Nee Ondru Dhaana
From Unnal Mudiyum Thambi · 1988
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Unnal Mudiyum Thambi1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nee ondru dhaana | Are you the only one? |
| En sangeedham | My music |
| Bilahari nee ondru dhaana | Oh Bilahari, are you the only one? |
| En sangeedham | My music |
| Male | |
| Kuruvi tholil imayam illai | The Himalayas cannot rest on a sparrow's shoulder |
| Kudathu neeril kadalum illai | The ocean cannot fit inside water in a pot |
| Vaanin ellai jaadil illai | The extent of the sky cannot fit inside a jar |
| Nee ondru dhaana | Are you the only one? |
| En sangeedham | My music |
| Male | |
| Poga poga pogum vaanam | As you go further, the sky goes further |
| Paada paada neelum raagam | As you sing further, the raaga expands |
| Poga poga pogum vaanam | As you go further, the sky goes further |
| Paada paada neelum raagam | As you sing further, the raaga expands |
| Male | |
| Samudhirathai mooda | To cover the ocean, |
| Pandhal podava…. | Can one build a canopy? |
| Ennakkul ellaam ennum | The thought that 'everything is within me', |
| Ennam aagumaa … | Can that ever become reality? |
| Male | |
| Isaikku nee adakkama… | Is music bound by you? |
| Unnakkadhu adangumaa… | Will music submit to you? |
| Isaikku nee adakkama… | Is music bound by you? |
| Unnakkadhu adangumaa… | Will music submit to you? |
| Nee ondru dhaana | Are you the only one? |
| En sangeedham | My music |
| Male | |
| {Isaikkul kidandhu | {Lying within music, |
| Mayangum sakravaaham | The swooning Chakravakam bird, |
| Manadhil neruppai valarkkum | Cultivating a fire in the heart, |
| Raaga yaagam} (2) | A ritual sacrifice of raagas} (2) |
| Male | |
| Naanum neeyum thandhadhalla | It was not given by me or by you |
| Yaarai paarthum vandhadhalla | It did not come from looking at anyone |
| Neeyindri naan undu.. | Even without you, I exist.. |
| Male | |
| Bhootham aindhu naadham kodi | Five elements, ten million sounds |
| Naanum andha vaanampaadi | I am that skylark bird |
| Bhootham aindhu naadham kodi | Five elements, ten million sounds |
| Naanum andha vaanampaadi | I am that skylark bird |
| Male | |
| Parandhu nirkkum | Spreading wide and standing, |
| Andha vaanam pondradhu | It is like that vast sky |
| Irandha pinnum | Even after death, |
| Ennai vaazha vaippadhu | It will keep me alive |
| Male | |
| Isai thamizh nirandharam | Musical Tamil is eternal |
| Ennakadhu varam tharum | To me, it bestows a boon |
| Isai thamizh nirandharam | Musical Tamil is eternal |
| Ennakadhu varam tharum | To me, it bestows a boon |
| Nee ondru dhaana | Are you the only one? |
| En sangeedham | My music |
| Male | |
| Ma ga pa dha | Ma ga pa dha (Solfege) |
| Nee ondru… | Are you the only... |
| Male | |
| Sa ri ga – ri ga pa | Sa ri ga – ri ga pa (Solfege) |
| Ga pa dha | Ga pa dha (Solfege) |
| Nee ondru… | Are you the only... |
| Male | |
| Sa ri ga ri ga pa | Sa ri ga ri ga pa (Solfege) |
| Ma ga pa da ma ga ri | Ma ga pa da ma ga ri (Solfege) |
| Ri ga pa ga pa da | Ri ga pa ga pa da (Solfege) |
| Ma ga pa da – da ri | Ma ga pa da – da ri (Solfege) |
| Nee ondru… | Are you the only... |
| Male | |
| Pa da pa ga pa da ri sa | Pa da pa ga pa da ri sa (Solfege) |
| Ri ga ri sa ni da pa da | Ri ga ri sa ni da pa da (Solfege) |
| Da sa ri ga | Da sa ri ga (Solfege) |
| Pa da sa ri | Pa da sa ri (Solfege) |
| Ga pa da sa | Ga pa da sa (Solfege) |
| Ri ga sa ri | Ri ga sa ri (Solfege) |
