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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Naan Serndhirukka Sad

From Ilaya Raagam · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilaya Raagam1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aahaaha haaAahaaha haa
Male
Haa… haa…Haa… haa…
Female
Aahaaha haa haaAahaaha haa haa
Male :Haa… haa… (Overlap)Male: Haa… haa… (Overlap)
Male
Unnai naan saerndhirukkaFor me to be united with you
Kaalam seidha sodhanaiThis is a trial posed by time
Kanni undhan kai pidikkaTo hold your maiden hand
Enna idhu vaedhanaiWhat deep agony is this!
Female
Poovaaram ponnaaram engaeWhere are the flower garlands and golden adornments?
Theeyaaga naan ingae anbaeHere I am burning like fire, my love
Nenjukkul nenjukkul thunba raagamaaIs there a melody of sorrow echoing inside my heart?
Neengaamal nindraarum soga raagamaaIs it a mournful tune that refuses to fade away?
Male
Unnai naan saerndhirukkaFor me to be united with you
Kaalam seidha sodhanaiThis is a trial posed by time
Female
Muthu mani dheeba muthaadudhuThe pearl-like lamp flame kisses softly
Thatthum kuyil osai pithaakkudhuThe call of the fluttering cuckoo drives me insane
Male
Sondhangal thaan nammai pandhaadudhuOur own kin and relations toss us around like a ball
Sogathil oru kaadhal thindaadudhuA true love struggles helplessly amidst deep sorrow
Female
Kaadhal veedhiyil…In the street of love...
Kaalam kaalamaai…Through generations and ages...
Kaadhal veedhiyil kaalam kaalamaaiIn the street of love, through ages past and present
Indrum ketkudhae thunba olangalEven today, cries of anguish continue to resound
Male
Dharmangal engae sol en dhevanaeTell me, where is righteousness, my Lord?
Nyaayangal engae sol en dheivamaeTell me, where is justice, my God?
Female
Haa… unnai naan saerndhirukkaHaa… for me to be united with you
Kaalam seidha sodhanaiThis is a trial posed by time
Male
Kanni undhan kai pidikkaTo hold your maiden hand
Enna idhu vaedhanaiWhat deep agony is this!
Male
Uravaadum uravindru pagai aagumoWill a warm relationship turn into enmity today?
Uyirodu uyir saera pazhi aagumoWill uniting soul to soul bring blame and disgrace?
Female
Piriyaadha iru nenjamTwo hearts that were meant to be inseparable
PirivaagumoWill they end up separated?
Puriyaadha kadhai solli pudhir podumoWill destiny pose a riddle through an incomprehensible tale?
Male
Vanna solaiyil…In the colorful garden...
Chinna poonguyil…The little cuckoo bird...
Vanna solaiyil chinna poonguyilThe little cuckoo bird in the colorful garden
Endha naalilae ennai chaerumoOn which day will it finally join me?
Female
Dharmangal engae sol en dhevanaeTell me, where is righteousness, my Lord?
Nyaayangal engae sol en dheivamaeTell me, where is justice, my God?
Male
Ho… unnai naan saerndhirukkaHo… for me to be united with you
Kaalam seidha sodhanaiThis is a trial posed by time
Kanni undhan kai pidikkaTo hold your maiden hand
Enna idhu vaedhanaiWhat deep agony is this!
Female
Poovaaram ponnaaram engaeWhere are the flower garlands and golden adornments?
Theeyaaga naan ingae anbaeHere I am burning like fire, my love
Nenjukkul nenjukkul thunba raagamaaIs there a melody of sorrow echoing inside my heart?
Neengaamal nindraarum soga raagamaaIs it a mournful tune that refuses to fade away?
Male
Unnai naan saerndhirukkaFor me to be united with you
Kaalam seidha sodhanaiThis is a trial posed by time

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Unnai Naan Saerndhirukka' from the movie 'Ilaya Raagam' is a poignant, mournful love ballad expressing the anguish of lovers separated by societal circumstances and fate. The protagonist laments how time and social ties have created cruel trials, preventing them from joining hands and celebrating their love in marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil)

Unnai naan saerndhirukka / Kanni undhan kai pidikka

The second consonant 'n' matches in 'Unnai' and 'Kanni', providing rhythmic structure across alternate lines.

Moonaik Kilaigal (Initial Alliteration)

Piriyaadha iru nenjam / Pirivaagumo

Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words in 'Piriyaadha' and 'Pirivaagumo', emphasizing the theme of separation.

Metaphor & Imagery

Sondhangal thaan nammai pandhaadudhu

Comparing the lovers' emotional turmoil to being tossed like a ball ('pandhaadudhu') and suffering like a lingering mournful melody ('soga raagamaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali, 'Ilaya Raagam' (1995) features classic 90s Tamil film song motifs where nature (cuckoos, gardens, lamps) is contrasted against personal suffering and existential questions regarding fate and justice.

Keep listening

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