Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Oru Kelvi Kettadhu

From Thaali Kattiya Raasa · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Jesudass, K. S. Chitra
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Thaali Kattiya Raasa1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnai oru kelvi kettathu ilamanathu…The young heart asked you a question...
Male :Kangal Badhil kaditham pottathu marupozhuthuThe eyes posted a letter in response the very next moment.
Female :Kalyaana maalaigal soodaTo adorn wedding garlands,
Male :Katcheri keerthanam paadaTo sing musical compositions in a concert,
Female :Ammaadiyo arangeridum azhagallavoOh my, isn't it a beauty taking stage?
Female
Unnai oru kelvi kettathu ilamanathu….The young heart asked you a question...
Chorus
………….
Female
Maalai paniyil nanaiyumSoaking in the evening dew,
Thalirgal muththai pol minna minnaThe tender shoots glisten like pearls.
Male :Vaada kulirum thalirumThe chilling breeze and the tender shoots,
Kulavum sonthanthaan enna ennaWhat a deep intimacy and bond they share!
Female
Ammaadi aasai vanthu ennai thondaththaanOh my, desire arises and triggers me,
Male :Anjaaru muththam sintha naanum vendaththaanAnd I pray to shower five or six kisses.
Female :Ammaadi aasai vanthu ennai thondaththaanOh my, desire arises and triggers me,
Male :Anjaaru muththam sintha naanum vendaththaanAnd I pray to shower five or six kisses.
Female :Nee kadai virikka naan thadai virikkaWhen you set up shop, and I raise a gentle barrier,
Naanam vilaiyum allavaa….aa….Shyness blossoms, doesn't it?
Male
Unnai oru kelvi kettathu ilamanathuThe young heart asked you a question...
Female :Kangal Badhil kaditham pottathu marupozhuthuThe eyes posted a letter in response the very next moment.
Male :Kalyaana maalaigal soodaTo adorn wedding garlands,
Female :Katcheri keerthanam paadaTo sing musical compositions in a concert,
Male :Ammaadiyo arangeridum azhagallavoOh my, isn't it a beauty taking stage?
Female
Unnai oru kelvi kettathu ilamanathuThe young heart asked you a question...
Male :Aahahaan….Ahaha...
Chorus
…………………….
Male
Naangu udhadum udhadumFour lips coming together,
Urasi mellaththaan ottikkolla….aaa….aa….Rubbing against each other to gently intertwine...
Female :Neenda ninaivum kanavumLonging memories and dreams,
Manathai engaeno ittu chella….aaa…..aa….Take the heart to places unknown...
Male
Thenmerkku saarl pattu theagam vaadaththaanAs the southwest drizzle hits and the body shivers,
Female :Un kaigal poravai pola ennai moodaththaanYour hands cover me like a warm blanket.
Male :Thenmerkku saarl pattu theagam vaadaththaanAs the southwest drizzle hits and the body shivers,
Female :Un kaigal poravai pola ennai moodaththaanYour hands cover me like a warm blanket.
Male :Naan inainthirukka nee idam kodukkaWhen I come close and you give me space,
Vaasal thirakkum allavaa…..aaaahha….The doorway of love opens up, doesn't it?
Female
Unnai oru kelvi kettathu ilamanathuThe young heart asked you a question...
Male :Kangal Badhil kaditham pottathu marupozhuthuThe eyes posted a letter in response the very next moment.
Female :Kalyaana maalaigal soodaTo adorn wedding garlands,
Male :Katcheri keerthanam paadaTo sing musical compositions in a concert,
Female :Ammaadiyo arangeridum azhagallavoOh my, isn't it a beauty taking stage?
Male
Unnai oru kelvi kettathuAsked you a question...
Female :Ilamanathu…..The young heart...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Unnai Oru Kelvi Kettathu is a romantic duet expressing the unspoken love, deep longing, and sensory intimacy between two lovers anticipating their matrimonial union. Lyricist Vaali weaves vivid imagery from nature—such as dew-soaked leaves shimmering like pearls and southwest rain showers—to mirror the emotional warmth and romance felt by the couple. The dialogue between the lovers highlights how glances and silent gazes substitute for words, turning their romance into an artful performance set for marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Male :Kangal Badhil kaditham pottathu marupozhuthu

Comparing the silent romantic exchange of eyes to posting a letter in response.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thalirgal muththai pol minna minna

Directly comparing dew drops on tender leaves to shining pearls using 'pol'.

Simile (Uvamai)

Female :Un kaigal poravai pola ennai moodaththaan

Comparing the lover's embracing arms to a warm blanket shielding against cold drizzle using 'pola'.

Rhyme / Internal Rhyming (Iyaibu)

Female :Nee kadai virikka naan thadai virikka

Rhythmic repetition of matching end-sounds 'virikka' creating musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for this track was composed by S. A. Rajkumar for the 1992 film 'Thaali Kattiya Raasa', starring Murali and Kanaka. The song is well-remembered for Vaali's classic poetic metaphors blended seamlessly into a melody sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra.

Keep listening

More from Thaali Kattiya Raasa