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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unna Ninaichu

From Raasaiyya · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raasaiyya1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unna nenachchu urugum vannakkiliThe colorful parrot that melts thinking of you
Ingu naan angu neeMe here, you there
Rendu pattu nirpathennavoWhy are we split into two halves standing apart?
Anbai vedhachchu marugum annakkiliThe swan bird that suffers after sowing love
Anbukku yaengaththaanOnly longing for affection
Kadhal seitha kuttram ennavoWhat fault is there in falling in love?
Female
Kannammaa chinna kannammaaKannamma, my little Kannamma
Ennammaa badhil sollammaaWhat is it, dear? Give me an answer
Oru vaarththaiyil vaazhkkai odam thaththalikkumaaWill the boat of life falter because of a single word?
Female
Unna nenachchu urugum vannakkiliThe colorful parrot that melts thinking of you
Ingu naan angu neeMe here, you there
Rendu pattu nirpathennavoWhy are we split into two halves standing apart?
Male
Poo pooththa intha poonthottamThis flower garden that has bloomed
Nee engae endru ketkuthaeIs asking where you are
Neerodai adi nee indriOh lady, without you, the stream of water
Kaanal pol enai thaakkuthaeAttacks me like a mirage
Male
Kaasalla kaalam allaIt is not money, nor is it time
Edhanaalae maaraanomWhy did we change like this?
Vaai vaarththai vaalai veesaAs spoken words slashed like a sword
Nenjangal veraanomOur hearts grew estranged
Kannammaa adi kannammaaKannamma, oh Kannamma
Ini oru vazhi vanthu nesam nerunidumaaWill a way emerge now for our love to draw near?
Female
Unna nenachchu urugum vannakkiliThe colorful parrot that melts thinking of you
Ingu naan angu neeMe here, you there
Rendu pattu nirpathennavoWhy are we split into two halves standing apart?
Oo….oo….oo….oo….oo….oo….Oo....oo....oo....oo....oo....oo....
Female
Aaththoram kuyil thopporamBy the river bank, near the cuckoo grove
Naan kettaen unthan paattuththaanI listened only to your song
Kanavodum varum ninaivodumIn dreams and in lingering memories
Nindraadum unthan paattuththaanIt is your song that dances ceaselessly
Female
Poovalla pinjumalla kaayaana kadhalLove that was neither flower nor tender fruit, but unripe fruit
Kaniyaai kayil varumaa vaazhkindra naalilWill it ripen into sweet fruit in our hands while we live?
Kannammaa adi kannammaaKannamma, oh Kannamma
Idai vantha thirai ingu naalai vilagidumaaWill this veil that came in between be lifted tomorrow?
Male
Unna nenachchu urugum vannakkiliThe colorful parrot that melts thinking of you
Ingu naan angu neeMe here, you there
Rendu pattu nirpathennavoWhy are we split into two halves standing apart?
Female
Anbai vedhachchu marugum annakkiliThe swan bird that suffers after sowing love
Anbukku yaengaththaanOnly longing for affection
Kadhal seitha kuttram ennavoWhat fault is there in falling in love?
Male
Kannammaa chinna kannammaaKannamma, my little Kannamma
Ennammaa badhil sollammaaWhat is it, dear? Give me an answer
Oru vaarththaiyil vaazhkkai odam thaththalikkumaaWill the boat of life falter because of a single word?
Female
Unna nenachchu urugum vannakkiliThe colorful parrot that melts thinking of you
Ingu naan angu neeMe here, you there
Rendu pattu nirpathennavo….Why are we split into two halves standing apart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional melancholic song expresses the deep pain of separation and misunderstanding between lovers. The protagonist laments how harsh words have created a rift between two souls who once shared pure affection, likening their love to birds separated by distance and life to a fragile boat adrift in troubled waters. Throughout the song, he pleads with his beloved Kannamma for an answer and holds onto hope that the rift between them will eventually disappear.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvakamaai)

Oru vaarththaiyil vaazhkkai odam thaththalikkumaa

Comparing life to a boat ('vaazhkkai odam') tossed in waters, highlighting fragile uncertainty.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kaanal pol enai thaakkuthae

Comparing painful absence to a mirage ('kaanal pol') that tricks and attacks the mind.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vaai vaarththai vaalai veesa

Repetition of the 'V' sound across words ('Vaai', 'vaarththai', 'vaalai', 'veesa').

Metaphor (Uruvakamaai)

Vaai vaarththai vaalai veesa

Comparing harsh spoken words to a sharp sword ('vaalai veesa') that cuts hearts apart.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed in the prompt context as unknown, the music for the film Raasaiyya (1995) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The film stars Prabhu Deva and Roja in the lead roles.

Keep listening

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