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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnale Naan Thoongalle

From Dharma Devan · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Dharma Devan1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
Thai maasam thaanae poovaanadhuThe month of Thai itself has blossomed into a flower
Ullara edho novaanadhuDeep inside me, a sweet ache has formed
Elachu melinjuu noolaagi ponenI have grown so thin that I turned into a mere thread
Female
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
Thai maasam thaanae poovaanadhuThe month of Thai itself has blossomed into a flower
Ullara edho novaanadhuDeep inside me, a sweet ache has formed
Elachu melinjuu noolaagi ponenI have grown so thin that I turned into a mere thread
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Female
Kaiyodu kaiyaa koiyaadha goiyaaHand in hand, like an unplucked guava fruit
Vaaiyaa parichu poiyaaaCome, pluck it and go away
Kummalam pottu thenmaangu paatuMaking merry, sing a folk song
Paadu valachu poduSing and draw me into your embrace
Female
Haei sithaada podum jillunnu aadumHey, wearing a small saree, dancing coolly
Kuthaala neer veezhchiLike the Courtallam waterfall
Sithaada podum jillunnu aadumWearing a small saree, dancing coolly
Kuthaala neer veezhchiLike the Courtallam waterfall
Thullinaa vaazha meenu thaanIf it leaps, it is like a fresh live fish
Allinaaa vaasa thaenu thaanIf gathered up, it is fragrant honey
Mai poosum kannu poi pesum ponnuA girl with kohl-lined eyes who speaks playful lies
Female
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
Thai maasam thaanae poovaanadhuThe month of Thai itself has blossomed into a flower
Ullara edho novaanadhuDeep inside me, a sweet ache has formed
Elachu melinjuu noolaagi ponenI have grown so thin that I turned into a mere thread
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
Female
Vellottam paaru vandhaachu thaeruLook at the trial run, the grand chariot has arrived
Maama thayangalaamaOh uncle, can you hesitate now?
Kalloorum paanai thalladum vaelaiWhen the toddy pot oozes and staggers
Vaangu madiyil thaanguTake it and cradle it on your lap
Female
Eer ezhu logam illadha yogamA bliss non-existent in the fourteen worlds
Ennaalae undaagumWill be created because of me
Eer ezhu logam illadha yogamA bliss non-existent in the fourteen worlds
Ennaalae undaagumWill be created because of me
Ennavooo ponnu ketkudhu haeiThe girl is asking for something unknown, hey
Theppamaa dhegam verkkudhuThe body sweats like a drenched raft
Muthaatha pinju mainaavin kunjuAn unkissed tiny chick of a maina bird
Female
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
Thai maasam thaanae poovaanadhuThe month of Thai itself has blossomed into a flower
Ullara edho novaanadhuDeep inside me, a sweet ache has formed
Elachu melinjuu noolaagi ponenI have grown so thin that I turned into a mere thread
Unnaalae naan thoongallaeBecause of you, I couldn't sleep
Poo pookkum naan maangollaeI am like a blooming mango grove
…………………………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk-style romantic song portrays a young woman expressing the sweet pangs of love and longing for her beloved. She describes how her yearning keeps her awake through the night, causing her body to grow thin as a thread. She playfully woos her partner, comparing herself to lush nature, sweet honey, and the cascading waterfalls of Courtallam.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Elachu melinjuu noolaagi ponen

The line compares the physical thinning of the heroine due to love's anguish to a slender thread.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Unnaalae naan thoongallae / Poo pookkum naan maangollae

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('thoongallae' and 'maangollae').

Nature Imagery

Kuthaala neer veezhchi

Uses vivid imagery of Courtallam waterfalls to symbolize refreshing energy and beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the veteran lyricist Vaali, this song incorporates authentic Tamil rural folk expressions and rhythm, capturing the traditional village romantic mood.

Keep listening

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