Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Unnai Nenaichchane

From Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam, Jikki
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Thannaalae nenju onnaachuNaturally, our hearts became one
Namma yaaru pirichaaWho separated us?
Oru kodu kizhichaaWho drew a dividing line?
Onnaana sondham rendaachuThe relationship that was one split into two
Onnaala thaanae pala vannam undaachuOnly because of you, many colors came into being
Nee illaama thaanae adhu maayam endraachuWithout you, it all turned out to be an illusion
Adhu maayam endraachuIt became an illusion
Male
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Thannaalae nenju onnaachuNaturally, our hearts became one
Male
Neeru nelam vaanam ellaam neeyaachuWater, land, sky—everything became you
Neram kettu ippo vetta veli aayaachuUntimely, it has now all turned into open wasteland
Nitham nitham poothaayaeYou bloomed every single day
Naan paricha rosaavaeOh rose that I plucked
Inimae eppa varum poo vaasamWhen will the fragrance of flowers return from now on?
Chellaamma ennammaa sollammaaMy dear girl, what is it, tell me dear
Male
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Thannaalae nenju onnaachuNaturally, our hearts became one
Female
Appo vandhu vaangi thandhaeBack then you came and bought for me
Poo chaelaA floral saree
Nee eppo vandhu poda porae poo maalaWhen are you going to come and place the flower garland?
Amman silai ingae thaanThe goddess statue is right here
Aadi thaeru angae thaanThe festival chariot is over there
Irundhaa koyil kulam yaenaiyaaWhy do we need a temple and tank, my dear?
Chellaiyaa ennaiyaa sollaiyaaMy darling, my dear man, tell me
Female
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Thannaalae nenju onnaachuNaturally, our hearts became one
Female
Maadu manai ellaam undu ennodaI have cattle and land with me
En nenja mattum poga vitten unnodaI only let my heart go away with you
Unna thottu naan vaarenI come holding onto you
Enna vittu yen poraeWhy do you leave me and go?
Nizhal pol kooda vandhaa aagaadhoWouldn't it be fine if you came along like a shadow?
Chellaiyaa ennaiyaa sollaiyaaMy darling, my dear man, tell me
Female
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Unnaalae nenju punnaachuBecause of you, my heart became wounded
Male
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Female
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Female
Thannaalae nenju onnaachuNaturally, our hearts became one
Male
Namma yaaru pirichaaWho separated us?
Female
Oru kodu kizhichaaWho drew a dividing line?
Female
Onnaana sondham rendaachuThe relationship that was one split into two
Male
Onnaala thaanaeOnly because of you
Pala vannam undaachuMany colors came into existence
Female
Nee illaama thaanaeOnly without you
Female
Adhu maayam endraachuIt became an illusion
Male
Adhu maayam endraachuIt became an illusion
Male
Naan onna nenachaenI thought of you
Nee enna nenachaeYou thought of me
Thannaalae nenju onnaachuNaturally, our hearts became one

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a poignant expression of romantic longing, separation, and heartache. The speaker reflects on how mutual affection naturally bound two hearts together and filled life with vibrant colors, only for an unexpected division to turn that joyous reality into a painful illusion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Naan onna nenachaen / Nee enna nenachae

The second consonant sound matches between adjacent lines, creating a rhythmic cadence.

Moonaai (Initial letter alliteration)

Neeru nelam vaanam ellaam neeyaachu / Neram kettu ippo vetta veli aayaachu / Nitham nitham poothaayae

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'N' across consecutive lines.

Simile (Upamai)

Nizhal pol kooda vandhaa aagaadho

Comparing accompaniment to a shadow using the comparative marker 'pol'.

Contrast / Paradox

Onnaana sondham rendaachu

Contrasting unity ('onnaana') with division ('rendaachu') to emphasize heartbreak.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal (1980) was a unique cinematic project in Tamil cinema history where five prominent music directors—K. V. Mahadevan, G. K. Venkatesh, Shankar-Ganesh, Ilaiyaraaja, and Agathiyar—each composed one song for the soundtrack album.

Keep listening

More from Kannil Theriyum Kathaikal