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Lyrics & meaning

Kinnaaram Kinnaaram

From Dharma Seelan · 1993

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharma Seelan1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Laalaala laalaalaa laalaa(Vocalizing sound)
Ahaa haa ahaa haa haa aaa aa(Vocalizing sound)
Ohoo oo oo hoo oo ooo(Vocalizing sound)
Aaa…aaa…aaa…haaaa…aaa…(Vocalizing sound)
Male
Kinnaram kinnaramThe sweet music of the lyre,
Ketkkudhu ketkkudhuIs heard, is heard!
Kannoram minnalgalAt the edges of the eyes, lightnings
Pookkuthu pookkuthu rojaakalaeAre blooming like roses!
Male
Kaadhoram singaaraNear the ears, a beautiful
Paattonnu ketkkudhuSong is heard,
Thandhaana thandhaanaRhythmically singing thandhaana,
Thaalangal poduthu rojaakalaeBeats are playing, oh roses!
Male
Anbennum kottaiyilaeInside the fortress of love
Annanin raajiyamaeIs the elder brother's kingdom.
Inbangal endrendrumEternal happiness
Ungalin kai vasam thaan ae…Is right in your hands...
Male
Kinnaram kinnaramThe sweet music of the lyre,
Ketkkudhu ketkkudhuIs heard, is heard!
Kannoram minnalgalAt the edges of the eyes, lightnings
Pookkuthu pookkuthu rojaakalaeAre blooming like roses!
Male
Kaadhoram singaaraNear the ears, a beautiful
Paattonnu ketkkudhuSong is heard,
Thandhaana thandhaanaRhythmically singing thandhaana,
Thaalangal poduthu rojaakalaeBeats are playing, oh roses!
Male
PaaraattuvaarSome will praise you,
Palar vazhthuvaarMany will bless you,
Palan illaiyel pinn thootruvaarIf there is no benefit, they will backbite later.
Unmai sonnaal vilai pesuvaarIf you speak the truth, they bargain a price,
Uravaadiyae unai maatruvaarFeigning relationship, they will change you.
Male
Thaai mozhi nee keluListen to your mother tongue,
Ner vazhi nee theduSeek the straight path,
Nermai ulla thozhlilUpon honest labor,
Maalai vizhumA garland shall land.
Endrum sondhamum bandhamumKinship and eternal bonds
Un vazhi thedi varum haa..aa..Will come seeking your path, haa..aa..
Male
Kinnaram kinnaramThe sweet music of the lyre,
Ketkkudhu ketkkudhuIs heard, is heard!
Kannoram minnalgalAt the edges of the eyes, lightnings
Pookkuthu pookkuthu rojaakalaeAre blooming like roses!
Male
Nee kettida paattaagirenFor you to hear, I become a song,
Sorootida thaai aagirenTo feed you meal, I become a mother,
Suvai kootida karumbaagirenTo add sweetness, I become sugarcane,
Sumai theerkkavae marunthaagirenTo relieve your burden, I become medicine.
Male
Naan ingu naan illaiI am not myself here,
Saaindhida thozh illaiThere is no shoulder to lean on.
Neeyum undu unakkuYou are there for yourself,
Naanum unduAnd I am there for you.
Indha vaiyagam yaavilumIn this entire world,
Sondhangal kodi undu haa aa..Crores of relationships exist, haa aa..
Male
Kinnaram kinnaramThe sweet music of the lyre,
Ketkkudhu ketkkudhuIs heard, is heard!
Kannoram minnalgalAt the edges of the eyes, lightnings
Pookkuthu pookkuthu rojaakalaeAre blooming like roses!
Male
Kaadhoram singaaraNear the ears, a beautiful
Paattonnu ketkkudhuSong is heard,
Thandhaana thandhaanaRhythmically singing thandhaana,
Thaalangal poduthu rojaakalaeBeats are playing, oh roses!
Male
Anbennum kottaiyilaeInside the fortress of love
Annanin raajiyamaeIs the elder brother's kingdom.
Inbangal endrendrumEternal happiness
Ungalin kai vasam thaan ae…Is right in your hands...
Male
Kinnaram kinnaramThe sweet music of the lyre,
Ketkkudhu ketkkudhuIs heard, is heard!
Kannoram minnalgalAt the edges of the eyes, lightnings
Pookkuthu pookkuthu rojaakalaeAre blooming like roses!
Male
Kaadhoram singaaraNear the ears, a beautiful
Paattonnu ketkkudhuSong is heard,
Thandhaana thandhaanaRhythmically singing thandhaana,
Thaalangal poduthu rojaakalaeBeats are playing, oh roses!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kinnaram Kinnaram' from 'Dharma Seelan' (1993) expresses profound sibling love and life philosophy. The speaker lovingly addresses younger siblings ('rojaakalae' or roses), portraying the home as a fortress of love ruled by an affectionate elder brother ('annan'). The lyrics celebrate the joy of family unity while offering wise advice on dealing with the world's self-serving nature. The verse sections contrast worldly hypocrisy with righteous living, encouraging honesty, respect for one's mother tongue, and steadfastness in ethical work. The singer declares a self-sacrificing devotion, offering to be a song, a motherly caretaker, sweetness, and medicine for the loved ones, reassuring them that despite life's burdens, love and true bonds always endure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kinnaram kinnaram / Kannoram minnalgal

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Kinnaram' and 'Kannoram', or 'Paaraattuvaar' and 'Palar vazhthuvaar'.

Moona (Alliteration)

Nee kettida paattaagiren / Sorootida thaai aagiren

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'N' in 'Nee kettida', 'Sorootida', 'Suvai kootida', 'Sumai theerkkavae'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Anbennum kottaiyilae Annanin raajiyamae

Describing love as a fortress ('Anbennum kottai') and the brother's authority as a compassionate kingdom ('Annanin raajiyam').

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Pookkuthu pookkuthu rojaakalae

Repetition of words like 'Kinnaram kinnaram', 'Ketkkudhu ketkkudhu', and 'Pookkuthu pookkuthu' for musical cadence and emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Dharma Seelan' (1993), starring Prabhu and Kushboo, was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by director-lyricist R.V. Udhaya Kumar. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Minmini, it highlights Ilaiyaraaja's signature melodic arrangements combining classical Indian rhythms with orchestral warmth.

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