Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sundara Kannu

From Malliyam Mangalam · 1961

Lyricist
M. K. Aathmanathan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, A. L. Ragavan
Music director
T. A. Kalyanam
Movie name
Malliyam Mangalam
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
9 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sundara kannu indhiralogam kattudhu
Mandhiram pottu vandhu manasu vattudhu
Male :Sundara kannu indhiralogam kattudhu
Mandhiram pottu vandhu manasu vattudhu
Andharangathai arinju nadakkura pennae
Ennai aatti veikudhu adimai kolludhu kannae
Andharangathai arinju nadakkura pennae
Ennai aatti veikudhu adimai kolludhu kannae
Vandha vishayathai purinjuikitten vaanga
Adha manasukullae maraichu vachadhu yenga
Vandha vishayathai purinjuikitten vaanga
Adha manasukullae maraichu vachadhu yenga
Adha manasukullae maraichu vachadhu yenga
Sundara kannu indhiralogam kattudhu
Mandhiram pottu vandhu manasu vattudhu
Male :Sundara kannu indhiralogam kattudhu
Mandhiram pottu vandhu manasu vattudhu
Andharathilae irundhu irangi
Ingu sundharamaai aada vandhu
Jaadai seiyum rambha
Female :Kaadhal mandhirangalai molindhu
Thandhirangalai purindhu
Vandhu nee mayakkivida vambha
My dear maali life-la jolly
Vandha pinnae ingu enna joli
My dear maali life-la jolly
Vandha pinnae ingu enna joli
Idea kuttu aachu mani ettu
Appavukku loosaana nattu
Tightaagum varai namma love cuttu
Idea kuttu aachu mani ettu
Appavukku loosaana nattu
Tightaagum varai namma love cuttu
Male :Oh my god
Those beautiful eyes show me heaven,
casting a spell that stirs up my heart.
Male: Those beautiful eyes show me heaven,
casting a spell that stirs up my heart.
O girl who knows my deepest secret thoughts,
they rule over me and make me a slave, my dear!
O girl who knows my deepest secret thoughts,
they rule over me and make me a slave, my dear!
I understand why you have come, so come near!
Why did you keep it hidden inside your heart?
I understand why you have come, so come near!
Why did you keep it hidden inside your heart?
Why did you keep it hidden inside your heart?
Those beautiful eyes show me heaven,
casting a spell that stirs up my heart.
Male: Those beautiful eyes show me heaven,
casting a spell that stirs up my heart.
Stepping down from the skies above,
dancing so charmingly right here,
and giving playful glances like Rambha (the celestial dancer)!
Female: Whispering magic spells of love,
understanding every clever trick,
are you making trouble by charming me?
My dear Mali, life is full of fun,
now that joy is here, what other work do we have?
My dear Mali, life is full of fun,
now that joy is here, what other work do we have?
Good idea, and it's already eight o'clock!
Father has got a loose screw in his head,
until it gets tightened, put our romance on hold!
Good idea, and it's already eight o'clock!
Father has got a loose screw in his head,
until it gets tightened, put our romance on hold!
Male: Oh my God!
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful duet from Malliyam Mangalam (1961) features lighthearted romance mixed with humorous banter. The male lead praises his beloved's captivating eyes and beauty, comparing her to the heavenly dancer Rambha who mesmerizes him and takes over his heart. In response, the female lead playfully cautions him against using clever tricks and love spells. She banteringly warns him about her father's eccentricities and strict nature, noting that their romantic plans must be put on hold until her father calms down, ending the song on a comic note of frustration from the male lead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sundara kannu indhiralogam kattudhu / Mandhiram pottu vandhu manasu vattudhu

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines like 'Sundara' and 'Mandhiram' (nd / ndh).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme / End Alliteration)

Idea kuttu aachu mani ettu / Appavukku loosaana nattu / Tightaagum varai namma love cuttu

Rhyming line endings using english loan words and local slang such as 'kuttu', 'ettu', 'nattu', and 'cuttu'.

Hyperbole (Uruvagaimai / Atsayokthi)

Sundara kannu indhiralogam kattudhu

Comparing the heroine's eyes to Indraloka (heavenly realm) and her presence to Rambha (heavenly nymph).

Did you know?

Trivia

Malliyam Mangalam (1961) features rare early Tamil cinema comedy-duets that blended English loan words ('life-la jolly', 'love cuttu', 'idea', 'loose nut') seamlessly into classic Tamil song structures, reflecting the contemporary urbane conversational language of Madras in the 1960s.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Malliyam Mangalam

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.