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Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Kandu Naan Vaada

From Kalyana Parisu · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
A. M. Rajah
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Movie name
Kalyana Parisu
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
14 Sept 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unnai kandu naan vaada
Ennai kandu nee vaada
Kaaneerum kathai
Sollum deepavali
Oorengum manakkum
Anantham namakku
Kaanaatha dhooramada
Kaanaatha dhooramada
{Nenjamum kanalaagi
Neeraagum pothu
Nimmathi en vaazhvil
Ini yedhu} (2)
Konjidum mozhikettu
Magizhnthaval engae
Konjidum mozhikettu
Magizhnthaval engae
Kulaththin vilakkai
Thigazhnthaval engae
Kannukkul nadantha
Kaatchchigal ellaam
Kanavaagi ponathada…aaa…
Kanavaagi ponathada…
{Aasaikku anaipotta
Arivaana nangai
Anbukku porul sonna
Arul mangai} (2)
Paasaththin sumaiodu
Paranthu sendraalae
Paasaththin sumaiodu
Paranthu sendraalae
Pazhagum unaiyum
Maranthu sendraalae
Kandathum ninaivil
Kondathum mudivil
Kathaiyaagi ponathada…aaa….
Kathaiyaagi ponathada…
As I grieve seeing you,
as you grieve seeing me,
even our tears
tell a story this Deepavali.
The joy that spreads sweet fragrance
across the whole town
is so far out of our reach.
It is so far out of our reach.
When the heart turns to burning embers
and melts away into water,
where can peace be found
in my life anymore?
She who rejoiced hearing sweet, loving words,
where is she now?
She who rejoiced hearing sweet, loving words,
where is she now?
She who shone as a bright lamp
for the home, where is she?
All the scenes that unfolded
right before our eyes
have turned into a dream... ah...
have turned into a dream...
The wise woman who held back her desires,
guided by understanding,
the graceful soul who showed the true meaning
of selfless love...
Carrying the heavy burden of affection,
she flew away.
Carrying the heavy burden of affection,
she flew away.
She even forgot you, who was so close to her,
and left us behind.
All that we saw and all that
we treasured in our memories, in the end,
has turned into just a story... ah...
has turned into just a story...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track 'Unnai Kandu Naan Vaada' from the iconic movie 'Kalyana Parisu' (1959) expresses deep sorrow and heartbreak during a festival that is usually joyous (Deepavali). The protagonist laments the tragedy that has befalled his life, contrasting the festive happiness around the town with his own internal grief. He remembers a beloved, virtuous woman who brought light to the family and exemplified love, but who has now departed, leaving behind memories that feel like a faded dream and a past story.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second letter rhyming)

Unnai kandu naan vaada / Ennai kandu nee vaada

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'kandu' / 'kandu' and 'Nenjamum' / 'Neeraagum'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannukkul nadantha / Kaatchchigal ellaam

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Kannukkul' and 'Kaatchchigal', 'Aasaikku' and 'Arivaana'.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kulaththin vilakkai / Thigazhnthaval engae

'Kulaththin vilakkai' metaphorically refers to a woman as the luminous lamp that brightens a family/lineage.

Juxtaposition / Irony

Kaaneerum kathai / Sollum deepavali

Contrasting the festive joy of Deepavali, which spreads happiness across the town, with personal sorrow and tears.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalyana Parisu' (1959) was a landmark film directed by C. V. Sridhar. The music was composed by A. M. Rajah, who also rendered this soulful song. The lyrics were penned by the legendary poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. The song is famed for its tragic depth during a festive backdrop.

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