappiness was once something far away,
Unai kandapinae enai cherndhadhuIt reached me after I met you.
Vaazhvenaku vasapattadhuLife became within my reach,
Vasantham en kannil thenpattadhuSpring appeared in my eyes.
Male
Alaipaaindha nenjukkulWithin my restless heart,
Amaidhiyai thandhaaiyaeYou gave peace.
Naan thedi kanda thiraviyamaeOh treasure that I searched for and found,
Enai unakaai vaarthenaeI molded myself for you.
En jeevan muzhudhum vaarithandhuShowering my entire soul,
Unn uyirai kaapenaeI will protect your life.
Male
Kannukullae unnai vaithen kannammaI placed you inside my eyes, my dear Kannamma,
Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama..aahI will not close my eyes, my darling...
Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama..I will not close my eyes, my darling...
Male
Adi needhaan en sandhoshamOh, you alone are my happiness,
Poovellaam unn vaasamAll flowers carry your fragrance,
Nee pesum pechellaamEvery word you speak,
Naan ketkum sangeedhamIs music that I listen to.
Male
Unn punnagai naanYour smile is the wealth,
Semikindra selvamadi..That I save, my dear...
Nee illai endraal naanumWithout you, I too,
Ingae ezhaiyadiAm a poor man here.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannukullae Unnai Vaithen is a tender romantic song expressing profound affection, devotion, and emotional dependency on one's beloved. The protagonist places his lover in his eyes and refuses to blink, fearing he might miss a moment of seeing her. He describes her smile as his accumulated wealth and her speech as his soothing music, declaring that without her, he is spiritually impoverished. The song captures the profound transformation brought by true love, turning a restless life into a peaceful spring filled with purpose.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Visual Imagery

Kannukullae unnai vaithen kannamma / Naan kangal mooda maattenadi chellama

Paints a vivid poetic picture of housing the beloved within the eyes so tightly that closing them becomes impossible.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Unn punnagai naan semikindra selvamadi

Compares the beloved's gentle smile directly to saved riches/wealth.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Manidhargalai vaasikiren / Manidhanai poovaai yaasikiren

Consonance of the second letter 'ni'/'na' in consecutive line openings creating lyrical flow.

Hyperbole

Enakullae unn moochu edharkaaga en moochu

Exaggerates emotional reliance by claiming he breathes her instead of his own breath.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track 'Kannukullae Unnai Vaithen' from 'Pennin Manathai Thottu' (2000) was composed by S. A. Rajkumar with lyrics penned by the legendary Vaali. Sung soulfully by P. Unnikrishnan and K. S. Chithra, the melody became an iconic hit that remains popular across Tamil romantic playlists.

Keep listening

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