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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neela Vanna Kannane Unadhu

From Mallika (1957 film) · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Mallika (1957 film)1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Neela vanna kannanaeOh blue-hued Krishna
Unadhu ennamellam naanarivenI know all of your intentions
Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh Krishna, do not touch my hand
Neela vanna kannanaeOh blue-hued Krishna
Unadhu ennamellam naanarivenI know all of your intentions
Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh Krishna, do not touch my hand
Mohana kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh enchanting Krishna, do not touch my hand
Female
Thannanthaniyaana ennaiTo me, who is all alone
ThunburuthalaagumoIs it right to cause distress?
Female
Thannanthaniyaana ennaiTo me, who is all alone
ThunburuthalaagumoIs it right to cause distress?
Nanunakku sondhamoDo I belong to you?
Raadhai endra ennamoDo you think I am Radha?
Kannai kannai kaatti ennaiSignaling with your eyes
Vambu seiyalaagumoIs it right to tease me?
Nee vambu seiyalaagumoIs it right for you to tease me?
Female
Kannai kannai kaatti ennaiSignaling with your eyes
Vambu seiyalaagumo neeIs it right to tease me, you?
Vambu seiyalaagumoIs it right to tease me?
Innum ingu nindru vambu seidhaalIf you stand here longer and tease me
Yaelanam seivenI will ridicule you
Vanna kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh colorful Krishna, do not touch my hand
Female
Neela vanna kannanaeOh blue-hued Krishna
Unadhu ennamellam naanarivenI know all of your intentions
Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh Krishna, do not touch my hand
Mohana kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh enchanting Krishna, do not touch my hand
Female
Alliyin karathai vittuRelease Alli's hand
Vandha vazhi selluvaaiGo back the way you came
Female
Alliyin karathai vittuRelease Alli's hand
Vandha vazhi selluvaaiGo back the way you came
Nalladhalla un seyalaiYour actions are not good
Naadariya solluvenI will reveal them for the whole world to know
Kallanae unnai ellorumOh thief, everyone
Thollaa pillai endru solliWill call you a troublesome child
Kandapadi pesuvaarAnd talk poorly of you
Female
Kallanae unnai ellorumOh thief, everyone
Thollaa pillai endru solliWill call you a troublesome child
Kandapadi pesuvaarAnd talk poorly of you
Ilam kanni endhan ullam thannaiTo my young maidenly heart
Thunbura cheiyaadhaeDo not cause pain
Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh Krishna, do not touch my hand
Female
Neela vanna kannanaeOh blue-hued Krishna
Unadhu ennamellam naanarivenI know all of your intentions
Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh Krishna, do not touch my hand
Mohana kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhaeOh enchanting Krishna, do not touch my hand

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song features a young woman playful reprimanding a mischievous suitor whom she compares to Lord Krishna. She demands that he stop holding her hand and making romantic gestures towards her, declaring that she sees right through his trickery and reminds him that she is not Radha to tolerate his flirty antics.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaaphora / Repetition

Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhae

Repetition of lines such as 'Kannaa en kaiyai thodaadhae' emphasizes the maiden's playful resistance.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannai kannai kaatti ennai

Repetition of consonant sounds like 'k' at the beginning of words in 'Kannai kannai kaatti'.

Allusion / Metaphor

Raadhai endra ennamo

Alluding to Krishna and Radha to frame the romantic banter between the lovers.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Mallika' (1957) featured music composed by P. Adinarayana Rao with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. The song relies on the traditional 'Nayaki-Nayaka' banter trope popular in classical dance compositions and early South Indian cinema.

Keep listening

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