Unnai Naan Ariven (Bit)
From Gunaa · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. Varalakshmi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Gunaa1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Unnai naan ariven | I know you well. |
| Ennai andri yaar arivar | Who else knows you besides me? |
| Kannil neer vazhinthaal | If tears flow from your eyes, |
| Ennai andri yaar thudaippar | Who else will wipe them besides me? |
| Female | |
| Thaai paravai midhithaal | Even if the mother bird steps on it, |
| Sei paravai noovathillai | The baby bird feels no pain, |
| Kayam avathillai | It suffers no injury. |
| Female | |
| Unnai naan ariven | I know you well. |
| Ennai andri yaar arivar | Who else knows you besides me? |
| Kannil neer vazhinthaal | If tears flow from your eyes, |
| Ennai andri yaar thudaippar | Who else will wipe them besides me? |
உன்னை நான்
அறிவேன் என்னை
அன்றி யாா் அறிவார்
கண்ணில் நீர் வழிந்தால்
என்னை அன்றி யார்
துடைப்பார்
I know you well.
Who else knows you besides me?
If tears flow from your eyes,
Who else will wipe them besides me?
தாய் பறவை
மிதித்தால் சேய் பறவை
நோவதில்லை காயம்
ஆவதில்லை
Even if the mother bird steps on it,
The baby bird feels no pain,
It suffers no injury.
உன்னை நான்
அறிவேன் என்னை
அன்றி யாா் அறிவார்
கண்ணில் நீர் வழிந்தால்
என்னை அன்றி யார்
துடைப்பார்
I know you well.
Who else knows you besides me?
If tears flow from your eyes,
Who else will wipe them besides me?
Unnai naan ariven
I know you well.
Ennai andri yaar arivar
Who else knows you besides me?
Kannil neer vazhinthaal
If tears flow from your eyes,
Ennai andri yaar thudaippar
Who else will wipe them besides me?
Thaai paravai midhithaal
Even if the mother bird steps on it,
Sei paravai noovathillai
The baby bird feels no pain,
Kayam avathillai
It suffers no injury.
Unnai naan ariven
I know you well.
Ennai andri yaar arivar
Who else knows you besides me?
Kannil neer vazhinthaal
If tears flow from your eyes,
Ennai andri yaar thudaippar
Who else will wipe them besides me?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
These lines convey an intense, unconditional, and protective devotion between two souls. The speaker emphasizes an absolute understanding of the beloved, claiming that no one else can truly comprehend or comfort them in moments of sorrow. Through the tender metaphor of a mother bird stepping on her chick without causing pain or injury, the lyrics express how deep affection is naturally harmless and nurturing, no matter how intense it appears. Overall, it captures a love that transcends ordinary human understanding, rooted in maternal-like care and spiritual oneness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Thaai paravai midhithaal / Sei paravai noovathillai”
Compares the protective and harmless nature of deep love to a mother bird stepping on her chick without causing pain or injury.
Rhetorical Question
“Ennai andri yaar arivar”
Uses questions expecting no answer to emphasize that no one else can truly know or comfort the beloved.
Edhukai (Rhyming Pattern)
“Thaai paravai midhithaal / Sei paravai noovathillai”
The rhyming pairing of 'Thaai' and 'Sei' creates rhythmic harmony highlighting the maternal bond.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic verse from the 1991 psychological drama 'Gunaa' was written by Vaali with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. It deeply reflects the innocent yet intense, pure devotion of the protagonist Gunaa, played by Kamal Haasan.
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