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Isaimozhi
Clap album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Keta

From Clap · 2023

Lyricist
Uma Devi
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Clap
Movie release year
2023
Lyrics added on
16 Dec 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unnai kettaa ennai kettaa
Thendral vandhu thaalaatum
Mannai kettaa malarai kettaa
Megam vandhu neer ootrum
Irulai ootum vennila
Ulagukaaga thondrum
Unakagavae orr oli nila
Endrum unnai thodarnthu varuthae
Unnai kettaa ennai kettaa
Thendral vandhu thaalaatum
Yarukkum vaazhkai
Ninaitha padi selladhu
Nee ingu ninaithadhum
Nadanthadhum vevveru
Unaku orr aran pola
Poomagal vanthaalae
Unnai nee nonthaalum
Thannaiyae thanthaalae
Meendu vara vendum endru
Vendi varam vaangi kondaal
Malargal kulungum poongavil
Ottrai malar pola nindraal
Koodiyae vaalvadha thanimaiyil
Unnai kettaa ennai kettaa
Thendral vandhu thaalaatum
Veenaikkul naathangal
Aalkadal pol thoonguthae
Alaigal pol karai thoda
Aasaiyodu adhu yenguthae
Vithigal nadathum vaalkaiyil
Unaku yeno vidhi
Kalainthu pogum kanavilae
Unaku yeno orr kanaa
Serndhu irundha podhum ingae
Neeyum thani nanum thaniyae
Vaanavillin serndha vannam
Kalaiyum nodi pogum than valiyae
Raagama naan vegama
Neeyum sollu
Unnai kettaa ennai kettaa
Thendral vandhu thaalaatum
Mannai kettaa malarai kettaa
Megam vandhu neer ootrum
Irulai ootum vennila
Ulagukaaga thondrum
Unakagavae orr oli nila
Endrum unnai thodarnthu varuthae
Unnai kettaa ennai kettaa
Thendral vandhu thaalaatum
Does it ask you or ask me,
Before the gentle breeze comes to sing a lullaby?
Does it ask the earth or ask the flower,
Before the cloud pours down its rain?
The bright moon that drives away the dark
Rises for the entire world;
Yet a glowing moon meant just for you
Follows you wherever you go, always.
Does it ask you or ask me,
Before the gentle breeze comes to sing a lullaby?
For no one in this world
Does life go as planned.
What you hoped for here
And what actually happened are worlds apart.
Standing like a protective shield,
A gentle soul came by your side.
Even when you blamed yourself in grief,
She gave her whole self to you.
Wishing for you to rise and return,
She prayed and sought a blessing.
In a garden swaying with blooms,
She stood like a solitary flower.
Is this living together, yet in loneliness?
Does it ask you or ask me,
Before the gentle breeze comes to sing a lullaby?
The melodies within the veena (stringed instrument)
Sleep like the deep ocean.
To reach out and touch the shore like waves,
They long with deep desire.
In a life ruled by fate,
Why did such a harsh destiny fall on you?
In a world of dreams that drift away,
Why did you have to hold onto a dream?
Even though we are together here,
You are alone, and I am alone.
The colors joined in a rainbow
Disperse and go their own way once it fades.
Am I a melody, or am I a rush of speed?
You tell me.
Does it ask you or ask me,
Before the gentle breeze comes to sing a lullaby?
Does it ask the earth or ask the flower,
Before the cloud pours down its rain?
The bright moon that drives away the dark
Rises for the entire world;
Yet a glowing moon meant just for you
Follows you wherever you go, always.
Does it ask you or ask me,
Before the gentle breeze comes to sing a lullaby?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Unnai Kettaa Ennai Kettaa is a deeply philosophical and soulful song from the film Clap. The lyrics draw parallels between the unconditional operations of nature—such as the breeze singing a lullaby or clouds raining without seeking permission—and the unannounced occurrences of destiny in human lives. It reflects on how life rarely moves according to human plans and highlights the quiet sacrifices made by loved ones.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Thendral vandhu thaalaatum”

Attributing the human act of singing a lullaby (thaalaatum) to the gentle breeze (thendral).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Mannai kettaa malarai kettaa”

Repetition of the initial sound 'M' in 'Mannai' and 'Malarai'.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Ottrai malar pola nindraal”

Comparing the heroine standing alone in a garden full of flowers to a single flower using the comparison word 'pola'.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Veenaikkul naathangal Aalkadal pol thoonguthae”

Comparing dormant musical notes inside a Veena to a sleeping deep ocean using 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Vaanavillin serndha vannam Kalaiyum nodi pogum than valiyae”

Comparing human relationships to the fleeting colors of a rainbow that separate once it disperses.

Did you know?

Trivia

Clap (2022/2023) is a sports drama starring Aadhi Pinisetty as a former athlete who faces adversity. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Dr. Uma Devi. Singer Karthik delivered the vocal rendition, which highlights emotional resilience amidst tragedy.

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