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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan
| cover = Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan.jpg
| caption = album cover
| type = song
| artist = [[Kamal Haasan]], [[S. Janaki]]
| album = [[Gunaa]]
| released = 1991
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 5:27<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guna |url=https://gaana.com/album/guna-tamil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905153445/https://gaana.com/album/guna-tamil |archive-date=5 September 2020 |access-date=11 July 2020 |website=[[Gaana (music streaming service)|Gaana]]}}</ref>
| label = [[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid Audio]]
| composer = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| lyricist = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| producer = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| tracks =
# "Appan Endrum"
# "Unnai Naan"
# "Paartha Vizhi"
# "'''Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan'''"
# "Unnai Naan (Bit)"
# "Oyilala"
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|{{YouTube|2U7XqWoq_SQ|"Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan"}}
}}
}}

'''"Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan"''' ({{Translation|To my love, Kanmani}}) is a song from the Tamil film ''[[Gunaa]]'' (1991) composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]], written by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] and sung by [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[S. Janaki]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/reba-monica-johns-rendition-of-kanmani-anbodu-kadhalan-wins-hearts/articleshow/83774012.cms|title=Reba Monica John's rendition of Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan wins hearts|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=23 June 2021|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623104949/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/reba-monica-johns-rendition-of-kanmani-anbodu-kadhalan-wins-hearts/articleshow/83774012.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> The song was noticed for having dialogues interspersed between the lines,<ref name="H">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-love-that-defies-description/article67882894.ece|title=Guna's 'Kanmani Anbodu' lingering once again|first=KC|last=Vijaya Kumar|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=25 February 2024 |url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329062943/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-love-that-defies-description/article67882894.ece|archive-date=29 March 2024|access-date=14 September 2024}}</ref> and it was notably one of the few conversational songs in Tamil cinema.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/tamil/tamil-nadu/city/chennai/lyricist-vaali-anniversary/tamil-nadu20210718071032850|title=நரைத்த நதியில் வாலிபத்தை வாழவைக்கும் வாலி!|trans-title=Vaali that keeps youth alive in the gray river!|work=[[ETV Network|ETV Bharat]]|date=18 July 2021|access-date=14 September 2024|language=ta}}</ref>

==About the song==
Rohini (Roshini) is being held hostage by Gunaa (Kamal Haasan) in a cave near Kodaikanal. He recites the lines he wants to sing for her as she is his sweetheart. Meanwhile, she also develops a soft-spot for him and sings the lines he suggests.<ref name="H"/>

