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Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Ennum Pothe

From Vairamalai · 1954

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Vairamalai1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnai ennum podhaeWhen I think of you,
Ullam undhan meedhaeMy heart belongs to you,
Thaniyaadha kaadhal kondae isai paadudhaeSinging music with unquenchable love.
Ennaasai yaavaiyum kondu sendreeraeYou carried away all my desires,
Naan penn endru pesaadhu angae nindrenaeI stood there silently, being a woman.
Female
Unnai ennum podhaeWhen I think of you,
Ullam undhan meedhaeMy heart belongs to you,
Thaniyaadha kaadhal kondae isai paadudhaeSinging music with unquenchable love.
Ennaasai yaavaiyum kondu sendreeraeYou carried away all my desires,
Naan penn endru pesaadhu angae nindrenaeI stood there silently, being a woman.
Female
Vaaghaana joraana maappillai kandenaeI saw a fine and grand bridegroom,
Maaradhu meelaadhu per anbu kondenaeI fell deeply and unalterably in immense love.
Kaaranam yedhena kaanen naanumaeI cannot see what the reason is,
Kaaranam yedhena kaanen naanumaeI cannot see what the reason is.
Yedhyedho aasaithaanae thonudhaeVarious desires keep arising within me,
Haa veenaana aasaiyaagha pomooAh, will these turn into futile desires?
Ennaasai yaavaiyum kondu sendreeraeYou carried away all my desires,
Naan penn endru pesaadhu angae nindrenaeI stood there silently, being a woman.
Female
Thaenaaru polavae en vaazhnaalil vandheeraeLike a river of honey, you entered my life,
Theeraadha peraaval thaan kondu thandheeraeYou bestowed upon me an endless, great longing.
Maanena en manam thulli aadudhaeLike a deer, my heart leaps and dances,
Maanena en manam thulli aadudhaeLike a deer, my heart leaps and dances.
Vaan meedhu kottai katta thonudhaeI feel like building a castle in the sky,
Haa veenaana kottaiyaagha pomooAh, will it turn out to be a castle built in vain?
Ennaasai yaavaiyum kondu sendreeraeYou carried away all my desires,
Naan penn endru pesaadhu angae nindrenaeI stood there silently, being a woman.
Female
Unnai ennum podhaeWhen I think of you,
Ullam undhan meedhaeMy heart belongs to you,
Thaniyaadha kaadhal kondae isai paadudhaeSinging music with unquenchable love.
Ennaasai yaavaiyum kondu sendreeraeYou carried away all my desires,
Naan penn endru pesaadhu angae nindrenaeI stood there silently, being a woman.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep, tender emotions of a young woman who has fallen deeply in love upon seeing a handsome suitor. She describes how her mind naturally turns toward him and how her heart sings with undying love. Modest and reserved due to traditional femininity, she remained silent while he swept her away with affection, entering her life like a sweet river of honey. While her heart leaps with joy like a deer and dreams of building castles in the sky, she also holds a subtle anxiety, wondering if these dreamy desires and hopes will turn out to be futile. The lyrics beautifully capture the thrill, modesty, and delicate vulnerability of romantic awakening.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Thaenaaru polavae en vaazhnaalil vandheerae

In 'Thaenaaru polavae', the lover's sweet arrival in her life is directly compared to a flowing river of honey.

Simile (Upamai)

Maanena en manam thulli aadudhae

In 'Maanena en manam thulli aadudhae', the dancing, joyful heart is compared to a leaping deer.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Vaan meedhu kottai katta thonudhae

'Vaan meedhu kottai katta' uses the metaphor of building castles in the sky to depict daydreaming and high hopes.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Etukai)

Unnai ennum podhae / Ullam undhan meedhae

Assonance and rhyme in 'Unnai ennum podhae / Ullam undhan meedhae' establish a soothing musical rhythm.

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Trivia

Rendered by the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. L. Vasanthakumari (MLV), this song features music composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy in their early career for the 1954 film 'Vairamalai'. The lyrics were written by Kuyilan, a renowned poet who contributed to several early Tamil films.

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