Uyirin Uyirae
From Kaakha Kaakha · 2003
- Lyricist
- Thamarai
- Music director
- Harris Jayaraj
- Details
- Kaakha Kaakha2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| ……………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae | Life of my life... life of my life |
| Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren | I lie waiting in the lap of the river |
| Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum | Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face |
| Muzhudhum verkindren | I am sweating completely |
| Female | |
| ………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Nagarum nerupai kozhundhu vetterinden | I burned brightly like a moving fire |
| Anaindha pinbum analin melirunden | Even after being extinguished, I remained upon the embers |
| Kaalai paniyaga yennai vaarikondaai | You gathered me up like morning dew |
| Neram kooda yedhiri aagivida yugangal aaga vedam maarivida | Even time turns into an enemy, changing forms into eons |
| Anaithu kondaayae pinbu yeno sendraai | You embraced me, then why did you leave? |
| Male | |
| Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae | Life of my life... life of my life |
| Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren | I lie waiting in the lap of the river |
| Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum | Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face |
| { Muzhudhum verkindren } (3) | I am sweating completely (repeated 3 times) |
| Male | |
| Swasamindri thavikirenae | I struggle without breath |
| Unadhu moochil pizhaikirenae | I survive on your breath |
| Idhazhgalai idhazhgalaal nirapida vaa pennae | Come to fill lips with lips, oh girl |
| Male | |
| Ninaivu yengo neendhi chella | As memories swim far away |
| Kanavu vandhu kannai killa | And dreams come to pinch my eyes |
| Nizhalyedhu nijamyedhu kuzhambinen vaa pennae | I am confused between what is shadow and what is reality, come oh girl |
| Kaatril yendhan kaigal rendum | Both my hands in the air |
| Unnai andri yaarai thedum | Whom else will they search for besides you? |
| Vilagi pogaadhae tholaindhu povenae naan…naan…naaan | Do not move away, I will be lost, I... I... I |
| Male | |
| Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae | Life of my life... life of my life |
| Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren | I lie waiting in the lap of the river |
| Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum | Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face |
| Muzhudhum verkindren | I am sweating completely |
| Female | |
| ……………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Iravin porvai yennai suzhndhu | The blanket of night surrounds me |
| Mella mella moodum thazhndhu | Slowly closing down upon me |
| Vidiyalai thedinen unnidam vaa pennae | I searched for dawn in you, come oh girl |
| Male | |
| Paadhamengum saavin ranangal | Wounds of death all over my feet |
| Naragamaagum kaadhal kanangal | Moments of love turned into hell |
| Orumurai madiyilae uranguven vaa pennae | I shall sleep once in your lap, come oh girl |
| Thaamadhikum ovoru kanamum | Every moment that delays |
| Thavanai muraiyil maranam nigazhum | Death happens in installments |
| Arugil vaarayo viralgal thaarayo nee…nee…neee | Won't you come near, won't you give your fingers, you... you... you |
| Male | |
| Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae | Life of my life... life of my life |
| Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren | I lie waiting in the lap of the river |
| Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum | Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face |
| Muzhudhum verkindren | I am sweating completely |
| Male | |
| Nagarum nerupai kozhundhu vetterinden | I burned brightly like a moving fire |
| Anaindha pinbum analin melirunden | Even after being extinguished, I remained upon the embers |
| Kaalai paniyaga yennai vaarikondaai | You gathered me up like morning dew |
| Neram kooda yedhiri aagivida yugangal aaga vedam maarivida | Even time turns into an enemy, changing forms into eons |
| Anaithu kondaayae pinbu yeno sendraai yeno sendraay..yeyyy… | You embraced me, then why did you leave, why did you leave... |
| Male | |
| Oho..hoo..hoo..ohooo..ohoo………………………. | Oho..hoo..hoo..ohooo..ohoo... |
...........................
...
உயிரின் உயிரே
உயிரின் உயிரே நதியின்
மடியில் காத்து கிடக்கின்றேன்
ஈர அலைகள் நீரை வாரி
முகத்தில் இரைத்தும் முழுதும்
வேர்கின்றேன்
Life of my life... life of my life
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
I am sweating completely
...........................
...
