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Engirundho Vandhaal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ore Padal Unnai Azhaikkum

From Engirundho Vandhaal · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Engirundho Vandhaal
Movie release year
1970
Lyrics added on
27 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aaa….aaaa…aaa…aaa…aa…
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkum
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkum
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkum
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkum
Orae paadal …….
Kaadhal kiligal parandha kaalam
Kannil theriyum nenjam urugum
Kaadhal kiligal parandha kaalam
Kannil theriyum nenjam urugum
Kanneer kalangi kannil erangi
Kanneer kalangi kannil erangi
Nenjil vizhundhaal sondham puriyum
Nenjil vizhundhaal sondham puriyum
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkum
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkum
Orae paadal …….
Unnai arindhen ennai koduthen
Ullam muzhudhum ennam valarthen
Unnai arindhen ennai koduthen
Ullam muzhudhum ennam valarthen
Unnai ninaithae ulagil irundhen
Unnai prindhen ennai marandhen
Unnai ninaithae ulagil irundhen
Unnai prindhen ennai marandhen…aennn…
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkum
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkum
Orae paadal …….
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
This one song calls out to you,
Your heart will think of me.
This one song calls out to you,
Your heart will think of me.
This one song...
The days when lovebirds flew together,
Appear before the eyes, and the heart melts.
The days when lovebirds flew together,
Appear before the eyes, and the heart melts.
When tears well up and flow from the eyes,
When tears well up and flow from the eyes,
And fall upon the heart, you will understand our bond.
And fall upon the heart, you will understand our bond.
This one song calls out to you,
Your heart will think of me.
This one song...
I came to know you, and I gave myself to you.
I nurtured your thoughts throughout my whole heart.
I came to know you, and I gave myself to you.
I nurtured your thoughts throughout my whole heart.
Thinking only of you, I lived in this world.
Separated from you, I forgot my own self.
Thinking only of you, I lived in this world.
Separated from you, I forgot my own self... why?
This one song calls out to you,
Your heart will think of me.
This one song...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Orae Paadal Unnai Azhaikkum' is a classic melancholic song from the 1970 Tamil film 'Engirundho Vandhaal', expressing deep longing, nostalgic memories, and unconditional love during painful separation. The singer uses music as a medium to reach out to the beloved, confident that hearing this familiar melody will evoke forgotten memories and stir their heart once again. Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, the lyrics vividly contrast past happiness—likened to lovebirds soaring together—with the current anguish of heartbreak and tears. The protagonist reflects on total emotional surrender, stating that living without the beloved has caused them to lose their own identity. Through tender repetition, the song serves as an eternal beacon of hope to rekindle lost love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kaadhal kiligal parandha kaalam”

Compares the lovers in their joyful past to 'lovebirds' (Kaadhal kiligal) flying freely together.

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

“Kanneer kalangi kannil erangi”

Repetition of the initial 'K' sound ('Ka', 'ka', 'ka') across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Unnai ninaithae ulagil irundhen / Unnai prindhen ennai marandhen”

The lines end with rhyming verbs ('irundhen' and 'marandhen'), emphasizing the emotional impact of separation.

Internal Rhyme (Ethugai)

“Unnai arindhen ennai koduthen”

Repetition of the 'nn' sound in the second syllable of 'Unnai' and 'ennai', producing a balanced lyrical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Engirundho Vandhaal' (1970), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, was directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics by Kannadasan. This popular song 'Orae Paadal Unnai Azhaikkum' was rendered in iconic dual solo versions by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, serving as a crucial emotional motif in the movie's narrative.

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