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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Kanavanukku

From Ilaiyarani Rajalakshmi · 1978

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ilaiyarani Rajalakshmi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself
Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself
Female
Avan vallamai endrumae virumbuvaalShe will always admire his strength and capability
Anbu vaazhkkaiyilae deepa oli yaettruvaalShe will light the lamp of illumination in their loving life
Avan vallamai endrumae virumbuvaalShe will always admire his strength and capability
Anbu vaazhkkaiyilae deepa oli yaettruvaalShe will light the lamp of illumination in their loving life
Female
Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself
Female
Sri raman mithilai nagar meethinil vanthaanLord Rama arrived in the city of Mithila
Angu seedhaiyaval avan thol kandaal tholae kandaalThere, Sita saw his shoulders—she saw only his shoulders
Kadhal konda janagiyai kamban kandaanKamban saw Janaki fall in love
Antha kadhalukku veeramae kaaranam endraanHe stated that valor was the reason for that love
Kadhalukku veeramae kaaranam endraanHe stated that valor was the reason for that love
Female
Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself
Female
Thirumurugan veleduththu veeram kaattinaanLord Murugan took up his spear and displayed valor
Antha deivaanai muruganukae maalai soottinaalAnd Deivanai garlanded Lord Murugan in devotion
Thirumurugan veleduththu veeram kaattinaanLord Murugan took up his spear and displayed valor
Antha deivaanai muruganukae maalai soottinaalAnd Deivanai garlanded Lord Murugan in devotion
Kaalamellaam kaalaiyarkku valimai vendumaeMen require strength throughout their lives
Nalla kaariyangal saathikkum thiramai vendumaeThey need the skill to accomplish good deeds
Female
Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself
Female
Thanneeril irangaamal neentha mudiyumaaCan anyone swim without stepping into the water?
Thairiyamae illaamal vaazh mudiyumaaCan anyone live a life without courage?
Thanneeril irangaamal neentha mudiyumaaCan anyone swim without stepping into the water?
Thairiyamae illaamal vaazh mudiyumaaCan anyone live a life without courage?
Tannai nambum manithanaiyae ulagam nampumThe world trusts a man who believes in himself
Intha thaththuvamae illaraththil nallathu seiyumThis philosophy brings goodness to domestic life
Female
Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself
Avan vallamai endrumae virumbuvaalShe will always admire his strength and capability
Anbu vaazhkkaiyilae deepa oli yaettruvaalShe will light the lamp of illumination in their loving life
Female
: Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanavalA woman who becomes the wife of a good husband
Antha kadavalukke nandri kooruvaalWill offer her gratitude to God himself

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanaval' celebrates the joy and fulfillment of a woman blessed with a virtuous and courageous husband. It highlights strength, self-confidence, and capability as crucial virtues in a man that bring harmony and prosperity to domestic life (illarum). Through these virtues, the wife lights the lamp of happiness and expresses her heartfelt gratitude to God. To emphasize the connection between valor and devotion, lyricist Poovai Senguttavan uses classic mythological allusions. He references Kamban's Ramayana, where Sita falls in love upon witnessing Rama's heroic presence in Mithila, as well as Deivanai marrying Lord Murugan after his brave deeds with the spear. The lyrics conclude with practical wisdom—that just as swimming requires entering the water, a meaningful life requires courage and self-belief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Ilakkia Kurippu)

Angu seedhaiyaval avan thol kandaal tholae kandaal

Refers directly to Kamba Ramayanam's famous scene in Mithila ('Thol kandaar tholae kandaar') where Sita gazes upon Rama's shoulders.

Mythological Allusion (Samaaya Kurippu)

Thirumurugan veleduththu veeram kaattinaan

References Lord Murugan wielding his Vel (spear) and his divine marriage to Deivanai as an example of valor inspiring love.

Analogy / Metaphor (Uvamai)

Thanneeril irangaamal neentha mudiyumaa

Uses the practical impossibility of swimming without getting into water as an analogy for attempting to live life without courage.

Refrain (Pallavi Madakku)

Nalla kanavanukku manaiviyaanaval

The repeating core lines reinforce the central theme of a wife's gratitude and devotion to a good husband.

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Trivia

The lyric 'thol kandaal tholae kandaal' is a direct homage to the famous verse in Kamban's Kamba Ramayanam ('Thol kandaar tholae kandaar...') describing how the women of Mithila were mesmerized by specific features of Lord Rama's divine beauty, unable to look anywhere else once they caught sight of his shoulders.

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