Ulakellam Unathu
From Tenali Raman · 1956
- Lyricist
- M. K. Aathmanathan
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Tenali Raman1956
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum | The entire world blooms by your grace, |
| Krupakariyae maheswariyae | O Merciful One, Supreme Goddess! |
| Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum thaayae | O Mother, all living beings rejoice in your love! |
| Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum | The entire world blooms by your grace. |
| Female | |
| Nanmai ninaindhavar vaazhvinil naalum | In the lives of those who always wish well for others, |
| Thunbam soozhvadhum yaeno | Why does sorrow continually surround them? |
| Thunbam soozhvadhum yaeno | Why does sorrow continually surround them? |
| Amma yaavum un sodhanai thaano | O Mother, is all of this merely your trial? |
| Amma yaavum un sodhanai thaano | O Mother, is all of this merely your trial? |
| Aasaiyellam veenoo | Are all hopes and desires in vain? |
| Aasaiyellam veenoo | Are all hopes and desires in vain? |
| Female | |
| Krupakariyae maheswariyae | O Merciful One, Supreme Goddess! |
| Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum thaayae | O Mother, all living beings rejoice in your love! |
| Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum | The entire world blooms by your grace. |
உலகெல்லாம் உனதருளால் மலரும்
க்ருபாகரியே......மகேஸ்வரியே......
உயிரெல்லாம் உனதன்பால் மகிழும் தாயே....
உலகெல்லாம் உனதருளால் மலரும்.....
The entire world blooms by your grace,
O Merciful One, Supreme Goddess!
O Mother, all living beings rejoice in your love!
The entire world blooms by your grace.
நன்மை நினைந்தவர் வாழ்வினில் நாளும்
துன்பம் சூழ்வதும் ஏனோ
துன்பம் சூழ்வதும் ஏனோ
அம்மா யாவும் உன் சோதனை தானோ
அம்மா யாவும் உன் சோதனை தானோ
ஆசையெல்லாம் வீணோ....
ஆசையெல்லாம் வீணோ....
In the lives of those who always wish well for others,
Why does sorrow continually surround them?
Why does sorrow continually surround them?
O Mother, is all of this merely your trial?
O Mother, is all of this merely your trial?
Are all hopes and desires in vain?
Are all hopes and desires in vain?
க்ருபாகரியே......மகேஸ்வரியே......
உயிரெல்லாம் உனதன்பால் மகிழும் தாயே....
உலகெல்லாம் உனதருளால் மலரும்....
O Merciful One, Supreme Goddess!
O Mother, all living beings rejoice in your love!
The entire world blooms by your grace.
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum
The entire world blooms by your grace,
Krupakariyae maheswariyae
O Merciful One, Supreme Goddess!
Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum thaayae
O Mother, all living beings rejoice in your love!
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum
The entire world blooms by your grace.
Nanmai ninaindhavar vaazhvinil naalum
In the lives of those who always wish well for others,
Thunbam soozhvadhum yaeno
Why does sorrow continually surround them?
Thunbam soozhvadhum yaeno
Why does sorrow continually surround them?
Amma yaavum un sodhanai thaano
O Mother, is all of this merely your trial?
Amma yaavum un sodhanai thaano
O Mother, is all of this merely your trial?
Aasaiyellam veenoo
Are all hopes and desires in vain?
Aasaiyellam veenoo
Are all hopes and desires in vain?
Krupakariyae maheswariyae
O Merciful One, Supreme Goddess!
Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum thaayae
O Mother, all living beings rejoice in your love!
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum
The entire world blooms by your grace.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This soul-stirring devotional song expresses both profound adoration for the Divine Mother and existential angst regarding human suffering. It begins by glorifying the Goddess as the source of all life, joy, and cosmic flourishing. The singer acknowledges that nature and living beings thrive entirely under her loving protection. However, the central theme pivots to a poignant philosophical dilemma: why do virtuous people who harbour good intentions face persistent adversity? The singer questions whether these hardships are mere divine tests (sodhanai) or if human aspirations are ultimately futile. Despite the questioning tone, the song concludes by returning to the refrain of surrender and faith in the Goddess's grace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Thunbam soozhvadhum yaeno”
Lines 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 repeat verbatim to intensify the emotional anguish and rhetorical questioning of divine justice.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)
“Amma yaavum un sodhanai thaano”
The lyricist uses rhetorical questions to express helplessness and quest for spiritual meaning rather than seeking a direct answer.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Nanmai ninaindhavar vaazhvinil naalum”
Alliteration of the 'Na' sound in 'Nanmai' and 'ninaindhavar' creates a pleasing phonetic rhythm.
Refrain (Pallavi repetition)
“Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum”
The opening line serves as a recurring refrain that anchors the philosophical query back into an act of devotion.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1956 historical comedy-drama film Tenali Raman starred Sivaji Ganesan as Tenali Raman and N. T. Rama Rao as King Krishnadevaraya. Singer P. Leela's classical renditions in this soundtrack, composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, are considered timeless classics in Tamil cinema.
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