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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Kadhal Leelai Kannan

From Ninaivugal · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Ninaivugal1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan kadhal leelai kannanI am Lord Krishna who plays games of love,
Oru kannam vaikkum kalvanA thief who places a kiss on the cheek.
Naan kadhal leelai kannanI am Lord Krishna who plays games of love,
Oru kannam vaikkum kalvanA thief who places a kiss on the cheek.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Male
En kadhal kannanae nee geedhai sollaamalMy beloved Krishna, without speaking the Gita,
Un kangal rendilaeIn both of your eyes,
Yaen bodhai kondaayoWhy have you become intoxicated?
Un kaigal rendum poomaalai Aakki kondaayoHave you made both of your hands into a garland of flowers?
Male
Naan kadhal leelai kannanI am Lord Krishna who plays games of love,
Oru kannam vaikkum kalvanA thief who places a kiss on the cheek.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Male
Viraga nadhiyil odam iravu muzhuthum odumThe boat of longing will sail in the river of passion all night.
Viraga nadhiyil odam iravu muzhuthum odumThe boat of longing will sail in the river of passion all night.
Ippozhuthu konjam vellottamRight now, it is just a trial run,
Nee oththukkondaalIf you agree to it,
Female
Eppozhuthum ingae kondaattamThere will always be a celebration here.
Nee katti kondaal idhamaai thodarumIf you embrace me, it will pleasantly continue,
Inbam ennum thaerottamThe chariot procession called joy.
Male :Kadhal ponnodam inba karaiyil nindraadumThe golden boat of love will dance on the shore of bliss.
Kadhal ponnodam inba karaiyil nindraadumThe golden boat of love will dance on the shore of bliss.
Male
Naan kadhal leelai kannanI am Lord Krishna who plays games of love,
Oru kannam vaikkum kalvanA thief who places a kiss on the cheek.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Female
Oru vaanavillil Oonjal katti vaanam tharaathoWon't the sky tie a swing on a rainbow for us?
Male :Vidikaalai varai aadavittu paarkka varaathoWon't it come to watch us swing until dawn?
Female :Oru vaanavillil Oonjal katti vaanam tharaathoWon't the sky tie a swing on a rainbow for us?
Male :Vidikaalai varai aadavittu paarkka varaathoWon't it come to watch us swing until dawn?
Female
Nalliravil thookkam varaamalUnable to sleep in the deep night,
Male :En chellakkili allikkollum ennai vidaamalMy darling parrot, she hugs me tightly without letting go,
Antha mullaikkodiLike that jasmine creeper.
Female :Swaramum layamum inainthaal pongaathoWhen musical note and rhythm combine, won't joy overflow?
Inba sangeetham adhil vidiyum enbaano….Will dawn arrive amidst that sweet music?
Inba sangeetham adhil vidiyum enbaano….Will dawn arrive amidst that sweet music?
Male
Naan kadhal leelai kannanI am Lord Krishna who plays games of love,
Oru kannam vaikkum kalvanA thief who places a kiss on the cheek.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Un paarijaatha poovai kann paarkka paarkka bodhaiAs my eyes look at your Parijatha flower-like self, intoxication grows.
Female
Viralum viralum sera vizhiyil mayakkam yaeraAs fingers touch fingers, intoxication grows in the eyes.
Viralum viralum sera vizhiyil mayakkam yaeraAs fingers touch fingers, intoxication grows in the eyes.
Male :Ondraiyondru kavvikkollathoWon't they intertwine with each other?
Kai mella mellaAs hands slowly, slowly,
Un idaiyai pinni kollaathoWon't they entwine around your waist?
Kai pinna pinnaAs hands entwine and interlock,
Female
Iravaa pagalaa endru manam ennaathoWon't the mind wonder whether it is day or night?
Kannil yaedhetho suga kanavu vaaraathoWon't sweet dreams fill the eyes?
Kannil yaedhetho suga kanavu vaaraathoWon't sweet dreams fill the eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Kadhal Leelai Kannan is a playful and sensual romantic duet from the 1984 Tamil film Ninaivugal, composed by Shankar Ganesh with lyrics by Vaali. In the song, the hero compares himself to Lord Krishna, the divine playful lover, while describing his beloved as a delicate Parijatha flower. The lovers exchange romantic banter, comparing their intimate moments to a boat navigating rivers of passion, music blending swaras and laya, and romantic swings tied to rainbows.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvakam (Metaphor)

Viraga nadhiyil odam iravu muzhuthum odum

Describing the feeling of longing as a river ('Viraga nadhi') and love as a boat ('odam').

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Ippozhuthu konjam vellottam

Rhyming of second syllables across lines ('vellottam', 'kondaattam', 'thaerottam').

Moonaik Kettoybu (Alliteration)

Viralum viralum sera vizhiyil mayakkam yaera

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'v' in 'Viralum', 'vizhiyil', and 'v' sounds.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ninaivugal (1984) featured tunes composed by the popular musical duo Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Vaali skillfully blended classical metaphors of Carnatic music (swaram and layam) and mythological imagery of Krishna and the celestial Parijatha flower into a contemporary romantic song.

Keep listening

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