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Lyrics & meaning

Oorellaam Unnai Kandu

From Nanbenda · 2015

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayashree
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Details
Nanbenda2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Oorrellam unnai kandu viyandhaaraaDid the whole town wonder upon seeing you,
Unnodu kadhal solli nayandharaaDid they express love to win you over?
Anbae un pinnaal yaarum alaindharaaMy love, did anyone wander behind you?
Kannae nam kadhal kandu kalaindharaa} (2)Darling, did they disperse upon seeing our love?
Female
Oorellam ennai kandu viyandhaaraDid the whole town wonder upon seeing you,
Ennodu kadhal solli nayandharaaDid they express love to win you over?
Female
{Oru murai unai kaanum pozhudhuMy love, did anyone wander behind you?
Iru vizhigalil roja kanavuDarling, did they disperse upon seeing our love?
Vaanathai katti vaikka vazhigal unduDid the whole town wonder upon seeing me,
Naanathai kattivaikka vazhigal illai} (2)Did they express love to me to win me over?
Male
Thangam vetkapattaalThe moment I catch a glimpse of you,
Manjal vannam maarumA rose-colored dream blooms in both my eyes.
Naanam kondathaalaeThere are ways to bind and contain the sky,
Un vannam pon vannamBut there is no way to restrain one's shyness.
Sevvannam aachu vaaThe moment I catch a glimpse of you,
Female
Kannaa naam kannumA rose-colored dream blooms in both my eyes.
Kannum kalappomaaThere are ways to bind and contain the sky,
Kaattrodu mega thundaaiBut there is no way to restrain one's shyness.
MidhappomaaIf gold feels shy,
Male
Thuniyinai konduIts yellow hue will change.
Maarbai maraithaaiBecause you felt coy,
Thunivinai kondu manadhaiYour complexion became golden,
MaraithaaiAnd turned into a rosy red; come!
Female
Singham konda paalaiOh beloved, shall our eyes...
Vaangi vaippadhendral...meet and unite together?
Thanga kinnam vendumLike a piece of cloud in the breeze,
Kanaalaa naanthanaeShall we float along?
Un thanga kinnam vaaUsing a cloth,
Male
Oorrellam unnai kandu viyandhaaraaYou covered your chest;
Unnodu kadhal solli nayandharaaUsing courage, your heart...
Anbae un pinnaal yaarum alaindharaa...you hid away.
Kannae nam kadhal kandu kalaindharaaTo store the milk of a lioness,
Female
Oorellam ennai kandu viyandhaaraIf one wishes to hold it,
Ennodu kadhal solli nayandharaaA vessel of gold is required.
Anbae en pinnaal yaarum alaindharaaOh beloved, I am indeed...
Kanna nam kadhal kandu mmm.....your golden vessel; come!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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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