| Sa ri ga pa da ri | Sa ri ga pa da ri (Solfege) |
| Nee ondru… | Are you the only... |
| Male | |
| Sa ri ga pa ma ga ri ga | Sa ri ga pa ma ga ri ga (Solfege) |
| Pa ma ga ri saa sa | Pa ma ga ri saa sa (Solfege) |
| Sa saa rii ri | Sa saa rii ri (Solfege) |
| Sa ni da | Sa ni da (Solfege) |
| Saa nii da | Saa nii da (Solfege) |
| Male | |
| Pa ma ga | Pa ma ga (Solfege) |
| Paa maa ga | Paa maa ga (Solfege) |
| Male | |
| Ri ga pa ma ga ri sa ni da pa sa | Ri ga pa ma ga ri sa ni da pa sa (Solfege) |
| Ri ga ri sa ni da pa ma ga | Ri ga ri sa ni da pa ma ga (Solfege) |
| Ga ma da | Ga ma da (Solfege) |
| Da ni sa ni da | Da ni sa ni da (Solfege) |
| Ri ga pa da | Ri ga pa da (Solfege) |
| Ri ga pa da sa ri | Ri ga pa da sa ri (Solfege) |
| Nee ondru… dhaana | Are you the only... |
| En sangeedham | My music |
| Male | |
| Kuruvi tholil imayam illai | The Himalayas cannot rest on a sparrow's shoulder |
| Kudathu neeril kadalum illai | The ocean cannot fit inside water in a pot |
| Vaanin ellai jaadil illai | The extent of the sky cannot fit inside a jar |
| Nee ondru… dhaana | Are you the only... |
| En sangeedham | My music |
நீ ஒன்று தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
பிலஹரி நீ ஒன்று தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
Are you the only one?
My music
Oh Bilahari, are you the only one?
My music
குருவி தோளில்
இமயம் இல்லை
குடத்து நீரில் கடலும் இல்லை
வானின் எல்லை ஜாடில் இல்லை
நீ ஒன்று தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
The Himalayas cannot rest on a sparrow's shoulder
The ocean cannot fit inside water in a pot
The extent of the sky cannot fit inside a jar
Are you the only one?
My music
போக போக போகும் வானம்
பாட பாட நீளும் ராகம்
போக போக போகும் வானம்
பாட பாட நீளும் ராகம்
As you go further, the sky goes further
As you sing further, the raaga expands
As you go further, the sky goes further
As you sing further, the raaga expands
சமுத்திரத்தை மூட
பந்தல் போடவா......
எனக்குள் எல்லாம் என்னும்
எண்ணம் ஆகுமா.....
To cover the ocean,
Can one build a canopy?
The thought that 'everything is within me',
Can that ever become reality?
இசைக்கு நீ அடக்கமா....
உனக்கது அடங்குமா....
இசைக்கு நீ அடக்கமா....
உனக்கது அடங்குமா....
நீ ஒன்று தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
Is music bound by you?
Will music submit to you?
Is music bound by you?
Will music submit to you?
Are you the only one?
My music
{இசைக்குள் கிடந்து
மயங்கும் சக்ரவாஹம்
மனதில் நெருப்பை வளர்க்கும்
ராக யாகம்} (2)
{Lying within music,
The swooning Chakravakam bird,
Cultivating a fire in the heart,
A ritual sacrifice of raagas} (2)
நானும் நீயும் தந்ததல்ல
யாரை பார்த்தும் வந்ததல்ல
நீயின்றி நான் உண்டு..
It was not given by me or by you
It did not come from looking at anyone
Even without you, I exist..
பூதம் ஐந்து நாதம் கோடி
நானும் அந்த வானம்பாடி
பூதம் ஐந்து நாதம் கோடி
நானும் அந்த வானம்பாடி
Five elements, ten million sounds
I am that skylark bird
Five elements, ten million sounds
I am that skylark bird
பறந்து நிற்கும்
அந்த வானம் போன்றது
இறந்த பின்னும்
என்னை வாழ வைப்பது
Spreading wide and standing,
It is like that vast sky
Even after death,
It will keep me alive
இசை தமிழ் நிரந்தரம்
எனக்கது வரம் தரும்
இசை தமிழ் நிரந்தரம்
எனக்கது வரம் தரும்
நீ ஒன்று தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
Musical Tamil is eternal
To me, it bestows a boon
Musical Tamil is eternal
To me, it bestows a boon
Are you the only one?
My music
ம க ப த
நீ ஒன்று...
Ma ga pa dha (Solfege)
Are you the only...
ச ரி க ரி க ப
க ப த
நீ ஒன்று...
