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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannukullae Unnai Vaithen

From Pennin Manathai Thottu · 2000

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

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannukullae unnai vaithen.. kannammaI have kept you inside my eyes, my beloved.
Naan kangal mooda maatten adi sellama..I will not close my eyes, my dear darling.
Naan kangal mooda maattaen adi sellama..I will not close my eyes, my dear darling.
Male
Adi neethaan yen santhoshamOh, you alone are my happiness,
Poovellaam unn vaasamAll flowers bear your fragrance,
Nee pesum pechellaamEvery word you speak
Naan ketkum sangeethamIs music that I listen to.
Unn punnagai naan semikindra selvamadiYour smile is the wealth I save, my dear,
Nee illai endraal naanum ingae ezhaiyadiWithout you, I am a poor man here.
Male
Nedunkalamai pulangaamalaeUnused for a very long time,
Ennukullae nesam kidakindrathaeLove was lying dormant within me.
Unnai parthathum uyir thoondavaeUpon seeing you, my soul was ignited,
Uthadugal thaandi therikindrathaeAnd it bursts out past my lips.
Tharisaana en nenjil vilunthaayae vithaiyaagaIn my barren heart, you fell like a seed.
Nee anbai paarkum parvaiyilaeIn the loving glance you look at me with,
Yen jeevan vaaluthadiMy life thrives and blossoms, my dear.
Nee aatharavaaga thol sainthaalIf you lean on my shoulder for support,
Yen aayul neelumadiMy lifespan will extend, my dear.
Male
Kannukullae unnai vaithen.. kannammaI have kept you inside my eyes, my beloved.
Naan kangal mooda maatten adi sellama…aaaa…I will not close my eyes, my dear darling...
Naan kangal mooda maattaen adi sellama..I will not close my eyes, my dear darling.
Male
Mazhai megamai urumaaravaa..Shall I transform into a rain cloud?
Unn vaasal vanthu uyir thoovavaa..And arrive at your doorstep to shower my life?
Manam veesidum malaraagavaa..Shall I become a fragrant flower?
Unn koonthal meethu thinam pookava..To bloom daily upon your hair braid?
Kannaaga karuthaagaAs my eyes, as my inner thought,
Unnai kaapen uyiraagaI will guard you as my very life.
Unnai kanden kaninthen kalanthenaeI saw you, grew tender, and merged with you,
Ada unnul urainthenaeOh, I became frozen inside you.
Indru yennul maatram thanthaayaeToday, you gave a complete change within me,
Unnai endrum maravenaeI will never forget you.
Male
Kannukullae unnai vaithen.. kannammaI have kept you inside my eyes, my beloved.
Naan kangal mooda maatten adi sellama..I will not close my eyes, my dear darling.
Naan kangal mooda maattaen adi sellama..I will not close my eyes, my dear darling.
Male
Adi neethaan yen santhoshamOh, you alone are my happiness,
Poovellaam unn vaasamAll flowers bear your fragrance,
Nee pesum pechellaamEvery word you speak
Naan ketkum sangeethamIs music that I listen to.
Unn punnagai naan semikindra selvamadiYour smile is the wealth I save, my dear,
Nee illai endraal naanum ingae ezhaiyadiWithout you, I am a poor man here.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannukullae Unnai Vaithen is a poetic romantic song where the protagonist expresses absolute devotion to his beloved. He compares his life before her arrival to a barren land and dormant affection, which blossoms into vibrant life, music, and wealth through her love and gentle smile. He pledges to hold her within his eyes continuously without blinking, promising to protect her as his very soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Unn punnagai naan semikindra selvamadi

Comparing the beloved's smile to financial wealth ('selvam') that the protagonist saves.

Metaphor

Tharisaana en nenjil vilunthaayae vithaiyaaga

Comparing a dry, emotionless heart to a barren land ('tharisu') that comes alive when love is planted as a seed ('vithai').

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannaaga karuthaaga / Unnai kanden kaninthen kalanthenae

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across consecutive words ('Kannaaga', 'karuthaaga', 'kanden', 'kaninthen', 'kalanthenae') creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Kannukullae Unnai Vaithen' is from the 2000 Tamil drama film 'Pennin Manathai Thottu', starring Prabhu Deva and Jaya Seal. The music was composed by S. A. Rajkumar and the famous lyrics were written by legendary poet Vaali. The melody became immensely popular, especially through the rendition by singers Unni Menon and P. Unnikrishnan.

Keep listening

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