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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Thedi

From Naalu Veli Nilam · 1959

Lyricist
M. K. Aathmanathan
Singers
S. C. Krishnan, K. Jamunarani
Music director
M. K. Aathmanathan
Details
Naalu Veli Nilam1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnai thedi vandhenI came searching for you,
Ingu odi vandhenI came running here,
Nalla saedhi sollu sengarumbhu vaayaleTell me good news with your sweet, sugarcane-like lips!
Female :Naan kaathirundhenFemale: I was waiting,
Edhir paarthirundhenI was eagerly anticipating,
En kaadhalarai kaana vazhi melaeLooking down the path to see my lover.
Male
Unnai thedi vandhenI came searching for you,
Ingu odi vandhenI came running here,
Nalla saedhi sollu sengarumbhu vaayaleTell me good news with your sweet, sugarcane-like lips!
Female :Naan kaathirundhenFemale: I was waiting,
Edhir paarthirundhenI was eagerly anticipating,
En kaadhalarai kaana vazhi melaeLooking down the path to see my lover.
Male
Edho enni enniyaePondering something constantly,
Dhinam thannan thaniyaeAll alone every single day,
Ilam kanni unnai kaathirukka sonnadhaaruWho asked you, young maiden, to wait like this?
Edho enni enniyaePondering something constantly,
Dhinam thannan thaniyaeAll alone every single day,
Ilam kanni unnai kaathirukka sonnadhaaruWho asked you, young maiden, to wait like this?
Female
Endhan kann arugileComing right before my eyes,
Vandhu penn manadhileAnd into this woman's heart,
Indha kalla thanam pannum mappillai yaaruWho is this bridegroom playing sneaky tricks?
Endhan kann arugileComing right before my eyes,
Vandhu penn manadhileAnd into this woman's heart,
Indha kalla thanam pannum mappillai yaaruWho is this bridegroom playing sneaky tricks?
Male
Unnai thedi vandhenI came searching for you,
Ingu odi vandhenI came running here,
Nalla saedhi sollu sengarumbhu vaayaleTell me good news with your sweet, sugarcane-like lips!
Female :Naan kaathirundhenFemale: I was waiting,
Edhir paarthirundhenI was eagerly anticipating,
En kaadhalarai kaana vazhi melaeLooking down the path to see my lover.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Naalu Veli Nilam (1959) is a playful, romantic duet between a young man and his beloved. The male lover expresses his enthusiasm, stating he ran all the way searching for her and eagerly asking for sweet words from her lips, while teasingly asking who asked her to spend her days waiting for him in solitude. The female lover responds by describing her patient anticipation as she kept watching the path for his arrival. She lovingly teases him back, asking who this sneaky bridegroom is that has stolen her heart and plays mischievous tricks in front of her eyes. Together, the song captures the charm of courtship and joyful reunion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor)

Nalla saedhi sollu sengarumbhu vaayale

'Sengarumbhu vaayale' compares the beloved's lips/speech to sweet red sugarcane, emphasizing sweetness.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Unnai thedi vandhen / Ingu odi vandhen

The second letter harmony in 'thedi' and 'odi' enhances the rhythmic flow of the opening lines.

Monaai (Alliteration)

En kaadhalarai kaana vazhi melae

Repetition of the 'ka' sound in 'kaadhalarai kaana' creates a lyrical melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naalu Veli Nilam (1959) was based on a stage play by Seva Stage, a popular theatre troupe founded by actor S. V. Sahasranamam. M. K. Aathmanathan served dual roles as both the lyricist and music composer for this track, sung exuberantly by S. C. Krishnan and K. Jamuna Rani.

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