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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Radhaithan

From Inspector Manaivi · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Suseela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Inspector Manaivi1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naan radhaithaan nee kannanthaanI am Radha, you are Krishna.
Yaen thaamatham nam manathilum oru manamWhy the delay? In our minds there is a single mind,
Uravilum oru inamIn our relationship there is a oneness.
Naan radhaithaan nee kannanthaanI am Radha, you are Krishna.
Male
Yaen thaamatham nam manathilumWhy the delay? In our minds,
Oru manam uravilum oru inamOne mind, in our relationship a oneness.
Naan kannanthan….I am Krishna...
Laalaalaa laalaalaa aaaaa….aaaaa….Laalaalaa laalaalaa aaaaa....aaaaa....
Male
Mai vizhi kannan ingaeHere is Krishna with kohl-rimmed eyes,
Maan kutty radha engaeWhere is Radha, the little fawn?
Mai vizhi kannan ingaeHere is Krishna with kohl-rimmed eyes,
Maan kutty radha engaeWhere is Radha, the little fawn?
Uravaadum kadhal gangai vilaiyaaduthuThe loving Ganges of intimacy plays on.
Male
Pon thalir maeniyai poongani idhazhgalaiYour golden shoot-like body and tender fruit-like lips,
Ennidam thara vendumYou must give them to me.
Mangala radhaiyin kunguma nadhiyinilIn the vermilion river of auspicious Radha,
Sangamam pera vendumI must achieve confluence.
Female
Naan enna sonnaen kannaaWhat did I say, my Krishna?
Yaen intha kobam kannaaWhy this anger, my Krishna?
Naan enna sonnaen kannaaWhat did I say, my Krishna?
Yaen intha kobam kannaaWhy this anger, my Krishna?
Vaaraai en munnae kannaa uravaada vaa….Come before me, Krishna, come to romance...
Female
Unnidam vanthathu en manam odidaMy heart came to you; to run away,
Innoru idam yaedhuWhere else is there a place?
Kannanum radhaiyum saerntha pinnaalAfter Krishna and Radha unite,
Kadavulum kidaiyaathuEven God does not exist separately.
Male
Naan kannan thaan nee radhaithaanI am Krishna, you are Radha.
Yaen thaamatham nam manathilumWhy the delay? In our minds,
Oru manam uravilum oru inamOne mind, in our relationship a oneness.
Naan kannanthaanI am Krishna.
Male
Kaanaata yaavum kandaenI saw all that was unseen,
Kelaatha yaavum kaettenI heard all that was unheard,
Saeratha yaavum saernthaen maravendiI joined all that was unjoined, forgetting everything.
Male
Manmatha leelaigal arambam aayinaThe playful games of Cupid have begun,
Manathukku sugamaagaBringing comfort to the heart.
Maathunai poloru anantham yaedhunduWhat joy is there like having a female companion?
Uravukku idhamaagaGiving comfort to relationship.
Female
Sollaathae yaarum kettaalDo not tell; if anyone hears,
Pollaatha vaarththai solvaarThey will speak harsh words.
Kannaa nee meendum meendum uravaadalaamKrishna, you can romance again and again.
Sorkkaththai paarththapin vetkangal yaedhunduAfter seeing heaven, what place is there for shyness?
Female
Pakkaththil vaa kannaa….Come close, my Krishna...
Sudarvittu erigindra pudhuvagai inbaththaiA new kind of bliss burning bright,
Niththamum thaa kannaaGive it to me daily, my Krishna.
Female
Naan radhaithaan nee kannanthaanI am Radha, you are Krishna.
Male :Yaen thaamatham nam manathilumMale: Why the delay? In our minds,
Oru manam uravilum oru inamOne mind, in our relationship a oneness.
Female :Naan radhaithaan nee kannanthaanFemale: I am Radha, you are Krishna.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan radhaithaan nee kannanthaan is a classic romantic duet from the 1976 film Inspector Manaivi, composed by Shankar-Ganesh and penned by Kannadasan. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Suseela, the song invokes the mythological divine love of Radha and Krishna as a metaphor for deep emotional and physical union between lovers. The lyrics highlight a devotion that transcends ordinary boundaries, portraying true intimacy as a sacred and heavenly experience. Kannadasan's evocative imagery ranges from flowing rivers of love to Cupid's playfulness, capturing both tender affection and passionate abandon.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Mythological Allusion (Aanooradhurao / Uvamai)

Naan radhaithaan nee kannanthaan

Comparing the human lovers to Radha and Krishna throughout the song to elevate romantic devotion to a divine level.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Uravaadum kadhal gangai vilaiyaaduthu

Describing love as the sacred river Ganges (Kadhal Gangai) in which intimacy flows.

Anaphora / Alliteration (Monai)

Kaanaata yaavum kandaen

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds 'Kaanaata', 'Kelaatha', and 'Saeratha' to create rhythmic symmetry.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sudarvittu erigindra pudhuvagai inbaththai

Describing blissful experience as a bright burning flame (sudarvittu erigindra inbam).

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Trivia

The lyricist Kannadasan was famous for using the Radha-Krishna motif in Tamil film songs to express romantic union without violating contemporary censorship sensibilities. The musical duo Shankar-Ganesh created a melodious, light-classical tune for this track, which was popularized by SPB and P. Suseela during the peak of 1970s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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