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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paavai Unakku

From Rani Samyuktha · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Rani Samyuktha1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyumaWill it be understood only if told, or can it be understood without words?
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?
Female
Kanni paruvathilae kangal paesumooIn maidenhood, do eyes speak?
Kaalaiyar kaanum bodhu naanam minjumooWhen seeing young men, does shyness overflow?
Haa…aaaAh... aaa...
Kanni paruvathilae kangal paesumooIn maidenhood, do eyes speak?
Kaalaiyar kaanum bodhu naanam minjumooWhen seeing young men, does shyness overflow?
Anbu vaithaal inbam thondrumaaIf love is bestowed, will happiness arise?
Anbu vaithaal inbam thondrumaaIf love is bestowed, will happiness arise?
Aasaiyai yaaralum maatra mudiyumooCan anyone ever change desire?
Female :YaenadiFemale: Why, my dear friend?
Female
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyumaWill it be understood only if told, or can it be understood without words?
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?
Female
Sollaadha vaarthai ellaam sollavum thondrumaeAll unspoken words feel like being spoken,
Thoniyin aattam polae nenjam aadumooDoes the heart rock like the motion of a boat?
Sollaadha vaarthai ellaam sollavum thondrumaeAll unspoken words feel like being spoken,
Thoniyin aattam polae nenjam aadumooDoes the heart rock like the motion of a boat?
Madhuvai pola mayakkam meerumooWill intoxication overflow like wine?
Madhuvai pola mayakkam meerumooWill intoxication overflow like wine?
Aasaiyai yaaralum maatra mudiyumooCan anyone ever change desire?
Female :YaenadiFemale: Why, my dear friend?
Female
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyumaWill it be understood only if told, or can it be understood without words?
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?
Female
Kaarigai neeyum en pol yevvana pennadiWoman, you too are a youthful maiden like me,
Kaadhal unakkillaiyae kaaranam ennadiWhy don't you feel love, what is the reason?
Kaarigai neeyum en pol yevvana pennadiWoman, you too are a youthful maiden like me,
Kaadhal unakkillaiyae kaaranam ennadiWhy don't you feel love, what is the reason?
Penmaiyilum baedham thondrumaaDoes differentiation arise even in womanhood?
Penmaiyilum baedham thondrumaaDoes differentiation arise even in womanhood?
Aasaiyai yaaralum maatra mudiyumooCan anyone ever change desire?
Female :YaenadiFemale: Why, my dear friend?
Female
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyumaWill it be understood only if told, or can it be understood without words?
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyumaOh maiden, do you know the news?
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyumaDo you understand my heart that sings like a wavy ocean?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the innocent curiosity and sweet restlessness of a young woman experiencing the awakening of romantic love. She addresses her female companion, asking if she understands the ocean-like surge of emotion within her heart. She wonders whether love must be spoken aloud or if it can be felt instinctively through subtle glances and unspoken words. Throughout the song, she compares her inner feelings to a rocking boat on water and the sweet dizziness brought on by wine. She questions why her friend, being of the same age and youthfulness, does not experience the same overwhelming longing, emphasizing that true desire and love are powerful forces beyond anyone's control.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma

Compares the turbulent, singing heart to the vast wavy ocean using 'pol'.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thoniyin aattam polae nenjam aadumoo

Compares the unsteadiness of a heart in love to the swaying motion of a boat using 'polae'.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Madhuvai pola mayakkam meerumoo

Compares romantic infatuation/intoxication to wine using 'pola'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyuma

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('So'-'So') in 'Sonnaalthaan' and 'sollaamalae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the historical film 'Rani Samyuktha' (1962) starring M. G. Ramachandran and Padmini, this track highlights the melodic prowess of K. V. Mahadevan and lyricist Kannadasan. P. Susheela's vocal nuances perfectly capture the coy curiosity of youthful affection.

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