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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Ninaikkaiyile

From Kalyanikku Kalyanam · 1959

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Kalyanikku Kalyanam
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
20 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae kannae
Enna kanavukkum ennikkai yedhadi
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae kannae
Enna kanavukkum ennikkai yedhadi
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae
Ponnai urukkiya vaarpadamae
Ponnai urukkiya vaarpadamae
Anbu pongidum kaadhal tahen kudamae
Thannanthaniyaaga naalai kazhippadhu
Thannanthaniyaaga naalai kazhippadhu
Sangadam andro thamizh sudarae
Sandhana kaattu pudhu malarae
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oli
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oli
Haa…aaa….aaa..aa….aaa..
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oli
Kottum iravukku thangaiyae
Vatta karuvizhi mangaiyae oli
Kottum iravukku thangaiyae
Kattu kolaiyaadha pattu thalir maeni
Kannil abhinayam kattudhae inba
Kaaviya thaen alli oottudhae
Unnai ninaikaiyilae kannae
Enna kanavukkum ennikkai yedhadi
Unnai ninaikkaiyilae
When I think of you
When I think of you, my darling,
Is there any count to the dreams in my mind?
When I think of you, my darling,
Is there any count to the dreams in my mind?
When I think of you...
O statue cast in molten gold,
O statue cast in molten gold,
A pot of honey brimming over with love!
Spending my days all alone,
Spending my days all alone,
Isn't it painful, my bright flame of Tamil?
O fresh flower of the sandalwood forest!
When I think of you...
O girl with round, dark eyes,
O girl with round, dark eyes,
Ha... aa... aa... aa...
O girl with round, dark eyes,
Sister to the night that showers light,
O girl with round, dark eyes,
Sister to the night that showers light,
Your flawless, tender silken body
Dances gracefully before my eyes,
And feeds me the sweet honey of poetic joy...
When I think of you, my darling,
Is there any count to the dreams in my mind?
When I think of you...
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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From the same album

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