Unnai Ninaikave
From Jay Jay · 2003
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Reshmi
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Jay Jay2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| …………………………… | |
| Female | |
| { Unnai ninaikavae | To think of you, |
| Nodigal podhumae | A few seconds are enough. |
| Unnai marakavae | To forget you, |
| Yugangal aagumae } (2) | It will take eons. |
| Female | |
| Nee ketkayil | When you asked me, |
| Salanamae illaiyae | There was no hesitation inside me. |
| Naan ninaikayil oramaai | Yet when I think about it now, somewhere deep inside, |
| Valikudhae en maarbil | It hurts in my chest. |
| Kaadhal vanthu maiyamittadhae | Love has come and taken center stage. |
| Female | |
| Unnai ninaikavae | To think of you, |
| Nodigal podhumae | A few seconds are enough. |
| Unnai marakavae | To forget you, |
| Yugangal aagumae | It will take eons. |
| Female | |
| ……………………….. | |
| Female | |
| Jay jay jay | Jay Jay Jay |
| Jay jay jay jay jay jay | Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay |
| Jay jay jay jay | Jay Jay Jay Jay |
| Female | |
| Naan unnai | That I had forgotten you... |
| Marantha seidhi marandhuvitten | ...I completely forgot that fact itself! |
| Yen indru kulikum podhu | Why today, while taking a shower, |
| Ninaithu konden | Did I suddenly start thinking of you? |
| Female | |
| Kan moodi | Even when I close my eyes |
| Saayum pozhudhilum | And lean back to relax, |
| Un kangal kan munbu | Why do your eyes appear before mine |
| Thondri maraivadhen | And then vanish? |
| Yen yen yen | Why, why, why? |
| Female | |
| Nee ennai | When you asked me, |
| Ketta pothu kaadhal illai | I had no love in my heart. |
| Naan kaadhalutra pothu | When I finally fell in love, |
| Neeyum illai | You were no longer around. |
| Female | |
| Otrai kelvi | Just one single question |
| Unnai ketkiren ippodhum | I ask you even now: |
| Enthan meethu kaadhal ulladha | Do you still have love for me? |
| Female | |
| Hormonegalin | The surge of hormones |
| Satham ketkudhae un | Is making a sound inside; do you hear it? |
| Kaadhilae yendru ketkum | Does this sound reach |
| Indha satham | Your ears too? |
| Female | |
| Unnai ninaikavae | To think of you, |
| Nodigal podhumae | A few seconds are enough. |
| Unnai marakavae | To forget you, |
| Yugangal aagumae | It will take eons. |
| Female | |
| En saalai | On my street, |
| Ingum engum | Here and everywhere, |
| Aangal kootam | There are crowds of men. |
| Female | |
| En kangal | My eyes |
| Saaindhadhundu | Have glanced around, |
| Meinthadhillai | But never strayed or wandered. |
| Female | |
| Kaatchi yaavum | All other sights |
| Pudhaindhu ponadhu | Have been buried away. |
| En nenjam unnai matum | Why does my heart dig deep to search |
| Thondi paarpathen | Only for you? |
| Female | |
| Oh hoo unnodu | Oh, the intensity of love we shared back then, |
| Andru kanda kaadhal vegam | And the restraint of decorum that stood between us, |
| Ennodu etti nindra naagareegam | Keeps flashing before my eyes repeatedly. |
| Kannil kannil vanthu pogudhae | It comes and goes before my eyes, |
| Female | |
| En nenju kattil | And my heart scolds me |
| Meethu thittugindradhae | As it lies upon its bed. |
| Un thedalo kaadhal | Is your search a search for love? |
| Thedal thaan en thedalo | My search is truly like |
| Kadavul thedum bakthan polae | A devotee searching for God. |
| Female | |
| { Unnai ninaikavae | To think of you, |
| Nodigal podhumae | A few seconds are enough. |
| Unnai marakavae | To forget you, |
| Yugangal aagumae } (2) | It will take eons. |
| Female | |
| Nee ketkayil | When you asked me, |
| Salanamae illaiyae | There was no hesitation inside me. |
| Naan ninaikayil oramaai | Yet when I think about it now, somewhere deep inside, |
| Valikudhae en maarbil | It hurts in my chest. |
| Kaadhal vanthu maiyamittadhae | Love has come and taken center stage. |
| Female | |
| Unnai ninaikavae | To think of you, |
| Nodigal podhumae | A few seconds are enough. |
| Unnai marakavae | To forget you, |
| Yugangal aagumae | It will take eons. |
| Female | |
| …………………………………………. | |
...........................
{ உன்னை
நினைக்கவே நொடிகள்
போதுமே உன்னை மறக்கவே
யுகங்கள் ஆகுமே } (2)
To think of you,
A few seconds are enough.
To forget you,
It will take eons.
