Onne Onnu Kanne Kannu
From Selvi · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Selvi1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haei | Hey |
| Female :Uhum uhum | Uhum uhum |
| Male :Haei | Hey |
| Female :Uhum uhum | Uhum uhum |
| Male | |
| Haa | Haa |
| Female :Ahaa ahaa | Ahaa ahaa |
| Male :Haa | Haa |
| Female :Ahaa ahaa | Ahaa ahaa |
| Male :Ho | Ho |
| Female :Yehe yehe hae | Yehe yehe hae |
| Male :Ahahaa haa | Ahahaa haa |
| Female :Oho oho | Oho oho |
| Male :Haa | Haa |
| Female :Ahaa ahaa | Ahaa ahaa |
| Male :Haa | Haa |
| Female :Ahaa ahaa | Ahaa ahaa |
| Both :Aha aha aa… aa… | Aha aha aa… aa… |
| Male | |
| Onnae onnu | Just one thing... |
| Female :Uhum uhum | Uhum uhum |
| Male :Kannae kannu | My precious darling... |
| Female :Aaha Aaha | Aaha Aaha |
| Male :M… onnae onnu | M… just one thing... |
| Female :Uhum uhum | Uhum uhum |
| Male :Kannae kannu | My precious darling... |
| Female :Maatten maatten | I won't, I won't |
| Male | |
| Kanni kuyilae… ae… | Oh maiden cuckoo… oh… |
| Female :Ae… | Hey… |
| Male | |
| Kanni kuyilae | Oh maiden cuckoo |
| Pathu tharam paathenae | I looked at you ten times |
| Pathaama thaan kettenae | Yet unsatisfied, I asked |
| Male | |
| Onnae onnu | Just one thing... |
| Female :Ahahaa ahahaa | Ahahaa ahahaa |
| Male :Kannae kannu | My precious darling... |
| Female :Maatten maatten | I won't, I won't |
| Male | |
| Kara thottu kaaviri aaru | Touching the banks, the Kaveri river |
| Kadha solli konjudhu paaru | Look at how it caresses while telling stories |
| Medhuvaa medhuvaa | Gently, slowly |
| Female | |
| Aa… kila vitta maangani melae | Ah… on the ripe mango branching out |
| Kili vandhu kothura vela | The moment a parrot comes and pecks |
| Idhu thaan idhu thaan | This is it, this is it |
| Male | |
| Aa… pasum pullin madiyin melae | Ah… upon the lap of green grass |
| Paniyaalae paaya pottu | Laying a bed with morning dew |
| Female | |
| Aa… padukkaadho vaazha keethu | Ah… won't the banana leaf lie down? |
| Padikkaadho kaadhal paattu | Won't it recite a love song? |
| Male | |
| Vaalibam vaattudhu | Youth is teasing and tormenting |
| Female :Aaha aaha aa… | Aaha aaha aa… |
| Male :Velaiya kaattudhu | It is showing its tricks |
| Female :Mm… mm… hmm…mm | Mm… mm… hmm…mm |
| Male :Adiyae adiyae unakkum | Hey girl, hey girl, for you too |
| Naan anaichaa porakkum mayakkam | A sweet trance will awaken if I embrace you |
| Male | |
| Onnae onnu | Just one thing... |
| Female :Ahahaa…. | Ahahaa…. |
| Male :Kannae kannu | My precious darling... |
| Female :Maatten maatten | I won't, I won't |
| Male :Haa….aaa….aa…. | Haa….aaa….aa…. |
| Female | |
| Maram kothi paravaiya pola | Like a woodpecker bird |
| Manam kothi ponavan kooda | Along with the one who pecked away my heart |
| Varavaa varavaa | Shall I come? Shall I come? |
| Male | |
| Aa… mudhal mutham | Ah… the first kiss |
