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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Punjai Undu

From Unnal Mudiyum Thambi · 1988

Lyricist: Pulamaipithan
Singer: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
Movie release year: 1988
Lyrics added on: 23 Jun 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Thandhan nana

Thandhan nana

Thandhan nana

Thaanaa….

Hoi thandhan nana

Thandhan nana

Thandhan nana

Thaandhan nanaa….

Punjai undu nanjai undu

Pongivarum gangai undu

Panjam mattum innum

Ingu maaravilla

Enga baaradhathil

Soththuchanda theeravilla

Veedhikkoru katchiyundu

Saadhikkoru sangamundu

Needhi solla mattum

Ingu naadhiyilla

Sanam nimmadhiyaa

Vaazha oru naalumilla

{Idhu naadaa illa

Verum kaadaa

Idhai ketka yaarum

Illai thozhaa} (2)

Punjai undu nanjai undu

Pongivarum gangai undu

Panjam mattum innum

Ingu maaravilla

Enga baaradhathil

Soththuchanda theeravilla

Vaanaththai etti nirkum

Uyarndha maaligai

Yaaringu kattivaithu koduthadhu

Oorukku paadupattu

Uzhaitha koottamo

Veedindri vaasalindri thavikkudhu

Ethanai kaalam ippadi pogum

Endroru kelvi naalai varum

Ullavai ellaam yaarukkum sondham

Endringu maarum velai varum

Aayiram kaigal koodattum

Aanandha raagam paadattum

Naalaya kaalam nammodu

Nichaiyam undu poraadu

Vaanagamum vaiyagamum

Engal kaigalil endraadu

Punjai undu nanjai undu

Pongivarum gangai undu

Panjam mattum innum

Ingu maaravilla

Enga baaradhathil

Soththuchanda theeravilla

Aatrukku paadhai ingu

Yaaru thandhadhu

Thaanaaga paadhai kandu nadakkudhu

Kaatrukku paattu cholli

Yaaru thandhadhu

Thaanaaga paatu onnu padikudhu

Enniya yaavum kaigalil saerum

Nambikkai vendum nenjukkullae

Kaalaiyil thondrum sooriyan polae

Ponnoli vendum kannukkullae

Cheriyil thendral veesaadhaa

Ezhaiyai vandhu theendaadhaa

Gangai therkae payaadha

Kaveri odu seraadha

Paadupadum thozhargalin

Tholgalil maalai soodaadhaa

Punjai undu nanjai undu

Pongivarum gangai undu

Panjam mattum innum

Ingu maaravilla

Enga baaradhathil

Soththuchanda theeravilla

{Idhu naadaa illa

Verum kaadaa

Idhai ketka yaarum

Illai thozhaa} (2)

Thanthan nana

Thanthan nana

Thanthan nana

Thaanaa...

Hoy thanthan nana

Thanthan nana

Thanthan nana

Thaandan nanaa...

There are dry lands, there are wetlands,

There is the overflowing Ganges,

Yet poverty and hardship

Have still not changed here.

In our land of India,

The fight over wealth never ends.

There is a political party for every street,

There is an association for every caste,

But when it comes to speaking for justice,

There is no one to stand up here.

For the common people to live in peace,

There is not a single day.

Is this really a country,

Or just a wild jungle?

To stand up and question this,

Is there no one, my friend?

There are dry lands, there are wetlands,

There is the overflowing Ganges,

Yet poverty and hardship

Have still not changed here.

In our land of India,

The fight over wealth never ends.

Reaching high toward the sky,

These towering mansions—

Who built them and gave them here?

The working people who toiled

And gave their sweat for this land,

Suffer without a home or a doorway.

"How long will this go on?"

Such a question will rise tomorrow.

"All that exists belongs to everyone,"

The time for that change will come.

Let a thousand hands join together,

Let them sing a song of joy!

Tomorrow's future is with us,

Victory is certain, fight on!

"Heaven and earth are in our hands,"

Dance and declare this to all!

There are dry lands, there are wetlands,

There is the overflowing Ganges,

Yet poverty and hardship

Have still not changed here.

In our land of India,

The fight over wealth never ends.

Who showed the river

Its pathway here?

It finds its own way and flows along.

Who taught a song

To the wandering breeze?

It sings a melody on its own.

All our dreams will come into our hands,

We only need hope within our hearts.

Like the morning sun rising bright,

A golden glow should shine on our faces.

Won't the gentle breeze blow into the slums?

Won't it come and touch the poor?

Won't the Ganges flow down to the south?

Won't it unite with the Cauvery?

For the hard-working comrades,

Won't garlands adorn their shoulders?

There are dry lands, there are wetlands,

There is the overflowing Ganges,

Yet poverty and hardship

Have still not changed here.

In our land of India,

The fight over wealth never ends.

Is this really a country,

Or just a wild jungle?

To stand up and question this,

Is there no one, my friend?

Male

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Male

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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Punjai Undu Nanjai Undu' from the 1988 Tamil film 'Unnal Mudiyum Thambi' is a powerful socio-political song written by Pulamaipithan and composed by Ilaiyaraaja (sung by K. J. Yesudas). The song highlights the severe irony of India's abundant natural wealth—fertile drylands, wetlands, and flowing rivers—contrasted with persistent poverty, homeless labourers, caste politics, and social injustice. The song calls out the apathy of leaders while urging the working class to unite, stay hopeful, and fight for a egalitarian society where resources are shared equally.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

“Punjai undu nanjai undu / Pongivarum gangai undu”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines, such as 'Punjai' and 'Pongivarum' or 'Vaanaththai' and 'Uzhaitha'.

Etukai (Assonance / Second-letter Rhyming)

“Punjai undu nanjai undu / Panjam mattum innum / Enga baaradhathil”

Matching second letters in consecutive lines, such as 'Punjai' / 'Panjam' / 'Enga'.

Rhyme & Parallelism

“Punjai undu nanjai undu”

Use of parallel structure ('Punjai undu nanjai undu') creating rhythmic emphasis on economic disparity.

Metaphor

“Idhu naadaa illa / Verum kaadaa”

Comparing the country's lawlessness and governance failure to a wild forest ('verum kaadaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Unnal Mudiyum Thambi' was directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan and Gemini Ganesan. The film heavily focused on social reform, carnatic music traditions versus modern egalitarian values, and youth empowerment. Ilaiyaraaja's score and Pulamaipithan's revolutionary lyrics made this song an enduring anthem for social justice in Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

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