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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Un Samayal Arayil

From Dhill · 2001

Lyricist
Kabilan
Singers
Unnikrishnan, Sujatha Mohan
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Dhill2001

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Un samaiyal araiyil naan uppaa sarkkaraiyaaIn your kitchen, am I salt or sugar?
Female
Nee padikkum araiyil naan kangala puthagamaIn your study room, am I the eyes or the book?
Male
Un samaiyal araiyil naan uppaa sarkkaraiyaaIn your kitchen, am I salt or sugar?
Female
Nee padikkum araiyil naan kangala puthagamaIn your study room, am I the eyes or the book?
Male
Nee viralgal endraal naan nagamaa modhiramaaIf you are the fingers, am I the fingernail or the ring?
Female
Aaa…ah nee idhalgal endraal naan muthamaa punnagaiyaaAh... if you are the lips, am I a kiss or a smile?
Male
Aaaa…ah nee azhagu endraal naan kaviyaa oviyana …haaAh... if you are beauty, am I poetry or a painting?
Male
Un samaiyal araiyil naan uppaa sarkkaraiyaaIn your kitchen, am I salt or sugar?
Female
Hmmhmm… nee padikkum araiyil naan kangala puthagamaHmm... in your study room, am I the eyes or the book?
Female
Naan vetkam endraal nee sivappa kannangalaaIf I am shyness, are you the blush or the cheeks?
Male
Aaa…ah naan theendal endraal nee virala swarisangalaaAh... if I am touch, are you fingers or musical notes?
Female
Aaa…ah nee kulanthai endraal naan thottillaa thaalaattaaAh... if you are a child, am I the cradle or the lullaby?
Male
Aaa…ah nee thookkam endraal naan madiyaa thalaiyanayaaAh... if you are sleep, am I the lap or the pillow?
Female
Aaa..ah naan idhayam endraal nee uyira thudi thudippaaAh... if I am the heart, are you life or the heartbeat?
Male
Aaa…un samaiyal araiyil naan uppa sarkkaraiyaaAh... in your kitchen, am I salt or sugar?
Female
Nee padikkum araiyil naan kangala puthagamaIn your study room, am I the eyes or the book?
Male
Nee vithaigal endraal naan veraa vilainilamaaIf you are seeds, am I the root or the fertile land?
Female
Aaa…ah nee virunthu endraal naan pasiyaa rusiyaaAh... if you are a feast, am I the hunger or the taste?
Male
Aaa…ah nee kaithi endraal naan siraiyaa thandanaiyaaAh... if you are a prisoner, am I the prison or the punishment?
Female
Aaa..ha… nee mozhigal endraal naan tamilaa osaigalaaAh... if you are languages, am I Tamil or the sounds?
Male
Aaaa…ah nee puthumai endraal naan bharathiyaa Bharathithaasanaa neeAh... if you are novelty, am I Bharathiyar or Bharathidasan?
Nee thanimai endraal naan thunaiyaa thoorathilaaIf you are loneliness, am I companionship or distance?
Female
Nee thunaithaan endraal naan pesavaa yosikkavaaIf you are indeed my companion, should I speak or think?
Male
Nee thirumbi nindraal naan nirkkavaa poividavaaIf you turn around and stand, should I wait or leave?
Female
Aaa…ah nee pokiraai endraal naan alaikkavaa aluthidavaaAh... if you leave, should I call you back or cry?
Male
Aaa..ah nee kaadhal endraal naan sariyaa thavaraAh... if you are love, am I right or wrong?
Female
Un valathu kayil pathu viral … pathu viralIn your right hand, ten fingers... ten fingers
En idathu kaiyil pathu viral ….pathu viralIn my left hand, ten fingers... ten fingers
Thoorathu megam thooralgal sinthaAs distant clouds shower drizzles
Theertha malaiyil thee kulippom…We shall bathe in fire in the holy mountain rain...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Un Samaiyal Araiyil' is an iconic romantic duet from the 2001 Tamil movie Dhill, composed by Vidyasagar and written by lyricist Kabilan. The song showcases a poetic dialogue between two lovers who express their affection through a series of playful binary questions and metaphors drawn from daily life, nature, literature, and intimate touch. Throughout the track, the lovers compare themselves to complementary pairs—salt and sugar, cradle and lullaby, heart and beat, seeds and soil—exploring how seamlessly their identities blend together. The lyrics culminate in striking poetic imagery of intertwined fingers and bathing in metaphorical fire amid rain, symbolizing passionate togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinah)

Un samaiyal araiyil naan uppaa sarkkaraiyaa

The entire song structure is built around paired rhetorical choices (e.g., 'uppaa sarkkaraiyaa', 'muthamaa punnagaiyaa') expressing deep romantic reflection.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nee viralgal endraal naan nagamaa modhiramaa

Compares everyday domestic objects and senses directly to emotional and physical intimacy.

Literary Allusion

Aaaa…ah nee puthumai endraal naan bharathiyaa Bharathithaasanaa nee

References renowned legendary Tamil poets Subramaniya Bharathi (Bharathiyar) and Bharathidasan to represent modernism and poetic creation.

Paradox / Oxymoron

Theertha malaiyil thee kulippom…

Combines contrasting elements ('thee' meaning fire and 'malai' meaning rain) to emphasize intense passion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vidyasagar with vocals by P. Unnikrishnan and Sujatha Mohan, this track from Vikram's blockbuster movie Dhill became a massively popular hit in 2001. Lyricist Kabilan received widespread acclaim for his creative use of simple household items and abstract concepts turned into poetic romantic choices.

Keep listening

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