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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Naan Laesa

From Sathyavan · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Minmini
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sathyavan1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnai naan laesaa enninaen raasaaDid I think of you lightly, my king?
Thendralae unnidam lovvuO soft breeze, love with you...
Kondadhae sempoovu...has been felt by the beautiful red flower.
Thendralae unnidam lovvuO soft breeze, love with you...
Kondadhae sempoovu...has been felt by the beautiful red flower.
Male
Ennai thaan laesaa ennumaa rosaaWill the rose think of me lightly?
Vandhadhaa vandhadhaa lovvuHas love arrived, has love arrived?
Vaadudhaa sempoovuIs the red flower yearning in love?
Vandhadhaa vandhadhaa lovvuHas love arrived, has love arrived?
Vaadudhaa sempoovuIs the red flower yearning in love?
Female
Unnai naan laesaaDid I think of you lightly...
Male
Haa ennumaa rosaaHa, will the rose think so?
Female
Thattinaa thaalam kottinaa maelamIf tapped, it's rhythm; if beaten, it's a drumbeat.
Mella nee thatti paaruGently touch and see for yourself.
Pakka melam naan kotti paaruI am the accompanying drumbeat, try playing me.
Male
Ottinaa ottuven kattinaa kattuvenIf you embrace me, I will cling; if you hold me, I will stay.
Vanji nee vetti veruYou are like a delicate creeper and a fragrant vetiver root.
Vaadai konjura vaazhai thaaruA banana stalk caressed by the chilly northern breeze.
Female
Andha naal unnai naan kanda podhuOn that day when I first saw you,
Aasaigal aayiram poothadhuA thousand desires bloomed within me.
Male
Video camera naanum neeyumLike a video camera watching us,
Jodiyo endru thaan paarthadhuIt wondered if we were a made-for-each-other pair.
Female
Killinaal poovu allinaal thaenuIf plucked, a flower; if gathered, sweet honey.
Kondu po kaiyoduTake me along with you right now.
Male
Ennai thaan laesaa ennumaa rosaaWill the rose think of me lightly?
Vandhadhaa vandhadhaa lovvuHas love arrived, has love arrived?
Vaadudhaa sempoovuIs the red flower yearning in love?
Female
Thendralae unnidam lovvuO soft breeze, love with you...
Kondadhae sempoovu...has been felt by the beautiful red flower.
Unnai naan laesaaDid I think of you lightly...
Male
Ennumaa rosaaWill the rose think so?
Male
Kattinen thaali kattilil laaliI tied the holy thread, now it's a lullaby on the bed.
Vennilaa thaaram aachuThe bright moon has become our witness star.
Mutham vaangidum naeram aachuThe time has come to exchange kisses.
Female
Uthama pathini soppana sundhariA virtuous wife, a dream-like beauty,
Chandhiran vandha vaelaiAt the night hour when the moon appeared,
Maamaa seiyavaa paadha poojaiMy beloved, shall I pay respect at your feet?
Male
Vethala paakku thaan podanumWe should chew betel leaf and nut,
Pottu thaan methaiyil aadanumAnd dance together on the bed.
Female
Pallavi mella nee paadanumYou must softly sing the opening lines,
Paadi thaan ennai nee koodanumAnd by singing, you must unite with me.
Male
Unnai naan thottu kattuven mettuTouching you, I shall compose a musical tune,
Kaeladi dhaeva gaanamListen my dear to this divine song.
Female
Unnai naan laesaa enninaen raasaaDid I think of you lightly, my king?
Thendralae unnidam lovvuO soft breeze, love with you...
Kondadhae sempoovu...has been felt by the beautiful red flower.
Male
Vandhadhaa vandhadhaa lovvuHas love arrived, has love arrived?
Vaadudhaa sempoovuIs the red flower yearning in love?
Ennai thaan laesaaMe lightly...
Female
Enninaen raasaa...did I think, my king?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic duet expresses the affectionate bond and growing intimacy between two lovers. The female lead compares her lover to a gentle breeze ('thendral') and herself to a delicate red flower ('sempoovu') yearning for his love. The male lead responds with flirtatious admiration, comparing her beauty to aromatic roots, fresh flowers, and honey, while highlighting their cosmic compatibility.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvamaanam)

Thendralae unnidam lovvu Kondadhae sempoovu

The heroine is metaphorically described as 'sempoovu' (red flower) and the hero as 'thendral' (breeze).

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Killinaal poovu allinaal thaenu

The second letters 'll' in 'Killinaal' and 'Allinaal' rhyme, creating a melodious rhythm.

Monai (Alliteration)

Uthama pathini soppana sundhari

The initial 's' sound repeats across 'soppana' and 'sundhari'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features classic Vaali-style playful lyrics combining traditional Tamil imagery (vetiver, banana stalk, betel leaves) with contemporary modern loanwords like 'lovvu' (love) and 'video camera'.

Keep listening

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