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Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Kandu Naan Aada

From Kalyana Parisu · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Kalyana Parisu1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnai kandu naan aadaSeeing you dance, I dance
Ennai kandu nee aadaSeeing me dance, you dance
Ullaasam pongumJoy overflows with exuberance
Inba deepaavaliA happy, delightful Diwali
Female
Oorenggum magizhndhuCelebrating happily across the whole town
Ondraaga kalandhuBlending together as one
Uravaadum neramadaa…aaa….It is time to bond and share love, my dear...
Uravaadum neramadaa…It is time to bond and share love, my dear...
Female
{Kannaththil onnae onnu{Give me just one kiss on the cheek
Kadanaaga thaadaaAs a loan, come on and give it
Kannukkul vilaiyaadumPlaying inside my eyes
Kalaiyae nee vaadaa} (2)Oh embodiment of art, come here} (2)
Female
Ennaththil unakkaagaIn my thoughts, for you
Idam naan tharuvenI will give a special place
Ennaththil unakkaagaIn my thoughts, for you
Idam naan tharuvenI will give a special place
Female
Enakku ini neeTo me now, what will you
Ennenna tharuvaaiGive in return?
Vallamai sera nallavanaagaIf you grow up to be a good person
Valarndhaalae podhumadaa..aaa…Gaining strength and wisdom, that is enough, my dear...
Valarndhaalae podhumadaa..If you grow up well, that is enough, my dear...
Female
{Siththira poopolae{Like picture-perfect flowers
Sidharum maththaappuSparklers scattering light
Theeyaedhum illaamalWithout any fire needed
Vediththidum kaeppu} (2)Roll-caps popping with joy} (2)
Female
Muththirai pasumponnaeOh pure hallmarked gold
Yen indha sirippuWhy this sweet laughter?
Muththirai pasumponnaeOh pure hallmarked gold
Yen indha sirippuWhy this sweet laughter?
Female
Mugamo malaroIs it a face or a flower?
Idhu enna rasippuWhat wonderful aesthetic delight!
Minnoli veesum un ezhil kandaalSeeing your radiant beauty shining like lightning
Vaerenna venumadaa…aaaa…What else could anyone ever need, my dear...
Vaerenna venumadaa…What else could anyone ever need, my dear...
Female
Unnai kandu naan aadaSeeing you dance, I dance
Ennai kandu nee aadaSeeing me dance, you dance
Ullaasam pongumJoy overflows with exuberance
Inba deepaavaliA happy, delightful Diwali
Female
Oorenggum magizhndhuCelebrating happily across the whole town
Ondraaga kalandhuBlending together as one
Uravaadum neramadaa…aaa….It is time to bond and share love, my dear...
Uravaadum neramadaa…It is time to bond and share love, my dear...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This celebratory song captures the vibrant joy and playful spirit of Diwali. The singer expresses profound affection for a young child, asking for a cheek kiss as a playful loan and admiring their innocence. The lyrics beautifully capture the festive atmosphere—bursting sparklers, popping toy caps, and town-wide togetherness. Beyond the festivities, the song delivers a heartfelt moral lesson: the ultimate wish for a child is not material gifts, but growing into an honorable, capable, and good human being.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Unnai kandu naan aada / Ennai kandu nee aada

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythm, such as 'nn' in 'Unnai' and 'Ennai'.

Moonaai (Initial letter alliteration)

Kannaththil onnae onnu / Kadanaaga thaadaa

Repetition of the 'K' sound across line beginnings ('Kannaththil', 'Kadanaaga', 'Kannukkul', 'Kalaiyae').

Upamai (Simile)

Siththira poopolae / Sidharum maththaappu

Comparing the scattering sparks of Diwali sparklers to picturesque floral patterns ('Siththira poopolae').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Muththirai pasumponnae / Yen indha sirippu

Directly addressing the beloved person as hallmarked pure gold ('Muththirai pasumponnae').

Rhetorical Question

Mugamo malaro / Idhu enna rasippu

Asking poetically whether the face is a flower ('Mugamo malaro'), marveling at its beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalyana Parisu' (1959) is a iconic Tamil romantic drama directed by C. V. Sridhar. The soundtrack was composed by A. M. Rajah, with lyrics penned by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. This track is fondly remembered as a classic Tamil Diwali celebration song featuring P. Susheela and Jamuna Rani.

Keep listening

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