Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Naan Serndhirukka

From Ilaya Raagam · 1995

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

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haa… unnai naan serndhirukkaHaa... for me to unite with you
Chorus
Haa… maalai thannai korkkavaaHaa... shall I weave a garland?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Female
Kanni endhan kai pidikkaFor this young maiden to hold my hand
Chorus
Haa… kaala naeram paarkkavaaHaa... should I look for an auspicious time?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Female
Aanandha ponnoonjal alloIt is a golden swing of bliss, isn't it?
Ammammaa aarambam alloOh my, it is a grand beginning, isn't it?
Chorus
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Female
Nenjathil nenjathil raaja raajanaeIn my heart of hearts, O king of kings
Neengaamal nindraadum raaja raajanaeO king of kings who dances without ever leaving
Female
Haa… unnai naan serndhirukkaHaa... for me to unite with you
Chorus
Haa… maalai thannai korkkavaaHaa... shall I weave a garland?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Female
Kanni endhan kai pidikkaFor this young maiden to hold my hand
Chorus
Haa… kaala naeram paarkkavaaHaa... should I look for an auspicious time?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Male
Vil vambu yaen vanjiyae vanjiyaeWhy this bow-like trouble, my maiden, my maiden?
Vizhi ambu yen vanjiyae vanjiyaeWhy these arrow-like glances, my maiden, my maiden?
Female
Ul anbu thaan minjiyae minjiyaeDeep inner love is overflowing and excelling
Uravaada vaa konjiyae konjiyaeCome to play and romance, fondling lovingly
Male
Sorga vaasalil thendral veesudhoIs a gentle breeze blowing at heaven's doorway?
Female
Pattu thogaiyai thottu paesudhoIs it touching and speaking to the silken peacock feathers?
Male
Kalyaana oorgola nannaalilaeOn the auspicious day of the wedding procession
Female
Poo maari thoovaadho pon vaanamaeWon't the golden sky shower a rain of flowers?
Male
Ho… ennai nee saerndhirukkaHo... for you to unite with me
Chorus
Haa… utharavu thaevaiyaaHaa... is permission required?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Male
Kanni vandhu kai pidikkaFor the young maiden to come and hold hands
Chorus
Haa… kattalaigal thaevaiyaaHaa... are orders required?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Male
Aanandha ponnoonjal alloIt is a golden swing of bliss, isn't it?
Ammammaa aarambam alloOh my, it is a grand beginning, isn't it?
Chorus
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Male
Nenjathil nenjathil vaazhum raaniyaeO queen who lives in my heart of hearts
Neengaamal paadum sangeedha vaaniyaeO goddess of music who sings without departing
Female
Muthu mani dheepa muthaadudhaeThe pearl-lamp sways gently like a kiss
Thatthum kuyil paattu pithaakkudhaeThe song of the hopping cuckoo drives one mad with joy
Male
Vaanathu meen alliyae alliyaePlucking stars from the sky, maiden, maiden
Boomikku vaa valliyae valliyaeCome down to the earth, my precious Valliyae
Female
Nenja kovilil sirpamaagavaaShall I become a sculpture in the temple of your heart?
Male
Sirpam paadumaa thottu pesumaaWill a sculpture sing, touch, and speak?
Female
Kalyaana oorgola nannaalilaeOn the auspicious day of the wedding procession
Male
Poo maari thoovaadho pon vaanamaeWon't the golden sky shower a rain of flowers?
Female
Haa… unnai naan saerndhirukkaHaa... for me to unite with you
Chorus
Haa… maalai thannai korkkavaaHaa... shall I weave a garland?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Female
Kanni endhan kai pidikkaFor this young maiden to hold my hand
Chorus
Haa… kaala neram paarkkavaaHaa... should I look for an auspicious time?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Male
Aanandha ponnoonjal alloIt is a golden swing of bliss, isn't it?
Ammammaa aarambam alloOh my, it is a grand beginning, isn't it?
Chorus
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Female
Nenjathil nenjathil raaja raajanaeIn my heart of hearts, O king of kings
Neengaamal nindraadum raaja raajanaeO king of kings who dances without ever leaving
Male
Ennai nee serndhirukkaFor you to unite with me
Chorus
Haa… uttharavu thaevaiyaaHaa... is permission required?
Chaangu chachaaChaangu chachaa
Male
Kanni vandhu kai pidikkaFor the young maiden to come and hold hands
Chorus
Haa… kattalaigal thaevaiyaaHaa... are orders required?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ilaya Raagam is a lighthearted and affectionate duet where two lovers express their deep love and eagerness to marry. The heroine wonders if she should prepare a garland and consult auspicious dates for their union, to which the hero lovingly replies that true love needs no formal permissions or orders. They playfully tease each other with romantic metaphors comparing eyes to arrows and hearts to temples, anticipating a blissful future together under a shower of blessings from the golden sky.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nenja kovilil sirpamaagavaa

Compares the beloved's heart to a temple and her presence to a carved sculpture ('Nenja kovilil sirpamaagavaa').

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Vil vambu yaen vanjiyae vanjiyae

Use of repeating end rhymes across successive lines ('vanjiyae', 'minjiyae', 'konjiyae').

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Aanandha ponnoonjal allo

Repetition of initial vowel sounds in 'Aanandha' and 'Ammammaa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features the characteristic 90s Tamil pop-folk rhythm beat ('Chaangu chachaa') popularized by lyricist Vaali's playful folk-style refrain additions in duet compositions.

Keep listening

More from Ilaya Raagam