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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannukul Kannai

From Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa · 2010

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singer
Naresh Iyer
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa2010

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannukul kannai ootrikondaePouring your eyes into my eyes,
Illai illai endrayaeYou kept saying, "No, no."
Kallam ondrai ullae vaithuKeeping guile hidden deep inside,
Paarvai thandhu sendrayaeYou gave me a glance and walked away.
Kadhal kondu nan pesaWhen I spoke filled with love,
Kathi thooki nee vesaYou raised a knife at me.
Pakkam vandhu thottu pesumI saw dreams where you came close
Kanavugal kandenAnd touched me while speaking.
Innum satru aruge vandhuComing a little bit closer,
Muthamum thandhenI even gave you a kiss.
Ithanai nadandhum kadhal illaiAfter all this has happened, saying there is no love,
Enbathu sariyaIs that correct?
Aanai nanum pennai neyumMe being a man and you being a woman,
Irupathu pilayaIs that a mistake?
Male
{Un nanban illai naan un vannin nilaa{I am not your friend; I am the moon in your sky.
Un nanban illai nee en uyirin vizha} (2)I am not your friend; you are the festival of my life.} (2)
Male
Kannukul kannai ootrikondaePouring your eyes into my eyes,
Illai illai endrayaeYou kept saying, "No, no."
Kallam ondrai ullae vaithuKeeping guile hidden deep inside,
Paarvai thandhu sendrayaeYou gave me a glance and walked away.
Kadhal kondu nan pesaWhen I spoke filled with love,
Kathi thooki nee vesaYou raised a knife at me.
Pakkam vandhu thottu pesumI saw dreams where you came close
Kanavugal kandenAnd touched me while speaking.
Innum satru aruge vandhuComing a little bit closer,
Muthamum thandhenI even gave you a kiss.
Male
Neeyum naanum ore pulli ore koduYou and I are the same dot, the same line,
Neeyum naanum vazha pogum andha idam ore veeduThe place where you and I will live is the same house.
Kadhal endral kayam thaanIf it is love, it brings wounds.
Male
{Anbae ododi vandhu enkannai parthu{My beloved, run to me, look into my eyes,
kadhal thaan endru solli enkayam matru} (2)Say that it is love, and heal my wound.} (2)
Male
Kannukul kannai ootrikondaePouring your eyes into my eyes,
Illai illai endrayaeYou kept saying, "No, no."
Kallam ondrai ullae vaithuKeeping guile hidden deep inside,
Paarvai thandhu sendrayaeYou gave me a glance and walked away.
Kadhal kondu nan pesaWhen I spoke filled with love,
Kathi thooki nee vesaYou raised a knife at me.
Pakkam vandhu thottu pesumI saw dreams where you came close
Kanavugal kandenAnd touched me while speaking.
Innum satru aruge vandhuComing a little bit closer,
Muthamum thandhenI even gave you a kiss.
Ithanai nadandhum kadhal illaiAfter all this has happened, saying there is no love,
Enbadhu sariyaIs that correct?
Aanai nanum pennai neyumMe being a man and you being a woman,
Irupathu pilayaIs that a mistake?
Male
{Un nanban illai naan un vannin nilaa{I am not your friend; I am the moon in your sky.
Un nanban illai nee en uyirin vizha} (2)I am not your friend; you are the festival of my life.} (2)
Uyirin vizhaaaaThe festival of my life...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the intense emotional frustration and longing of a lover who refuses to be placed in the 'friend zone.' The protagonist confronts his beloved, pointing out that despite her verbal denials ('no, no'), her eyes and intimate presence betray her true feelings. He questions the reality of her resistance, pointing out the inherent romantic connection between them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Un nanban illai naan un vannin nilaa / Un nanban illai nee en uyirin vizha

The speaker compares himself to the moon in her sky and her to the grand festival of his life, rejecting the simple label of 'friend.'

Hyperbole (உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)

Kathi thooki nee vesa

Using 'raising a knife' metaphorically to illustrate her sharp, hurtful rejections when he expresses love.

Moanai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Kannukul kannai ootrikondae

Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Anaphora / Repetition (அடுக்குத் தொடர்)

Illai illai endrayae

Repetition of 'Illai' emphasizes the constant denial from the beloved.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in Gautham Vasudev Menon's iconic 2010 romantic drama 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' with music composed by A.R. Rahman and lyrics penned by Thamarai. The track powerfully encapsulates the central conflict between Karthik and Jessie regarding the boundary between friendship and love.

Keep listening

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