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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Un Athaikku

From Kanni Penn · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanni Penn1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Un aththaikku otha kannuYour aunt's matching eye
Indha pakkam thaanIs facing this way
Female :Aththaanae konjam pongaFemale: Cousin, please move a bit
Andha pakkam thaanTo that side
Male
Ammadi konjam vaayenOh girl, please come a little
Endhan pakkam thaanTo my side
Female :Aasaikku rendu kannumFemale: For desire, both my eyes
Undhan pakkam thaanAre on your side
Male
Un aththaikku otha kannuYour aunt's matching eye
Indha pakkam thaanIs facing this way
Female :Aththaanae konjam pongaFemale: Cousin, please move a bit
Andha pakkam thaanTo that side
Male
Ammadi konjam vaayenOh girl, please come a little
Endhan pakkam thaanTo my side
Female :Aasaikku rendu kannumFemale: For desire, both my eyes
Undhan pakkam thaanAre on your side
Male
Thaayariyaamal nadithaal ennaWhat if we act without mother knowing?
Thaniyarai paadal padithaal ennaWhat if we sing a song in a private room?
Thaayariyaamal nadithaal ennaWhat if we act without mother knowing?
Thaniyarai paadal padithaal ennaWhat if we sing a song in a private room?
Female :Thuyilvadhu polae irundhaal ennaFemale: What if I act as if I am sleeping?
Thotta pinaalae vizhithaal ennaWhat if I wake up after being touched?
Thuyilvadhu polae irundhaal ennaFemale: What if I act as if I am sleeping?
Thotta pinaalae vizhithaal ennaWhat if I wake up after being touched?
Male
Munn iravodu uravaaga vaaCome to bond with the early night
Pinniravodu uyiraaga vaaCome to become my life in the late night
Munn iravodu uravaaga vaaCome to bond with the early night
Pinniravodu uyiraaga vaaCome to become my life in the late night
Female :Methaiyil mullai kothaaga vaaFemale: Come as a cluster of jasmine on the bed
Muththirai vizhundha ponnaga vaaCome as pure stamped gold
Methaiyil mullai kothaaga vaaFemale: Come as a cluster of jasmine on the bed
Muththirai vizhundha ponnaga vaaCome as pure stamped gold
Female
Aththaikku otha kannuAunt's matching eye
Indha pakkam thaanIs facing this way
Male :Ammadi konjam vaayenMale: Oh girl, please come a little
Endhan pakkam thaanTo my side
Male
Mettiyin osai ketkaamal vaaCome without letting the sound of toe rings be heard
Melliya kai valai kulungaamal vaaCome without letting the delicate hand bangles jingle
Mettiyin osai ketkaamal vaaCome without letting the sound of toe rings be heard
Melliya kai valai kulungaamal vaaCome without letting the delicate hand bangles jingle
Female :Thendralum idaiyil nuzhaiyaamal vaaFemale: Come without even the breeze passing in between
Ennudan indru piriyaamal vaaCome without parting from me today
Thendralum idaiyil nuzhaiyaamal vaaFemale: Come without even the breeze passing in between
Ennudan indru piriyaamal vaaCome without parting from me today
Male
Thaalamillaamal thaalatta vaaCome to sing a lullaby without rhythm
Thaai pol enai nee seer aattavaaWill you pamper me like a mother?
Thaalamillaamal thaalatta vaaCome to sing a lullaby without rhythm
Thaai pol enai nee seer aattavaaWill you pamper me like a mother?
Female :Thottilai polae naan aagavaFemale: Shall I become like a cradle?
Pillaiyai polae neeyaaga vaaShould you come like a child?
Thottilai polae naan aagavaFemale: Shall I become like a cradle?
Pillaiyai polae neeyaaga vaaShould you come like a child?
Male
Un aththaikku otha kannuYour aunt's matching eye
Indha pakkam thaanIs facing this way
Female :Aththaanae konjam pongaFemale: Cousin, please move a bit
Andha pakkam thaanTo that side
Male
Ammadi konjam vaayenOh girl, please come a little
Endhan pakkam thaanTo my side
Female :Aasaikku rendu kannumFemale: For desire, both my eyes
Undhan pakkam thaanAre on your side

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic duettish dialogue between lovers teasingly expressing their affection and desire for closeness. The male lead calls his lover near, teasingly mentioning how her eyes resemble his aunt's, while the female lead coyly feigns shyness, playfully asking him to step back while secretly confessing her deep desire for him. They share intimate thoughts of private moments away from parental watchful eyes, envisioning nighttime closeness, comforting lullabies, and maternal-like tender affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Methaiyil mullai kothaaga vaa / Muththirai vizhundha ponnaga vaa

Repetition of the second letter 'th' in 'Methaiyil' and 'Muththirai' creates a melodious rhythm.

Simile (Upamai)

Thottilai polae naan aagava / Pillaiyai polae neeyaaga vaa

The speaker compares herself to a cradle ('Thottilai polae') and her lover to a child ('Pillaiyai polae').

Metaphor & Imagery

Thendralum idaiyil nuzhaiyaamal vaa

Describing closeness so intimate that not even the gentle breeze can enter between them ('Thendralum idaiyil nuzhaiyaamal vaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanni Penn' (1969) featured music composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with memorable lyrics written by Vaali. The song relies heavily on traditional Tamil folk-style teasing dialogic lyrics (Sonnadhu Nee Thana style dynamic romantic exchanges).

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