== Production ==
[[Ilaiyaraaja]] was told the situation of the scene and someone suggested that the song be made in a similar fashion to "Anbulla Mannavane" from ''[[Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum]]'' (1965) but different. [[Kamal Haasan]] was already decided to be the singer before the song was made. Since Haasan already wrote the dialogues of the song himself, [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] only wrote the lyrics for the song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ஆவுடையப்பன் |first=பேச்சி |date=1 March 2024 |title=Manjummel Boys: இணையத்தை கலக்கும் "கண்மணி அன்போடு" பாடல் - உருவான விதம் தெரியுமா? |url=https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/director-santhana-bharathi-talks-about-making-of-kanmani-anbodu-song-manjummel-boys-video-trending-170344 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306021333/https://tamil.abplive.com/entertainment/director-santhana-bharathi-talks-about-making-of-kanmani-anbodu-song-manjummel-boys-video-trending-170344 |archive-date=6 March 2024 |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=[[ABP Nadu]] |language=ta}}</ref> Haasan called the song "a love letter" between Ilaiyaraaja and himself. [[Santhana Bharathi]] said, "The song could apply to any two people who have immense affection for each other. Kamal Haasan-Ilaiyaraaja or Kamal Haasan and myself for the bonding we have had". The song was initially supposed to be shot in a set until after several days, a trekking guide introduced them to [[Guna Caves|Devil's Kitchen]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tamil.webdunia.com/regional-tamil-news/kodaikanal-guna-cave-reopened-after-ten-years-117111400001_1.html|title=மீண்டும் திறக்கப்படுகிறது கமல் கண்டுபிடித்த குணா குகை|trans-title=The Guna cave discovered by Kamal is being reopened|work=Webdunia|language=ta|author=Sivalingam|date=14 November 2017|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914103536/https://tamil.webdunia.com/regional-tamil-news/kodaikanal-guna-cave-reopened-after-ten-years-117111400001_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon entering the caves, Bharathi and Haasan were adamant that they would shoot the song there. The forest department helped ensure that the film crew was safe while shooting.<ref name="D">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/kanmani-anbodu-kaadhalan-from-a-love-album-to-friendship-song-2928827|title='Kanmani anbodu kaadhalan': From a love album to friendship song|first=ETB|last=Sivapriyan|work=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=8 March 2024|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914103613/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/kanmani-anbodu-kaadhalan-from-a-love-album-to-friendship-song-2928827|url-status=live}}</ref> The song was shot at night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/features/ghost-kitchen-a-special-collection-of-guna-caves-with-kanmani-obsession|title='பேய்களின் சமையல் அறை' - கண்மணி அன்போடு காதலன்... குணா குகை பற்றிய சிறப்பு தொகுப்பு|trans-title='Ghosts' Kitchen' - Kanmani Anbodu Lover... Special collection on Guna Cave|first=Kaleel|last=Rahman|language=ta|date=1 September 2021|work=[[Puthiya Thalaimurai]]|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914103535/https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/features/ghost-kitchen-a-special-collection-of-guna-caves-with-kanmani-obsession|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Themes and influences ==
The relationship between Gunaa and Rohini as shown in the song was considered to be love in the 1990s, but in modern times, it may also be considered as [[Stockholm syndrome]].<ref name="H"/> According to Vishnu Sivasankar, the song can also be about the love and non-sexual affection in friendship such as [[bromance]] as shown by the song's placement throughout the 2024 Malayalam film ''[[Manjummel Boys]]'' (2024).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/heres-how-tamil-melody-kanmani-anbodu-redefined-friendship-and-selfless-love-in-manjummel-boys/|title=Here's how Tamil melody 'Kanmani Anbodu' redefined friendship and selfless love in 'Manjummel Boys'…|first=Arjun|last=Ramachandran|work=The South First|date=7 March 2024|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=23 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423020642/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/heres-how-tamil-melody-kanmani-anbodu-redefined-friendship-and-selfless-love-in-manjummel-boys/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=P. V. |first=Anjana |date=6 March 2024 |title='Manjummel Boys' Movie: How a new Malayalam movie has made an old Tamil song go viral |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/manjummel-boys-movie-how-a-new-malayalam-movie-has-made-an-old-tamil-song-go-viral/article67913053.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909012902/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/manjummel-boys-movie-how-a-new-malayalam-movie-has-made-an-old-tamil-song-go-viral/article67913053.ece |archive-date=9 September 2024 |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=[[Business Line]]}}</ref>

== Selected lyrics ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Transliteration
!English Translation
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|-
| Kanmani anbodu kadhalan yezhudhum kadithame
|To my love, Kanmani, I write you this letter.
|<ref name="D"/><ref name="H"/>
|-
|Oh, paatave padichittiya
|Oh, you have composed a song out of this
|<ref name="H"/>
|-
|Mandihar unarthukkola ithu manitha kadhal alla, athaiyum thaandi punithamaanathu
|the immortal love that cannot be understood by humans
|<ref name="D"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/tamil/2019/Jun/01/the-beauty-of-success-is-when-you-dont-see-it-coming-1984529.html|title='The beauty of success is when you don't see it coming'|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=1 June 2019|first=Sudhir|last=Suryawanshi|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914103535/https://www.newindianexpress.com/tamil/2019/Jun/01/the-beauty-of-success-is-when-you-dont-see-it-coming-1984529.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2022/Jun/08/guna-means-everything-to-me-rs-prasanna-2462947.html|title=Guna means everything to me: RS Prasanna|date=7 June 2022|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005125338/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2022/jun/08/guna-means-everything-to-me-rs-prasanna-2462947.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|undana kaayam engum thannale aari pogum maayam enna, ponmane
|what is the magic behind my wounds healing on their own?
|<ref name="D"/>
|-
|enna kaayam aana podhu en meni thaangi kollum undhan meni thaangadhu sendhene
|Whatever be the wound, I will bear. But, will you be able to bear it, honey?
|<ref name="I">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/why-kerala-manjummel-boys-is-a-perfect-tribute-to-kamal-haasan-guna-2508697-2024-02-29|title=Why Kerala's 'Manjummel Boys' is a perfect tribute to Kamal Haasan's 'Guna'|date=29 February 2024|work=[[India Today]]|first=Janani|last=K.|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305003151/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/why-kerala-manjummel-boys-is-a-perfect-tribute-to-kamal-haasan-guna-2508697-2024-02-29|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Endhan kadhal enna vendru sollamal enga enga azhugai vandhadhu, endhan sogam unnai thaakum endrennum podhu vandha azhugai nindradhu
|I get tears when I'm not able to express my love. But my tears stop when I think that my sadness will have an effect on you
|<ref name="I"/>
|-
|}

