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Engirundho Vandhaal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Unnai Azhaikkavillai

From Engirundho Vandhaal · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Engirundho Vandhaal
Movie release year
1970
Lyrics added on
24 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan unnai azhaikkavillai
En uyirai azhaikkiren
Naan unnai azhaikkavillai
En uyirai azhaikkiren
Kannai maraithukkondaal
Manadhil ennam maraivadhillai
Naan chinna kuzhandhaiyamma
Solla theriyavillai
Pillai mazhalaiyilae unakkum
Ullam puriyavillai
Naan unnai azhaikkavillai
En uyirai azhaikkiren
Kannai maraithukkondaal
Manadhil ennam maraivadhillai
Enna thavaru seidhen
Adhu dhaan enakkum puriyavillai
Enna thavaru seidhen
Adhu dhaan enakkum puriyavillai
Vandhu pirandu vitten aanaal
Vazha theriyavillai
Arugil irundhu solli koduthaal
Ulagam theriyaadhaa ammaaa
Vivaram puriyaadha…
Naan unnai azhaikkavillai
En uyirai azhaikkiren
Kannai maraithukkondaal
Manadhil ennam maraivadhillai
Ennai padaitha dheivam innum
Kannai thirakkavillai
Ennai padaitha dheivam innum
Kannai thirakkavillai
Unnai anuppi vaithaan aanaal
Unakkum karunayillai
Irunda veettil anbu vilakku
Irukka koodadhaa ammammaa
Irakkam pirakkaadha
Naan unnai azhaikkavillai
En uyirai azhaikkiren
Kannai maraithukkondaal
Manadhil ennam maraivadhillai
I am not calling out to you,
I am calling out to my very life.
I am not calling out to you,
I am calling out to my very life.
Even if you close your eyes,
the thoughts in the heart do not fade away.
I am just a little child,
I do not know how to speak my heart.
In this childish babble,
you too cannot understand my feelings.
I am not calling out to you,
I am calling out to my very life.
Even if you close your eyes, in the heart
the thoughts do not fade away.
What wrong have I done?
Even I cannot understand that.
What wrong have I done?
Even I cannot understand that.
I was born into this world,
but I do not know how to live.
If you stay by my side and guide me,
wouldn't I understand this world, mother?
Wouldn't I come to know its ways?
I am not calling out to you,
I am calling out to my very life.
Even if you close your eyes, in the heart
the thoughts do not fade away.
The God who created me
has still not opened His eyes.
The God who created me
has still not opened His eyes.
He sent you here, but
you too show no mercy.
In this dark house, a lamp of love—
shouldn't it be there? Oh mother,
won't compassion awaken in you?
I am not calling out to you,
I am calling out to my very life.
Even if you close your eyes,
the thoughts in the heart do not fade away.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses a deeply emotional plea from a character yearning for maternal affection, understanding, and guidance. By stating that calling the beloved mother figure is akin to calling one's own soul, the protagonist highlights complete emotional dependence. The lyrics touch upon innocence, helplessness, and the pain of being misunderstood despite possessing no malice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“En uyirai azhaikkiren”

Equating the person being called to one's own soul/life ('En uyirai azhaikkiren'), emphasizing intense emotional bond.

Metaphor

“Irunda veettil anbu vilakku”

Comparing love and hope in a desolate life to a lamp lighting up a dark house ('Irunda veettil anbu vilakku').

Anaphora / Repetition

“Naan unnai azhaikkavillai / En uyirai azhaikkiren”

Repetition of the opening refrain across stanzas to reinforce the central theme of desperation and longing.

Mohnai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Irunda veettil anbu vilakku / Irukka koodadhaa ammammaa / Irakkam pirakkaadha”

Matching initial vowel sounds in consecutive lines ('Irunda', 'Irukka', 'Irakkam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1970 blockbuster Tamil film 'Engirundho Vandhaal', starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with iconic lyrics crafted by Kannadasan expressing deep melancholic emotion.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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Ore Padal Unnai Azhaikkum1970
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Sirippil Undagum Ragathile1970
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