Rendu Kannam
From Sivappu Malli · 1981
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- K. J. Jesudass, P. Suseela
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Sivappu Malli1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Holi holi holi holi | Holi, holi, holi, holi |
| Holi holi holi holi | Holi, holi, holi, holi |
| Female :Thaanaanana thaanaanaa naanaa | Female: Thaanaanana thaanaanaa naanaa |
| Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa | Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa |
| Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa | Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa |
| Male | |
| Rendu kannam santhana kinnam | Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste |
| Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum | Desires leap up to touch them |
| Rendu kannam santhana kinnam | Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste |
| Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum | Desires leap up to touch them |
| Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum | Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden |
| Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum | The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance |
| Female | |
| Eduththu kodukkaiyilae iru viral mothum | When hand-delivering them, two fingers collide |
| Nagangal urasi kondaal anal uruvaagum | When fingernails rub against each other, heat/fire is generated |
| Eduththu kodukkaiyilae iru viral mothum | When hand-delivering them, two fingers collide |
| Nagangal urasi kondaal anal uruvaagum | When fingernails rub against each other, heat/fire is generated |
| Male | |
| Ullangai soodupattu malar konjam vaadum | Warmed by the heat of the palm, the flower wilts slightly |
| Ullangai soodupattu malar konjam vaadum | Warmed by the heat of the palm, the flower wilts slightly |
| Mangai nee soodi kondaal athu konjam aarum | Oh young woman, if you adorn yourself with it, it will cool down |
| Female | |
| Rendu kannam santhana kinnam | Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste |
| Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum | Desires leap up to touch them |
| Male :Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum | Male: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden |
| Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum | The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance |
| Chorus | |
| …………………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Ilam piraiyae ilam piraiyae valarnthu vidaathae | Oh young crescent moon, oh young crescent moon, do not grow larger |
| Irulae ivalin thunaiyae | Darkness is her companion |
| Ilam piraiyae ilam piraiyae valarnthu vidaathae | Oh young crescent moon, oh young crescent moon, do not grow larger |
| Irulae ivalin thunaiyae | Darkness is her companion |
| Male | |
| Dhinam thiththikkum raaththirigal nilavae sudaathae | Oh moon, do not scorch the sweet nights every day |
| Ada thoongiya sooriyanae iravai thodaathae | Oh sleeping sun, do not disturb the night |
| Thodaathae thodaathae…. | Do not touch, do not touch... |
| Female | |
| Rendu kannam santhana kinnam | Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste |
| Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum | Desires leap up to touch them |
| Male :Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum | Male: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden |
| Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum | The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance |
| Male | |
| Thaagam Edukaiyilae mazhaiyadikkatho | When thirst arises, won't the rain pour down? |
| Vaanam irangi vanthu kudai pidikkaatho | Won't the sky descend and hold an umbrella? |
| Thaagam Edukaiyilae mazhaiyadikkatho | When thirst arises, won't the rain pour down? |
| Vaanam irangi vanthu kudai pidikkaatho | Won't the sky descend and hold an umbrella? |
| Female | |
| Nanaintha malarkalukku kuliredukkaatho | Won't the drenched flowers feel cold? |
| Nanaintha malarkalukku kuliredukkaatho | Won't the drenched flowers feel cold? |
| Vandugal paranthu vanthu thalai thuvattaatho | Won't the bees fly in and dry off their head? |
| Male | |
| Rendu kannam santhana kinnam | Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste |
| Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum | Desires leap up to touch them |
| Female :Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum | Female: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden |
| Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum | The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance |
| Male :Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum | Male: The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance |
ஹோலீ ஹோலீ ஹோலீ ஹோலீ...
ஹோலீ ஹோலீ ஹோலீ ஹோலீ...
