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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vannam Illamale Varaindhu

From Unakkaga Oru Roja · 1985

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
T. Rajendar
Movie name
Unakkaga Oru Roja
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
7 Mar 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vannam illaamalae
Varainthu paaththaendi oviyam
Ennam uriyaamalae
Ezhuthi paarththaendi kaaviyam
Vannam illaamalae
Varainthu paaththaendi oviyam
Ennam uriyaamalae
Ezhuthi paarththaendi kaaviyam
Naan Unna nenachchu
Indru thanniyadichchaen
Un ullam ariya
Manam venthu thavichchen
Naan Unna nenachchu
Indru thanniyadichchaen
Un ullam ariya
Manam venthu thavichchen
Enakku pudichcha pattu onnu
Yaaro isaichchaanadi
Idauam kavarntha roja unna
Yaaro parichchaandi
Sumaiyai nenaichchu imaiyai nanaichchaen
Eeram kaayaladi
Vithiyai nenachchu shruthiya potaen
Idhayam aaraladi
Vannam illaamalae
Varainthu paaththaendi oviyam
Ennam uriyaamalae
Ezhuthi paarththaendi kaaviyam
Minnal vaanil engae thondrum
Solla mudiyaathu
Kadhal nenjil yaar mael thondrum
Kanukka mudiyaathu
Mullu illaa thoondil pottaen
Meenu maattaladi
Noolu illaa aadai neithaen
Aniya mudiyaladi
Vannam illaamalae
Varainthu paaththaendi oviyam
Ennam uriyaamalae
Ezhuthi paarththaendi kaaviyam
Naan Unna nenachchu
Indru thanniyadichchaen
Un ullam ariya
Manam venthu thavichchen
Naan Unna nenachchu
Indru thanniyadichchaen
Un ullam ariya
Manam venthu thavichchen
Without any colors,
I tried to paint a picture, my girl.
Without understanding your thoughts,
I tried to write an epic poem, my girl.
Without any colors,
I tried to paint a picture, my girl.
Without understanding your thoughts,
I tried to write an epic poem, my girl.
Thinking of you,
I drank today.
Yearning to know your heart,
my mind burned in torment.
Thinking of you,
I drank today.
Yearning to know your heart,
my mind burned in torment.
A song that I loved so dearly,
someone else played it, my girl.
The rose that stole my heart—you,
someone else plucked away, my girl.
Thinking of my heavy burden, I soaked my eyes in tears,
and the wetness hasn't dried, my girl.
Thinking of my fate, I tuned a song of sorrow,
yet my aching heart hasn't healed, my girl...
Without any colors,
I tried to paint a picture, my girl.
Without understanding your thoughts,
I tried to write an epic poem, my girl.
Where lightning will strike in the sky,
no one can tell.
Whom love will bloom for in the heart,
no one can predict.
I cast a fishing line without a hook,
and no fish was caught, my girl.
I wove a dress without any thread,
and it cannot be worn, my girl...
Without any colors,
I tried to paint a picture, my girl.
Without understanding your thoughts,
I tried to write an epic poem, my girl.
Thinking of you,
I drank today.
Yearning to know your heart,
my mind burned in torment.
Thinking of you,
I drank today.
Yearning to know your heart,
my mind burned in torment.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful heartbreak song from the film 'Unakkaga Oru Roja' (1985) expresses the intense sorrow of unrequited love and grief over losing a beloved to another person. The protagonist turns to alcohol to cope with his burning heartbreak while reflecting on how his life and love ended up incomplete and tragic.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Etukai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Vannam illaamalae / Ennam uriyaamalae”

The second consonant 'nna' rhymes between 'Vannam' and 'Ennam' across adjacent lines.

Moonaikku (Initial Alliteration)

“Vannam illaamalae / Varainthu paaththaendi oviyam”

Initial phonetic alliteration with the letter 'V' in 'Vannam' and 'Varainthu'.

Metaphor

“Idauam kavarntha roja unna / Yaaro parichchaandi”

Comparing the beloved woman to a captive rose that has been plucked by someone else.

Paradox

“Mullu illaa thoondil pottaen / Noolu illaa aadai neithaen”

Using impossible scenarios like fishing with a barbless hook or weaving clothes without thread to express the impossibility and hopelessness of his love.

Did you know?

Trivia

T. Rajendar wrote, composed, and directed 'Unakkaga Oru Roja' (1985). Renowned for his unique rhyming lyrical style, T. Rajendar utilized Malaysia Vasudevan's deep emotional rendition to make this song a quintessential heartbreak anthem of 1980s Tamil cinema.

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