| Naan thara venum | I ought to give |
| Badhil mutham nee thara venum | A kiss in return, you must give |
| Tharavaa tharavaa | Shall I give? Shall I give? |
| Female | |
| Aa… ariyaadha chinna ponnu | Ah… an innocent young girl |
| Valaraadha vaazha kannu | An unripened tender sapling |
| Male | |
| Aa… adhanaala kutham illa | Ah… so there is no fault in it |
| Theriyaatti kelu pulla | If you do not know, just ask, girl |
| Female | |
| Aasa thaan thaakkudhaa | Is desire striking you? |
| Male :Aamaa aamaa aamaa aamaa | Yes, yes, yes, yes |
| Female :Sodi thaan kekkudhaa | Is it asking for a companion? |
| Male :Aahaa aahaa aiyo aiyo | Aahaa aahaa oh dear, oh dear |
| Female :Adhu thaan adhu thaan theriyum | That is it, that is what is felt |
| Nee valanjaa nelinjaa puriyum | If you sway and turn, it becomes clear |
| Male | |
| Onnae onnu | Just one thing... |
| Female :M… hum | M… hum |
| Male :Kannae kannu | My precious darling... |
| Female :Aa haa | Aa haa |
| Male :Kanni kuyilae… haa… | Oh maiden cuckoo… haa… |
| Female :Ae… | Hey… |
| Male :Kanni kuyilae pathu tharam | Oh maiden cuckoo, ten times |
| Female :Aahaa haa | Aahaa haa |
| Male :Pathaama thaan | Finding it not enough |
| Female :Mhu hum | Mhu hum |
| Male :Onnae onnu | Just one thing... |
| Female :Haha hahaa | Haha hahaa |
| Male :Kannae kannu | My precious darling... |
| Female :Maatten maatten | I won't, I won't |
| Male :Hmm hmm hmmm mmm | Hmm hmm hmmm mmm |
ஹேய்
ஹிஹிம் ஹிஹீம்
ஹேய்
ஹிஹிம் ஹிஹீம்
Hey
Uhum uhum
Hey
Uhum uhum
அஹ அஹா
ஆ
ஒஹோ ஒஹோ
ஓ
எஹே எஹே ஹேய்
அஹ ஹா
Haa
Ahaa ahaa
Haa
Ahaa ahaa
Ho
Yehe yehe hae
Ahahaa haa
Oho oho
Haa
Ahaa ahaa
Haa
Ahaa ahaa
Aha aha aa… aa…
ஒஹோ ஒஹோ
அ
ஒஹோ ஒஹோ ஒஹோ
ஆ
Just one thing...
Uhum uhum
My precious darling...
Aaha Aaha
M… just one thing...
Uhum uhum
My precious darling...
I won't, I won't
ஆஆஅ.....ஆஆ......ஆஅ.....
Oh maiden cuckoo… oh…
Hey…
ஒண்ணே ஒண்ணு…
ஹிஹிம் ஹிஹீம்
கண்ணே கண்ணு…
அஹ அஅஹா
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ஹ்ஹா
Oh maiden cuckoo
I looked at you ten times
Yet unsatisfied, I asked
ஒண்ணே ஒண்ணு…
ஹிஹிம் ஹிஹீம்
கண்ணே கண்ணு…
மாட்டேன் மாட்டேன்
Just one thing...
Ahahaa ahahaa
My precious darling...
I won't, I won't
கன்னிக் குயிலே....ஏ....
ஏய்....
கன்னிக் குயிலே....ஏ....
பத்து தரம் பார்த்தேனே
பத்தாமதான் கேட்டேனே……
Touching the banks, the Kaveri river
Look at how it caresses while telling stories
Gently, slowly
ஒண்ணே ஒண்ணு…
அஹ அஅஹா
கண்ணே கண்ணு…
மாட்டேன் மாட்டேன்
Ah… on the ripe mango branching out
The moment a parrot comes and pecks
This is it, this is it
கரை தொட்டுக் காவிரி ஆறு
கதை சொல்லிக் கொஞ்சுது பாரு
மெதுவா மெதுவா
ஆஅ கிளை விட்ட
மாங்கனி மேலே
கிளி வந்து கொத்துற வேளை
இதுதான் இதுதான்
Ah… upon the lap of green grass
Laying a bed with morning dew
ஆ...பசும் புல்லின் மடியின் மேலே
பனியாலே பாயப் போட்டு
ஆ.....படுக்காதோ வாடக் காத்து
படிக்காதோ காதல் பாட்டு
Ah… won't the banana leaf lie down?
Won't it recite a love song?
வாலிபம் வாட்டுது
ஆஹ ஆஹ ஆஆ...