Sa ri ga – ri ga pa (Solfege)
Ga pa dha (Solfege)
Are you the only...
ச ரி க ரி க ப
ம க ப ட ம க ரி
ரி க ப க ப ட
ம க ப ட - ட ரி
நீ ஒன்று...
Sa ri ga ri ga pa (Solfege)
Ma ga pa da ma ga ri (Solfege)
Ri ga pa ga pa da (Solfege)
Ma ga pa da – da ri (Solfege)
Are you the only...
ப ட ப க ப ட ரி ச
ரி க ரி ச நி ட ப ட
ட ச ரி க
ப ட ச ரி
க ப ட ச
ரி க ச ரி
ச ரி க ப ட ரி
நீ ஒன்று....
Pa da pa ga pa da ri sa (Solfege)
Ri ga ri sa ni da pa da (Solfege)
Da sa ri ga (Solfege)
Pa da sa ri (Solfege)
Ga pa da sa (Solfege)
Ri ga sa ri (Solfege)
Sa ri ga pa da ri (Solfege)
Are you the only...
ச ரி க ப ம க ரி க
ப ம க ரி சா ச
ச சா ரி ரி
ச நி ட
ச நி ட
Sa ri ga pa ma ga ri ga (Solfege)
Pa ma ga ri saa sa (Solfege)
Sa saa rii ri (Solfege)
Sa ni da (Solfege)
Saa nii da (Solfege)
ப ம க
ப ம க
Pa ma ga (Solfege)
Paa maa ga (Solfege)
ரி க ப ம க ரி ச நி ட ப ச
ரி க ரி ச நி ட ப ம க
க ம ட
ட நி ச நி ட
ரி க ப ட
ரி க ப ட ச ரி
நீ ஒன்று.... தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
Ri ga pa ma ga ri sa ni da pa sa (Solfege)
Ri ga ri sa ni da pa ma ga (Solfege)
Ga ma da (Solfege)
Da ni sa ni da (Solfege)
Ri ga pa da (Solfege)
Ri ga pa da sa ri (Solfege)
Are you the only...
My music
குருவி தோளில்
இமயம் இல்லை
குடத்து நீரில் கடலும் இல்லை
வானின் எல்லை ஜாடில் இல்லை
நீ ஒன்று.... தானா
என் சங்கீதம்
The Himalayas cannot rest on a sparrow's shoulder
The ocean cannot fit inside water in a pot
The extent of the sky cannot fit inside a jar
Are you the only...
My music
Nee ondru dhaana
Are you the only one?
En sangeedham
My music
Bilahari nee ondru dhaana
Oh Bilahari, are you the only one?
En sangeedham
My music
Kuruvi tholil imayam illai
The Himalayas cannot rest on a sparrow's shoulder
Kudathu neeril kadalum illai
The ocean cannot fit inside water in a pot
Vaanin ellai jaadil illai
The extent of the sky cannot fit inside a jar
Nee ondru dhaana
Are you the only one?
En sangeedham
My music
Poga poga pogum vaanam
As you go further, the sky goes further
Paada paada neelum raagam
As you sing further, the raaga expands
Poga poga pogum vaanam
As you go further, the sky goes further
Paada paada neelum raagam
As you sing further, the raaga expands
Samudhirathai mooda
To cover the ocean,
Pandhal podava….
Can one build a canopy?
Ennakkul ellaam ennum
The thought that 'everything is within me',
Ennam aagumaa …
Can that ever become reality?
Isaikku nee adakkama…
Is music bound by you?
Unnakkadhu adangumaa…
Will music submit to you?
Isaikku nee adakkama…
Is music bound by you?
Unnakkadhu adangumaa…
Will music submit to you?
Nee ondru dhaana
Are you the only one?
En sangeedham
My music
{Isaikkul kidandhu
{Lying within music,
Mayangum sakravaaham
The swooning Chakravakam bird,
Manadhil neruppai valarkkum
Cultivating a fire in the heart,
Raaga yaagam} (2)
A ritual sacrifice of raagas} (2)
Naanum neeyum thandhadhalla
It was not given by me or by you
Yaarai paarthum vandhadhalla
It did not come from looking at anyone
Neeyindri naan undu..
Even without you, I exist..
