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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnaiyum Ennaiyum

From Aalappirandhavan · 1987

Lyricist
Ilaiyaraja
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aalappirandhavan1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnaiyum ennaiyumYou and me
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiruA rope of affection ties and pulls us together, my dear
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadiIt generously gives both happiness and sorrow
Antha vambu kayiruThat mischievous rope!
Female
MaattivittathaaroWho was it that hooked us up?
MaattikondathaaroWho was it that got caught?
Saerththu vaiththathaaroWho was it that brought us together?
Manmatha villukkul anbenum ambukkulWithin Cupid's bow and the arrow of love
Male
Unnaiyum ennaiyumYou and me
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiruA rope of affection ties and pulls us together, my dear
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadiIt generously gives both happiness and sorrow
Antha vambu kayiruThat mischievous rope!
Female
Mazhai neer adharkenavor gunam illaiyaeRainwater has no innate quality of its own
Mannil vizhum munnaalae niram illaiyaeBefore falling on the earth, it has no color
Mazhai neer adharkenavor gunam illaiyaeRainwater has no innate quality of its own
Mannil vizhum munnaalae niram illaiyaeBefore falling on the earth, it has no color
Male
Neerodu suvaiyum niraththodu gunamumJust as water gains taste and color gains character
Seraatha pergal ondraathl polaeLike two incompatible people coming together
Female
Manamendru mudikkaamalWithout deciding on marriage
Naam kollum uravuThe bond that we form
Mudhal iravondrum illaamalWithout even having a wedding night
Siru pillai varavuThe arrival of a small child
Male :Yaarodu ingae yaar seruvaaroMale: Who will unite with whom here?
Male
Unnaiyum ennaiyumYou and me
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiruA rope of affection ties and pulls us together, my dear
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadiIt generously gives both happiness and sorrow
Antha vambu kayiruThat mischievous rope!
Male
Adikkadi manam yaeno thudikkirathaeWhy does the heart throb so often?
Nadippinai nijamaaga padikkirathaeIt interprets acting as reality
Adikkadi manam yaeno thudikkirathaeWhy does the heart throb so often?
Nadippinai nijamaaga padikkirathaeIt interprets acting as reality
Female
Meiyyaana nadippil nerukkangal yaenoWhy is there intimacy in realistic acting?
Poiyaana nadippaal kalakkangal thaanoIs this confusion caused by fake acting?
Male :Nadippaaga irunthaalum sugamaana thudippuMale: Even if it is acting, it is a pleasant throbbing
Thudippaana idhayangal adikkaatha adippuA unique beat struck by vibrant hearts
Female :Iniyaatha irandu inaiyaanathinguFemale: Two things that do not match have bonded here
Male
Unnaiyum ennaiyumYou and me
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiruA rope of affection ties and pulls us together, my dear
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadiIt generously gives both happiness and sorrow
Antha vambu kayiruThat mischievous rope!
Female
MaattivittathaaroWho was it that hooked us up?
MaattikondathaaroWho was it that got caught?
Saerththu vaiththathaaroWho was it that brought us together?
Manmatha villukkul anbenum ambukkulWithin Cupid's bow and the arrow of love
Male
Unnaiyum ennaiyumYou and me
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiruA rope of affection ties and pulls us together, my dear

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Aalappirandhavan' (1987) explores the emerging romantic feelings and emotional dilemmas between two people who initially started their connection in a situational or theatrical manner. Through metaphors of ropes, rain, and Cupid's arrows, the lead characters ponder how pretend emotions can blur into real love, bringing both sweet joys and confusing turmoils.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiru

Compares love to a binding rope ('anbu kayiru') that pulls two individuals together.

Simile (Uvamai)

Seraatha pergal ondraathl polae

Compares human relationships and character formation to pure rainwater acquiring taste and color only upon reaching the earth.

Monai / Alliteration

Maattivittathaaro / Maattikondathaaro

Repetition of starting sounds in 'Inbamum' and 'Antha' or internal rhythmic repetition in 'Maattivittathaaro' and 'Maattikondathaaro'.

Edhugai / Rhyme

Adikkadi manam yaeno thudikkirathae / Nadippinai nijamaaga padikkirathae

Second letter rhyming in 'Adikkadi' and 'Nadippinai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this track, the song showcases a duet between K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki. The lyrics brilliantly handle the theme of dynamic human emotion and acting versus reality within the movie's narrative.

Keep listening

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