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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nyaan Unthan Kannallo

From Ethir Veetu Jannal · 1980

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Ethir Veetu Jannal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nyaan unthan kannallaoAm I not your darling?
Praemichchu vanthalloI have come falling in love with you!
Thennai ilaneerallaoAm I not like sweet tender coconut water?
Theannallo sugamallo aah….Am I not honey, am I not pure bliss, ah...
Female
Manmatha raagam paadikkoSing the melody of the Love God,
Mangaiyai maarbil soodikkoAdorn this woman upon your chest,
Inbangal ennennaDiscover all kinds of delights,
Iravellam thedikkoSearch and find them all night long.
Female
Nyaan unthan kannallaoAm I not your darling?
Praemichchu vanthalloI have come falling in love with you!
Thennai ilaneerallaoAm I not like sweet tender coconut water?
Theannallo sugamallo aah….Am I not honey, am I not pure bliss, ah...
Female
Kannaa nee vaaOh my beloved, come here,
Haei ponnaana neramHey, this is a golden time,
UnnaalaethaanOnly because of you,
Hae en thaabam theerumHey, my burning yearning will be quenched.
Machchaanae vanthallo achchaaram thanthalloMy lover came and gave a token of promise,
Achchaaraam thanthallo achchaaraam thanthallo aahGave a token of promise, gave a token of promise, ah...
Female
Nyaan unthan kannallaoAm I not your darling?
Praemichchu vanthalloI have come falling in love with you!
Thennai ilaneerallaoAm I not like sweet tender coconut water?
Theannallo sugamallo aah….Am I not honey, am I not pure bliss, ah...
Female
Santhanam pol poosikkoSmear me over yourself like sandalwood paste,
Sangathiyellaam pesikkoTalk about all intimate matters,
Indhiranaa chndhiranaa vanthathuthaan thanthiramaaAre you Lord Indra or the Moon God, or is your arrival a clever trick?
Female
PanthaadavaaShall we play around?
Haei munthaanai oramHey, at the edge of my saree,
SinthaamalthaanWithout spilling a drop,
Haei singaara bogamHey, enjoy this beautiful pleasure.
Machchaanae vanthallo achchaaram thanthalloMy lover came and gave a token of promise,
Achchaaraam thanthallo achchaaraam thanthallo aahGave a token of promise, gave a token of promise, ah...
Female
Nyaan unthan kannallaoAm I not your darling?
Praemichchu vanthalloI have come falling in love with you!
Thennai ilaneerallaoAm I not like sweet tender coconut water?
Theannallo sugamallo aah….Am I not honey, am I not pure bliss, ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a flirtatious and passionate romantic track where the female protagonist expresses her longing and intimate affection for her lover. Blending Tamil with Malayalam-inspired slang ('Nyaan', 'Praemichchu', 'vanthallo'), she playfully compares her love and beauty to refreshing tender coconut water, sweet honey, and soothing sandalwood paste, enticing her lover to embrace her and enjoy the night together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Code-Mixing / Manipravalam Style

Nyaan unthan kannallao / Praemichchu vanthallo

Blends Malayalam vocabulary ('Nyaan' for I, 'Praemichchu' for loved) with Tamil grammar, giving the song a distinct regional and alluring flavor.

Simile (Upamai)

Thennai ilaneerallao / Santhanam pol poosikko

Compares her presence and affection to natural refreshing elements like tender coconut water and fragrant sandalwood paste.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Manmatha raagam paadikko / Mangaiyai maarbil soodikko / Iravellam thedikko

The lines end with the rhyming verb endings '-ko' ('paadikko', 'soodikko', 'thedikko'), creating a pleasing lyrical rhythm.

Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Inbangal ennenna / Iravellam thedikko

The initial vowel sound 'I' is repeated at the start of adjacent lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Aalangudi Somu for the 1980 film 'Ethir Veetu Jannal', the song uses Malayalam-influenced Tamil diction, a popular stylistic trope in 1970s and 1980s Tamil cinema used to portray exotic allure or a character hailing from Kerala.

Keep listening

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