நீ கேட்கையில்
சலனமே இல்லையே
நான் நினைக்கையில்
ஓரமாய் வலிக்குதே
என் மார்பில் காதல்
வந்து மையமிட்டதே
When you asked me,
There was no hesitation inside me.
Yet when I think about it now, somewhere deep inside,
It hurts in my chest.
Love has come and taken center stage.
உன்னை
நினைக்கவே நொடிகள்
போதுமே உன்னை மறக்கவே
யுகங்கள் ஆகுமே
To think of you,
A few seconds are enough.
To forget you,
It will take eons.
...........................
ஜே ஜே ஜே
ஜே ஜே ஜே ஜே ஜே
ஜே ஜே ஜே ஜே ஜே
Jay Jay Jay
Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay
Jay Jay Jay Jay
நான் உன்னை
மறந்த செய்தி மறந்து
விட்டேன் ஏன் இன்று
குளிக்கும் போது நினைத்து
கொண்டேன்
That I had forgotten you...
...I completely forgot that fact itself!
Why today, while taking a shower,
Did I suddenly start thinking of you?
கண் மூடி சாயும்
பொழுதிலும் உன் கண்கள்
கண் முன்பு தோன்றி
மறைவதேன் ஏன் ஏன் ஏன்
Even when I close my eyes
And lean back to relax,
Why do your eyes appear before mine
And then vanish?
Why, why, why?
நீ என்னை
கேட்ட போது காதல்
இல்லை நான் காதலுற்ற
போது நீயும் இல்லை
When you asked me,
I had no love in my heart.
When I finally fell in love,
You were no longer around.
ஒற்றை கேள்வி
உன்னை கேட்கிறேன்
இப்போதும் எந்தன் மீது
காதல் உள்ளதா
Just one single question
I ask you even now:
Do you still have love for me?
ஹார்மோன்களின்
சத்தம் கேட்குதே உன் காதிலே
என்று கேட்கும் இந்த சத்தம்
The surge of hormones
Is making a sound inside; do you hear it?
Does this sound reach
Your ears too?
உன்னை
நினைக்கவே நொடிகள்
போதுமே உன்னை மறக்கவே
யுகங்கள் ஆகுமே
To think of you,
A few seconds are enough.
To forget you,
It will take eons.
என் சாலை
இங்கும் எங்கும்
ஆண்கள் கூட்டம்
On my street,
Here and everywhere,
There are crowds of men.
என் கண்கள்
சாய்ந்ததுண்டு
மேய்ந்ததில்லை
My eyes
Have glanced around,
But never strayed or wandered.
காட்சி யாவும்
புதைந்து போனது என்
நெஞ்சம் உன்னை மட்டும்
தோண்டி பார்ப்பதேன்
All other sights
Have been buried away.
Why does my heart dig deep to search
Only for you?
ஓஹோ உன்னோடு
அன்று கண்ட காதல் வேகம்
என்னோடு எட்டி நின்ற நாகரீகம்
கண்ணில் கண்ணில் வந்து
போகுதே
Oh, the intensity of love we shared back then,
And the restraint of decorum that stood between us,
Keeps flashing before my eyes repeatedly.
It comes and goes before my eyes,
என் நெஞ்சு
கட்டில் மீது திட்டுகின்றதே
உன் தேடலோ காதல் தேடல்
தான் என் தேடலோ கடவுள்
தேடும் பக்தன் போலே
And my heart scolds me
As it lies upon its bed.
Is your search a search for love?
My search is truly like
A devotee searching for God.
{ உன்னை
நினைக்கவே நொடிகள்
போதுமே உன்னை மறக்கவே
யுகங்கள் ஆகுமே } (2)
To think of you,
A few seconds are enough.
To forget you,
It will take eons.
நீ கேட்கையில்
சலனமே இல்லையே
நான் நினைக்கையில்
ஓரமாய் வலிக்குதே
என் மார்பில் காதல்
வந்து மையமிட்டதே
When you asked me,
There was no hesitation inside me.
Yet when I think about it now, somewhere deep inside,
It hurts in my chest.
Love has come and taken center stage.
உன்னை
நினைக்கவே நொடிகள்
போதுமே உன்னை மறக்கவே
யுகங்கள் ஆகுமே
To think of you,
A few seconds are enough.
To forget you,
It will take eons.
...........................
……………………………
{ Unnai ninaikavae
To think of you,
Nodigal podhumae
A few seconds are enough.
Unnai marakavae
To forget you,
Yugangal aagumae } (2)
It will take eons.
Nee ketkayil
When you asked me,
Salanamae illaiyae
There was no hesitation inside me.
Naan ninaikayil oramaai
Yet when I think about it now, somewhere deep inside,
Valikudhae en maarbil
It hurts in my chest.
Kaadhal vanthu maiyamittadhae
Love has come and taken center stage.
