“Kanima,” a Tamil anthem from “Retro” by Santhosh Narayanan and The Indian Choral Ensemble, bursts with playful energy and love. Meaning “sweetheart” in Tamil, “Kanima” reflects a joyful call to a beloved brimming with affection. Vivek’s lyrics spin a lively tale of romance and celebration. At the same time, Santhosh Narayanan’s composition fuels the song with catchy beats and vibrant spirit.
| Song | Kanima |
| Record Album | Retro |
| Featured Artist | Santhosh Narayanan, The Indian Choral Ensemble |
| Lyric Poet | Vivek |
| Arrangement | Santhosh Narayanan |
| In the Video | Suriya, Pooja Hegde |
| Release Date | March 21, 2025 |
The translation of “Kanima” lyrics by Santhosh Narayanan and The Indian Choral Ensemble reveals a lover’s playful plea to dance and revel, set in the movie “Retro.” Vivek’s words blend charm and excitement, urging the beloved to join the fun with friends and flair. The chorus line, “Gumma, Yemma, Summa, Kanima,” translates to “Oh dear, oh love, oh my Kanima.”
Retro Movie’s Kanima Lyrics Meaning in English
Dumma, the forest jasmine (Dumma, Gumma, Summa, Yemma are just vocalization words used in these lyrical lines and have no specific meaning)
Ey Amma Ey Kanagamalli
Oh, mother, the golden jasmine
Gumma Ey Vachamalli
Gumma, my romantic jasmine
Hey Ey Ey Hey En Kanima
Hey hey hey, my Kanima
Kanima
(“Kanima” a Tamil word used for calling your loved one in a lovable manner like sweety, cutie, or bestie)
Aasai Pada Vachan, Aala Vizha Vachanae,
She made me fall in love with her.
Ey Mapla
hey dude
Pola Iru Machan, Aada Vara Vachanae
She made me dance to love
Ey Unnathan Ey
You my dear
Mayilattam Irukka
She’s beautiful like a peacock
Malar Koodai Mamanukka
Is the flower bouquet for me, darling?
Ey Para Poo Vara
Hey, look! There she is!
Kai Seera En Veera
With the sculpted hand, My warrior
Ey Neththiyila Nelavattam
The circle of moon on her forehead
Vachavano Suravattam
The man who placed it is a man of valor
Ottu Moththa Thenmavattam, Osa Katti Vanthu Nikkattum
Let thee whole of southern states be in here awe
Ey Pangae
Hey partner
Ey Burra Burra
Hold the beat!
Aaththi Santhana Katta
A body like sandalwood
Aattam Pambara Katta
A dance like whirlwind
Paththa Vedchidum Pattase
A sight to devour
Patha Palada
what a… scene!
Namma Raja Velada
Our king would enjoy
Ring’dha Nammoda Hey Hey
Ringtone would be ours.
Hey, Trumpet Ey Podra
Play the trumpet loud, bro
Gumma, yemma, summa, Kanima
Oh dear, oh love, oh my Kanima
Yaradi Un Tholilae
Who is that on your shoulder?
Kan Pogudhe Dhaba Therile
My eyes are beaming with passion
Mann Vazhndhidum Kodi Perile
Like the crore of people living on the land
Rendu Mayame
Two magical moments
Indre Kaigal Korkuthe
Today, our hands are clasping
Katrodu Dhan Poga Parkudhe
I feel like flying away with the wind
Sollamale Avvanaye Kadhalakkudhe
Even without uttering a word, the love blossoms.
Pange konjo kuthu pange
Hey buddy, let’s do some kuthu dance.
Ey kattumalli (dumma)
Hey wild jasmine
Ey kangamalli (gumma)
Hey golden jasmine
Ey vachamali (summa)
Hey romantic jasmine
Ey vadhanamalli
Hey beautiful jasmine
Mayilattam irukka
She’s beautiful like a peacock
Malar koodai mamanukka
Is the flower bouquet for me, darling?
Ey Para Poo Vara
Hey, look! There she is!
Kai Seera En Veera
With the sculpted hand, My warrior
Ey Neththiyila Nelavattam
The circle of moon on her forehead
Vachavano Suravattam
The man who placed it is a man of valor
Ottu moththa thenmavattam
The whole southern district
Osa katti vanthu nikkattum
Let them come together with a cheer
Ey kanima
Hey, my kanima
Aaththi Santhana Katta
A body like sandalwood
Aattam Pambara Katta
A dance like whirlwind
Paththa Vedchidum Pattase
A sight to devour
Patha Palada
what a… scene!
Namma Raja Velada
Our king would enjoy
Ring’dha Nammoda Hey Hey
Ringtone would be ours.
Hey Trumpet inna
Play that trumpet now.
Sey sey sey
Sey sey sey sey
(Vocalization)
Ottu moththa thenmavattam
The whole southern district
Durr’ah ey
Hey, here it comes
Ey rapta ey
Hey, let’s go
Durrrp, durra, addra
Boom, shake it, let’s rock
Durra durrp kanima
Shake it, my Kanima
Durrp ey kanima durrp hey
Boom, my kanima hey
Eththivide dumma
Unleash
Merattavide gumma
Roar
Melavide yemma
Rise up
Perattivide kanima
Stand tall, my kanima
Vuda vuda vuda vuda vuda vuda vuda vudatha
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, don’t leave it
Kanimaa Music Video
Watch the Tamil music video for “Kanima” embedded above. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, it lights up the song’s festive vibe with Pooja Hegde and Suriya grooving in a lively wedding scene.