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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unakkenna Kuraichal

From Velli Vizha · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Velli Vizha1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unakenna kurachaal….uuu…What do you lack... ooh...
Nee oru rajaYou are a king.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Male
Unakenna kurachaal….uuu…What do you lack... ooh...
Nee oru rajaYou are a king.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Male
Thanakku thaanaeFor oneself,
Thunai ena ninaithaalIf one considers oneself as company,
Ulagathil yedhu thanimaiWhere is loneliness in this world?
Ulagathil yedhu thanimaiWhere is loneliness in this world?
Male
Unakenna kurachaal….uuu…What do you lack... ooh...
Nee oru rajaYou are a king.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Male
Kadandha kaalamoAs for the past,
Thirumbuvadhu illaiIt does not return.
Nigazh kaalamo virumbuvadhu illaiThe present is not desired,
Edhir kaalamo arumbuvadhu illaiThe future does not bloom,
Edhir kaalamo arumbuvadhu illaiThe future does not bloom.
Idhu dhaanae arubadhin nilaiIs this not the condition of turning sixty?
Male
Unakenna kurachaal….uuu…What do you lack... ooh...
Nee oru rajaYou are a king.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Male
Yedhaiyo thaedum idhayamA heart searching for something,
Adharku inbam dhaanae paalamFor that, joy itself is the bridge.
Yedhaiyo thaedum idhayamA heart searching for something,
Adharku  inbam dhaanae paalamFor that, joy itself is the bridge.
Male
Andha ninavae indru podhumThat memory alone is enough today,
Un thanimai yaavum theerumAll your loneliness will fade away.
Andha ninavae indru podhumThat memory alone is enough today,
Un thanimai yaavum theerumAll your loneliness will fade away.
Thanimai yaavum theerumAll loneliness will fade away.
Male
Unakenna kurachaal….uuu…What do you lack... ooh...
Nee oru rajaYou are a king.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.
Vandhaal varatum mudhumaiLet old age come if it comes.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Unakenna Kurachaal' is a philosophical and comforting track from the 1972 Tamil film 'Velli Vizha'. It speaks directly to an individual reaching old age—specifically sixty years old—encouraging them to embrace aging with grace, self-respect, and regal dignity ('Nee Oru Raja'). It conveys that loneliness cannot exist if a person finds companionship within themselves. The lyricist Vaali reflects on time's transience: the past cannot return, the present may lack passion, and the future holds fewer new beginnings. Despite these realities of aging, the song offers hope, reminding that cherished happy memories serve as a bridge to peace, completely overcoming solitude.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Adharku inbam dhaanae paalam

Happiness is described as a bridge connecting a searching heart to emotional peace.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thirumbuvadhu illai / virumbuvadhu illai / arumbuvadhu illai

The lines end with the rhyming word 'illai', creating a rhythmic cadence reflecting impossibility and reality.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Thanakku thaanae / Thunai ena ninaithaal

Repetition of the 'Th' sound at the beginning of adjacent words ('Thanakku thaanae', 'Thunai').

Refrain / Epizeuxis

Vandhaal varatum mudhumai

The repetition of 'Vandhaal varatum mudhumai' emphasizes calm acceptance and welcoming of old age without fear.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Velli Vizha' (1972) was directed by the legendary K. Balachander, starring Gemini Ganesan, Jayanthi, and Vanisri. The music for this film was composed by V. Kumar, a frequent collaborator of K. Balachander during his early career, with lyrics penned by Vaali.

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