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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Naan Parkkaiyil (Duet)

From Kannukkoru Vannakili · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Asha Bhosle
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukkoru Vannakili1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnai naan paarkkaiyilWhen I look at you
Oomaiyaai pogirenI become speechless / mute
Vaarthai thaedum kaadhal raagamA love melody searching for words
Vaarthai thaedum kaadhal raagamA love melody searching for words
Engengumae oo… oo…Everywhere, oo... oo...
Pogindradhae oo… oo…It spreads / goes, oo... oo...
Female
Unnai naan paarkkaiyilWhen I look at you
Oomaiyaai pogirenI become speechless / mute
Vaarthai thaedum kaadhal raagamA love melody searching for words
Male
Aavaaram poovukkuFor the golden Aavaaram flower
Melaadai yen ingaeWhy an upper garment here?
Female
Aadaikkum melaadaiAn upper drape over the attire
Nee undu vaa ingaeYou wear it and come here
Male
Un koondhalil paarkkirenIn your tresses, I see
Thongum thottangalHanging garden bowers
Female
Pon maalaiyil malligaiIn the golden evening, jasmine
Poovai choottungalAdorn yourself with flowers
Male
En maarbilae aadum ponnaaramaeOh golden garland dancing upon my chest
Female :Senthooram yen undhan kannoramaeFemale: Why is there vermillion at the corner of your eyes?
Male :Nee konjinaal anjugam kenjumaeMale: If you speak affectionately, even a parrot would beg for mercy
Male
Mai vaitha kannoramAt the corner of eyes lined with kohl
Poi vaikka koodaadhuDeceit should not be placed
Female :Maadhangal mugoorthangalFemale: Auspicious months and times
Kai vaikka koodaadhuShould not be laid hands upon in haste
Male
Nee paarthidum paarvaiyilIn the look that you cast
Mullum poo pookkumEven a thorn will bloom into a flower
Female :Nee pesidum sollilaeFemale: In the words you utter
Kallum thaenoorumEven a stone will yield sweet honey
Male
Brindhaavanam engae pogindradhuWhere is Brindhavanam heading?
Female :En kannanai thaedi pogindradhuFemale: It goes searching for my Krishna
Nee kannanaa en uyir kalvanaaAre you Krishna, the stealer of my soul?
Male
Unnai naan paarkkaiyilWhen I look at you
Oomaiyaai pogirenI become speechless / mute
Vaarthai thaedum kaadhal raagamA love melody searching for words
Female
Engengumae oo… oo…Everywhere, oo... oo...
Pogindradhae oo… oo…It spreads / goes, oo... oo...
Female
Unnai naan paarkkaiyilWhen I look at you
Oomaiyaai pogirenI become speechless / mute
Vaarthai thaedum kaadhal raagamA love melody searching for words
Laala laalaalaa laala laalaalaaLaala laalaalaa laala laalaalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Unnai Naan Paarkkaiyil' from the movie 'Kannukkoru Vannakili' (1991) is a romantic duet expressing deep emotional connection and wordless admiration between lovers. The protagonist describes becoming completely speechless whenever he sets eyes on his beloved, framing their passion as a musical melody searching for lyrics to express its depth. Through poetic imagery, the couple exchanges affectionate banter, comparing each other's beauty and gentle words to nature's marvels—where a single glance can make thorns bloom into flowers and sweet words can turn stones into honey. The female voice fondly likens her lover to Lord Krishna (Kannan), the stealer of her heart, as they navigate the playful yet profound feelings of emerging love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aavaaram poovukku

Compares the beloved's beauty to 'Aavaaram poo' (golden senna flower) and his emotional song to a 'kaadhal raagam' searching for words.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Nee paarthidum paarvaiyil mullum poo pookkum

Exaggerates the effect of love by claiming that a glance makes thorns blossom and spoken words make stones yield honey.

Alliteration / Monai

Maadhangal mugoorthangal

Repetition of initial consonants or phonetic sounds, creating rhythmic resonance ('Maadhangal' / 'Mugoorthangal').

Rhyme / Etukai

Nee paarthidum paarvaiyil / Nee pesidum sollilae

Matching second consonants across lines ('Mullum' and 'Kallum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kannukkoru Vannakili' (1991) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Vaali. The song is well regarded for its soft, melodic structure and classical nuances in Vaali's evocative Tamil phrasing.

Keep listening

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