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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Unnai Unnai

From Taramani · 2017

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Sruthi S, Yuvan Shankar Raja
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Taramani2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnai unnai unnaiYou, you, you...
Kadal alavu nesikkirenI love you as vast as the sea,
Malai alavu verukkiren…(Dialogue)I hate you as towering as a mountain... (Dialogue)
Male
Unnai unnaiYou, you...
Unnai thavira veredhuvum illaiThere is nothing else besides you.
Idhai unnidam naanShould I to you
Oththu kolvadhaa… illai….Admit this? No...
Female
Thanimai thanimaiSolitude, solitude...
Thanimai indri veredhuvum illaiThere is nothing else besides solitude.
Idhai unnidam naanTo admit this to you,
Oththu kolla ne yogan illaiYou are not worthy enough.
Male
Endha nerathilAt what time,
Engu nindraalAnd where if I stand,
Chorus :Nee varuvaaiChorus: You will arrive...
Male :Endru enakku theriyumMale: I know that very well.
Chorus :Aanal nirpathaayillaiChorus: But I choose not to stand there.
Female
Endha saalaiyilOn which road,
Engu thirumbinaalAnd where if I turn,
Chorus :Un veedu varumChorus: Your house will appear...
Female :Endru enakku theriyumFemale: I know that very well.
Chorus :Aanaal varuvadhaayillaiChorus: But I choose not to go there.
Male
Ninaitha nodiyilThe very moment I think of it,
Ninaitha padiyaeJust as I wish,
Un kuralai ennaalYour voice,
Ketka mudiyumI am capable of listening to.
Aanaal ketpadhaayillaiBut I choose not to listen.
Male
Nee sirthu mayakkumTo your smiling, captivating
Muganool padangalukkuFacebook photos,
En aanmaavilirundhuIf I take just half a line
Araivari edhuthuFrom my soul
Ezhudhinaal podhumAnd write it down,
Nee like seivaaiYou would 'like' it.
Male
Aanaal naanBut I...
EzhudhuvathaaiyillaiChoose not to write it.
Male
Unnai kadal alavuYou, as vast as the ocean,
Naan nesikkirenI love.
Unnai malai alavuYou, as high as a mountain,
Naan verukkirenI hate.
Male
Pasuthol porthiyaA tiger wearing
Puli neeya..A sheep's skin—is it you...
Illai naaana…(Dialogue)Or is it me...? (Dialogue)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This track from Taramani captures the painful paradoxes and ego battles in modern urban relationships. The speakers express conflicting feelings of immense love and deep hatred for their partner, highlighting how intimacy coexists with immense pride and self-imposed distance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Kadal alavu nesikkiren / Malai alavu verukkiren

Comparing love to the vastness of the sea ('Kadal alavu nesikkiren') and hatred to the magnitude of a mountain ('Malai alavu verukkiren').

Anaphora (Repetition)

Unnai unnai unnai

Repetition of words like 'Unnai' (You) and 'Thanimai' (Solitude) at the beginning of lines for rhythmic emphasis and emotional resonance.

Antithesis / Contrast

Endru enakku theriyum / Aanaal varuvadhaayillai

Juxtaposition of knowing how to connect (knowing the time, place, house, phone call) versus consciously choosing not to do so.

Idiom (Pazhamozhi)

Pasuthol porthiya puli neeya..

Use of the traditional idiom 'Pasuthol porthiya puli' (a tiger in sheep's skin) to question hidden motives and deceit in love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Taramani (2017), directed by Ram with music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, features lyrics by late lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar. The song uniquely incorporates contemporary social media terminology like 'Muganool' (Facebook) and 'Like' to portray modern relationship dynamics.

Keep listening

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