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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Singara Kannukku

From Vishnu · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Arun Mozhi, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Deva
Details
Vishnu1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Singaara kannukku mai kondu vaaBring kohl for the beautiful eyes,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Sendhoora poovukku seer kondu vaaBring auspicious gifts for the red flower,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Male
Thean paalaa vandhaalaaDid she arrive like sweet honey and milk?
Maamulaa thanthaalaaDid she offer the customary love?
Onnaachi tholodu tholaaWe stand united, shoulder to shoulder,
Ippa vandhaachu en kumbamelaaNow my grand festival (Kumbhamela) has arrived,
Meanithaan oonjalaaHer body itself swings like a cradle.
Female
Singaara kannukku mai kondu vaaBring kohl for the beautiful eyes,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Male
Yei… yei akkam pakkam yaarumillaiHey... hey, there is no one around here,
Indha aalamara kaattukkullaInside this forest of banyan trees,
Vetkam kitkam thevaiyillaiShyness and hesitation are not needed,
Vandhu serndhukka en koottukkullaCome and join inside my nest.
Female
Ammaadi aathaadi vaanam boomiOh my, the sky and the earth,
Ellaamae ennaanu paarkkumWill all watch us in wonder,
Kachcheri vechaakka katta thaandiIf we put on a musical concert beyond boundaries,
Ettoorum un paattaa kekkumAll eight directions will listen to your song.
Male
Venuminnu ketkkudhu manasuThe heart demands it eagerly,
Vaeligalai thaandura vayasuThis youth crosses all fences,
Female
Poruththukka porandhidumBe patient, a good day will dawn,
Nalla naal naayanam oodhidathaanFor the wedding pipe (nadaswaram) to play!
Male
Singaara kannukku mai kondu vaaBring kohl for the beautiful eyes,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Female :Sendhoora poovukku seer kondu vaaFemale: Bring auspicious gifts for the red flower,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Male
Munna pinna thottadhillaI have never touched anyone before,
Adi thottadha naan vittadhillaHey, what I touch, I never let go!
Onnukkulla onnukkullaEntwined within one another,
Naama ottikkittaa kuthamillaIf we embrace closely, there is no fault.
Female
Ennaannu yedhunnuWhat and why,
Raasaa raasaaMy King, my King,
Ennodu ukkaandhu pesuSit with me and talk!
En maeni verkkaamal eerakkaathaaTo keep my body from sweating, cool breeze,
Ippodhu sillunnu veesuBlow chillily right now!
Male
Pothi vachcha poo idhazh thirandhuOpening the hidden flower petals,
Oothikkudu vaaliba virundhuServe the feast of youth!
Female
Kodukkavaa edukkavaaShall I give or shall I take?
Ammammaa raathiri aagidanumOh my, night must fall soon!
Male
Singaara kannukku mai kondu vaaBring kohl for the beautiful eyes,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Female :Sendhoora poovukku seer kondu vaaFemale: Bring auspicious gifts for the red flower,
Nandhalala yei nandhalalaOh Nandhalala, hey Nandhalala!
Male
Thean paalaa vandhaalaaDid she arrive like sweet honey and milk?
Female :Maamulaa thanthaalaaFemale: Did she offer the customary love?
Male :Onnaachi tholodu tholaaMale: We stand united, shoulder to shoulder,
Ippa vandhaachu en kumbamelaaNow my grand festival has arrived,
Female :Meanithaan oonjalaaFemale: Her body itself swings like a cradle.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from the movie 'Vishnu' showcases two lovers expressing their deep intimacy, affection, and anticipation of marriage. Using traditional metaphors like 'Nandhalala' (Lord Krishna) and nature imagery such as banyan trees, flowers, and gentle breezes, the lovers share playful banter about leaving shyness behind and yearning for nightfall.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhai (Second letter rhyming / Assonance)

Vetkam kitkam thevaiyillai / Vandhu serndhukka en koottukkulla

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, e.g., 'Singaara' and 'Nandhalala', or 'Vetkam' and 'Vandhu'.

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Thean paalaa vandhaalaa / Meanithaan oonjalaa

Comparing the beloved's presence to 'honey and milk' (Thean paalaa) and her body to a flower/swing (Meanithaan oonjalaa).

Monnai (Alliteration)

Onnukkulla onnukkulla / Naama ottikkittaa kuthamilla

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'O' in 'Onnukkulla' and 'Ottikkittaa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vishnu' (1995) stars Vijay and Sanghavi. The music for this film was composed by Deva, and lyricist Vaali used folk-infused romantic metaphors tailored for Vijay's early energetic screen persona.

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