Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unakka Theriyadhu

From Kalyaniyin Kanavan · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Suseela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kalyaniyin Kanavan1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aa….aaa….aa…..aaa….aa…..Vocalizing melody
Aahaah…..aahaah…..aa…..aahaah…..aa….Vocalizing melody
Unakkaa theriyaathu….Don't you know...
Unakkaa theriyaathu….nilavaeDon't you know, O moon...
Unakkaa theriyaathu….nilavaeDon't you know, O moon...
Unakkaa theriyaathu….Don't you know...
Oorvalam varavum aavalai tharavumTo come in a procession and bestow eager longing
Unakkaa theriyaathu….Don't you know...
Male
Unakkaa theriyaathu….Don't you know...
Unakkaa theriyaathu….nilavaeDon't you know, O moon...
Unakkaa theriyaathu….nilavaeDon't you know, O moon...
Unakkaa theriyaathu….Don't you know...
Ullaththai thodavum vellaththil varavumTo touch the heart and flow in like a flood
Unakkaa theriyaathu….Don't you know...
Female
Menmaiyilum en penmaiyilumIn my gentleness and in my womanhood
Oru vegaththai koduththaayaeYou gave a sudden spark of passion
Ilam thanmaiyilum en thanimaiyilumIn my youthfulness and in my solitude
Oru thaagaththai aliththaayaeYou bestowed a deep thirst
Nilavae…..Unakkaa theriyaathu….O moon... Don't you know...
Male
Yealmaiyilum siru thaazhmaiyilumEven in poverty and humble circumstances
Naan iruppathai solvaayaa….aaa…..aa….aa….Will you tell him that I am living?
ealmaiyilum siru thaazhmaiyilumEven in poverty and humble circumstances
Naan iruppathai solvaayaaWill you tell him that I am living?
Enthan ennaththukkum antha kannaththukkumBetween my innermost thoughts and those cheeks
Oru inaiyillai arivaayaaDo you know there is no comparison?
Female
Un ulagam ini en ulagam enumThat your world is now my world
Unmaiyai solvaayaaWill you speak that truth?
Antha ponnulagam thanil poovulagam peraFor this earthly flower world to attain that golden realm
Punnagai purivaayaa nilaveWill you smile, O moon?
Female
Pozhuthu varum antha pozhuthu varu varaiThe right time will come, until that time arrives
Porumaiyil irupaayaa….aaa…..aa….aa….Will you wait with patience?
Pozhuthu varum antha pozhuthu varu varaiThe right time will come, until that time arrives
Porumaiyil irupaayaaWill you wait with patience?
Manam poruntha varumUntil the hearts align completely
Nilai nirainthu varum varaiUntil life reaches total fulfillment
Marainthe nirpaayaaWill you remain hidden?
Manam poruntha varumUntil the hearts align completely
Nilai nirainthu varum varaiUntil life reaches total fulfillment
Marainthe nirpaayaaWill you remain hidden?
Nilavae….unakkaa theriyaathuO moon... Don't you know?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Unakkaa Theriyaathu is a reflective romantic Tamil song from the 1963 movie Kalyaniyin Kanavan, penned by Kannadasan. In this track, the protagonist addresses the moon as an intimate confidante, questioning whether it understands the deep flood of emotions, desires, and solitude rising within her heart. The song captures a blend of longing, humility, and hopeful patience as she asks the moon to convey her loyalty and wait for the right time when love can blossom fully.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe (Munnilai / Addressing the Moon)

Unakkaa theriyaathu....nilavae

Directly addressing the moon as a conscious listener and confidante to express internal feelings of love and longing.

Anaphora (Mondhu / Repetition)

Unakkaa theriyaathu….

Repeated use of the refrain 'Unakkaa theriyaathu' at the start and end of stanzas to emphasize the speaker's emotional plea.

Rhyme / Assonance (Iyaibu & Ethukai)

Menmaiyilum en penmaiyilum

Harmonious rhyming words 'Menmaiyilum', 'penmaiyilum', 'thanmaiyilum', 'thanimaiyilum' which enhance the rhythmic soft flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Ullaththai thodavum vellaththil varavum

Comparing deep tender feelings rushing into the soul to a rising flood ('vellaththil varavum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalyaniyin Kanavan (1963) featured music composed by S.M. Subbiah Naidu, with vocals rendered gracefully by P. Susheela. The song highlights Kannadasan's mastery in using natural elements like the moon as subtle vehicles for human romance and internal melancholy.

Keep listening

More from Kalyaniyin Kanavan