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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Un Perai Kettaale

From Pooncholai · 1997

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Yugendran, Bhavatharani
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pooncholai1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Un perai kettaalaeJust hearing your name
Edhuvum thonaadhuNothing else comes to mind
Unnai neril paarthaalaeJust seeing you in person
Ver edhum thondraadhuNo other thought arises
Panjanai ninaivugal oo… oo…Memories of a soft bed, oh...
Pagalilae kanavugal oo yeno yeno raajaaDaydreams in the daytime, oh why, why, my king?
Female
Un perai kettaalaeJust hearing your name
Edhuvum thonaadhuNothing else comes to mind
Male
Un perai kettaalaeJust hearing your name
Edhuvum thonaadhuNothing else comes to mind
Male
Vennilavai kandaalaeWhen looking at the full moon
Angum undhan roobamEven there, your form appears
Vandhu vandhu seraadumIt keeps arriving and swaying before me
Vaadum ullam poraadumMy wilting heart struggles
Female
Thendral vandhu thottaalaeWhen the gentle breeze touches me
Adhilum undhan mogamEven in that, there is passion for you
Kan thirandhu thee moottumIt ignites a fire with open eyes
Vandhu vandhu thaerottumIt repeatedly drives a chariot of desires
Male
Ponnaana kaiyai serthuJoining your golden hands
Kannae nee sorgam kaattuMy beloved, show me heaven
Female
Sollaamal sonnenae thoodhuI sent a message without speaking a word
Male
Nillaamal vara vendum ippodhuYou must come without stopping right now
Female
Un perai kettaalaeJust hearing your name
Edhuvum thonaadhuNothing else comes to mind
Unnai neril paarthaalaeJust seeing you in person
Ver edhum thondraadhuNo other thought arises
Male
Panjanai ninaivugalMemories of a soft bed
Chorus
Hoo … oo…Hoo... oo...
Female
Pagalilae kanavugal ooDaydreams in the daytime...
Yeno yeno raajaaWhy, why, my king?
Male
Un perai kettaalaeJust hearing your name
Edhuvum thonaadhuNothing else comes to mind
Female
Muthu muthu pallaakkuA palanquin studded with pearls
Pattu parivaaramA retinue clad in silk
Muthirai pon muthaaramA sealed golden pearl necklace
Mogathukku aadhaaramThe very foundation of passion
Male
Munnazhagin selvaakkuThe influence of frontal beauty
Mundhugindra naeramThe moment that advances ahead
En manadhai theendaadhoWon't it touch my heart?
Yengugindraen inneramI am yearning at this moment
Female
Kannaalae veenai meettuPlay the veena with your eyes
Kalyaana kaadhal paattuA song of wedded love
Male
Illaadha thaenootru ootruPour an endless stream of honey
Female
Sollaamal thaalaattum kaatruThe breeze that silently lulls to sleep
Male
Un perai kettaalaeJust hearing your name
Edhuvum thonaadhuNothing else comes to mind
Unnai neril paarthaalaeJust seeing you in person
Ver edhum thondraadhuNo other thought arises
Female
Panjanai ninaivugal oo.. oo…Memories of a soft bed, oh...
Pagalilae kanavugal oo yeno yeno raajaaDaydreams in the daytime, oh why, why, my king?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic song portrays the intense longing and sweet intoxication felt by a woman in love. The mere sound of her beloved's name or his physical presence paralyzes her mind, rendering her unable to think of anything else. She experiences daydreams of intimacy, marital bliss, and heavenly joy, constantly reminded of him through elements of nature like the full moon and the soothing breeze.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Sollaamal sonnenae thoodhu / Nillaamal vara vendum ippodhu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across successive lines, as seen in 'Sollaamal' and 'Nillaamal'.

Moonaai (First letter alliteration)

Muthu muthu pallaakku

Alliteration of the initial letters across words in a line, such as 'Muthu muthu pallaakku / Pattu parivaaram'.

Anaphora / Repetition

Un perai kettaalae / Edhuvum thonaadhu

Repeated use of the refrain 'Un perai kettaalae / Edhuvum thonaadhu' to emphasize emotional preoccupation.

Metaphor

Kannaalae veenai meettu

Comparing gaze to playing a veena and breeze to a silent lullaby ('Kannaalae veenai meettu', 'Sollaamal thaalaattum kaatru').

Did you know?

Trivia

Pooncholai was an unreleased Tamil movie starring Prashanth, directed by Venkatesh. The musical score and lyrics were crafted by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja.

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