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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Un Kathodu Kathoru

From Nijangal · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
M. B. Sreenivas
Details
Nijangal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Un kaadhodu kaadhoruWhat if I whisper a secret into your ear, my precious eyes?
Saedhi sonnaalenna kannmaniyaeWhat if I tell a message close to your ear, my darling?
Sevvaanamum bhoomiyumLook, the crimson sky and the earth
Konjuthu paar adi ponmaniyaeAre fondling each other, oh golden lady!
Male
Un kaadhodu kaadhoruWhat if I whisper a secret into your ear,
Saedhi sonnaalenna kannmaniyaeWhat if I tell a message close to your ear, my darling?
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Male :Sevvaanamum bhoomiyumMale: Look, the crimson sky and the earth
Konjuthu paar adi ponmaniyaeAre fondling each other, oh golden lady!
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Male
Kai saerththaalennaWhat if our hands join together?
Female :Aa….Female: Aa….
Male :Yaar paarththaalennaMale: So what if someone sees us?
Female :Aa…..Female: Aa…..
Male :Naan paaraattum poonthendralaeMale: Oh gentle breeze of flowers whom I praise!
Female :Aahaa haaFemale: Aahaa haa
Female
Oru naayagan naayagi naadagamA romantic drama of a hero and heroine,
Yaen intha maalaiyilaeWhy during this magical evening?
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Female :Oru naanamum achchamum nenjinilFemale: With modesty and shyness overflowing
Minjidum velaiyilaeIn the heart at this tender moment,
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Female
Manam poraadumoWill the heart battle within?
Male :HaeMale: Hae
Female :Iru poovaadumoFemale: Will two flowers sway together?
Male :HoMale: Ho
Female :Unakkum enakkum mayakkumFemale: Intoxicating both you and me,
Kodukkum ilamaithaanSuch is this enchanting youth!
Male
Un kaadhodu kaadhoruWhat if I whisper a secret into your ear,
Saedhi sonnaalenna kannmaniyaeWhat if I tell a message close to your ear, my darling?
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Male :Sevvaanamum bhoomiyumMale: Look, the crimson sky and the earth
Konjuthu paar adi ponmaniyaeAre fondling each other, oh golden lady!
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Laal lalalaa laal lalalaa laal laal lalalaaLaal lalalaa laal lalalaa laal laal lalalaa
Male :Laal lalalaa laal lalalaa laal laal lalalaaMale: Laal lalalaa laal lalalaa laal laal lalalaa
Male
Intha vaalipam enbathu poonthottamThis youth is like a blooming flower garden,
Iru vaazhnthida neeyingu neerottamAnd you are the flowing stream that keeps it alive.
Female :Manam kaavalai meeruthal koodaathuFemale: The mind must not cross its proper boundaries,
Mazhai kaalaththil kogilam paadaathuThe cuckoo does not sing during the rainy season.
Varalaam namakkoru vasanthamA spring season will surely arrive for us!
Male
Un kaadhodu kaadhoruWhat if I whisper a secret into your ear,
Saedhi sonnaalenna kannmaniyaeWhat if I tell a message close to your ear, my darling?
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Male :Sevvaanamum bhoomiyumMale: Look, the crimson sky and the earth
Konjuthu paar adi ponmaniyaeAre fondling each other, oh golden lady!
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Male
Dhinam aayiram karpanai nenjoduEvery day, a thousand imaginations fill the heart,
Pala anantha kanavugal kannoduMany blissful dreams glisten in the eyes.
Female :Ilam aadavan paarvaigal pollaathuFemale: The glances of a young man are treacherous,
Adhan aasaigal ellaiyil nillaathuIts desires know no boundaries.
Adhuthaan paruvaththin thudippuThat indeed is the pulse of youth!
Male
Un kaadhodu kaadhoruWhat if I whisper a secret into your ear,
Saedhi sonnaalenna kannmaniyaeWhat if I tell a message close to your ear, my darling?
Female :Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa
Female
Oru naayagan naayagi naadagamA romantic drama of a hero and heroine,
Yaen intha maalaiyilaeWhy during this magical evening?
Female : Laal laal lalalaaFemale: Laal laal lalalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Un Kaadhodu Kaadhoru" from Nijangal (1982) is a romantic duet capturing a flirtatious and playful conversation between two lovers during sunset. The hero gently coaxing his beloved to share secrets and affection compares their togetherness to the sunset sky merging with the earth. The heroine responds bashfully, balancing her attraction with traditional restraint, reminding him that youth must wait for the right spring season before surrendering completely to passion. Composed by M. B. Sreenivas and written by Vaali, the song weaves evocative imagery of nature—flower gardens, stream waters, and spring seasons—to illustrate the intoxicating thrill and natural impulses of youthful love, rendered melodiously by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. P. Sailaja.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Intha vaalipam enbathu poonthottam

Youth is poetically equated to a flower garden ('Intha vaalipam enbathu poonthottam') and the heroine to a life-giving stream ('neeyingu neerottam').

Personification

Sevvaanamum bhoomiyum / Konjuthu paar adi ponmaniyae

The evening crimson sky and the earth are personified as lovers fondling each other ('Sevvaanamum bhoomiyum konjuthu paar').

Emoni (Anaphora / Alliteration)

Un kaadhodu kaadhoru

Repetition of sound 'Kaadhodu kaadhoru' created for rhythmic auditory warmth.

Did you know?

Trivia

Music director M. B. Sreenivas was a pioneer in introducing choral arrangements and Western classical harmony to South Indian film music. 'Nijangal' stands out in his filmography as a prominent 1980s Tamil album featuring lyrics by Vaali and vocals by real-life siblings S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. P. Sailaja.

Keep listening

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