Unnai ninaikavae
To think of you,
Nodigal podhumae
A few seconds are enough.
Unnai marakavae
To forget you,
Yugangal aagumae
It will take eons.
………………………..
Jay jay jay
Jay Jay Jay
Jay jay jay jay jay jay
Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay
Jay jay jay jay
Jay Jay Jay Jay
Naan unnai
That I had forgotten you...
Marantha seidhi marandhuvitten
...I completely forgot that fact itself!
Yen indru kulikum podhu
Why today, while taking a shower,
Ninaithu konden
Did I suddenly start thinking of you?
Kan moodi
Even when I close my eyes
Saayum pozhudhilum
And lean back to relax,
Un kangal kan munbu
Why do your eyes appear before mine
Thondri maraivadhen
And then vanish?
Yen yen yen
Why, why, why?
Nee ennai
When you asked me,
Ketta pothu kaadhal illai
I had no love in my heart.
Naan kaadhalutra pothu
When I finally fell in love,
Neeyum illai
You were no longer around.
Otrai kelvi
Just one single question
Unnai ketkiren ippodhum
I ask you even now:
Enthan meethu kaadhal ulladha
Do you still have love for me?
Hormonegalin
The surge of hormones
Satham ketkudhae un
Is making a sound inside; do you hear it?
Kaadhilae yendru ketkum
Does this sound reach
Indha satham
Your ears too?
Unnai ninaikavae
To think of you,
Nodigal podhumae
A few seconds are enough.
Unnai marakavae
To forget you,
Yugangal aagumae
It will take eons.
En saalai
On my street,
Ingum engum
Here and everywhere,
Aangal kootam
There are crowds of men.
En kangal
My eyes
Saaindhadhundu
Have glanced around,
Meinthadhillai
But never strayed or wandered.
Kaatchi yaavum
All other sights
Pudhaindhu ponadhu
Have been buried away.
En nenjam unnai matum
Why does my heart dig deep to search
Thondi paarpathen
Only for you?
Oh hoo unnodu
Oh, the intensity of love we shared back then,
Andru kanda kaadhal vegam
And the restraint of decorum that stood between us,
Ennodu etti nindra naagareegam
Keeps flashing before my eyes repeatedly.
Kannil kannil vanthu pogudhae
It comes and goes before my eyes,
En nenju kattil
And my heart scolds me
Meethu thittugindradhae
As it lies upon its bed.
Un thedalo kaadhal
Is your search a search for love?
Thedal thaan en thedalo
My search is truly like
Kadavul thedum bakthan polae
A devotee searching for God.
{ Unnai ninaikavae
To think of you,
Nodigal podhumae
A few seconds are enough.
Unnai marakavae
To forget you,
Yugangal aagumae } (2)
It will take eons.
Nee ketkayil
When you asked me,
Salanamae illaiyae
There was no hesitation inside me.
Naan ninaikayil oramaai
Yet when I think about it now, somewhere deep inside,
Valikudhae en maarbil
It hurts in my chest.
Kaadhal vanthu maiyamittadhae
Love has come and taken center stage.
Unnai ninaikavae
To think of you,
Nodigal podhumae
A few seconds are enough.
Unnai marakavae
To forget you,
Yugangal aagumae
It will take eons.
………………………………………….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Unnai Ninaikave' expresses the painful irony of ill-timed love and deep emotional yearning. The protagonist reflects on how effortlessly thoughts of their beloved invade their mind in a split second, whereas trying to erase those memories feels like an impossible task that could take lifetimes. It captures the regret of realizing love only after the partner has moved away or when the opportunity has passed, leaving behind an ache in the heart and lingering questions about whether the feeling was ever mutual.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Hyperbole
“Nodigal podhumae / Unnai marakavae / Yugangal aagumae”
Contrasts the fleeting nature of remembrance ('Nodigal' / seconds) with the monumental time needed to forget ('Yugangal' / eons), highlighting extreme emotional distress.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Kadavul thedum bakthan polae”
Compares the protagonist's desperate search for love to a devout worshipper searching endlessly for God.
Personification / Metaphor
“Kaadhal vanthu maiyamittadhae / En nenju kattil meethu thittugindradhae”
Metaphorically portrays love as a cyclone/storm centering itself ('maiyamittadhae') in the heart, and personifies the heart as scolding the protagonist while lying on a bed.
Did you know?
Trivia
From the 2003 Tamil film 'Jay Jay' starring R. Madhavan and debutante Pooja Umashankar, directed by Saran. The soundtrack was composed by Bharathwaj, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. This track was recorded in both male (Unni Krishnan) and female (Harini) versions, becoming a quintessential romantic heartbreak anthem of the early 2000s.
Keep listening
More from Jay Jay
Jay Jay
Jay Jay
Jay Jay
Jay Jay
Jay Jay