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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Minminiyai Kanmaniyai

From Kannan En Kadhalan · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kannan En Kadhalan1968

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
{ Minminiyai{ Like a firefly,
Kan maniyaai kondavanaiThe one who held you as the apple of her eye,
Ennidamae thandhaalShe gave you to me,
Un annai unnai } (2)Your mother gave you } (2)
Male
Oo… chachaOo… chacha
Mammaa pappaaMama papa
Female
LallalallaLallalalla
Lalla lallalalla lallaLalla lallalalla lalla
Lallalalla lalla lallalalla lallaLallalalla lalla lallalalla lalla
Female
ChachaChacha
Ha mammaa ha pappaaHa mama ha papa
Oo… chacha ha mammaa ha pappaaOo… chacha ha mama ha papa
Male
{ Azhagu magan{ Beautiful son,
Mazhalai mozhi thenWhose baby talk is honey,
Podhigai senthamizho } (2)Is it pure Tamil from the Podhigai mountains? } (2)
Female
{ Ilanagai thaan{ Is his gentle smile
Siru kadhaiyo idhayamadhaiA short story written
Ezhudhiyadho } (2)Upon the heart? } (2)
Male
Muthu mugamHis pearl-like face,
Muzhu nilavo muppadhuIs it a full moon that appears
Naal varum nilavo chachaEvery day of all thirty days? Chacha
Mammaa pappaaMama papa
Female
Oo… chachaOo… chacha
Ha mammaa ha pappaaHa mama ha papa
Male
MinminiyaiLike a firefly,
Kan maniyaai kondavanaiThe one who held you as the apple of her eye,
Ennidamae thandhaalShe gave you to me,
Un annai unnaiYour mother gave you
Male
Oo… chachaOo… chacha
Mammaa pappaaMama papa
Female
Aaa………..Aaa………..
Male
Mani payalThe precious boy
Siripinil mayakidumCreated an art
Kalai padaithaan ……To mesmerize with his smile...
Male
Pasi kuralWhen giving his hungry cry,
Kodukaiyil pudhuHe composed
Pudhu isai amaithaanA brand new music
Female
{ Vizhithadhum{ Upon waking,
Thaai mugam paarthirupaanHe would gaze at his mother's face,
Male
MoodiyaAnd under the covered
Selaiyil paal kudipaan } (2)Saree, he drinks milk } (2)
Male
Chacha haChacha ha
Mammaa ha pappaaMama ha papa
Oo… chacha haOo… chacha ha
Mammaa ha pappaaMama ha papa
Female
Aaa………….Aaa………….
Male
{ Sarithiram{ He will walk
PugazhndhidumIn the footsteps of scholars
Arignarin vazhi nadapaanPraised by history,
Female
IrupadhaiAnd by sharing whatever he has,
Kodupadhil thagapaninHe will earn his father's
Peredupan } (2)Great name } (2)
Female
{ Thalaimagan{ Is this eldest son
Kalaimagal punniyamoThe blessing of Goddess Saraswati,
Male
Thaai kulamOr a gift bestowed
Vazhangiya seedhanamo } (2)By motherhood itself? } (2)
Male
ChachaChacha
Mammaa pappaaMama papa
Female
Oo… chachaOo… chacha
Ha mammaa ha pappaaHa mama ha papa
Male
ChachaChacha
Mammaa pappaaMama papa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Kannan En Kadhalan' is a joyous celebration of a child's innocence, beauty, and noble future. The lyrics express profound affection for a young boy given to the caregiver, comparing his sweet babbling to the divine Tamil spoken in the Podhigai hills and his bright face to a full moon that never wanes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Mazhalai mozhi then”

Comparing the child's sweet speech directly to honey ('Mazhalai mozhi then') and his face to a pearl ('Muthu mugam').

Upamai (Simile / Hyperbole)

“Muzhu nilavo muppadhu Naal varum nilavo”

Comparing the child's face to a full moon that shines brightly on all 30 days of the month rather than just once.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Minminiyai / Kan maniyaai”

Rhyming second letters in paired lines such as 'Minminiyai' and 'Kan maniyaai', or 'Sarithiram' and 'Arignarin'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, 'Kannan En Kadhalan' (1968) featured music by the iconic composer duo M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) and T. K. Ramamoorthy/MSV solo era, with lyrics by Vaali, starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa.

Keep listening

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