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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Hey Penne

From Kattappava kanoom · 2016

Lyricist
Uma Devi
Singers
Alisha Thomas, Sid Sriram, Aishwarya Kumar
Music director
Santhosh Dhayanidhi
Details
Kattappava kanoom2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhal…Love...
Nenjil then ootrudheyPours honey into the heart
Kaatril…In the wind...
Mella yaazh meetudheySoftly plays the harp
Kannala nee kadhal pachakuththaWhen you tattoo love with your eyes
Nenjellam panjaagi ponadhennaWhy did my heart turn into light cotton?
Kaatrodu kaatraagum kaatraadipolLike a kite that merges into the wind
Kadhal unnodu dhaanLove is truly with you
Male
Hey penne penne…Hey girl, girl...
Unnai kanda pinneyEver since I saw you
Neram nalla neram yendru thondrudheyIt feels like a time of good fortune has begun
Oh minnum ponneyOh shining gold
Kannu kulle undhan bimbamYour reflection inside my eyes
Yengo yennai kondu pogudheyIs taking me somewhere far away
Male
Adikkara veyila polLike the scorching sun
Uththu paakuraYou gaze intently at me
Adikkadi kulira polLike a sudden cool breeze
Vandhu eerkuraYou come and pull me in
Female
Kaadhil mellaSoftly into the ear
Kadhal solliWhispering love
Kaatril yettriSending it into the air
Yenna kooti pogiraWhere are you taking me?
Nooru kaalalWith a hundred feet
Nenjam odaAs my heart runs
Kaatu theeyaiLike a forest fire
Yennai paththa vekkuraYou ignite me
Male
Ma… mazhaiyai polLike the gentle rain
Then pozhindhaayeYou showered sweet honey
Meen kannalaWith fish-like eyes
Oon kalandhaayeYou blended into my very soul
Male
Ye..penne penneHey girl, girl...
Unnai kanda pinneyEver since I saw you
Neram nalla neram yendru thondrudheyIt feels like a time of good fortune has begun
Female
Kaatriniley…In the breeze...
Varum geetham kaatrinileyThe song that floats in the breeze
Kaatriniley…In the breeze...
Varum oh geethamOh, the song that floats in the breeze
Male
Hey penne penne…Hey girl, girl...
Unnai kanda pinneyEver since I saw you
Neram nalla neram yendru thondrudheyIt feels like a time of good fortune has begun
Oh minnum ponneyOh shining gold
Kannu kulle undhan bimbamYour reflection inside my eyes
Yengo yennai kondu pogudheyIs taking me somewhere far away
Male
Adikkara veyila polLike the scorching sun
Uththu paakuraYou gaze intently at me
Adikkadi kulira polLike a sudden cool breeze
Vandhu eerkuraYou come and pull me in

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Hey Penne from Kattappava Kanoom is a romantic duet that captures the intoxicating experience of falling in love. The protagonist describes how love pours honey into the heart, softens the soul like cotton, and plays continuous music like a harp in the wind. The presence of the beloved transforms mundane time into an auspicious moment, taking the lover on a captivating emotional journey. Throughout the song, contrasting nature imagery—such as scorching heat, cool breezes, forest fires, and sweet rain—illustrates the intensity and versatility of passion. The lyricist skillfully blends classic Sangam-inspired metaphors with modern romantic sensibilities.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Nenjellam panjaagi ponadhenna

Compares the softening of the heart under the influence of love to cotton turning light and airy.

Uvamai (Simile)

Adikkara veyila pol... Adikkadi kulira pol

Compares the beloved's intense gaze to the hot sun and her presence to a refreshing chill breeze.

Traditional Sangam Imagery (Kayalvizhi / Metaphor)

Meen kannala

Refers to fish-shaped eyes (Meen kannu), a classic Tamil poetic metaphor for captivating eyes.

Anaphora / Repetition (Iruttaakki / Rhythm)

Kaatriniley… Varum geetham kaatriniley

Repetition of 'Kaatriniley' creates a musical echo effect mirroring the movement of wind.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Uma Devi, who gained immense fame with 'Maya Nadhi' in Kabali, penned this track using classical imagery like 'Yaazh' (ancient Tamil harp) and 'Meen Kannu' within a modern indie-pop rhythm composed by Santhosh Dhayanidhi.

Keep listening

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