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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Potri Ezhudha

From Periya Idathu Pillai · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Periya Idathu Pillai1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnai potri ezhuthaTo praise and write about you
Pulavan indru arugil illaiNo poet is nearby today
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Unnai vaazhththu ezhuthaMale: To bless and write about you
Kavingan ingu arugil illaiNo scholar is nearby here
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Unthan kaavalukku yaarumillaiMale: There is no one to guard you
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Ullam saervatharkku vaedhamillaiMale: There is no sacred scripture to unite our hearts
ParavaayillaiIt doesn't matter
Male
Unnai potri ezhuthaTo praise and write about you
Pulavan indru arugil illaiNo poet is nearby today
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Unnai vaazhththu ezhuthaMale: To bless and write about you
Kavingan ingu arugil illaiNo poet is nearby here
Female :Paravaayillai….hoFemale: It doesn't matter... ho
Male
PoongaattruthaaAre you a gentle breeze?
Female :NeyallaFemale: You are not
Male :PullaanguzhalMale: Are you a flute?
Female :NanallaFemale: I am not
Male :En kadhali en kannmaniMale: My beloved, my precious eye
Yaen mouna geedhamWhy this silent song?
Male
Pon maegamaeGolden cloud...
Female :PugazhaathaeFemale: Do not praise me
Male :Un mogamae….Male: Your infatuation...
Female :AlaiyaathaeFemale: Do not wander
Male :Vaer vaaduthu neer thaeduthuMale: The roots are wilting, searching for water
Vaa intha naeramCome at this hour
Male
Udal kodhikkumThe body boils
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Uyir thudikkumMale: The soul throbs
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Thanga maangani thaangum poongodiMale: A flowering vine bearing a golden mango
Tholil aadaathaaWon't it sway upon my shoulders?
Male
Oo….unnai potri ezhuthaOo... to praise and write about you
Pulavan indru arugil illaiNo poet is nearby today
Female :ParavaayillaiFemale: It doesn't matter
Male :Hoho…..unnai vaazhththu ezhuthaMale: Hoho... to bless and write about you
Kavingan ingu arugil illaiNo poet is nearby here
Female :Paravaayillai….haa….Female: It doesn't matter... haa...
Female
Penn piththanaaAre you crazy about women?
Male :AamaammaaMale: Yes, yes
Female :En pakthanaaFemale: Are you my devotee?
Male :AamaammaaMale: Yes, yes
Female :Un poojaiai en kovililFemale: Your worship in my temple
Naan yaerkkavillaiI have not accepted
Female
Veen valaithaanIt is merely a futile trap
Male :VidamattaenMale: I won't let go
Female :En veembuthaanFemale: It is my stubbornness
Male :Varam kaettenMale: I asked for a boon
Female :Penn kovamthanFemale: A woman's anger
Pollaathathu nee paaththathillaiIs terrible, you haven't seen it yet
Female
Odhai vizhalaamKicks might fall upon you
Male :ParavaayillaiMale: It doesn't matter
Female :PudipadalaamFemale: You might get caught
Male :ParavaayillaiMale: It doesn't matter
Female :Kaanal neerilae meen pidikkaththaanFemale: To catch a fish in a mirage
Unnaal aagaathaeIs impossible for you
Male :Aha haa….Male: Aha haa...
Female
Unnai maalai soodumTo adorn you with a garland
Mayakkam intha manathil illaiThis mind has no infatuation
Male :ParavaayillaiMale: It doesn't matter
Female :Haa….unthan kadhal kanavuFemale: Haa... your love dream
Edhuvum intha kannil illaiNone of it exists in these eyes
Male :No problem haanMale: No problem haan
Female :Un mael aasai vaiththa paavai illaiFemale: I am not a maiden who holds desire for you
Male :Paravayillai paravayillaiMale: It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter
Female :Un pol aal enakku thevai illaiFemale: I don't need a person like you
Male :ParavaayillaiMale: It doesn't matter
Female
………………...
Male :……………………Male: ...
Female :………………Female: ...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Unnai Potri Ezhutha' from the 1990 Tamil film 'Periya Idathu Pillai' is a lively, conversational romantic duet characterized by humorous banter between the lead couple. The male protagonist relentlessly pursues the heroine with poetic adoration, comparing her to a flowering vine and a golden cloud. No matter how sternly she rebuffs his claims, he responds nonchalantly with the catchy refrain 'Paravaayillai' (It doesn't matter / No problem). In response, the female lead highlights her indifference, warning him that attempting to win her heart is as futile as trying to catch fish in a mirage. Vaali's witty lyricism combined with the dynamic call-and-response format makes the song an entertaining musical clash between passionate persistence and playful rejection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain (Edupadaithal)

Female :Paravaayillai

The word 'Paravaayillai' (It doesn't matter) is repeatedly used as a conversational refrain throughout the song to maintain a rhythmic, comedic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Male :Thanga maangani thaangum poongodi

Comparing the female lead's beauty to a flowering vine bearing a golden fruit ('Thanga maangani thaangum poongodi').

Metaphor / Idiom (Uruvagam)

Female :Kaanal neerilae meen pidikkaththaan

'Kaanal neerilae meen pidikkaththaan' uses the imagery of catching fish in a mirage to symbolize an impossible task.

Internal Rhyme (Emonai / Ethirai)

Male :Vaer vaaduthu neer thaeduthu

Rhythmic rhyming of 'Vaer' and 'Neer' within the same line structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by Chandrabose with lyrics by Vaali for the movie 'Periya Idathu Pillai' (1990). The unique structure relies entirely on rhythmic dialogue where the male singer brushes off every argument, rejection, and threat from the female lead using variations of 'Paravaayillai' and 'No problem'.

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