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Aalappirandhavan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Unnaiyum Ennaiyum

From Aalappirandhavan · 1987

Lyricist
Ilaiyaraja
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Aalappirandhavan
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
20 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiru
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadi
Antha vambu kayiru
Maattivittathaaro
Maattikondathaaro
Saerththu vaiththathaaro
Manmatha villukkul anbenum ambukkul
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiru
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadi
Antha vambu kayiru
Mazhai neer adharkenavor gunam illaiyae
Mannil vizhum munnaalae niram illaiyae
Mazhai neer adharkenavor gunam illaiyae
Mannil vizhum munnaalae niram illaiyae
Neerodu suvaiyum niraththodu gunamum
Seraatha pergal ondraathl polae
Manamendru mudikkaamal
Naam kollum uravu
Mudhal iravondrum illaamal
Siru pillai varavu
Male :Yaarodu ingae yaar seruvaaro
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiru
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadi
Antha vambu kayiru
Adikkadi manam yaeno thudikkirathae
Nadippinai nijamaaga padikkirathae
Adikkadi manam yaeno thudikkirathae
Nadippinai nijamaaga padikkirathae
Meiyyaana nadippil nerukkangal yaeno
Poiyaana nadippaal kalakkangal thaano
Male :Nadippaaga irunthaalum sugamaana thudippu
Thudippaana idhayangal adikkaatha adippu
Female :Iniyaatha irandu inaiyaanathingu
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiru
Inbamum thunbamum alli koduththathadi
Antha vambu kayiru
Maattivittathaaro
Maattikondathaaro
Saerththu vaiththathaaro
Manmatha villukkul anbenum ambukkul
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Katti izhukkuthadi oru anbu kayiru
You and me...
A rope of love binds and pulls us together, my dear.
It has showered both joy and sorrow in abundance,
That mischievous rope!
Who tied us into this?
Who is the one caught in it?
Who brought us together,
Inside Manmatha's (god of love) bow and within the arrow of love?
You and me...
A rope of love binds and pulls us together, my dear.
It has showered both joy and sorrow in abundance,
That mischievous rope!
Rainwater has no distinct character of its own;
Before falling onto the soil, it has no color.
Rainwater has no distinct character of its own;
Before falling onto the soil, it has no color.
Just as water gains taste and color takes on character,
Like two unrelated strangers becoming one,
Without ever tying the wedding knot,
We share this relationship;
Without ever having a wedding night,
A little child has entered our lives.
Who knows who will end up with whom in this world?
You and me...
A rope of love binds and pulls us together, my dear.
It has showered both joy and sorrow in abundance,
That mischievous rope!
Why does the heart flutter so often?
It mistakes mere pretending for reality.
Why does the heart flutter so often?
It mistakes mere pretending for reality.
In this genuine-looking act, why is there such closeness?
Is this confusion caused by a false pretence?
Even if it is just an act, it is a sweet flutter,
A rhythm that lively hearts have never beat before.
Two unlikely souls have paired up together here.
You and me...
A rope of love binds and pulls us together, my dear.
It has showered both joy and sorrow in abundance,
That mischievous rope!
Who tied us into this?
Who is the one caught in it?
Who brought us together,
Inside Manmatha's (god of love) bow and within the arrow of love?
You and me...
A rope of love binds and pulls us together, my dear.
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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