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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannum Kannum

From Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam · 1962

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
S. Janaki, A. L. Raghavan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kannum kannumEyes meeting eyes,
Kalandhadhuthaan kaadhaluThat alone is true love.
Konjam kanakku thavari pochudhunna brotheluIf the calculations go slightly off, it turns into a mess.
Namma kannum kannumOur eyes meeting eyes,
Kalandhadhuthaan kaadhaluThat alone is true love.
Konjam kanakku thavari pochudhunna brotheluIf the calculations go slightly off, it turns into a mess.
Female
Haa…Ah...
Kanakku thavari porava naan illeengaI am not someone whose math goes wrong, sir.
En manasai thottu pathaIf you touch my heart and see,
Bathil sollungaGive me your answer.
Kanakku thavari porava naan illeengaI am not someone whose math goes wrong, sir.
En manasai thottu pathaIf you touch my heart and see,
Bathil sollungaGive me your answer.
Male
Paadupatta kaadhalukkuFor the love that laboured hard,
First prize adikkuthuIt wins the first prize!
Paadupatta kaadhalukkuFor the love that laboured hard,
First prize adikkuthuIt wins the first prize!
Pazhuthu naraicha veshathilumEven in this aged, grey-haired disguise,
Indha pazhuthu naraicha veshathilumEven in this aged, grey-haired disguise,
Personality thudikkuthuThe personality throbs with youthful vitality!
Female
AppadiyaaIs that so?
Koodu vittu koodu paayumSkipping from one nest to another,
Kovalan polillaamaeWithout being like Kovalan,
Koodu vittu koodu paayumSkipping from one nest to another,
Kovalan polillaamaeWithout being like Kovalan,
Kudumbathaiyae…Our family itself...
Namma kudumbathaiyae nadatha venumWe must run our family smoothly,
Kurukku vazhi sellaamaeWithout taking short-cuts.
Female
Kanakku pillai paathukittaannaIf the accountant looks into it,
Kanakkai theethuduvaanHe will settle the accounts.
Kanakku pillai paathukittaannaIf the accountant looks into it,
Kanakkai theethuduvaanHe will settle the accounts.
Namma kanakkai theethuduvaanHe will settle our accounts.
Male
Kaalamellam paadupattaAll the hard work done over time,
Kadhaiya maathiduvaanHe will change the story.
Kaadhal kadhaiya maathi poduvaanHe will alter the love story.
Female :Avan kannil mannaiyum thoovidumFemale: Throwing dust into his eyes,
Kaadhal vandhaachu maamaLove has arrived, my dear uncle!
Kannil mannaiyum thoovidumThrowing dust into his eyes,
Kaadhal vandhaachu maamaLove has arrived, my dear uncle!
Male :Avan kaalaiyum odachuMale: Breaking his legs too,
Kaiyila kudukka naan aachu vaammaI am ready to hand them over to him, come dear!
Kaalaiyum odachuBreaking his legs too,
Kaiyila kudukka naan aachu vaammaI am ready to hand them over to him, come dear!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from 'Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam' (1962) presents a lighthearted exchange between two characters discussing love, family duty, and overcoming obstacles. Using casual urban slang and comical expressions, the song highlights how genuine affection requires clear intention and commitment, warning against straying like the mythical character Kovalan or falling into corrupt shortcuts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannum kannum / Kalandhadhuthaan kaadhalu

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' consonant sound creates a rhythmic flow in the opening lines.

Allusion (Purana/Literary Reference)

Koodu vittu koodu paayum / Kovalan polillaamae

Refers to Kovalan, the protagonist of the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram who strayed from his wife Kannagi, used here as an archetype for an unfaithful partner.

Idiom (Kannil mann thoovudhal)

Avan kannil mannaiyum thoovidum / Kaadhal vandhaachu maama

A traditional Tamil idiom meaning 'to blindside or deceive someone', translated literally as throwing dust in someone's eyes.

Code-mixing / Loanwords

Indha pazhuthu naraicha veshathilum / Personality thudikkuthu

The lyricist creatively weaves English words like 'First prize', 'brothel', and 'personality' into colloquial Tamil rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam' (1962) was based on a story written by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai. The song's lyricist, Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, was renowned for blending traditional Tamil folklore rhythm with modern street slang, creating catchy comedic tracks for cinema of that era.

Keep listening

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