Unakenna Mele
From Simla Special · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Simla Special1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| One two three four | One two three four |
| Male | |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) |
| thakadhinathaka thadhum thom | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thom… | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…) |
| Male | |
| Unakkenna melae nindraai | What worry do you have, standing up above? |
| O nandhalaalaa… | Oh Lord Krishna… |
| Male | |
| Unakkenna melae nindraai | What worry do you have, standing up above? |
| O nandhalaalaa | Oh Lord Krishna |
| Unadhaanai paadugindren | I have been singing your praise |
| Naan romba naalaa | For a very long time |
| Male | |
| Unakkenna melae nindraai | What worry do you have, standing up above? |
| O nandhalaalaa | Oh Lord Krishna |
| Thaai madiyil pirandhom | We were born in our mother's lap |
| Thamizh madiyil valarndhom | We grew up in the lap of the Tamil language |
| Nadigarena malarndhom | We blossomed into actors |
| Naadagathil kalandhom | We merged into theatrical drama |
| Thathomtha thomtha thakadhina | Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thakadhina) |
| Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina) |
| Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thom… | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…) |
| Male | |
| Aadaadha medai illai | There is no stage where I haven't danced |
| Podaadha vesham illai | There is no role I haven't played |
| Aadaadha medai illai | There is no stage where I haven't danced |
| Podaadha vesham illai | There is no role I haven't played |
| Sindhaadha kanneer illai | There are no tears unshed |
| Sirippukkum panjam illai | Nor is there any shortage of laughter |
| Male | |
| Kaal kondu aadum pillai | A child dancing with its own feet |
| Nool kondu aadum bommai | A puppet dancing controlled by strings |
| Kaal kondu aadum pillai | A child dancing with its own feet |
| Nool kondu aadum bommai | A puppet dancing controlled by strings |
| Un kaiyil andha noolaa aa | Is that string held in your hands? |
| Nee sollu nandhalaalaa | You tell me, Oh Lord Krishna |
| Male | |
| Yaaraaro nanban endru | Believing random people to be friends |
| Yemaandha nenjam undu | My heart was deceived |
| Yaaraaro nanban endru | Believing random people to be friends |
| Yemaandha nenjam undu | My heart was deceived |
| Poovendu mullai kandu | Mistaking a thorn for a flower |
| Puriyaamal nindren indru | I stand confused today |
| Male | |
| Paal pola kallum undu | Intoxicating liquor exists looking like milk |
| Nirathaalae rendum ondru | By color alone, both appear as one |
| Paal pola kallum undu | Intoxicating liquor exists looking like milk |
| Nirathaalae rendum ondru | By color alone, both appear as one |
| Naanenna kallaa paalaa | Am I stone or pure milk? |
| Nee sollu nandhalaalaa | You tell me, Oh Lord Krishna |
| Male | |
| Unakkenna melae nindraai | What worry do you have, standing up above? |
| O nandhalaalaa | Oh Lord Krishna |
| Unadhaanai paadugindren | I have been singing your praise |
| Naan romba naalaa | For a very long time |
| Male | |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom) |
| Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha) |
| Thakadhina thom… | Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…) |
| Male | |
| Unakkenna melae nindraai | What worry do you have, standing up above? |
| O nandhalaalaa… | Oh Lord Krishna… |
ஒன் டூ த்ரீ ஃபோர்
One two three four
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்.....
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…)
உனக்கென்ன மேலே நின்றாய்
ஓ நந்தலாலா
What worry do you have, standing up above?
Oh Lord Krishna…
உனக்கென்ன மேலே நின்றாய்
ஓ நந்தலாலா
உனதாணை பாடுகின்றேன்
நான் ரொம்ப நாளா
What worry do you have, standing up above?
Oh Lord Krishna
I have been singing your praise
For a very long time
உனக்கென்ன மேலே நின்றாய்
ஓ நந்தலாலா
தாய் மடியில் பிறந்தோம்
தமிழ் மடியில் வளர்ந்தோம்
நடிகரென மலர்ந்தோம்
நாடகத்தில் கலந்தோம்
தகதோம்த தோம்த தகதின
தகதோம்த தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின
தகதோம்த தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்
What worry do you have, standing up above?
Oh Lord Krishna
We were born in our mother's lap
We grew up in the lap of the Tamil language
We blossomed into actors
We merged into theatrical drama
Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thakadhina)
Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina)
Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…)
ஆடாத மேடை இல்லை
போடாத வேஷம் இல்லை
ஆடாத மேடை இல்லை
போடாத வேஷம் இல்லை
சிந்தாத கண்ணீர் இல்லை
சிரிப்புக்கும் பஞ்சம் இல்லை
There is no stage where I haven't danced
There is no role I haven't played
There is no stage where I haven't danced
There is no role I haven't played
There are no tears unshed
Nor is there any shortage of laughter
கால் கொண்டு ஆடும் பிள்ளை
நூல் கொண்டு ஆடும் பொம்மை
கால் கொண்டு ஆடும் பிள்ளை
நூல் கொண்டு ஆடும் பொம்மை
உன் கையில் அந்த நூலா ஆ
நீ சொல்லு நந்தலாலா
A child dancing with its own feet
A puppet dancing controlled by strings
A child dancing with its own feet
A puppet dancing controlled by strings
Is that string held in your hands?
