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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnaivida Maattaen

From Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Music director
Susarla Dakshinamurthi
Details
Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum1956

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Kabadamellaam kandu kondenaeI have discovered all your deceit,
Munbae thaanaeWell beforehand!
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Kabadamellaam kandu kondenaeI have discovered all your deceit,
Munbae thaanaeWell beforehand!
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Female
Pennai laesaa ennidaadhaeDo not underestimate a woman as simple or weak,
Paedhai endru igazhndhidaadhaeDo not mock her thinking she is foolish.
Female
Anbu seidhaal amudham avalae…If treated with love, she is sweet nectar...
Anbu seidhaal amudham avalaeIf treated with love, she is sweet nectar,
Vambu seidhaal vishamum avalaeIf provoked with trouble, she is lethal poison!
Female
Inba kaadhal izhakka naerndhaalIf she happens to lose her sweet love,
Konjamaenum porukka maattaalShe will not tolerate it even in the slightest.
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Female
Pongu kadalin aazham thannaiThe depth of the surging ocean,
Purindhu kollal migavum elidhuIs very easy to measure and understand,
Female
Pengal nenjin aazham thaannai…But the depth of a woman's heart...
Pengal nenjin aazham thaannaiBut the depth of a woman's heart,
Ingu yaarum kaanal aridhuIs rare and impossible for anyone here to fathom.
Female
Maanai polae kaanum mangaiThe maiden who appears gentle like a deer,
Vanmam kondaal paayum vaengaiIf angered with enmity, becomes a pouncing tigress!
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.
Female
Unnai vida maatten unmaiyil naanaeI will not let you go, truly I won't.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic song from Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum, the heroine (played by P. Bhanumathi) confronts a deceitful person, declaring that she has uncovered their cunning schemes beforehand and will not let them escape unpunished. She delivers a stern warning about the multifaceted nature of womanhood—emphasizing that a woman treated with love is as comforting as divine nectar, but when betrayed or provoked, she transforms into a lethal force. She highlights that while it may be easy to measure the vast ocean's depth, a woman's true resolve and inner strength remain unfathomable. Though a woman may seem gentle and innocent like a deer on the outside, she can instantly turn into a fierce, pouncing tigress when threatened or enraged.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Contrast

“Anbu seidhaal amudham avalae... Vambu seidhaal vishamum avalae”

Contrasts divine nectar (Amudham) when shown love with lethal poison (Visham) when provoked.

Simile (Upamai)

“Maanai polae kaanum mangai”

Compares the innocent exterior appearance of the woman to a gentle deer (Maanai polae).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Vanmam kondaal paayum vaengai”

Equates an enraged woman directly to a fierce pouncing tigress (Vaengai) when she harbors resentment.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Anbu seidhaal amudham avalae / Vambu seidhaal vishamum avalae”

The second consonant 'n' in 'Anbu' rhymes with 'm' (nasal group match) / 'mbu' in 'Vambu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956) was the first full-length color feature film (shot in Gevacolor) in Tamil cinema history. The music was composed by Susarla Dakshinamurthi, and this iconic solo track was rendered by the versatile actress-singer P. Bhanumathi herself, showcasing her classical vocal prowess and commanding screen presence.

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