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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanum Undhan Uravai

From Mythili Ennai Kaathali · 1986

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Mythili Ennai Kaathali1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanum unthan uravai naadi vantha paravaiI am also a bird that came seeking your relationship.
Male
Aaa….aa….aa….aa….Aaa....aa....aa....aa....
Oo….oo….ooh….oo…..Oo....oo....ooh....oo.....
Aa….a….aaa…..Aa....a....aaa.....
Aa….aaa….aa….aa….a….aa….aa….aa….Aa....aaa....aa....aa....a....aa....aa....aa....
Male
Naanum unthan uravai naadi vantha paravaiI am also a bird that came seeking your relationship.
Naanum unthan uravai naadi vantha paravaiI am also a bird that came seeking your relationship.
Thedi vantha velai vedan seitha leelaiWhen I came searching, it was a trick played by the hunter.
Thedi vantha velai vedan seitha leelaiWhen I came searching, it was a trick played by the hunter.
Siragugal udainthathadi……kuruthiyil nanainthathadiMy wings were broken, my lady... soaked in blood, my lady...
Uyirae….ae….uyirae….ae….Oh my life.... oh my life....
Male
…………….
Male
Idhaya kadhavugalai thirakka odi vanthaenI ran to open the doors of the heart.
Siraiyil sikki kondaen yaenammaaWhy did I get trapped in prison, my dear?
Valaiyil vizhuntha unnai metkka odi vanthaenI ran to rescue you who fell into the net,
Vazhiyil maatti kondaen naanammaaI got stuck on the way, my dear.
Male
Kadhal nenjangalai kasakki pizhivathilaeIn crushing and wringing loving hearts,
Inimai kaanuvathu vidhiyammaaIt seems fate finds pleasure, my dear.
Anbu ullangalai raththa vellaththilaeLoving hearts in a flood of blood,
Thuvaiththu sidhaippathu sathiyammaaSoaking and destroying them seems to be the truth, my dear.
Male
Udalgalai azhiththida oorukkul palarundu paarammaaLook, there are many in this town who can destroy bodies,
Ullaththai piriththida paarukkul evarundu sollammaaTell me, who in this world can separate souls/hearts?
Male
Naanum unthan uravai naadi vantha paravaiI am also a bird that came seeking your relationship.
Male
Veenai erigirathu viralgal vegirathuThe veena is burning, the fingers are charring,
Naadham meettugiraen vaaraayoYet I play the melody, won't you come?
Puyalum valukkirathu kadalum kodhikkirathuThe storm intensifies, the ocean boils,
Padagai seluththugiraen vaaraayoYet I row the boat, won't you come?
Male
Ennei izhantha pinnum eriya thudikka ennumEven after losing oil, wishing to burn,
Dheepam pola manam alaigirathuThe mind wanders like a lamp flame.
Ennai izhantha pinnum unnai kaakka ennumEven after losing myself, wishing to protect you,
Idhaya arangam ingu azhaikkirathuThe stage of the heart calls out here.
Male
Vaazhvathu oru murai unakkena vaazhvathe muzhumai enbenLife comes only once; living it for you is completeness, I say.
Saavathu orumurai unakkena saavathe perumai enbeanDeath comes only once; dying for you is pride, I say.
Male
Naanum unthan uravai naadi vantha paravaiI am also a bird that came seeking your relationship.
Thedi vantha velai vedan seitha leelaiWhen I came searching, it was a trick played by the hunter.
Siragugal udainthathadi……kuruthiyil nanainthathadiMy wings were broken, my lady... soaked in blood, my lady...
Uyirae….ae….uyirae….ae….Oh my life.... oh my life....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic emotional track depicts a lover agonizing over the tragic circumstances separating him from his beloved. Using vivid allegories—a wounded bird trapped by a hunter, a burning veena continuing to play melody, and a lamp striving to burn without oil—the protagonist conveys his unyielding devotion despite overwhelming suffering and cruel fate. He expresses that while worldly forces can harm the physical body, true love binds hearts eternally beyond physical separation and mortality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Naanum unthan uravai naadi vantha paravai

Compares the lover seeking love to a helpless bird hunted down by a trapper.

Moni / Rhyme and Alliteration (Monai)

Thedi vantha velai vedan seitha leelai

Use of initial sound alliteration with 'Naanum' and 'naadi', as well as internal rhyming in 'velai' and 'leelai'.

Contrast / Paradox

Veenai erigirathu viralgal vegirathu Naadham meettugiraen vaaraayo

Illustrates extreme suffering and sacrifice by contrasting a burning instrument with the act of creating music.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed, written, and directed by multi-talented filmmaker T. Rajendar, this song became an iconic heartbreak anthem in Tamil cinema. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's high-pitch vocal delivery and emotional modulation in this song are widely celebrated as one of his career-defining performances.

Keep listening

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