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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Thane Thanjam

From Nallavanukku Nallavan · 1984

Lyricist: Vairamuthu
Singers: K. J. Yesudas, Manjula Gururaj
Music director: Ilaiyaraja
Movie name: Nallavanukku Nallavan
Movie release year: 1984
Lyrics added on: 9 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

{Unnai thaanae thanjam endru

Nambi vandhen naanae

Uyir pooveduthu oru maalai itten

Vizhi neer thelithu oru kolam itten} (2)

: Malarin kadhavondru thirakindratha

Mounam veliyera thavikindratha

Penmai pudhithaga thudikindratha

Uyiril amuthangal surakindrathaa

Mutham koduthaanae

Idhazh muthukulithaanae

Iravugal idhamaanadha

Katti pidithal thottu eduthaal

Vetkam enna satham poduthaa

Ennai thaane ..thanjam endru

Nambi vandhaai maanae

Uyir pooveduthu oru maalai idu

Vizhi neer thelithu oru kolam idu

Ennai thaanae

Ulagam enakendrum vilangaadhadhu

Uravae enakkindru vilangaanadhu

Adada mundhaanai siraiyaanadhu

Idhuvae en vazhvil muraiyaanadhu

Paarai ondrin melae

Oru poovaai mulaithaayae

Uravukku uyir thandhaayae

Naane enakku nanban illaiyae

Unnaal oru sondham vandhadhae

Ennai thaane ..thanjam endru

Nambi vandhaai maanae

Uyir pooveduthu oru maalai idu

Vizhi neer thelithu oru kolam idu

Ennai thaane ..thanjam endru

Nambi vandhaai maanae

Believing you alone to be my refuge,

I came to you with all my trust.

Taking the flower of my soul, I wove a garland;

Sprinkling tears from my eyes, I drew a kolam (decorative pattern).

Is the door of the flower opening?

Is the silence longing to break free?

Is your womanhood fluttering with a new thrill?

Is sweet nectar welling up in your soul?

He kissed you tenderly,

and dove for pearls upon your lips;

have the nights become soothing and warm?

When he holds you tight and draws you close,

does your shyness raise a protest?

Believing only me to be your refuge,

you came to me trusting, my gentle deer.

Take the flower of your soul and weave a garland,

Sprinkle tears from your eyes and draw a kolam (decorative pattern).

Trusting only me...

The world was something I never understood,

but today, our bond has become a guiding lamp.

Ah, the end of your sari became my prison,

and this is what feels truly right for my life.

Upon a hard rock,

you blossomed like a gentle flower,

and breathed life into our bond.

I was not even a friend to myself,

yet because of you, I found someone of my own.

Believing only me to be your refuge,

you came to me trusting, my gentle deer.

Take the flower of your soul and weave a garland,

Sprinkle tears from your eyes and draw a kolam (decorative pattern).

Believing only me to be your refuge,

you came to me trusting, my gentle deer.

Female

Female

Female

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Unnai Thaane Thanjam Endru is a deeply emotional duet from Nallavanukku Nallavan expressing complete surrender, romantic awakening, and emotional redemption. The female protagonist sings of her total devotion, offering her soul like a blossom and tears as holy water. In response, the male protagonist—who previously lived an isolated and hardened life—acknowledges how her love softened him, giving him purpose and a true sense of belonging.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (Rupaka)

“Uyir pooveduthu oru maalai itten”

Comparing one's life force/soul to a flower ('Uyir pooveduthu') metaphorically highlights delicate devotion.

Metaphor & Imagery

“Idhazh muthukulithaanae”

Comparing lips to ocean depth where one dives for pearls ('Idhazh muthukulithaanae') evokes gentle sensuality.

Emoni / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Paarai ondrin melae / Oru poovaai mulaithaayae”

The repetition of the initial consonant sounds in 'Paarai' and 'Poovaai' creates rhythmic harmony.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Malarin kadhavondru thirakindratha / Mounam veliyera thavikindratha”

The lines end with identical rhythmic suffixes (-kindratha), emphasizing the questioning, poetic mood.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki, this classic song is renowned for its lush orchestral arrangement and poignant lyrics by Vairamuthu. Picturized on Rajinikanth and Radhika, it remains one of the most memorable romantic melodies in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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