நகரும் நெருப்பாய்
கொழுந்து விட்டெறிந்தேன்
அணைந்த பின்பும் அனலின்
மேலிருந்தேன் காலை பனியாக
என்னை வாரிகொண்டாய் நேரம்
கூட எதிரி ஆகிவிட யுகங்கள் ஆக
வேடம் மாறிவிட அணைத்து
கொண்டாயே பின்பு ஏனோ சென்றாய்
I burned brightly like a moving fire
Even after being extinguished, I remained upon the embers
You gathered me up like morning dew
Even time turns into an enemy, changing forms into eons
You embraced me, then why did you leave?
உயிரின் உயிரே
உயிரின் உயிரே நதியின்
மடியில் காத்து கிடக்கின்றேன்
ஈர அலைகள் நீரை வாரி
முகத்தில் இரைத்தும்
{ முழுதும் வேர்கின்றேன் } (3)
Life of my life... life of my life
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
I am sweating completely (repeated 3 times)
சுவாசமின்றி
தவிக்கிறேனே உனது
மூச்சில் பிழைக்கிறேனே
இதழ்களை இதழ்களால்
நிரப்பிட வா பெண்ணே
I struggle without breath
I survive on your breath
Come to fill lips with lips, oh girl
நினைவு எங்கோ
நீந்தி செல்ல கனவு வந்து
கண்ணை கிள்ள நிழல் எது
நிஜம் எது குழம்பினேன் வா
பெண்ணே காற்றில் எந்தன்
கைகள் ரெண்டும் உன்னை
அன்றி யாரை தேடும் விலகி
போகாதே தொலைந்து போவேனே
நான் நான் நான்
As memories swim far away
And dreams come to pinch my eyes
I am confused between what is shadow and what is reality, come oh girl
Both my hands in the air
Whom else will they search for besides you?
Do not move away, I will be lost, I... I... I
உயிரின் உயிரே
உயிரின் உயிரே நதியின்
மடியில் காத்து கிடக்கின்றேன்
ஈர அலைகள் நீரை வாரி
முகத்தில் இரைத்தும் முழுதும்
வேர்கின்றேன்
Life of my life... life of my life
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
I am sweating completely
..........................
...
இரவின் போர்வை
என்னை சூழ்ந்து மெல்ல
மெல்ல மூடும் தாழ்ந்து
விடியலை தேடினேன்
உன்னிடம் வா பெண்ணே
The blanket of night surrounds me
Slowly closing down upon me
I searched for dawn in you, come oh girl
பாதமெங்கும்
சாவின் ரணங்கள்
நரகமாகும் காதல்
கணங்கள் ஒருமுறை
மடியிலே உறங்குவேன்
வா பெண்ணே தாமதிக்கும்
ஒவ்வொரு கணமும் தவணை
முறையில் மரணம் நிகழும்
அருகில் வாராயோ விரல்கள்
தாராயோ நீ நீ நீ
Wounds of death all over my feet
Moments of love turned into hell
I shall sleep once in your lap, come oh girl
Every moment that delays
Death happens in installments
Won't you come near, won't you give your fingers, you... you... you
உயிரின் உயிரே
உயிரின் உயிரே நதியின்
மடியில் காத்து கிடக்கின்றேன்
ஈர அலைகள் நீரை வாரி
முகத்தில் இரைத்தும் முழுதும்
வேர்கின்றேன்
Life of my life... life of my life
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
I am sweating completely
நகரும் நெருப்பாய்
கொழுந்து விட்டெறிந்தேன்
அணைந்த பின்பும் அனலின்
மேலிருந்தேன் காலை பனியாக
என்னை வாரிகொண்டாய் நேரம்
கூட எதிரி ஆகிவிட யுகங்கள் ஆக
வேடம் மாறிவிட அணைத்து
கொண்டாயே பின்பு ஏனோ சென்றாய்
ஏனோ சென்றாய் யே
I burned brightly like a moving fire
Even after being extinguished, I remained upon the embers
You gathered me up like morning dew
Even time turns into an enemy, changing forms into eons
You embraced me, then why did you leave, why did you leave...
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ..........
Oho..hoo..hoo..ohooo..ohoo...
………………………
...
Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae
Life of my life... life of my life
Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
Muzhudhum verkindren
I am sweating completely
……………………….
...
Nagarum nerupai kozhundhu vetterinden
I burned brightly like a moving fire
Anaindha pinbum analin melirunden
Even after being extinguished, I remained upon the embers
Kaalai paniyaga yennai vaarikondaai
You gathered me up like morning dew
Neram kooda yedhiri aagivida yugangal aaga vedam maarivida
Even time turns into an enemy, changing forms into eons
Anaithu kondaayae pinbu yeno sendraai
You embraced me, then why did you leave?
Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae
Life of my life... life of my life
Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
{ Muzhudhum verkindren } (3)
I am sweating completely (repeated 3 times)
Swasamindri thavikirenae
I struggle without breath
Unadhu moochil pizhaikirenae
I survive on your breath
Idhazhgalai idhazhgalaal nirapida vaa pennae
Come to fill lips with lips, oh girl
Ninaivu yengo neendhi chella
As memories swim far away
Kanavu vandhu kannai killa
And dreams come to pinch my eyes
Nizhalyedhu nijamyedhu kuzhambinen vaa pennae
I am confused between what is shadow and what is reality, come oh girl
Kaatril yendhan kaigal rendum
Both my hands in the air
Unnai andri yaarai thedum
Whom else will they search for besides you?
Vilagi pogaadhae tholaindhu povenae naan…naan…naaan
Do not move away, I will be lost, I... I... I
Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae
Life of my life... life of my life
Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
Muzhudhum verkindren
I am sweating completely
………………………..
...
Iravin porvai yennai suzhndhu
The blanket of night surrounds me
Mella mella moodum thazhndhu
Slowly closing down upon me
Vidiyalai thedinen unnidam vaa pennae
I searched for dawn in you, come oh girl
Paadhamengum saavin ranangal
Wounds of death all over my feet
Naragamaagum kaadhal kanangal
Moments of love turned into hell
Orumurai madiyilae uranguven vaa pennae
I shall sleep once in your lap, come oh girl
Thaamadhikum ovoru kanamum
Every moment that delays
Thavanai muraiyil maranam nigazhum
Death happens in installments
Arugil vaarayo viralgal thaarayo nee…nee…neee
Won't you come near, won't you give your fingers, you... you... you
Uyirin uyirae … uyirin uyirae
Life of my life... life of my life
Nadhiyin madiyil kaathu kidakindren
I lie waiting in the lap of the river
Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum
Even as wet waves scoop up water and splash it on my face
Muzhudhum verkindren
I am sweating completely
Nagarum nerupai kozhundhu vetterinden
I burned brightly like a moving fire
Anaindha pinbum analin melirunden
Even after being extinguished, I remained upon the embers
Kaalai paniyaga yennai vaarikondaai
You gathered me up like morning dew
Neram kooda yedhiri aagivida yugangal aaga vedam maarivida
Even time turns into an enemy, changing forms into eons
Anaithu kondaayae pinbu yeno sendraai yeno sendraay..yeyyy…
You embraced me, then why did you leave, why did you leave...
Oho..hoo..hoo..ohooo..ohoo……………………….
Oho..hoo..hoo..ohooo..ohoo...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Uyirin Uyirae is a hauntingly emotional song expressing deep grief, yearning, and intense passion following separation from a loved one. The protagonist waits in excruciating emotional pain, describing how cold river water splashing on him cannot cool the internal fire of longing he feels inside. The passage of time feels agonizingly slow, turning every single moment of waiting into torture. The lyricist Thamarai crafts vivid sensory contrasts between warmth and coldness, light and dark, and life and death. The protagonist pleads for his beloved's return, stating that without her breath he cannot survive, and that every delaying second brings death in installments.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Paradox / Oxymoron
“Eera alaigal neerai vaari mugathil iraithum / Muzhudhum verkindren”
Sweating completely despite cool river water being splashed onto the face highlights the burning intensity of internal passion and agony.
Metaphor
“Iravin porvai yennai suzhndhu / Mella mella moodum thazhndhu”
Describing the night as a heavy blanket ('porvai') that slowly closes in and envelopes him in darkness.
Hyperbole / Metaphor
“Thaamadhikum ovoru kanamum / Thavanai muraiyil maranam nigazhum”
Comparing every passing second of separation to dying on an installment plan ('thavanai muraiyil maranam').
Monorhyme & End Rhyme (Iyaibu)
“Swasamindri thavikirenae / Unadhu moochil pizhaikirenae”
The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming endings ('thavikirenae' / 'pizhaikirenae') creating a mournful musical cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Harris Jayaraj with lyrics by Thamarai for Gautham Vasudev Menon's 2003 hit movie 'Kaakha Kaakha', 'Uyirin Uyirae' was sung by KK and Suchitra. It remains one of the most celebrated tracks in Tamil cinema, known for its innovative blend of modern acoustic soundscape and deeply poetic classical Tamil expressions.
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