Bhootham aindhu naadham kodi
Five elements, ten million sounds
Naanum andha vaanampaadi
I am that skylark bird
Bhootham aindhu naadham kodi
Five elements, ten million sounds
Naanum andha vaanampaadi
I am that skylark bird
Parandhu nirkkum
Spreading wide and standing,
Andha vaanam pondradhu
It is like that vast sky
Irandha pinnum
Even after death,
Ennai vaazha vaippadhu
It will keep me alive
Isai thamizh nirandharam
Musical Tamil is eternal
Ennakadhu varam tharum
To me, it bestows a boon
Isai thamizh nirandharam
Musical Tamil is eternal
Ennakadhu varam tharum
To me, it bestows a boon
Nee ondru dhaana
Are you the only one?
En sangeedham
My music
Ma ga pa dha
Ma ga pa dha (Solfege)
Nee ondru…
Are you the only...
Sa ri ga – ri ga pa
Sa ri ga – ri ga pa (Solfege)
Ga pa dha
Ga pa dha (Solfege)
Nee ondru…
Are you the only...
Sa ri ga ri ga pa
Sa ri ga ri ga pa (Solfege)
Ma ga pa da ma ga ri
Ma ga pa da ma ga ri (Solfege)
Ri ga pa ga pa da
Ri ga pa ga pa da (Solfege)
Ma ga pa da – da ri
Ma ga pa da – da ri (Solfege)
Nee ondru…
Are you the only...
Pa da pa ga pa da ri sa
Pa da pa ga pa da ri sa (Solfege)
Ri ga ri sa ni da pa da
Ri ga ri sa ni da pa da (Solfege)
Da sa ri ga
Da sa ri ga (Solfege)
Pa da sa ri
Pa da sa ri (Solfege)
Ga pa da sa
Ga pa da sa (Solfege)
Ri ga sa ri
Ri ga sa ri (Solfege)
Sa ri ga pa da ri
Sa ri ga pa da ri (Solfege)
Nee ondru…
Are you the only...
Sa ri ga pa ma ga ri ga
Sa ri ga pa ma ga ri ga (Solfege)
Pa ma ga ri saa sa
Pa ma ga ri saa sa (Solfege)
Sa saa rii ri
Sa saa rii ri (Solfege)
Sa ni da
Sa ni da (Solfege)
Saa nii da
Saa nii da (Solfege)
Pa ma ga
Pa ma ga (Solfege)
Paa maa ga
Paa maa ga (Solfege)
Ri ga pa ma ga ri sa ni da pa sa
Ri ga pa ma ga ri sa ni da pa sa (Solfege)
Ri ga ri sa ni da pa ma ga
Ri ga ri sa ni da pa ma ga (Solfege)
Ga ma da
Ga ma da (Solfege)
Da ni sa ni da
Da ni sa ni da (Solfege)
Ri ga pa da
Ri ga pa da (Solfege)
Ri ga pa da sa ri
Ri ga pa da sa ri (Solfege)
Nee ondru… dhaana
Are you the only...
En sangeedham
My music
Kuruvi tholil imayam illai
The Himalayas cannot rest on a sparrow's shoulder
Kudathu neeril kadalum illai
The ocean cannot fit inside water in a pot
Vaanin ellai jaadil illai
The extent of the sky cannot fit inside a jar
Nee ondru… dhaana
Are you the only...
En sangeedham
My music
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song represents a philosophical and artistic confrontation against musical elitism and egoism. The protagonist asserts that art and music are vast, boundless, and eternal entities that cannot be possessed or restricted by any single individual or rigid tradition. Using powerful natural allegories—such as a sparrow trying to lift the Himalayas or fitting the ocean in a pot—the lyrics convey that music transcends personal vanity and lives on forever as a divine gift.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai / Metaphor & Hyperbole
“Kuruvi tholil imayam illai”
Compares human ego attempting to master or contain music to impossible physical feats, such as a sparrow carrying Mount Everest.
Moonaigal (Initial Alliteration)
“Poga poga pogum vaanam / Paada paada neelum raagam”
Repetition of the initial letter/sound 'P' across parallel structures to create a rhythmic, expansive effect.
Ezhukai / Rhyme (Ethirai)
“Isai thamizh nirandharam / Ennakadhu varam tharum”
Rhythmic rhyming end-words ('nirandharam' and 'varam tharum') reinforcing the divine permanence of Tamil music.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for K. Balachander's 'Unnal Mudiyum Thambi' (1988), the song features vocals by K. J. Yesudas. The film explores the conflict between rigid Carnatic musical tradition embodied by a purist father and humanistic, accessible music embraced by his son.
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