== Impact ==
The line "Abhirami Abhirami" became popular and men would whisper these lines at women's colleges.<ref name="H"/> [[Stella Maris College, Chennai|Stella Maris College]] alumnus Ray Simon said, "The lyrics had depth and the melody was soothing. [...] Every time I hear the song or hum it, it takes me back to those good old days of kanmanis and kadhals ({{Translation|women and men falling in love in college}})".<ref name="H"/> The song plays during the end credits of the Malaysian film ''Ops Kossa Dappa'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea6phH5E1H4|title=OPS KOHSA DAPPA 1 - ஓப்ஸ் கோச டப்பா 1|date=19 April 2020|via=YouTube}}</ref> The song "Namma Thamizh Folku" from ''[[Dada (2023 film)|Dada]]'' (2023) has a line "Oh, paatave paditingala" ({{Translation|Oh, you sang it as a song}}) based on "Oh, paatave padichittiya".<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdM4kPSCtfg|title=
Namma Thamizh Folku - Video {{!}} Dada {{!}} Kavin {{!}} Jen Martin ft. Vaisagh {{!}} Ganesh K Babu {{!}} Olympia Movies|work=Think Music India|via=YouTube|date=14 January 2023|time=0:23-0:25|access-date=30 November 2025}}</ref>

== Other versions ==
The Telugu dubbed version of the song "Kammani Ee Premalekha" (also called "Priyathama Neevachata Kusalama") was also popular.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/Jun/09/spb-is-magic-no-matter-what-the-language-753014.html|title=SPB is Magic, No Matter What the Language|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=8 June 2015 |access-date=20 September 2024|archive-date=20 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920072336/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/Jun/09/spb-is-magic-no-matter-what-the-language-753014.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/allu-arjun-and-nani-sing-and-dance-at-their-best-friends-wedding-1327646-2018-08-30|title=Allu Arjun and Nani sing at their best friend's wedding. Watch video|date=30 August 2018|work=[[India Today]]|access-date=20 September 2024|archive-date=20 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920072336/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/allu-arjun-and-nani-sing-and-dance-at-their-best-friends-wedding-1327646-2018-08-30|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, [[Sanah Moidutty]] recreated a cover version of the song.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/Sep/17/singer-sanah-moidutty-i-was-nervous-about-covering-kanmani-anbodu-the-song-means-a-lot-to-everyone-7910.html|title=Singer Sanah Moidutty: I was nervous about covering Kanmani Anbodu; the song means a lot to everyone|date=17 September 2018|work=[[Cinema Express]]|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924083720/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/sep/17/singer-sanah-moidutty-i-was-nervous-about-covering-kanmani-anbodu-the-song-means-a-lot-to-everyone-7910.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/180904-singer-sanah-moidutty-comes-her-first-ever|title=Singer Sanah Moidutty comes up with her first ever Tamil Cover|date=4 September 2018|website=radioandmusic.com|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=14 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914012602/https://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/news/180904-singer-sanah-moidutty-comes-her-first-ever|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2024, DJ Revvy created a remix version of the song.<ref name="N">{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/viral/remix-version-of-song-kanmani-anbodu-from-kamal-haasans-film-guna-viral-8952795.html|title=Remix Version Of Song Kanmani Anbodu From Kamal Haasan's Film Guna Viral|work=[[News18]]|access-date=14 September 2024|archive-date=3 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240703080627/https://www.news18.com/viral/remix-version-of-song-kanmani-anbodu-from-kamal-haasans-film-guna-viral-8952795.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performances for "Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan"
! scope="col"| Chart (2024)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| India (''[[Instagram]]'')<ref name="N"/><br>{{small|''DJ Revvy remix''}}
| 1
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:1991 songs]]
[[Category:Indian songs]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Songs in Tamil]]
[[Category:Songs written for Tamil films]]

Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan - Revision history

LiveHi at 18:51, 23 January 2026