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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannuku Kulam Yedu

From Karnan · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Karnan1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannuku kulamaedhu…uu…What caste does the eye have?
Kannuku kulamaedhu …uu…What caste does the eye have?
Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu..uu..Oh Krishna, what race or lineage does compassion have?
Kannuku kulamaedhu..uu..What caste does the eye have?
Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu..uu..Oh Krishna, what race or lineage does compassion have?
Kannuku kulamaedhu..uu…What caste does the eye have?
Female
Vinnukkul pirivaedhu kannaa …aa…Oh Krishna, what division exists within the sky?
Vinnukkul pirivaedhu kannaaOh Krishna, what division exists within the sky?
Villakkukkul irulaedhuWhat darkness can exist inside a light lamp?
Female
Kannuku kulamaedhuWhat caste does the eye have?
Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu..uu…Oh Krishna, what race or lineage does compassion have?
Kannuku kulamaedhu……What caste does the eye have?
Female
Paalinil irundhae… ae…ae…From milk itself...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…aaa….aa….aa…(Vocalizing)
Aaa…..aaa….aaa….(Vocalizing)
Female
Paalinil irundhae nei pirakkumClarified butter (ghee) is born from milk,
Kannaa param porul kandaeOh Krishna, only upon seeing the Supreme Reality,
Uyir pirakkumDoes true life/soul come into existence.
Verathil irundhae kulam pirakkumA clan or lineage is born out of valor,
Adhil mel endrum keezh endrum engirukkumIn that, where is high status or low status?
Female
Kannuku kulamaedhuWhat caste does the eye have?
Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu..uu…Oh Krishna, what race or lineage does compassion have?
Kannuku kulamaedhu……What caste does the eye have?
Female
Koduppavarellaam… aaammmAll those who give...
Koduppavarellaam mel aavaarAll those who give become elevated and high,
Kaiyil kolbavarellaam keezh aavaarAll those who receive in their hands become low.
Tharubavan illaiyo kannaa neeOh Krishna, are you not the ultimate Giver?
Dharumathin thaayae kalangaadhaeOh mother of righteousness, do not grieve!
Dharumathin thaayae kalangaadhaeOh mother of righteousness, do not grieve!
Female
Kannuku kulamaedhuWhat caste does the eye have?
Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu..uu…Oh Krishna, what race or lineage does compassion have?
Kannuku kulamaedhu…… uuu…What caste does the eye have?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant philosophical track from Karnan (1964) questions the social prejudices and caste-based hierarchies of human society. Through deep analogies drawn from nature—such as the sky having no divisions, a lamp containing no darkness, and milk giving birth to ghee—the lyricist emphasizes that natural virtues like vision, light, and mercy carry no caste or lineage labels. The lyrics praise Karnan's unbound charity, asserting that true greatness is defined by a person's generosity and actions rather than their birth or origin. Those who give selflessly are noble, while those who hoard or beg remain lesser, reminding us that righteousness and compassion are the supreme spiritual truths.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Alangaram)

Kannuku kulamaedhu... Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu

Posing poetic questions about eyes, sky, and light having no caste or division to challenge human caste discrimination.

Metaphor (Uvamaikani)

Villakkukkul irulaedhu

Comparing the absence of caste in eyes or darkness in a lamp to show the inherent purity of the soul and charity.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran Alangaram)

Koduppavarellaam mel aavaar / Kaiyil kolbavarellaam keezh aavaar

Contrasting 'mel' (high/noble) and 'keezh' (low) based on the action of giving ('koduppavar') versus receiving ('kolbavar').

Initial Rhyme (Monaai)

Kannuku kulamaedhu / Kannaa karunaikku inamaedhu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines (e.g., 'Kannuku' / 'Kannaa' / 'Karunaikku').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the renowned duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and rendered by P. Susheela with lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, this track in Karnan highlights Karnan's noble struggle against societal rejection due to his foster birth. The song remains one of Tamil cinema's most potent anti-caste philosophical anthems.

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