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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paavai Unakku

From Rani Samyuktha · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Rani Samyuktha
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
26 Sept 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyuma
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Kanni paruvathilae kangal paesumoo
Kaalaiyar kaanum bodhu naanam minjumoo
Haa…aaa
Kanni paruvathilae kangal paesumoo
Kaalaiyar kaanum bodhu naanam minjumoo
Anbu vaithaal inbam thondrumaa
Anbu vaithaal inbam thondrumaa
Aasaiyai yaaralum maatra mudiyumoo
Female :Yaenadi
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyuma
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Sollaadha vaarthai ellaam sollavum thondrumae
Thoniyin aattam polae nenjam aadumoo
Sollaadha vaarthai ellaam sollavum thondrumae
Thoniyin aattam polae nenjam aadumoo
Madhuvai pola mayakkam meerumoo
Madhuvai pola mayakkam meerumoo
Aasaiyai yaaralum maatra mudiyumoo
Female :Yaenadi
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyuma
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Kaarigai neeyum en pol yevvana pennadi
Kaadhal unakkillaiyae kaaranam ennadi
Kaarigai neeyum en pol yevvana pennadi
Kaadhal unakkillaiyae kaaranam ennadi
Penmaiyilum baedham thondrumaa
Penmaiyilum baedham thondrumaa
Aasaiyai yaaralum maatra mudiyumoo
Female :Yaenadi
Sonnaalthaan theriyuma sollaamalae puriyuma
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Paavai unakku saedhi theriyuma
Alai kadal pol paadum enadhu ullam puriyuma
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
Will you know only if I tell you, or can you understand without words?
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
In the days of youth, do eyes begin to speak?
When looking at young men, does shyness take over?
Ah... aaah
In the days of youth, do eyes begin to speak?
When looking at young men, does shyness take over?
When you fall in love, does happiness bloom?
When you fall in love, does happiness bloom?
Can anyone ever change this desire?
Why, my friend?
Will you know only if I tell you, or can you understand without words?
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
I feel like speaking all the words left unsaid
Does the heart rock like a swaying boat?
I feel like speaking all the words left unsaid
Does the heart rock like a swaying boat?
Does a sweet trance overwhelm like wine?
Does a sweet trance overwhelm like wine?
Can anyone ever change this desire?
Why, my friend?
Will you know only if I tell you, or can you understand without words?
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
Dear girl, you too are young just like me
Yet you have no love—what could be the reason?
Dear girl, you too are young just like me
Yet you have no love—what could be the reason?
Can differences exist even between women?
Can differences exist even between women?
Can anyone ever change this desire?
Why, my friend?
Will you know only if I tell you, or can you understand without words?
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
Dear girl, do you know the news?
Do you understand my heart that sings like the wavy sea?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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