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Isaimozhi
Navarasa album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannunjal

From Navarasa · 2021

Lyricist
Uma Devi
Singer
Sudha Raghunathan
Music director
Justin Prabhakaran
Movie name
Navarasa
Movie release year
2021
Lyrics added on
25 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
Manam magizhndhal
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
Manam magizhndhal
Vinnodu thaavi parandhal
Kaarkuzhal aada
Kannodu kaadhal kalandhal
Ponnunjalil thavazhum
Thoranangal manakka
Naranam kaigal pada
Naanangal kooda yezha
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
Ullathilae vanjam illaa
Uthaman petra kumaari
Sutram puzhai soozha
Nirkum niththiya sarvalangkari
Malai soottinaal
Maalai maatrinaal
Malan marbilae maamalar aadida
Mayil yenguthae thoo malar thoovida
Aazhi vannan avan aasai
Thozh inaindhu kodhai vaazhga
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
Manam magizhndhal
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
Naranam kaigal pada
Naanangal kooda yezha
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
Manam magizhndhal
Kannunjal aadi magizhndhal
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes,
Her heart was filled with joy.
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes,
Her heart was filled with joy.
She soared high toward the sky,
As her dark hair swayed gently,
Blending love into her eyes.
Swaying gently on the golden swing,
As the festive decorations spread their sweet fragrance,
As Narayanan's hands touched hers,
As her sweet shyness welled up within,
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes.
With no deceit in his heart,
The daughter raised by that noble man,
Surrounded by all her kin,
Stands the bride, forever beautifully adorned.
She placed the garland on him,
She exchanged the wedding garlands.
As the grand garland of blooms swayed on the Lord's chest,
The peacock yearned to shower fresh blossoms,
Embracing the shoulders of the ocean-hued Lord she loved,
May Kodhai (Andal) live happily in his loving embrace!
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes,
Her heart was filled with joy.
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes.
As Narayanan's hands touched hers,
As her sweet shyness welled up within,
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes,
Her heart was filled with joy.
She joyfully swung on the swing of loving gazes.
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kannunjal is a classically grounded piece from the anthology Navarasa (2021), composed by Justin Prabhakaran and sung by Carnatic icon Sudha Raghunathan. The song captures the bliss of a traditional South Indian wedding ceremony, specifically evoking the 'Oonjal' (swing) ritual where the bride and groom sit together amidst festivities.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal (Alliteration)

“Malai soottinaal / Maalai maatrinaal”

Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound across consecutive phrases creates a rhythmic musicality.

Metaphor / Classical Allusion

“Aazhi vannan avan aasai / Thozh inaindhu kodhai vaazhga”

'Kodhai' refers to Goddess Andal, and 'Aazhi vannan' refers to Lord Vishnu (ocean-hued), metaphorically elevating the earthly bride and groom to divine lovers.

Visual Imagery

“Vinnodu thaavi parandhal / Kaarkuzhal aada”

Vivid imagery describing the bride swinging high towards the sky with her dark locks swaying.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by classical exponent Sudha Raghunathan, the song draws deep inspiration from Tamil Vaishnavite classical literature, specifically Andal's Nachiyar Thirumozhi, which describes divine wedding rituals and the swing ceremony (Oonjal).

Keep listening

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Oru Jodi Kuyil2003
ManasellamMarriageWedding
Nalvazhthu Naan Solluven1972
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