தானானான தானானா னானா
தானா தானன தானா தானன தானனனானா
தானா தானன தானா தானன தானனனானா
Holi, holi, holi, holi
Holi, holi, holi, holi
Female: Thaanaanana thaanaanaa naanaa
Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa
Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa
ரெண்டு கன்னம் சந்தனக் கிண்ணம்
தொட்டுக் கொள்ள ஆசைகள் துள்ளும்
ரெண்டு கன்னம் சந்தனக் கிண்ணம்
தொட்டுக் கொள்ள ஆசைகள் துள்ளும்
பூவைக் கையில் பூவை அள்ளி கொடுத்த பின்னும்
தொட்டுத் தந்த கையில் மணம் வீசுது இன்னும்
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Desires leap up to touch them
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Desires leap up to touch them
Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
எடுத்து கொடுக்கையிலே இரு விரல் மோதும்
நகங்கள் உரசிக் கொண்டால் அனல் உருவாகும்
எடுத்து கொடுக்கையிலே இரு விரல் மோதும்
நகங்கள் உரசிக் கொண்டால் அனல் உருவாகும்
When hand-delivering them, two fingers collide
When fingernails rub against each other, heat/fire is generated
When hand-delivering them, two fingers collide
When fingernails rub against each other, heat/fire is generated
உள்ளங்கைச் சூடுபட்டு மலர் கொஞ்சம் வாடும்
உள்ளங்கைச் சூடுபட்டு மலர் கொஞ்சம் வாடும்
மங்கை நீ சூடிக் கொண்டால் அது கொஞ்சம் ஆறும்
Warmed by the heat of the palm, the flower wilts slightly
Warmed by the heat of the palm, the flower wilts slightly
Oh young woman, if you adorn yourself with it, it will cool down
ரெண்டு கன்னம் சந்தனக் கிண்ணம்
தொட்டுக் கொள்ள ஆசைகள் துள்ளும்
பூவைக் கையில் பூவை அள்ளி கொடுத்த பின்னும்
தொட்டுத் தந்த கையில் மணம் வீசுது இன்னும்
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Desires leap up to touch them
Male: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
தானன தானனா தானனனானா
தானன தானனா தானனனானா
தானன தானனா தானனனானா
தானன தானனா தானனனானா
...
இளம் பிறையே இளம் பிறையே வளர்ந்து விடாதே
இருளே இவளின் துணையே
இளம் பிறையே இளம் பிறையே வளர்ந்து விடாதே
இருளே இவளின் துணையே
Oh young crescent moon, oh young crescent moon, do not grow larger
Darkness is her companion
Oh young crescent moon, oh young crescent moon, do not grow larger
Darkness is her companion
தினம் தித்திக்கும் ராத்திரிகள் நிலவே சுடாதே
அட தூங்கிய சூரியனே இரவைத் தொடாதே
தொடாதே தொடாதே.......
Oh moon, do not scorch the sweet nights every day
Oh sleeping sun, do not disturb the night
Do not touch, do not touch...
ரெண்டு கன்னம் சந்தனக் கிண்ணம்
தொட்டுக் கொள்ள ஆசைகள் துள்ளும்
பூவைக் கையில் பூவை அள்ளி கொடுத்த பின்னும்
தொட்டுத் தந்த கையில் மணம் வீசுது இன்னும்
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Desires leap up to touch them
Male: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
தாகம் எடுக்கையிலே மழையடிக்காதோ
வானம் இறங்கி வந்து குடை பிடிக்காதோ
தாகம் எடுக்கையிலே மழையடிக்காதோ
வானம் இறங்கி வந்து குடை பிடிக்காதோ
When thirst arises, won't the rain pour down?
Won't the sky descend and hold an umbrella?
When thirst arises, won't the rain pour down?
Won't the sky descend and hold an umbrella?
நனைந்த மலர்களுக்கு குளிரெடுக்காதோ
நனைந்த மலர்களுக்கு குளிரெடுக்காதோ
வண்டுகள் பறந்து வந்து தலை துவட்டாதோ
Won't the drenched flowers feel cold?
Won't the drenched flowers feel cold?
Won't the bees fly in and dry off their head?