வேலைய ஹ்ஹா காட்டுது
ஹிஹிம் ஹிஹீம் ஹ்ஹஹ்ம்ம்
அடியே அடியே உனக்கும்
நான் அணைச்சா பொறக்கும் மயக்கம்
Youth is teasing and tormenting
Aaha aaha aa…
It is showing its tricks
Mm… mm… hmm…mm
Hey girl, hey girl, for you too
A sweet trance will awaken if I embrace you
ஒண்ணே ஒண்ணு
ஆஹ ஆ ஆஆ...
கண்ணே கண்ணு
மாட்டேன் மாட்டேன்
ஆஆஆ......
Just one thing...
Ahahaa….
My precious darling...
I won't, I won't
Haa….aaa….aa….
மரம் கொத்திப்
பறவையப் போல
மனம் கொத்திப் போனவன் கூட
வரவா வரவா
Like a woodpecker bird
Along with the one who pecked away my heart
Shall I come? Shall I come?
ஆ.....முதல் முத்தம்
நான் தர வேணும்
பதில் முத்தம் நீ தர வேணும்
தரவா தரவா
Ah… the first kiss
I ought to give
A kiss in return, you must give
Shall I give? Shall I give?
ஆ...அறியாத சின்னப் பொண்ணு
வளராத வாழக் கன்னு
ஆ...அதனால குத்தம் இல்ல
தெரியாட்டி கேளு புள்ள
Ah… an innocent young girl
An unripened tender sapling
ஆசைதான் தாக்குதா...
ஆமா ஆமா ஆமா ஆமா
சோடிதான் கேக்குதா..
ஆஹா ஆஹா அய்யோ அய்யோ
அதுதான் அதுதான் தெரியும்
நீ வளஞ்சா நெளிஞ்சா புரியும்
Ah… so there is no fault in it
If you do not know, just ask, girl
ஒண்ணே ஒண்ணு
ம்ஹீம்ம்ம்ம்......
கண்ணே கண்ணு
ஆஹ ஆ ஆஆ...
Is desire striking you?
Yes, yes, yes, yes
Is it asking for a companion?
Aahaa aahaa oh dear, oh dear
That is it, that is what is felt
If you sway and turn, it becomes clear
கன்னிக் குயிலே....ஏ....
ஏய்....
கன்னிக் குயிலே....ஏ...
பத்து தரம்
ஆஹா ஹா
பத்தாமதான்
ஹீஹீம்
Just one thing...
M… hum
My precious darling...
Aa haa
Oh maiden cuckoo… haa…
Hey…
Oh maiden cuckoo, ten times
Aahaa haa
Finding it not enough
Mhu hum
Just one thing...
Haha hahaa
My precious darling...
I won't, I won't
Hmm hmm hmmm mmm
ஒண்ணே ஒண்ணு…
அஹ அஅஹா
கண்ணே கண்ணு…
மாட்டேன் மாட்டேன்
ம்ஹ்ஹீம் ம்ஹிஹீம்ம்
Haei
Hey
Female :Uhum uhum
Uhum uhum
Male :Haei
Hey
Female :Uhum uhum
Uhum uhum
Haa
Haa
Female :Ahaa ahaa
Ahaa ahaa
Male :Haa
Haa
Female :Ahaa ahaa
Ahaa ahaa
Male :Ho
Ho
Female :Yehe yehe hae
Yehe yehe hae
Male :Ahahaa haa
Ahahaa haa
Female :Oho oho
Oho oho
Male :Haa
Haa
Female :Ahaa ahaa
Ahaa ahaa
Male :Haa
Haa
Female :Ahaa ahaa
Ahaa ahaa
Both :Aha aha aa… aa…
Aha aha aa… aa…
Onnae onnu
Just one thing...
Female :Uhum uhum
Uhum uhum
Male :Kannae kannu
My precious darling...
Female :Aaha Aaha
Aaha Aaha
Male :M… onnae onnu
M… just one thing...
Female :Uhum uhum
Uhum uhum
Male :Kannae kannu
My precious darling...
Female :Maatten maatten
I won't, I won't
Kanni kuyilae… ae…
Oh maiden cuckoo… oh…
Female :Ae…
Hey…
Kanni kuyilae
Oh maiden cuckoo
Pathu tharam paathenae
I looked at you ten times
Pathaama thaan kettenae
Yet unsatisfied, I asked
Onnae onnu
Just one thing...
Female :Ahahaa ahahaa
Ahahaa ahahaa
Male :Kannae kannu
My precious darling...
