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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Un Perai Ketten

From Avan (1953) · 1953

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
Jikki
Music director
Shankar Jaikishan
Details
Avan (1953)1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Un perai kettaenI heard your name
Thendralthanil naanIn the gentle breeze, I
Kandaalae aadum nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances 'thai thai thai' upon seeing you
Un perai kettaenI heard your name
Thendralthanil naanIn the gentle breeze, I
Kandaalae aadum nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances 'thai thai thai' upon seeing you
Female
Pinnae marainthu thannai marappomHiding behind, we shall forget ourselves
Pinnae marainthu thannai marappomHiding behind, we shall forget ourselves
Neyaagum endrae sollum nenjeThe heart says it becomes yours
Neyaagum endrae sollum nenjeThe heart says it becomes yours
Ennaasai thanakkae kannaal niram thanthaaiYou gave color with your eyes to my desire
Melaadum enthan nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances high, 'thai thai thai'
Female
Un perai kettaenI heard your name
Thendralthanil naanIn the gentle breeze, I
Kandaalae aadum nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances 'thai thai thai' upon seeing you
Female
Munnaalil veruththa enthanin kangalMy eyes that disliked in the past
Munnaalil veruththa enthanin kangalMy eyes that disliked in the past
Yaeno indrae mathi maari pochcheWhy today has my mind changed so?
Yaeno indrae mathi maari pochcheWhy today has my mind changed so?
Vizhippaana kadhalae vilaiyaadum kadhalilIn watchful love, in playful love
Melaadum enthan nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances high, 'thai thai thai'
Female
Un perai kettaenI heard your name
Thendralthanil naanIn the gentle breeze, I
Kandaalae aadum nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances 'thai thai thai' upon seeing you
Female
Ennai pirinthae nenjam thallaathaeOh heart, do not falter by leaving me
Ennai pirinthae nenjam thallaathaeOh heart, do not falter by leaving me
Yaenindru ivvitham nernthathuvoWhy did it happen like this today?
Yaenindru ivvitham nernthathuvoWhy did it happen like this today?
Yaegaathi neeyae ennai pirinthaalIf you alone separate from me
Kanneeril aadum nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart will dance in tears, 'thai thai thai'
Female
Un perai kettaenI heard your name
Thendralthanil naanIn the gentle breeze, I
Kandaalae aadum nenjam thai thai thaiMy heart dances 'thai thai thai' upon seeing you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song portrays the overwhelming joy, wonder, and vulnerability of a woman experiencing deep love. Hearing her lover's name carried by the breeze brings her heart to dance with delight. She expresses how love has transformed her perspective, turning past reluctance into affectionate desire, and how her beloved's gaze gives color to her innermost dreams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Onomatopoeic Rhythm)

Kandaalae aadum nenjam thai thai thai

The rhythmic phrase 'thai thai thai' simulates traditional dance beats (Thala) to convey the joyful fluttering of the heart.

Personification

Neyaagum endrae sollum nenje

The heart ('nenjam') is personified as a dancing, feeling entity that speaks ('sollum nenje') and hides ('marainthu thannai marappom').

Anaphora / Lyrical Repetition

Pinnae marainthu thannai marappom

Repetition of entire lines for emphasis, reflecting emotional intensity and song structure typical of classic 1950s cinema music.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Avan' (1953) is the Tamil dubbed version of the classic Hindi film 'Aah' (1953). The original music composed by the iconic duo Shankar-Jaikishan was retained, with Tamil lyrics adapted by Kambadasan and sung delightfully by Jikki.

Keep listening

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