ரெண்டு கன்னம் சந்தனக் கிண்ணம்
தொட்டுக் கொள்ள ஆசைகள் துள்ளும்
பூவைக் கையில் பூவை அள்ளி கொடுத்த பின்னும்
தொட்டுத் தந்த கையில் மணம் வீசுது இன்னும்
தொட்டுத் தந்த கையில் மணம் வீசுது இன்னும்
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Desires leap up to touch them
Female: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
Male: The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
தானானனா தானாதனா தானானானனா
தானானனா தானாதனா தானானானனா
Holi holi holi holi
Holi, holi, holi, holi
Holi holi holi holi
Holi, holi, holi, holi
Female :Thaanaanana thaanaanaa naanaa
Female: Thaanaanana thaanaanaa naanaa
Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa
Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa
Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa
Thaanaa thaanana thaanaa thaanana thaanananaanaa
Rendu kannam santhana kinnam
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum
Desires leap up to touch them
Rendu kannam santhana kinnam
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum
Desires leap up to touch them
Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum
Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
Eduththu kodukkaiyilae iru viral mothum
When hand-delivering them, two fingers collide
Nagangal urasi kondaal anal uruvaagum
When fingernails rub against each other, heat/fire is generated
Eduththu kodukkaiyilae iru viral mothum
When hand-delivering them, two fingers collide
Nagangal urasi kondaal anal uruvaagum
When fingernails rub against each other, heat/fire is generated
Ullangai soodupattu malar konjam vaadum
Warmed by the heat of the palm, the flower wilts slightly
Ullangai soodupattu malar konjam vaadum
Warmed by the heat of the palm, the flower wilts slightly
Mangai nee soodi kondaal athu konjam aarum
Oh young woman, if you adorn yourself with it, it will cool down
Rendu kannam santhana kinnam
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum
Desires leap up to touch them
Male :Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum
Male: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
……………………
...
Ilam piraiyae ilam piraiyae valarnthu vidaathae
Oh young crescent moon, oh young crescent moon, do not grow larger
Irulae ivalin thunaiyae
Darkness is her companion
Ilam piraiyae ilam piraiyae valarnthu vidaathae
Oh young crescent moon, oh young crescent moon, do not grow larger
Irulae ivalin thunaiyae
Darkness is her companion
Dhinam thiththikkum raaththirigal nilavae sudaathae
Oh moon, do not scorch the sweet nights every day
Ada thoongiya sooriyanae iravai thodaathae
Oh sleeping sun, do not disturb the night
Thodaathae thodaathae….
Do not touch, do not touch...
Rendu kannam santhana kinnam
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum
Desires leap up to touch them
Male :Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum
Male: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
Thaagam Edukaiyilae mazhaiyadikkatho
When thirst arises, won't the rain pour down?
Vaanam irangi vanthu kudai pidikkaatho
Won't the sky descend and hold an umbrella?
Thaagam Edukaiyilae mazhaiyadikkatho
When thirst arises, won't the rain pour down?
Vaanam irangi vanthu kudai pidikkaatho
Won't the sky descend and hold an umbrella?
Nanaintha malarkalukku kuliredukkaatho
Won't the drenched flowers feel cold?
Nanaintha malarkalukku kuliredukkaatho
Won't the drenched flowers feel cold?
Vandugal paranthu vanthu thalai thuvattaatho
Won't the bees fly in and dry off their head?
Rendu kannam santhana kinnam
Two cheeks are like bowls of sandalwood paste
Thottu kolla aasaigal thullum
Desires leap up to touch them
Female :Poovai kayil poovai alli koduththa pinnum
Female: Even after gathering flowers and handing them to the maiden
Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum
The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
Male :Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum
Male: The hand that touched and gave them still carries the fragrance
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic duet, 'Rendu Kannam Santhana Kinnam', expresses the sensual and delicate longing between two lovers. Comparing the lover's soft cheeks to bowls of fragrant sandalwood paste, the lyricist paints poetic imagery of subtle physical touch—finger tips brushing against each other, generating a figurative warmth that wilts a flower. The lovers call upon nature, pleading with the moon not to brighten the night and asking the sun to stay asleep, so that their intimate twilight sanctuary remains undisturbed.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Rendu kannam santhana kinnam”
The lover's smooth, fragrant cheeks are compared to bowls filled with sandalwood paste ('santhana kinnam').
Personification / Hyperbole
“Ilam piraiyae ilam piraiyae valarnthu vidaathae / Ada thoongiya sooriyanae iravai thodaathae”
Addressing the crescent moon and sun as sentient beings, asking the moon not to grow and the sun not to wake up to preserve the night.
Monaich Chol (Alliteration)
“Thottu thantha kayil manam veesuthu innum”
Repetition of initial phonetic sounds across words within the line ('Thottu' / 'thantha').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan for the revolutionary political film 'Sivappu Malli' (1981) starring Vijayakanth and Chandrasekhar, this track stands out as a highly celebrated romantic melody amidst the film's intense socio-political themes. Lyricist Vairamuthu used rich nature imagery and romantic tropes early in his iconic songwriting career.
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