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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
Movie name
Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
25 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannum kannum
Kalandhadhuthaan kaadhalu
Konjam kanakku thavari pochudhunna brothelu
Namma kannum kannum
Kalandhadhuthaan kaadhalu
Konjam kanakku thavari pochudhunna brothelu
Haa…
Kanakku thavari porava naan illeenga
En manasai thottu patha
Bathil sollunga
Kanakku thavari porava naan illeenga
En manasai thottu patha
Bathil sollunga
Paadupatta kaadhalukku
First prize adikkuthu
Paadupatta kaadhalukku
First prize adikkuthu
Pazhuthu naraicha veshathilum
Indha pazhuthu naraicha veshathilum
Personality thudikkuthu
Appadiyaa
Koodu vittu koodu paayum
Kovalan polillaamae
Koodu vittu koodu paayum
Kovalan polillaamae
Kudumbathaiyae…
Namma kudumbathaiyae nadatha venum
Kurukku vazhi sellaamae
Kanakku pillai paathukittaanna
Kanakkai theethuduvaan
Kanakku pillai paathukittaanna
Kanakkai theethuduvaan
Namma kanakkai theethuduvaan
Kaalamellam paadupatta
Kadhaiya maathiduvaan
Kaadhal kadhaiya maathi poduvaan
Female :Avan kannil mannaiyum thoovidum
Kaadhal vandhaachu maama
Kannil mannaiyum thoovidum
Kaadhal vandhaachu maama
Male :Avan kaalaiyum odachu
Kaiyila kudukka naan aachu vaamma
Kaalaiyum odachu
Kaiyila kudukka naan aachu vaamma
When eyes meet eyes,
that mingling is love!
If the calculation goes slightly wrong, it's trouble!
When our eyes meet eyes,
that mingling is love!
If the calculation goes slightly wrong, it's trouble!
Ha...
I'm not someone who miscalculates, you know.
Touch my heart and feel,
then tell me your answer!
I'm not someone who miscalculates, you know.
Touch my heart and feel,
then tell me your answer!
For this love that struggled so hard,
the first prize is won!
For this love that struggled so hard,
the first prize is won!
Even in this worn-out, greying disguise,
even in this worn-out, greying disguise,
the charm still shines bright!
Is that so?
Without flitting from place to place
like Kovalan,
without flitting from place to place
like Kovalan,
Our household...
we must run our family life
without taking crooked paths!
If the accountant catches us,
he will settle our score!
If the accountant catches us,
he will settle our score!
He will finish us off!
For all the struggle of our life,
he will rewrite our tale!
He will turn our love story upside down!
Female: A love clever enough to blind his eyes
has arrived, my dear!
A love clever enough to blind his eyes
has arrived, my dear!
Male: And to break his legs
and hand them to him, I'm ready—come along, my girl!
Breaking his legs
and handing them to him, I'm ready—come along, my girl!
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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