Un Kuthama En Kuthama
From Azhagi · 2002
- Lyricist
- Pazhani Bharathi
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Azhagi2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is it your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Male | |
| Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is it your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Male | |
| Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is it your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Pachampasum solaiyilae | In a lush green grove, |
| Paadi vantha paynkiliyae | Oh beautiful parrot that sang along, |
| Indru nadapaathaiyilae | Today, on the public walking path, |
| Vaazhavathenna moolaiyilae… | Why are you living pushed into a corner? |
| Male | |
| Koththu nerunju mullu… | A cluster of sharp thorn-burrs... |
| Kuthuthu nenjukkullae | Pierces inside my heart. |
| Sonnaalum sogam amma | Even if expressed, it brings sorrow, my dear, |
| Theeraatha dhaagam amma… | An unquenchable thirst, my dear... |
| Male | |
| {Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | {Is it your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla..} (2) | Whom can I blame?} (2) |
| Male | |
| Nilavoda mannaloda | With the moon and with the sand, |
| Therumannu oodamboda | With street dust on our bodies, |
| Vilaiyaandathu oru kaalam | There was a time when we played. |
| Male | |
| Alanjaalum thirinjaalum | Even if wandering and roaming around, |
| Alaiyaatha kalaiyaatha | Undisturbed and unfading, |
| Kanavaachu ilam kaalam | Our youth became a dream. |
| Male | |
| Enna edhirkaalamooo…. | What future lies ahead... |
| Enna edhirkaalamoo | What future lies ahead, |
| Enna pudhir podumoo | What riddles will it pose? |
| Ilamaiyil puriyaadhu | Not understood in youth, |
| Mudhimaiyil mudiyaadhu | Impossible to undo in old age. |
| Inbathirkku yengaatha | Where is the youth that does not yearn |
| Ilamaiyum ingethu | For happiness here? |
| Kaalam podudhu… kolangalae | Time draws... various patterns of fate. |
| Male | |
| En kuthamaa… Unn kuthamaa… | Is it my fault... or your fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Ithu en kuthamaa.. | Is this my fault... |
| Male | |
| Pesaama irunthaalum | Even without speaking words, |
| Manasoda manasaaga | Heart to heart directly, |
| Pesiya oru kaalam | There was a time when we spoke. |
| Male | |
| Dhoorathil irunthaalum | Even when staying far away, |
| Thodarnthu unn arugilae | Continuously near you, |
| Kulaviya oru kaalam | There was a time when we intimately shared. |
| Male | |
| Indru naanum orathilll… | Today I am on the sidelines... |
| Indru naanum orathil | Today I am on the sidelines, |
| Yen manathu thoorathil | My heart is far away. |
| Veedhiyil isaithaalum | Even if played on the street, |
| Veenaikku isai undu | The Veena possesses its true music. |
| Veenaagi pogaathu | It will not go to waste, |
| Ketkindra nenjundu | For there is a heart that listens. |
| Mei kural paaduthu | A true voice sings, |
| Veenaiyodu…… | Along with the Veena... |
| Male | |
| Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is it your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Ithu unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is this your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Male | |
| Pachampasum solaiyilae | In a lush green grove, |
| Paadi vantha paynkiliyae | Oh beautiful parrot that sang along, |
| Indru nadapaathaiyilae | Today, on the public walking path, |
| Vaazhavathenna moolaiyilae… | Why are you living pushed into a corner? |
| Male | |
| Koththu nerunju mullu… | A cluster of sharp thorn-burrs... |
| Kuthuthu nenjukkullae | Pierces inside my heart. |
| Sonnaalum sogam amma | Even if expressed, it brings sorrow, my dear, |
| Theeraatha dhaagam amma… | An unquenchable thirst, my dear... |
| Male | |
| Ithu unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is this your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
| Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… | Is it your fault... or my fault... |
| Yaara naanum kutham solla.. | Whom can I blame? |
உன் குத்தமா என்
குத்தமா யார நானும் குத்தம்
சொல்ல
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
உன் குத்தமா என்
குத்தமா யார நானும் குத்தம்
சொல்ல
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
உன் குத்தமா என்
குத்தமா யார நானும் குத்தம்
சொல்ல பச்சம்பசும் சோலையிலே
பாடி வந்த பைங்கிளியே இன்று
நடபாதையிலே வாழ்வதென்ன
மூலையிலே
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
In a lush green grove,
Oh beautiful parrot that sang along,
Today, on the public walking path,
Why are you living pushed into a corner?
