- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayashree
- Music director
- Harris Jayaraj
- Movie name
- Nanbenda
- Movie release year
- 2015
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Dec 2016
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Oorellam Unnai Kandu' is a romantic duet from the film Nanbenda, expressing playful banter, admiration, and deep devotion between two lovers. The song begins with the lovers playfully asking if the whole town was awestruck by their partner's charm and whether suitors tried to win them over, only to back away upon seeing their unshakeable love for each other. Lyricist Vairamuthu weaves classical Tamil poetic imagery into the song—comparing shyness to pure gold turning a deep rosy red when blushed, and framing true love as a lioness's milk that requires a precious golden vessel to hold it. The melody highlights their intense emotional bond as they desire to merge their glances and float together freely like clouds.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“viyandhaaraa / nayandharaa / alaindharaa / kalaindharaa”
The repetitive suffix '-dharaa' at the end of consecutive lines creates a smooth, melodious rhyming scheme.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thuniyinai kondu / Thunivinai kondu”
The second consonant 'ni' in 'Thuniyinai' and 'Thunivinai' rhymes, demonstrating classic Tamil Ethugai structure.
Classical Metaphor (Uvamai / Metaphor)
“Singham konda paalai ... Thanga kinnam vendum”
A traditional Sangam literary motif where a lioness's milk (symbolizing intense, powerful love) can only be contained in a golden vessel (symbolizing a noble, devoted heart).
Monai (First Letter Alliteration)
“Kannaa naam kannum / Kannum kalappomaa”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across 'Kannaa', 'kannum', 'Kannum', and 'kalappomaa'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Harris Jayaraj for the movie Nanbenda (2015), this song brought back the legendary duo of singers P. Unnikrishnan and Bombay Jayashri, who previously delivered the iconic hit 'Vaseegara' in Minnale (2001). The line 'Unnodu kadhal solli nayandharaa' features a clever linguistic pun on the name of the film's lead actress, Nayanthara.
Keep listening
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