Female :Maatten maatten
I won't, I won't
Kara thottu kaaviri aaru
Touching the banks, the Kaveri river
Kadha solli konjudhu paaru
Look at how it caresses while telling stories
Medhuvaa medhuvaa
Gently, slowly
Aa… kila vitta maangani melae
Ah… on the ripe mango branching out
Kili vandhu kothura vela
The moment a parrot comes and pecks
Idhu thaan idhu thaan
This is it, this is it
Aa… pasum pullin madiyin melae
Ah… upon the lap of green grass
Paniyaalae paaya pottu
Laying a bed with morning dew
Aa… padukkaadho vaazha keethu
Ah… won't the banana leaf lie down?
Padikkaadho kaadhal paattu
Won't it recite a love song?
Vaalibam vaattudhu
Youth is teasing and tormenting
Female :Aaha aaha aa…
Aaha aaha aa…
Male :Velaiya kaattudhu
It is showing its tricks
Female :Mm… mm… hmm…mm
Mm… mm… hmm…mm
Male :Adiyae adiyae unakkum
Hey girl, hey girl, for you too
Naan anaichaa porakkum mayakkam
A sweet trance will awaken if I embrace you
Onnae onnu
Just one thing...
Female :Ahahaa….
Ahahaa….
Male :Kannae kannu
My precious darling...
Female :Maatten maatten
I won't, I won't
Male :Haa….aaa….aa….
Haa….aaa….aa….
Maram kothi paravaiya pola
Like a woodpecker bird
Manam kothi ponavan kooda
Along with the one who pecked away my heart
Varavaa varavaa
Shall I come? Shall I come?
Aa… mudhal mutham
Ah… the first kiss
Naan thara venum
I ought to give
Badhil mutham nee thara venum
A kiss in return, you must give
Tharavaa tharavaa
Shall I give? Shall I give?
Aa… ariyaadha chinna ponnu
Ah… an innocent young girl
Valaraadha vaazha kannu
An unripened tender sapling
Aa… adhanaala kutham illa
Ah… so there is no fault in it
Theriyaatti kelu pulla
If you do not know, just ask, girl
Aasa thaan thaakkudhaa
Is desire striking you?
Male :Aamaa aamaa aamaa aamaa
Yes, yes, yes, yes
Female :Sodi thaan kekkudhaa
Is it asking for a companion?
Male :Aahaa aahaa aiyo aiyo
Aahaa aahaa oh dear, oh dear
Female :Adhu thaan adhu thaan theriyum
That is it, that is what is felt
Nee valanjaa nelinjaa puriyum
If you sway and turn, it becomes clear
Onnae onnu
Just one thing...
Female :M… hum
M… hum
Male :Kannae kannu
My precious darling...
Female :Aa haa
Aa haa
Male :Kanni kuyilae… haa…
Oh maiden cuckoo… haa…
Female :Ae…
Hey…
Male :Kanni kuyilae pathu tharam
Oh maiden cuckoo, ten times
Female :Aahaa haa
Aahaa haa
Male :Pathaama thaan
Finding it not enough
Female :Mhu hum
Mhu hum
Male :Onnae onnu
Just one thing...
Female :Haha hahaa
Haha hahaa
Male :Kannae kannu
My precious darling...
Female :Maatten maatten
I won't, I won't
Male :Hmm hmm hmmm mmm
Hmm hmm hmmm mmm
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a playful, romantic duet between two lovers expressing their blossoming affection through lighthearted teasing and natural metaphors. The male lead persistent asks for a single kiss or sign of affection, addressing his beloved as a sweet cuckoo, while the female lead playfully feigns hesitation before yielding to the romantic mood.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Onnae onnu / Kannae kannu”
The second consonant 'n' (ன்) matches between 'Onnae' and 'Kannae', creating rhythm.
Monai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Maram kothi paravaiya pola / Manam kothi ponavan kooda”
The starting letter 'Ma' (ம) is repeated in both lines.
Simile (Upamai)
“Maram kothi paravaiya pola”
Compares the lover who captured the heart to a woodpecker pecking wood.
Personification
“Kara thottu kaaviri aaru / Kadha solli konjudhu paaru”
The Kaveri river is personified as caressing its banks and telling stories.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics were penned by the veteran lyricist Vaali for the 1985 movie 'Selvi'. Vaali is known for weaving rich imagery from nature into intimate, playful duets.
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