- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Simla Special
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 14 Aug 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Unakkenna Melae Nindraai is a philosophical and existential song from the 1982 film Simla Special. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and written by Vaali, the song features the protagonist addressing Lord Krishna (Nandhalaalaa) to question fate, human suffering, and divine detachment. The singer questions God, who sits comfortably up above, asking why humans are made to suffer on earth while playing out their scripted destinies like puppets on strings. The lyrics draw parallels between stage performance and real life, emphasizing betrayal by fake friends, deceptive appearances (comparing poison/liquor to pure milk), and the emotional toll of playing various roles in life. Through intricate rhythm syllables (solkattu) and poignant verses, the song serves as both a musical masterclass and a powerful commentary on human existence.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Nool kondu aadum bommai”
Compares human life and divine control to a puppet on a string (Nool kondu aadum bommai).
Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)
“Aadaadha medai illai / Podaadha vesham illai”
The second consonant sound 'd' rhymes across adjacent lines (Aadaadha / Podaadha).
Simile / Contrast (Upamai)
“Paal pola kallum undu / Nirathaalae rendum ondru”
Compares toddy/liquor (kallu) to milk (paal) to demonstrate how deceivers can look as innocent as pure milk by color.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this legendary track features Kamal Haasan performing energetic and expressive choreography. Lyricist Vaali brilliantly integrated classical rhythmic solkattu syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) directly into the philosophical verse structure.
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