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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Valarntha Kalai

From Kaathiruntha Kangal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Kaathiruntha Kangal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Valarndha kalai marandhuvittalIf she forgot the art she cultivated,
Keladaa kannaask her why, my dear Kanna.
Aval vadithu vaitha ooviyathaiLook at the painting she created,
Paaradaa kanna} (2)look at it, my dear Kanna.
Female
Kudumba kalai podhumendruSaying domestic arts are enough,
Koorada kannatell her, my dear Kanna.
Adhil kooda indha kalaigal veruWhy these other arts on top of that?
Yenada kannaTell me why, my dear Kanna.
Male
Valarndha kalai marandhuvittalIf she forgot the art she cultivated,
Keladaa kannaask her why, my dear Kanna.
Aval vadithu vaitha ooviyathaiLook at the painting she created,
Paaradaa kannalook at it, my dear Kanna.
Male
Kaadhal sonna pennai indruThe woman who spoke of love today,
Kaanumae kannacannot be seen, my dear Kanna.
Kaadhal sonna pennai indruThe woman who spoke of love today,
Kaanumae kannacannot be seen, my dear Kanna.
Male
Kattiyaval maarivittalThe wife who was wedded has changed,
Yenada kannawhy, my dear Kanna?
Thaali kattiyaval maarivittalThe wedded wife who wears the holy thread has changed,
Yenada kannawhy, my dear Kanna?
Female
Kaadhali dhaan manaivi endruTell her that the lover is the wife,
Koorada kannatell her, my dear Kanna.
Andha kaadhali dhaan manaivi endruThat very lover is the wife,
Koorada kannatell her, my dear Kanna.
Andru kannai moodi kondirundhaanBack then, he kept his eyes closed,
Yenada kannawhy, my dear Kanna?
Female
Manadhil andrae ezhudhi vaithenI wrote it in my heart back then itself,
Theriyuma kannado you know, my dear Kanna?
Adhai marubadiyum ezhudha sonnaalIf asked to write it once again,
Mudiyumma kannais it possible, my dear Kanna?
Male
Dhinam dhinam yen kobam kondalWhy does she get angry every single day?
Koorada kannaTell me, my dear Kanna.
Aval thevai enna aasai ennaWhat are her needs, what are her desires?
Kelada kannaAsk her, my dear Kanna.
Female
Ninaipathellam veliyil sollaCan everything one thinks be spoken aloud,
Mudiyuma kannais it possible, my dear Kanna?
Adhai nee pirandha pinbu kooraTo say that after you were born,
Iyalumaa kannais it possible, my dear Kanna?
Male
Valarndha kalai marandhuvittalIf she forgot the art she cultivated,
Keladaa kannaask her why, my dear Kanna.
Aval vadithu vaitha ooviyathaiLook at the painting she created,
Paaradaa kannalook at it, my dear Kanna.
Male
Indru varai nadandhadhellaamWhatever happened until today,
Pogattum kannalet it pass, my dear Kanna.
Indru varai nadandhadhellaamWhatever happened until today,
Pogattum kannalet it pass, my dear Kanna.
Ini ennidathil kobam indriFrom now on, without anger towards me,
Vaazha sol kannatell him to live, my dear Kanna.
Ini ennidathil kobam indriFrom now on, without anger towards me,
Vaazha sol kannatell him to live, my dear Kanna.
Female
Avar illaamal enakku veruWithout him, for me who else is there,
Yaarada kannawho else, my dear Kanna?
Avar illaamal enakku veruWithout him, for me who else is there,
Yaarada kannawho else, my dear Kanna?
Naan adaikkalamaai vandhaval thaanI came only as a seeker of refuge,
Kooradaa kannatell him, my dear Kanna.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the film Kaathiruntha Kangal (1962) centers on a conversation addressed through a child ('Kanna') as a mediator between estranged partners. The lyrics address themes of changing marital roles, unspoken feelings, lost artistic passsions amidst domestic duties, and emotional reconciliation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epistrophe / Refrain

Keladaa kanna

The word 'Kanna' or phrases ending in 'kanna' (such as 'Keladaa kanna', 'Koorada kanna') repeat consistently at the end of almost every line to establish rhythm and an intimate conversational tone.

Metaphor

Aval vadithu vaitha ooviyathai

Comparing a woman's expressions, sacrifice, or child to a artwork or painting ('ooviyam') created through devotion.

Rhetorical Question

Ninaipathellam veliyil solla mudiyuma kanna

Using questions ('Mudiyuma kanna', 'Theriyuma kanna') to highlight deep emotional dilemmas that words alone cannot resolve.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaathiruntha Kangal (1962) was directed by T. Prakash Rao and starred Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and Devika. The film features classic music composed by the legendary Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo with lyrics penned by Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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