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Lyrics & meaning

Oridam Unnidam

From Veettukku Vandha Marumagal · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Veettukku Vandha Marumagal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ooridam unnidam en thevaiyaiMy need is at one place, with you,
Naan ketpathu veroridamWhat I am asking for is in another place.
Male :Melidam ennidam en manam maanidamMale: The higher place is with me, my heart is human,
Mithakkum sivappu malargal sirikkum unnidamThe floating red flowers smile near you.
Female
Ooridam unnidam en thevaiyaiMy need is at one place, with you,
Naan ketpathu veroridamWhat I am asking for is in another place.
Female
En poonthottam engengum neerottamMy flower garden has a flow of water everywhere,
Therottavaa konjam thaenoottavaaShall I drive the chariot? Shall I feed a little honey?
Male :Un kannottamMale: Your glance,
Engengum meenottamMoves everywhere like fish,
Vantottavaa idhazh kondottavaaShall I hover like a bee? Shall I touch and press with my lips?
Naan aadavaa paadavaa koodavaa vaa….Shall I dance, shall I sing, shall I unite with you? Come...
Female
Ooridam unnidam en thevaiyaiMy need is at one place, with you,
Naan ketpathu veroridamWhat I am asking for is in another place.
Male: Melidam ennidam en manam maanidamMale: The higher place is with me, my heart is human,
Mithakkum sivappu malargal sirikkum unnidamThe floating red flowers smile near you.
Male
En ullottamMy inner feelings,
Inbaththin vellottamAre a trial run of bliss,
Paaloottavaa ennai thaalaattavaaShall I feed milk? Shall I sing myself a lullaby?
Female :Naan seyaattamFemale: I am like a child,
Un kaiyil sendaattamA ball playing in your hands,
Kondaadavaa sorkkam kandaadavaaShall I celebrate? Shall I witness heaven?
Male :En kittavaa kattavaa ottuvaa vaaMale: Come close to me, hug me, embrace me, come!
Female
Ooridam unnidam en thevaiyaiMy need is at one place, with you,
Naan ketpathu veroridamWhat I am asking for is in another place.
Female
En muththukkal vairangal paarungalLook at my pearls and diamonds,
Penn paarungal oru kann paarungalLook at this woman, cast a glance at me!
Male :Un kannangal mullai poo vannangalMale: Your cheeks carry the shades of jasmine flowers,
Kandaalum kal athai undaalum kalJust looking at them is intoxicating like wine, consuming them is wine too,
Unnalaam ulakellaam kaanalaam vaaWe can enjoy and see the whole world together, come!
Female
Ooridam unnidam en thevaiyaiMy need is at one place, with you,
Naan ketpathu veroridamWhat I am asking for is in another place.
Male :Melidam ennidam en manam maanidamMale: The higher place is with me, my heart is human,
Mithakkum sivappu malargal sirikkum unnidamThe floating red flowers smile near you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ooridam Unnidam En Thevaiyai' is a playful and romantic duet from the 1973 film 'Veettukku Vandha Marumagal'. Authored by Kannadasan, the song features a captivating conversation between two lovers who express their longing, admiration, and physical affection through poetic allegories. The lyrics weave images of flower gardens, streams, fish-like eyes, and heavenly bliss to convey the deep romance between the couple. The emotional arc progresses from lighthearted teasing to passionate expression, with the lovers calling each other closer to share warmth, joy, and emotional intimacy. Shankar-Ganesh's music coupled with the legendary vocals of T. M. Soundararajan and Vani Jairam creates an alluring, melodious atmosphere celebrating youthful love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

En poonthottam engengum neerottam / Therottavaa konjam thaenoottavaa

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('neerottam', 'thaenoottavaa'), adding a rhythmic musical flow to the verse.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Un kannottam / Engengum meenottam

The movement of the heroine's eyes and glances is metaphorically compared to the agile, swift movement of fish.

Simile (Upamai)

Female :Naan seyaattam / Un kaiyil sendaattam

The heroine compares herself to a child ('sey') and a ball ('sendu') playing in her lover's hands.

Metaphor / Wordplay (Kal)

Kandaalum kal athai undaalum kal

The lyricist compares her cheeks to 'kal' (intoxicating toddy/wine), emphasizing that merely looking at her cheeks induces intoxication.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the dynamic duo Shankar-Ganesh, 'Ooridam Unnidam' is one of the notable early 1970s duets bringing together T. M. Soundararajan and Vani Jairam. Lyricist Kannadasan's clever play on words like 'kal' (intoxication) and internal rhymes ('seyaattam', 'sendaattam') showcased his ability to craft sensual yet poetically refined lyrics for mainstream Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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