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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanathale Kannam

From CID Sankar · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
CID Sankar1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haaa…aaa…aaHaaa…aaa…aa
Naanathaale kannam minna minnaWith shyness, cheeks glow and glitter
Naanathaale kannam minna minnaWith shyness, cheeks glow and glitter
Nadathum nadagam ennaWhat is this drama being played out?
Female
Kaadhalaalae kaalgal pinna pinnaWith love, the legs entangle and falter
Kaadhalaalae kaalgal pinna pinnaWith love, the legs entangle and falter
Kaniyum kaaviyam ennaWhat is this epic poem that turns sweet?
Female
Haaa….aaa…aaHaaa….aaa…aa
Male :Naanathaale kannam minna minnaMale: With shyness, cheeks glow and glitter
Male
Thendral kaatril thennangeetru aadaAs coconut fronds sway in the cool breeze
Munnum pinnum mutham ittu paadaKissing back and forth while singing
Female :Unnai thottu ennai thottu odaFemale: Touching you and touching me as it flows
Ullukullae ennam unnai thedaDeep inside, my thoughts search for you
Male
O hoo poo muthupolae thaen muthamO ho, like a flower-like pearl, a honeyed kiss
Ondru poda sonnaalIf asked to place one
Naanathaale kannam minna minnaWith shyness, cheeks glow and glitter
Nadathum nadagam ennaWhat is this drama being played out?
Female
Haaa….aaa…aaHaaa….aaa…aa
Male :Naanathaale kannam minna minnaMale: With shyness, cheeks glow and glitter
Female
Vellithattu pulli kolam podaLike a silver plate adorned with dotted rangoli patterns
Kannisittu pallikoodam pogaLike a young bird heading to school
Male :Mullai mottu vanna pandhu aadaMale: As a jasmine bud bounces like a colorful ball
Moodum kaigal mella mella moodaGently, hands close slowly to hide
Female
O hoo moodiya kaigal moodidum munnaeO ho, before those closing hands shut complete
Nee vilaiyaadaYou come and play
Kaadhalaalae kaalgal pinna pinnaWith love, the legs entangle and falter
Kaniyum kaaviyam ennaWhat is this epic poem that turns sweet?
Male
Haaa….aaa…aaHaaa….aaa…aa
Female :Kaadhalaalae kaalgal pinna pinnaFemale: With love, the legs entangle and falter

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naanathaale Kannam Minna Minna' from the 1970 Tamil film CID Sankar is a romantic duet expressing the playful and tender moments between two lovers. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional manifestations of romance—the shy blushing of cheeks, faltering footsteps driven by deep affection, and the sweet interplay of nature and intimacy like coconut fronds swaying in the wind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Naanathaale / Nadathum nadagam

The second consonant 'na' repeats across consecutive lines creating a rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Monae (First letter alliteration)

Kaadhalaalae kaalgal pinna pinna

The initial sound 'Ka' is repeated in 'Kaadhalaalae' and 'Kaalgal' to emphasize rhythm.

Simile (Upama)

O hoo poo muthupolae thaen mutham

Comparing a sweet kiss to a flower-pearl (poo muthu) and honey (thaen mutham).

Anaphora / Repetition

Naanathaale kannam minna minna

The deliberate doubling of 'minna minna' and 'pinna pinna' adds a musical, dance-like cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

CID Sankar (1970) is a Tamil James Bond-style detective thriller starring Jaishankar, who was famously dubbed the 'Jaishankar of the South' or 'South Indian James Bond'. The music was composed by S. Vedhachalam, who produced memorable melodious duets in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Keep listening

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