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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ore Padal Unnai Azhaikkum

From Engirundho Vandhaal · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Engirundho Vandhaal1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa….aaaa…aaa…aaa…aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkumA single song will call out to you,
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkumYour heart will think of me.
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkumA single song will call out to you,
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkumYour heart will think of me.
Orae paadal …….A single song...
Male
Kaadhal kiligal parandha kaalamThe time when lovebirds flew together,
Kannil theriyum nenjam urugumAppears before my eyes, and my heart melts.
Kaadhal kiligal parandha kaalamThe time when lovebirds flew together,
Kannil theriyum nenjam urugumAppears before my eyes, and my heart melts.
Kanneer kalangi kannil erangiTears welling up and rolling down from the eyes,
Kanneer kalangi kannil erangiTears welling up and rolling down from the eyes,
Nenjil vizhundhaal sondham puriyumIf they fall upon the heart, our relationship will be understood.
Nenjil vizhundhaal sondham puriyumIf they fall upon the heart, our relationship will be understood.
Male
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkumA single song will call out to you,
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkumYour heart will think of me.
Orae paadal …….A single song...
Male
Unnai arindhen ennai koduthenI understood you and gave myself to you,
Ullam muzhudhum ennam valarthenI nurtured thoughts of you deep within my heart.
Unnai arindhen ennai koduthenI understood you and gave myself to you,
Ullam muzhudhum ennam valarthenI nurtured thoughts of you deep within my heart.
Unnai ninaithae ulagil irundhenI lived in this world thinking only of you,
Unnai prindhen ennai marandhenSeparated from you, I forgot my own self.
Unnai ninaithae ulagil irundhenI lived in this world thinking only of you,
Unnai prindhen ennai marandhen…aennn…Separated from you, I forgot my own self... why...
Male
Orae paadal unnai azhaikkumA single song will call out to you,
Undhan ullam ennai ninaikkumYour heart will think of me.
Orae paadal …….A single song...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Keep listening

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