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Lyrics & meaning

Unakku Mattum Unakku

From Manapanthal · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Manapanthal1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unakku mattum unakku mattumTo you alone, to you alone
Ragasiyam solven andha ragasiyathaiI will tell a secret, that secret
Oruvarukkum sollividaathaeDo not tell it to anyone
Unakku mattum unakku mattumTo you alone, to you alone
Ragasiyam solven andha ragasiyathaiI will tell a secret, that secret
Oruvarukkum sollividaathaeDo not tell it to anyone
Enakku mattum enakku mattumTo me alone, to me alone
Sondhamallavaa engal iruvarukkumIs he not belonging to me, between the two of us
Iyarkai thandha bandhamallavaaIsn't it a bond bestowed by nature?
Female
Unakku mattum unakku mattumTo you alone, to you alone
Ragasiyam solven andha ragasiyathaiI will tell a secret, that secret
Oruvarukkum sollividaathaeDo not tell it to anyone
Female
Vandhu nindraar vandhu nindraarHe came and stood, he came and stood
Vaasalin melaeAt the entrance threshold
Kandu konden kandu kondenI recognized him, I recognized him
KangalinaalaeThrough my eyes
Oho…oo…oo…oho…oo…oo…oho…oo…oo oo oooOho…oo…oo…oho…oo…oo…oho…oo…oo oo ooo
Female
Vandhu nindraar vandhu nindraarHe came and stood, he came and stood
Vaasalin melaeAt the entrance threshold
Kandu konden kandu kondenI recognized him, I recognized him
KangalinaalaeThrough my eyes
Female
Poo mudithaen poo mudithaenI adorned flowers, I adorned flowers
Koondhalin melaeOver my hair
Pottu vaithaen pottu vaithaenI placed a bindi, I placed a bindi
AasaiyinaalaeOut of deep desire
Female
Unakku mattum unakku mattumTo you alone, to you alone
Ragasiyam solven andha ragasiyathaiI will tell a secret, that secret
Oruvarukkum sollividaathaeDo not tell it to anyone
Female
Manavaraiyil kanavaraagaOn the wedding stage, as my husband
Maalai soottuvaenI will place a garland around him
Avar maarbinilae kaalam ellaamUpon his chest, for all eternity
NadanamaaduvaenI will dance in joy
Female
Aa… manavaraiyil kanavaraagaAh… on the wedding stage, as my husband
Maalai soottuvenI will place a garland around him
Avar maarbinilae kaalam ellaamUpon his chest, for all eternity
NadanamaaduvenI will dance in joy
Kanivudanae thanimaiyilae enna kooruvenWith tenderness in solitude, what will I say?
Andha kaalam varum vandha udanThat time will come, and once it arrives
Unakkum kooruvenI shall tell you as well
Female
Unakku mattum unakku mattumTo you alone, to you alone
Ragasiyam solven andha ragasiyathaiI will tell a secret, that secret
Oruvarukkum sollividaathaeDo not tell it to anyone
Enakku mattum enakku mattumTo me alone, to me alone
Sondhamallavaa engal iruvarukkumIs he not belonging to me, between the two of us
Iyarkai thandha bandhamallavaaIsn't it a bond bestowed by nature?
Female
Unakku mattum unakku mattumTo you alone, to you alone
Ragasiyam solven andha ragasiyathaiI will tell a secret, that secret
Oruvarukkum sollividaathaeDo not tell it to anyone

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the playful, coy, and heartfelt excitement of a young woman sharing a romantic secret with her close companion. She confides that her bond with her beloved is a natural, destiny-bound connection and reminisces about seeing him arrive at her doorstep and decking herself in flowers and a vermilion mark out of affection. She envisions her upcoming wedding, dreaming of garlanding him on the alter and spending a lifetime of joy in his company, while playfully promising to tell her friend more details once the right moment arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Unakku mattum unakku mattum

Emphatic repetition of words like 'Unakku mattum', 'Vandhu nindraar', 'Kandu konden', and 'Poo mudithaen' to highlight intimacy, enthusiasm, and emotion.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edukai)

Vandhu nindraar / Kandu konden

The second consonants in consecutive lines rhyme (e.g., 'Vandhu' and 'Kandu', or 'Poo' and 'Pottu').

Rhetorical Question

Iyarkai thandha bandhamallavaa

The speaker asks whether their bond isn't a natural relationship ordained for both of them, asserting her conviction through a poetic question.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1961 Tamil film 'Manapanthal', this song features lyrics by the legendary poet Kannadasan and music composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Sung softly by P. Susheela, it remains one of the most popular retro Tamil melodies celebrating bashful romantic excitement and bridal anticipation.

Keep listening

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