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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Azhaithathu Yaaro

From Malaikkallan · 1954

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Malaikkallan1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnai azhaiththathu yaaroWho was it that called you?
Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvoWhat is their town, and what is their name?
Unnai azhaiththathu yaaroWho was it that called you?
Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvoWhat is their town, and what is their name?
Chinna vayathinilaeIn my childhood days,
Naan enniya ennangalaethe thoughts and dreams I cherished,
Chinna vayathinilaeIn my childhood days,
Naan enniya ennangalaethe thoughts and dreams I cherished,
Thinnam adainthu sidharidum munnaeBefore they gain strength and shatter away,
Female
Unnai azhaiththathu yaaroWho was it that called you?
Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvoWhat is their town, and what is their name?
Female
Vatta vadiva nilaavilaeIn the circular full moon,
Oli vanthu ulaginil paayuthaelight streams down onto the world.
Vatta vadiva nilaavilaeIn the circular full moon,
Oli vanthu ulaginil paayuthaelight streams down onto the world.
Antha azhaginai kaanavae….ae…ae…ae…To behold that beauty...
Antha azhaginai kaanavae…To behold that beauty...
Nee vanthu amarnthitta pothilaeWhen you came and sat beside me,
Female
Unnai azhaiththathu yaaroWho was it that called you?
Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvoWhat is their town, and what is their name?
Female
Paayum puyalathin vaegaththilaeAt the speed of a rushing storm,
Angu paainthu varugindra minnalilaein the lightning that flashes across there,
Paayum puyalathin vaegaththilaeAt the speed of a rushing storm,
Angu paainthu varugindra minnalilaein the lightning that flashes across there,
Neeyum payanthu olinthidum pothinilaeWhen you hide away in fear,
Ingu vaavena kuyil koovuthal polaeLike a cuckoo bird cooing 'come here',
Female
Unnai azhaiththathu yaaroWho was it that called you?
Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvoWhat is their town, and what is their name?
Unnai azhaiththathu yaaroWho was it that called you?
Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvo….oo….oo..oo…What is their town, and what is their name?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Unnai Azhaiththathu Yaaro is a romantic and reflective song from the 1954 classic film Malaikkallan. The lyrics evoke a sense of curiosity, nostalgia, and longing as the speaker wonders who called out to their beloved. Nostalgic reflections on childhood dreams are intertwined with vivid descriptions of nature, such as the glowing circular moon, stormy winds, and flashing lightning. Through these nature metaphors, the song portrays the gentle call of love—soft and inviting like a cuckoo's song amidst life's frightening storms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Ingu vaavena kuyil koovuthal polae

Compares the inviting call of the beloved to the sweet cooing of a cuckoo bird.

Visual Imagery

Vatta vadiva nilaavilae / Oli vanthu ulaginil paayuthae

Creates a vivid visual scene of moonlight flooding the entire earth from a round moon.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paayum puyalathin vaegaththilae / Angu paainthu varugindra minnalilae

The repetition of the 'Pa' sound at the beginning of words in adjacent lines.

Refrain (Anaphora)

Unnai azhaiththathu yaaro / Avar oor edhuvo per edhuvo

The repeated chorus highlighting mystery and longing throughout the composition.

Did you know?

Trivia

Malaikkallan (1954), starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi, was a landmark film in Tamil cinema history. It was the first Tamil film to win the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 2nd National Film Awards, and its massive success led to it being remade in five other Indian languages, including the hit Hindi movie Azad starring Dilip Kumar.

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