கொத்து நெருஞ்சு
முள்ளு குத்துது நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
சொன்னாலும் சோகம் அம்மா
தீராத தாகம் அம்மா
A cluster of sharp thorn-burrs...
Pierces inside my heart.
Even if expressed, it brings sorrow, my dear,
An unquenchable thirst, my dear...
{ உன் குத்தமா என்
குத்தமா யார நானும் குத்தம்
சொல்ல } (2)
{Is it your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?} (2)
நிலவோட மணளோட
தெருமண்ணு உடம்போட
விளையாண்டது ஒரு காலம்
With the moon and with the sand,
With street dust on our bodies,
There was a time when we played.
அலைஞ்சாலும்
திாிஞ்சாலும் அழியாத
கலையாத கனவாச்சு
இளம் காலம்
Even if wandering and roaming around,
Undisturbed and unfading,
Our youth became a dream.
என்ன எதிா்காலமோ
என்ன எதிா்காலமோ என்ன
புதிா் போடுமோ இளமையில்
புாியாது முதிமையில் முடியாது
இன்பத்திற்கு ஏங்காத இளமையும்
இங்கேது காலம் போடுது கோலங்களே
What future lies ahead...
What future lies ahead,
What riddles will it pose?
Not understood in youth,
Impossible to undo in old age.
Where is the youth that does not yearn
For happiness here?
Time draws... various patterns of fate.
என் குத்தமா உன்
குத்தமா யார நானும் குத்தம்
சொல்ல இது என் குத்தமா
Is it my fault... or your fault...
Whom can I blame?
Is this my fault...
பேசாம இருந்தாலும்
மனசோட மனசாக பேசிய
ஒரு காலம்
Even without speaking words,
Heart to heart directly,
There was a time when we spoke.
தூரத்தில் இருந்தாலும்
தொடா்ந்து உன் அருகிலே
குலவிய ஒரு காலம்
Even when staying far away,
Continuously near you,
There was a time when we intimately shared.
இன்று நானும்
ஓரத்தில் இன்று நானும்
ஓரத்தில் ஏன் மனது தூரத்தில்
வீதியில் இசைத்தாலும்
வீணைக்கு இசை உண்டு
வீணாகி போகாது கேட்கின்ற
நெஞ்சுண்டு மெய் குரல் பாடுது
வீணையோடு
Today I am on the sidelines...
Today I am on the sidelines,
My heart is far away.
Even if played on the street,
The Veena possesses its true music.
It will not go to waste,
For there is a heart that listens.
A true voice sings,
Along with the Veena...
உன் குத்தமா என்
குத்தமா யார நானும் குத்தம்
சொல்ல இது உன் குத்தமா
என் குத்தமா யார நானும்
குத்தம் சொல்ல
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
Is this your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
பச்சம்பசும் சோலையிலே
பாடி வந்த பைங்கிளியே இன்று
நடபாதையிலே வாழ்வதென்ன
மூலையிலே
In a lush green grove,
Oh beautiful parrot that sang along,
Today, on the public walking path,
Why are you living pushed into a corner?
கொத்து நெருஞ்சு
முள்ளு குத்துது நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
சொன்னாலும் சோகம் அம்மா
தீராத தாகம் அம்மா
A cluster of sharp thorn-burrs...
Pierces inside my heart.
Even if expressed, it brings sorrow, my dear,
An unquenchable thirst, my dear...
இது உன் குத்தமா
என் குத்தமா யார நானும்
குத்தம் சொல்ல உன் குத்தமா
என் குத்தமா யார நானும்
குத்தம் சொல்ல
Is this your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Whom can I blame?
Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Pachampasum solaiyilae
In a lush green grove,
Paadi vantha paynkiliyae
Oh beautiful parrot that sang along,
Indru nadapaathaiyilae
Today, on the public walking path,
Vaazhavathenna moolaiyilae…
Why are you living pushed into a corner?
Koththu nerunju mullu…
A cluster of sharp thorn-burrs...
Kuthuthu nenjukkullae
Pierces inside my heart.
Sonnaalum sogam amma
Even if expressed, it brings sorrow, my dear,
Theeraatha dhaagam amma…
An unquenchable thirst, my dear...
{Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
{Is it your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..} (2)
Whom can I blame?} (2)
Nilavoda mannaloda
With the moon and with the sand,
Therumannu oodamboda
With street dust on our bodies,
Vilaiyaandathu oru kaalam
There was a time when we played.
Alanjaalum thirinjaalum
Even if wandering and roaming around,
Alaiyaatha kalaiyaatha
Undisturbed and unfading,
Kanavaachu ilam kaalam
Our youth became a dream.
Enna edhirkaalamooo….
What future lies ahead...
Enna edhirkaalamoo
What future lies ahead,
Enna pudhir podumoo
What riddles will it pose?
Ilamaiyil puriyaadhu
Not understood in youth,
Mudhimaiyil mudiyaadhu
Impossible to undo in old age.
Inbathirkku yengaatha
Where is the youth that does not yearn
Ilamaiyum ingethu
For happiness here?
Kaalam podudhu… kolangalae
Time draws... various patterns of fate.
En kuthamaa… Unn kuthamaa…
Is it my fault... or your fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Ithu en kuthamaa..
Is this my fault...
Pesaama irunthaalum
Even without speaking words,
Manasoda manasaaga
Heart to heart directly,
Pesiya oru kaalam
There was a time when we spoke.
Dhoorathil irunthaalum
Even when staying far away,
Thodarnthu unn arugilae
Continuously near you,
Kulaviya oru kaalam
There was a time when we intimately shared.
Indru naanum orathilll…
Today I am on the sidelines...
Indru naanum orathil
Today I am on the sidelines,
Yen manathu thoorathil
My heart is far away.
Veedhiyil isaithaalum
Even if played on the street,
Veenaikku isai undu
The Veena possesses its true music.
Veenaagi pogaathu
It will not go to waste,
Ketkindra nenjundu
For there is a heart that listens.
Mei kural paaduthu
A true voice sings,
Veenaiyodu……
Along with the Veena...
Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Ithu unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is this your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Pachampasum solaiyilae
In a lush green grove,
Paadi vantha paynkiliyae
Oh beautiful parrot that sang along,
Indru nadapaathaiyilae
Today, on the public walking path,
Vaazhavathenna moolaiyilae…
Why are you living pushed into a corner?
Koththu nerunju mullu…
A cluster of sharp thorn-burrs...
Kuthuthu nenjukkullae
Pierces inside my heart.
Sonnaalum sogam amma
Even if expressed, it brings sorrow, my dear,
Theeraatha dhaagam amma…
An unquenchable thirst, my dear...
Ithu unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is this your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa…
Is it your fault... or my fault...
Yaara naanum kutham solla..
Whom can I blame?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Un Kuthamaa En Kuthamaa' from the film 'Azhagi' (2002) is a deeply emotional reflection on lost love, helpless destiny, and nostalgia. The narrator questions whether the tragic separation and present suffering of childhood sweethearts stem from personal flaws or the unavoidable play of fate. Through evocative imagery of green groves turned into lonely paths and innocent childhood games yielding to life's harsh riddles, the song captures a profound sense of anguish and yearning. Despite the overwhelming sorrow and emotional distance brought by time, the lyricist offers a poignant consolation: genuine love and pure feelings, like music played on a Veena, are never truly wasted as long as there is a soul that listens and understands.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Vinathal)
“Unn kuthamaa… en kuthamaa… Yaara naanum kutham solla..”
The repeated line asking whether it is 'your fault or my fault' creates a poignant philosophical enquiry about fate.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Pachampasum solaiyilae Paadi vantha paynkiliyae”
Compares the beloved to a green parrot ('paynkiliyae') who once sang in a lush grove but now lives isolated.
Ethirrhyme (Second letter rhyme - Ethukai)
“Ilamaiyil puriyaadhu / Mudhimaiyil mudiyaadhu”
Rhyming of second letters in consecutive lines ('lamaiyil' and 'udhimaiyil').
Symbolism
“Veedhiyil isaithaalum Veenaikku isai undu”
The 'Veena' symbolizes uncorrupted, intrinsic artistic beauty and pure love that retains value despite being in the street.
Did you know?
Trivia
Directed by Thangar Bachan, 'Azhagi' (2002) is celebrated for its realistic portrayal of childhood love rekindled in adulthood. Although credited here under specific prompt context, the soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja remains one of Tamil cinema's most revered albums for rural nostalgia.
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