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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Enna Kannana

From General Chakravarthi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
General Chakravarthi
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
24 Jul 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nee enna kannanaa
Naan enna kamsanaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Thanthai peyar kannanukku
Vasudevano
Illai thaaraniyor arinthathupol
Nanthakobano
Thanthai peyar kannanukku
Vasudevano
Illai thaaraniyor arinthathupol
Nanthakobano
Irandu veettu pillaiyaaga
Kannan valarnthaan
Irandu veettu pillaiyaaga
Kannan valarnthaan
Nee engal veettu kannanaaga
Vaazha piranthaai
Nee engal veettu kannanaaga
Vaazha piranthaai
Nee enna kannanaa
Naan enna kamsanaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Kuyil itta muttai endru
Kaakkaikku theriyum adhu
Koovum pothu thaavum pothum
Yaarukkum puriyum
Kuyil itta muttai endru
Kaakkaikku theriyum adhu
Koovum pothu thaavum pothum
Yaarukkum puriyum
Kaattu kadhai veettil kooda
Nadakkuthu kannaa
Kaattu kadhai veettil kooda
Nadakkuthu kannaa
Kadavul kannai theeppugai
Maraikkuthu kannaa
Kadavul kannai theeppugai
Maraikkuthu kannaa
Nee enna kannanaa
Naan enna kamsanaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Tholirandil unnai indru
Thaangi kolgiraen
Nee sollumpothu un kadhaiyai
Purinthu kolgiraen
Naal varattum adhuvaraikkum
Kaaththirukkiraen
Naal varattum adhuvaraikkum
Kaaththirukkiraen
Nee nadakkumpothu nadanthathellaam
Arinthu kolgiraen
Nee nadakkumpothu nadanthathellaam
Arinthu kolgiraen
Nee enna kannanaa
Naan enna kamsanaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Nee nadikkum naadagathil
Naanum oru amsamaa
Are you Krishna?
And am I Kamsa?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
Is Krishna's father's name
Vasudeva?
Or, as the whole world knows,
is it Nandagopa?
Is Krishna's father's name
Vasudeva?
Or, as the whole world knows,
is it Nandagopa?
As the child of two homes,
Krishna grew up.
As the child of two homes,
Krishna grew up.
As the Krishna of our home,
you were born to live.
As the Krishna of our home,
you were born to live.
Are you Krishna?
And am I Kamsa?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
That it is an egg laid by a cuckoo,
the crow knows;
when it sings and when it hops,
anyone can understand.
That it is an egg laid by a cuckoo,
the crow knows;
when it sings and when it hops,
anyone can understand.
This tale of the jungle
is happening even at home, my Krishna!
This tale of the jungle
is happening even at home, my Krishna!
Dense smoke from the fire
is blinding the eyes of God, my Krishna!
Dense smoke from the fire
is blinding the eyes of God, my Krishna!
Are you Krishna?
And am I Kamsa?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
On both my shoulders today,
I hold and carry you.
When you tell your story,
I will understand.
Let that day arrive; until then,
I will wait.
Let that day arrive; until then,
I will wait.
As you take your steps, everything that happened,
I will come to know.
As you take your steps, everything that happened,
I will come to know.
Are you Krishna?
And am I Kamsa?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
In the play you are staging,
am I too just a part?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nee Enna Kannanaa from General Chakravarthi (1978) is a deeply philosophical and emotional song that draws parallels between human life and Hindu mythology, specifically the life of Lord Krishna. The lyricist Kannadasan uses the imagery of Krishna's dual upbringing—born to Vasudeva but raised by Nandagopa—to reflect on identity, foster parenthood, and unexpected life turns. The speaker wonders about his own role in this dramatic play of life, questioning whether he plays a villain like Kamsa or a protective guardian. Through powerful allegories such as the cuckoo's egg in a crow's nest and smoke obscuring God's vision, the song conveys themes of hidden truths, waiting patiently for justice, and enduring affection across life's trials. Set to M. S. Viswanathan's soulful melody and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, it captures a reflective moment of realization and patience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

“Nee enna kannanaa / Naan enna kamsanaa”

The song opens with rhetorical questions comparing the characters to Lord Krishna and Kamsa to express confusion and dramatic roleplay in real life.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

“Kuyil itta muttai endru / Kaakkaikku theriyum adhu”

Uses the famous natural allegory of a cuckoo's egg raised in a crow's nest to symbolize a child raised away from birth parents, whose true nature reveals itself over time.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kuyil itta muttai endru / Kaakkaikku theriyum adhu”

Consonance in the second letter across consecutive lines ('Kuyil' / 'Kaakkai').

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

“Nee nadikkum naadagathil / Naanum oru amsamaa”

Repetition of refrain lines throughout the song to emphasize the core philosophical premise.

Did you know?

Trivia

General Chakravarthi (1978) stars Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya. The song brings together the iconic trio of Tamil cinema's golden era: lyricist Kannadasan, composer M. S. Viswanathan, and playback singer T. M. Soundararajan.

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