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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninaithal Unaithan Ninaippen

From Unnidathil Naan · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
Music director
Thayanban
Details
Unnidathil Naan1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ninaiththaal unaiththaan ninaippenIf I think of anyone, I will think only of you
Nenjil thamizhaai inippaenI will be sweet in your heart like the Tamil language
Ninaiththaal unaiththaan ninaippenIf I think of anyone, I will think only of you
Nenjil thamizhaai inippaenI will be sweet in your heart like the Tamil language
Nizhal pol thodarvaenI will follow you like a shadow
Ninaivaai padarvaenI will spread through you like a memory
Female
Adadaa adadaa ilamai ilamai ilamaiOh my, oh my, youthfulness, youthfulness, youthfulness!
Male
Ninaiththaal unaiththaan ninaippenIf I think of anyone, I will think only of you
Nenjil thamizhaai inippaenI will be sweet in your heart like the Tamil language
Female
Mamagarisa sarisa sarisaa[Swaras / Musical notes]
Male :Thanisaa sari thanisarigama[Swaras / Musical notes]
Nithapamari sasa sarisaa sarisa sarisaa[Swaras / Musical notes]
Female :Sarisaanipa marnipama rimapaa….[Swaras / Musical notes]
Male
Vaa dhinam dhinam thaa tharisanam paarCome, give me a vision of you every day, look
Nilavae naanthaan vaanamOh moon, I am the sky for you
Female :Uravaadum nenjam vendumae oru paadhaiyilI need a bonding heart on this single path
Pirivendra vaarththaiyillae agaraathiyilThere is no word called 'separation' in my dictionary
Male
Panikkaala porvaiyaaga nee thai maasiyilYou are like a warm blanket in the cold winter months of Thai and Maasi
Idhamaana thendral kaatru nee vaigaasiyilYou are the soothing gentle breeze in the summer month of Vaigaasi
Female :Iravum pagalumNight and day
Male :Thodarum uravu idhuvoIs this a bond that continues forever?
Female
Ninaiththaal unaiththaan ninaippenIf I think of anyone, I will think only of you
Nenjil thamizhaai inippaenI will be sweet in your heart like the Tamil language
Male
Naan thazhuvida nee nazhuvida yaenWhen I try to embrace you, why do you slip away?
Azhagae inimael naanamOh beautiful one, why shyness anymore?
Female :Thodumpoth thegam engilum romaanjanamWhen touched, goosebumps break out all over the body
Idhuthaano kaamadevanin premaayanamIs this the epic story of love written by Lord Kamadeva?
Male
Suvaiyaana kadhal geethamae padiththaal ennaWhy not read a delightful song of love?
Sugamaana aasai ragamae isaiththaal ennaWhy not play a pleasant melody of desire?
Female :IsaiyumMusic
Male :LayamumAnd rhythm
Both :Iniya iniya inimaiSweet, sweet sweetness
Female
Ninaiththaal unaiththaan ninaippenIf I think of anyone, I will think only of you
Nenjil thamizhaai inippaenI will be sweet in your heart like the Tamil language
Male: Nizhal pol thodarvaen ninaivaai padarvaenI will follow like a shadow, I will spread like a memory
Female :Adadaa adadaa ilamai ilamai ilamaiOh my, oh my, youthfulness, youthfulness, youthfulness!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ninaiththaal Unaiththaan Ninaippen from the 1986 film Unnidathil Naan is a romantic duet expressing unwavering devotion between two lovers. They proclaim that their thoughts belong exclusively to each other, beautifully comparing the sweetness of their love to the sweetness of the Tamil language. Through seasonal and celestial imagery—such as the sky cradling the moon, a warm blanket in winter, and a gentle breeze in summer—the song illustrates a bond that remains steadfast through all conditions. The emotional journey moves from tender romantic declarations to playful teasing about shyness and passion. Ultimately, the lovers celebrate their union as a harmonious blend of music and rhythm, declaring that the concept of separation simply does not exist in their world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenjil thamizhaai inippaen

Directly compares the sweetness of love in the lover's heart to the inherent sweetness of the Tamil language.

Simile (Upamai)

Nizhal pol thodarvaen

Compares the constant presence of the lover to a shadow ('pol' means 'like').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ninaiththaal unaiththaan ninaippen / Nenjil thamizhaai inippaen

Repetition of the initial 'Ni' / 'Ne' consonant sounds at the start of adjacent lines.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Suvaiyaana kadhal geethamae padiththaal enna / Sugamaana aasai ragamae isaiththaal enna

Rhyming sentence endings ('padiththaal enna' and 'isaiththaal enna') creating a poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Thayanban, an underrated composer in 1980s Tamil cinema, with lyrics written by the celebrated lyricist Vaali. It brings together vocal powerhouses K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam, featuring intricate swara (solfege) passages that highlight their classical expertise within a romantic film song context.

Keep listening

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