You tell me, Oh Lord Krishna
யாராரோ நண்பன் என்று
ஏமாந்த நெஞ்சம் உண்டு
யாராரோ நண்பன் என்று
ஏமாந்த நெஞ்சம் உண்டு
பூவென்று முள்ளைக் கண்டு
புரியாமல் நின்றேன் இன்று
Believing random people to be friends
My heart was deceived
Believing random people to be friends
My heart was deceived
Mistaking a thorn for a flower
I stand confused today
பால் போலக் கள்ளும் உண்டு
நிறத்தாலே ரெண்டும் ஒன்று
பால் போலக் கள்ளும் உண்டு
நிறத்தாலே ரெண்டும் ஒன்று
நானென்ன கள்ளா பாலா
நீ சொல்லு நந்தலாலா
Intoxicating liquor exists looking like milk
By color alone, both appear as one
Intoxicating liquor exists looking like milk
By color alone, both appear as one
Am I stone or pure milk?
You tell me, Oh Lord Krishna
உனக்கென்ன மேலே நின்றாய்
ஓ நந்தலாலா
உனதாணை பாடுகின்றேன்
நான் ரொம்ப நாளா
What worry do you have, standing up above?
Oh Lord Krishna
I have been singing your praise
For a very long time
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்
தகதினதக ததும் தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த தோம்த
தகதின தோம்.....
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…)
உனக்கென்ன மேலே நின்றாய்
ஓ நந்தலாலா
What worry do you have, standing up above?
Oh Lord Krishna…
One two three four
One two three four
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
thakadhinathaka thadhum thom
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thom…
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…)
Unakkenna melae nindraai
What worry do you have, standing up above?
O nandhalaalaa…
Oh Lord Krishna…
Unakkenna melae nindraai
What worry do you have, standing up above?
O nandhalaalaa
Oh Lord Krishna
Unadhaanai paadugindren
I have been singing your praise
Naan romba naalaa
For a very long time
Unakkenna melae nindraai
What worry do you have, standing up above?
O nandhalaalaa
Oh Lord Krishna
Thaai madiyil pirandhom
We were born in our mother's lap
Thamizh madiyil valarndhom
We grew up in the lap of the Tamil language
Nadigarena malarndhom
We blossomed into actors
Naadagathil kalandhom
We merged into theatrical drama
Thathomtha thomtha thakadhina
Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thakadhina)
Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina)
Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thathomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thom…
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…)
Aadaadha medai illai
There is no stage where I haven't danced
Podaadha vesham illai
There is no role I haven't played
Aadaadha medai illai
There is no stage where I haven't danced
Podaadha vesham illai
There is no role I haven't played
Sindhaadha kanneer illai
There are no tears unshed
Sirippukkum panjam illai
Nor is there any shortage of laughter
Kaal kondu aadum pillai
A child dancing with its own feet
Nool kondu aadum bommai
A puppet dancing controlled by strings
Kaal kondu aadum pillai
A child dancing with its own feet
Nool kondu aadum bommai
A puppet dancing controlled by strings
Un kaiyil andha noolaa aa
Is that string held in your hands?
Nee sollu nandhalaalaa
You tell me, Oh Lord Krishna
Yaaraaro nanban endru
Believing random people to be friends
Yemaandha nenjam undu
My heart was deceived
Yaaraaro nanban endru
Believing random people to be friends
Yemaandha nenjam undu
My heart was deceived
Poovendu mullai kandu
Mistaking a thorn for a flower
Puriyaamal nindren indru
I stand confused today
Paal pola kallum undu
Intoxicating liquor exists looking like milk
Nirathaalae rendum ondru
By color alone, both appear as one
Paal pola kallum undu
Intoxicating liquor exists looking like milk
Nirathaalae rendum ondru
By color alone, both appear as one
Naanenna kallaa paalaa
Am I stone or pure milk?
Nee sollu nandhalaalaa
You tell me, Oh Lord Krishna
Unakkenna melae nindraai
What worry do you have, standing up above?
O nandhalaalaa
Oh Lord Krishna
Unadhaanai paadugindren
I have been singing your praise
Naan romba naalaa
For a very long time
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thom)
Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhinathaka thadhum thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thomtha thomtha thomtha thomtha)
Thakadhina thom…
Rhythm syllables (Thakadhina thom…)
Unakkenna melae nindraai
What worry do you have, standing up above?
O nandhalaalaa…
Oh Lord Krishna…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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