Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unai Kandu Mayangadha

From Ashok Kumar · 1941

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
Alandur Sivasubramaniyam
Movie name
Ashok Kumar
Movie release year
1941
Lyrics added on
2 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Vadivazhagilum gunamadhilum nigaril
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Vadivazhagilum gunamadhilum nigaril
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Andarilae… andarilae nila mandalamel
Andarilae nila mandalamel para
Endisai aadavar pendiril dhaevaa
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Dheerathilae dheerathilae
Uyar gambeerathilae
Dheerathilae uyar gambeerathilae
Kodai udhaarathilae nadai oiyaarathilae
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Dhaanathilae dhaanathilae sol nidhaanathilae
Dhaanathilae sol nidhaanathilae
Kalai gnjaanathilae sarasa gaanathil dhaevaa
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Vadivazhagilum gunamadhilum nigaril
Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Matchless in handsome looks and good character,
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Matchless in handsome looks and good character,
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Among the gods... among the gods, across the earth,
Among the gods, across the earthly realm,
In all eight directions, among men and women, oh Lord,
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
In your courage, in your courage,
In your towering dignity,
In your courage, in your towering dignity,
In your generous giving, in your graceful walk,
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
In your charity, in your charity, in the calm poise of your words,
In your charity, in the calm poise of your words,
In your artistic wisdom, in your sweet singing, oh Lord,
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Matchless in handsome looks and good character,
Is there anyone who isn't captivated upon seeing you?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song is a profound expression of devotion and admiration addressed to a lordly or divine figure. The singer asks a rhetorical question throughout the song: 'Is there anyone in this world or the heavens who would not be captivated upon seeing you?' The lyrics systematically praise the subject's divine attributes, including physical beauty, matchless virtue, bravery, grandeur, generosity, graceful walk, prudence in speech, artistic wisdom, and melodious song. The praise spans both earthly realms across all eight cardinal directions and celestial spheres above the moon, emphasizing that the subject's splendor captivates all men and women everywhere.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo

The line 'Unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo' is repeated systematically across stanzas to anchor the central theme of irresistible charm.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Dheerathilae uyar gambeerathilae / Kodai udhaarathilae nadai oiyaarathilae

The suffix '-athilae' is used repetitively to construct a musical end rhyme across several descriptive lines.

Emona / Rhyme Scheme (Tamil Edugai)

Dhaanathilae dhaanathilae sol nidhaanathilae

Matching second consonants across words ('Dhaanathilae' / 'nidhaanathilae') creates internal melodic harmony.

Hyperbole (Atisayokti)

Andarilae nila mandalamel para

Extending the hero's magnetic beauty up to the realm above the moon ('nila mandalamel') highlights his cosmic significance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song was rendered by the legendary Tamil cinema superstar and Carnatic singer M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) in the landmark 1941 film 'Ashok Kumar'. Composed in a classical Carnatic style based on Raga Behag, it remains one of the earliest iconic solos in Tamil cinema history, penned by the famed poet Udumalai Narayanakavi.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Ashok Kumar

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.