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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Ninaikkaiyile

From Kalyanikku Kalyanam · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kalyanikku Kalyanam1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnai ninaikkaiyilaeWhen I think of you
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae kannaeWhen I think of you, my dear
Enna kanavukkum ennikkai yedhadiIs there any limit to my endless dreams?
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae kannaeWhen I think of you, my dear
Enna kanavukkum ennikkai yedhadiIs there any limit to my endless dreams?
Unnai ninaikkaiyilaeWhen I think of you
Male
Ponnai urukkiya vaarpadamaeO sculpted image cast from molten gold
Ponnai urukkiya vaarpadamaeO sculpted image cast from molten gold
Anbu pongidum kaadhal tahen kudamaeO pot of sweet honey brimming with love
Thannanthaniyaaga naalai kazhippadhuTo spend these days all alone by myself
Thannanthaniyaaga naalai kazhippadhuTo spend these days all alone by myself
Sangadam andro thamizh sudaraeIs it not a deep sorrow, O radiant spark of Tamil?
Sandhana kaattu pudhu malaraeO fresh blossom from the sandalwood forest!
Unnai ninaikkaiyilaeWhen I think of you
Male
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oliO maiden with round dark eyes glowing with light
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oliO maiden with round dark eyes glowing with light
Haa…aaa….aaa..aa….aaa..Haa…aaa….aaa..aa….aaa..
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oliO maiden with round dark eyes glowing with light
Kottum iravukku thangaiyaeO younger sister to the deep dark night
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oliO maiden with round dark eyes glowing with light
Kottum iravukku thangaiyaeO younger sister to the deep dark night
Kattu kolaiyaadha pattu thalir maeniO silky tender physique of untamed charm
Kannil abhinayam kattudhae inbaShowing expressive theatrical expressions in your eyes
Kaaviya thaen alli oottudhaeScooping and feeding the blissful honey of epic poetry
Male
Unnai ninaikaiyilae kannaeWhen I think of you, my dear
Enna kanavukkum ennikkai yedhadiIs there any limit to my endless dreams?
Unnai ninaikkaiyilaeWhen I think of you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Unnai Ninaikkaiyilae' from the 1959 film Kalyanikku Kalyanam, the protagonist passionately pours out his longing and admiration for his beloved. He expresses how merely thinking about her sends him into an endless spiral of sweet dreams. He paints vivid romantic imagery, comparing her beauty to a refined sculpture of molten gold, a pot overflowing with love, and a fresh flower blooming in a sandalwood forest. Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram uses classical Tamil poetic metaphors to describe her dark, expressive eyes and tender grace, while highlighting the pain of spending his days separated from her. Sung with rich emotion by T.M. Soundararajan under G. Ramanathan's composition, the song stands as a classic vintage Tamil romantic piece.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ponnai urukkiya vaarpadamae

Comparing the beloved directly to a statue molded from molten gold (Ponnai urukkiya vaarpadamae) and a honey pot brimming with love (Kaadhal thaen kudamae).

Imagery & Personification

Kottum iravukku thangaiyae

Describing her dark complexion/eyes as the 'younger sister of the pouring night' (Kottum iravukku thangaiyae), metaphorically linking her features to the night sky.

Emonai (Initial Alliteration / Rhyme)

Kannil abhinayam kattudhae inba

Repetition of sound patterns and rhythmic structure in line beginnings like 'Kannil abhinayam' and 'Kaaviya thaen'.

Did you know?

Trivia

While Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was predominantly famous for writing socio-political and reformist songs for Tamil cinema, 'Unnai Ninaikkaiyilae' showcases his masterful lyricism in pure classical romance. The musical score by G. Ramanathan highlights T.M. Soundararajan's vocal range in classic Carnatic-infused filmi melodies.

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