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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Kannan Alladi

From Andru Sinthiya Ratham · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Andru Sinthiya Ratham1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan kannan allaldiI am not Lord Krishna, my girl
Antha kanthan alladiNor am I Lord Murugan, my girl
Naan kannan allaldiI am not Lord Krishna, my girl
Antha kanthan alladiNor am I Lord Murugan, my girl
Iru kadhalikkum maalai soodumThe cunning one who garlands two lovers
Kallan alladi naan villanalladiI am no thief, nor am I a villain, my girl
Male
Ava aasappattaa nadakkumaaJust because she desires, will it happen?
Anachchikkittaa kidakkumaaJust because I embrace her, will it last?
Aaththu vellam keni thanniCan a river flood wash away
Adichchikkittu pogumaaThe water inside a well?
Male
Nalla neram naanthaan thappiththathuIt was good luck that saved me
Munnaaladi ava pinnaaladiYou are ahead of me, and she is behind
Nalla neram naanthaan thappiththathuIt was good luck that saved me
Munnaaladi ava pinnaaladiYou are ahead of me, and she is behind
Nee irukke ponnu adi verethukku onnuWhen you are here, my girl, why do I need another?
Neer irukkum kannu ennai mayanguthadi ninnuYour tear-filled eyes make me swoon where I stand
Male
Aduththavalai thodamaattaendiI will never touch another woman, my girl
Unmael aasa vaiche vidamaattaendiHaving set my heart on you, I will never let you go
Male
Naan kannan allaldiI am not Lord Krishna, my girl
Antha kanthan alladiNor am I Lord Murugan, my girl
Male
Kobam thaabam ellaam koodaathadiAnger and frustration shouldn't be between us
Neethaanadi paavam naanthaanadiYou are the innocent one, and I am the pitiable one
Kobam thaabam ellaam koodaathadiAnger and frustration shouldn't be between us
Neethaanadi paavam naanthaanadiYou are the innocent one, and I am the pitiable one
Verupakkam ponaa naan maari viduvaenaaIf I go somewhere else, will I ever change?
Thottuvitta naanaa unnai vittuviduvenaaHaving touched you once, would I ever leave you?
Male
Thaen kudikka vanthaenadiI came to drink sweet honey, my girl
Nee thigattidaatha senthaenadiYou are pure red honey that never grows sickeningly sweet
Male
Naan kannan allaldiI am not Lord Krishna, my girl
Antha kanthan alladiNor am I Lord Murugan, my girl
Male
Adi karumbu ennai virumbuHey sweet sugarcane, love me and desire me
Naan iruthalai kolli erumbuI am like an ant trapped on a stick burning at both ends
Ava thurumbu konjam thirumbuShe is just a speck of dust, turn towards me a bit
Nee neththu pooththa arumbuYou are a fresh flower bud that bloomed yesterday
Male
Adi karumbu ennai virumbuHey sweet sugarcane, love me and desire me
Naan iruthalai kolli erumbuI am like an ant trapped on a stick burning at both ends
Ava thurumbu konjam thirumbuShe is just a speck of dust, turn towards me a bit
Nee neththu pooththa arumbuYou are a fresh flower bud that bloomed yesterday
Male
Unakkuthaandi sonthamThe ultimate right is only yours
Unakkum undu panthamYou hold a bond with me
Irandu perkkum inbamThere is joy for both of you women
Enakkuthaandi thunbamSorrow is reserved only for me
Ammaadi pattathupothuOh my, what I have endured is enough
Naan aasappattu thottathu pothumWhat I have touched out of desire is enough
Male
Naan kannanthanadiActually, I am Krishna, my girl
Antha kanthanOr that Lord Murugan
Iru kadhalikku idaiyilCaught between two lovers
Ippo villanthaanadiNow I have turned into the villain, my girl
Naan villanthaanadiI am indeed the villain, my girl
Male
Naan kannanthanadiActually, I am Krishna, my girl
Antha kanthanOr that Lord Murugan

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this song, the protagonist tries to convince his beloved of his devotion while navigating the complications of having two women involved in his life. He initially claims that he is neither Krishna nor Murugan—deities famously associated with having two consorts—and insists he is not a trickster or a villain attempting to maintain multiple relationships. He reassures her that she is his true love and that he will never forsake her for another.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion

Naan kannan allaldi / Antha kanthan alladi

References to Lord Krishna (Kannan) and Lord Murugan (Kanthan) highlight the trope of a man with two lovers.

Metaphor & Idiom

Naan iruthalai kolli erumbu

The phrase 'Iruthalai kolli erumbu' (ant on a firebrand lit at both ends) vividly expresses being trapped in a dilemma with no way out.

Metaphor

Adi karumbu ennai virumbu

Comparing the heroine to 'karumbu' (sugarcane) and 'senthaen' (red honey) emphasizes her sweetness and preciousness to him.

Emona / Rhyme

Adi karumbu ennai virumbu / Naan iruthalai kolli erumbu

Use of internal second-letter rhyming (Edhugai) in Kannadasan's signature rhythm across lines like 'karumbu / erumbu / thurumbu / arumbu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Andru Sinthiya Ratham' (1977) featured music composed by V. Kumar, with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan. The phrase 'Iruthalai kolli erumbu' is a famous classical Tamil proverb often utilized by Kannadasan to describe situations of double jeopardy or extreme dilemma.

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