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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Ondru Ketpen

From Puthiya Paravai · 1964

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: P. Susheela
Music director: M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name: Puthiya Paravai
Movie release year: 1964
Lyrics added on: 17 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Unnai ondru ketpen

Unmai solla vendum

Ennai paada sonnaal

{ Enna paada thondrum } (2)

Unnai ondru ketpen

Unmai solla vendum

Ennai paada sonnaal

Enna paada thondrum

{ Kaadhal paatu paada

Kaalam innum illai } (2)

Thaalaatu paada thaaiaagavillai

Unnai ondru ketpen

Unmai solla vendum

Ennai paada sonnaal

Enna paada thondrum

Nilavillaa vaanam

Neerillaa megam

Pesaatha penmai

Paadaathu unmai

Kannai mella moodum

Thannai enni vaadum

Pennai paada sonnaal

Enna paada thondrum

Unnai ondru ketpen

Unmai solla vendum

Ennai paada sonnaal

Enna paada thondrum

Thanimaiyil

Gaanam sabaiyilae

Mounam uravuthaan

Raagam uyirellam paasam

Anbu konda

Nenjil anubavam illai

Ennai paada sonnaal

Enna paada thondrum

Unnai ondru ketpen

Unmai solla vendum

Ennai paada sonnaal

Enna paada thondrum

I want to ask you something,

You must tell me the truth:

If you ask me to sing,

What would I feel like singing?

I want to ask you something,

You must tell me the truth:

If you ask me to sing,

What would I feel like singing?

To sing a song of love,

The time has not yet come;

To sing a lullaby, I am not yet a mother.

I want to ask you something,

You must tell me the truth:

If you ask me to sing,

What would I feel like singing?

Like a sky without a moon,

Like a cloud without rain,

A woman who stays silent

Will not sing—that is the truth.

Gently closing her eyes,

Pining in her own quiet thoughts,

If you ask such a woman to sing,

What would she feel like singing?

I want to ask you something,

You must tell me the truth:

If you ask me to sing,

What would I feel like singing?

In solitude,

There is song, but in a gathering,

There is silence; our bond is

The melody, and my whole soul is filled with love.

Yet in this loving

Heart, there is no experience.

If you ask me to sing,

What would I feel like singing?

I want to ask you something,

You must tell me the truth:

If you ask me to sing,

What would I feel like singing?

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Unnai Ondru Ketpen is a contemplative and soulful track from the classic movie Puthiya Paravai (1964). The heroine expresses her emotional dilemma and inner void when asked to sing. She feels it is too early to sing romantic songs, nor can she sing lullabies as she is not a mother. She compares her current state of unfulfilled emotions to a moonless sky and rainless clouds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

“Nilavillaa vaanam”

Compares an empty or unfulfilled emotional state to a moonless sky ('Nilavillaa vaanam') and a waterless cloud ('Neerillaa megam').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

“Kannai mella moodum”

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'nn' (ன்) across adjacent lines to create rhythmic flow ('Kannai' and 'Thannai').

Antithesis / Dynamic Contrast

“Thanimaiyil Gaanam sabaiyilae Mounam”

Contrasts singing in solitude with remaining silent in a public gathering to convey deep emotional restraint.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

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Indrum Illai1963

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Ulagam Oru Naal Pirandhathu1974

ThirumangalyamInnocenceContemplative

Or Aayiram Nadagam1971

Sumathi En SundariIdentityInnocence

Kadavul Oru Naal1969

Shanthi NilayamInnocenceMelancholic

Kalyana Santhaiyile1971

Sumathi En SundariInnocenceLonging

From the same album

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Aaha Mella Nada1964

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Chittu Kuruvi1964

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Paartha Nyabagam Illayo1964

Puthiya ParavaiMelancholic

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