Unakkum Puriyudhu
From Kuravanji · 1960
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Leela, C. S. Jayaraman
- Music director
- T. R. Pappa
- Details
- Kuravanji1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thanneeril meenirukkum | Fish lives in water |
| Tharaniyil ulla murai | That is the rule of the world |
| Inghu tharaiyilae meen kidanthu | Here, fish lies on the ground |
| Thaviyaai thavikkudhu | And writhes in agony |
| Male | |
| Puthilae paambirukkum | Snake lives in an anthill |
| Boothathil ulla murai | That is the nature of the world |
| Inghu aranmanaiyil paambhu vandhu | Here, a snake has entered the palace |
| Adhigaaram nadathudhada | And rules over us with power |
| Haa…aaa.. | Haa... aaa.. |
| Male | |
| Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu | You understand it, and I understand it |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi | The town doesn't understand it |
| Female | |
| Veliyae kanakku nadakkudhu | Accounts are being settled outside |
| Koottam thiraludhu kattaayam puriyumada | A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man |
| Singham kattaayam puriyumada | Singam, they will surely understand, man |
| Singham kattaayam puriyumada | Singam, they will surely understand, man |
| Male | |
| Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu | You understand it, and I understand it |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi | The town doesn't understand it |
| Female | |
| Veliyae kanakku nadakkudhu | Accounts are being settled outside |
| Koottam thiraludhu kattaayam puriyumada | A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man |
| Singham kattaayam puriyumada | Singam, they will surely understand, man |
| Singham kattaayam puriyumada | Singam, they will surely understand, man |
| Male | |
| Kaattai azhikkudhu vaettai nadathudhu | Destroying the forest, conducting a hunt |
| Kann ketta oru koottam | A blind crowd of people |
| Ingae kann ketta oru koottam | Here, a blind crowd of people |
| Kaattai azhikkudhu vaettai nadathudhu | Destroying the forest, conducting a hunt |
| Kann ketta oru koottam | A blind crowd of people |
| Ingae kann ketta oru koottam | Here, a blind crowd of people |
| Female | |
| Adhu veettai idikkudhu | It demolishes houses |
| Poottai udaikkudhu | It breaks locks |
| Aadudhu kurangattam singhaa | It acts like a mischievous monkey, Singha |
| Aadudhu kurangattam | It acts like a mischievous monkey |
| Adhu veettai idikkudhu | It demolishes houses |
| Poottai udaikkudhu | It breaks locks |
| Aadudhu kurangattam singhaa | It acts like a mischievous monkey, Singha |
| Aadudhu kurangattam | It acts like a mischievous monkey |
| Male | |
| Vaanam pozhinjudhu | The sky poured rain |
| Boomi velanjadhu | The earth yielded crops |
| Vaanam pozhinjudhu | The sky poured rain |
| Boomi velanjadhu | The earth yielded crops |
| Aruvadai ennaachu | What happened to the harvest? |
| Singhi aruvadai ennaachu | Singhi, what happened to the harvest? |
| Boomi velanjadhu | The earth yielded crops |
| Aruvadai ennaachu | What happened to the harvest? |
| Aruvadai ennaachu | What happened to the harvest? |
| Singhi aruvadai ennaachu | Singhi, what happened to the harvest? |
| Female | |
| Adhu odi maranjadhu | It ran away and hid |
| Padhunghi kidakkudhu | It lies crouching in hiding |
| Kudisaigal mannaachu | Huts turned to dust |
| Singha kudisaigal mannaachu | Singha, huts turned to dust |
| Adhu odi maranjadhu | It ran away and hid |
| Padhunghi kidakkudhu | It lies crouching in hiding |
| Kudisaigal mannaachu | Huts turned to dust |
| Singha kudisaigal mannaachu | Singha, huts turned to dust |
| Male | |
| Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu | You understand it, and I understand it |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi | The town doesn't understand it |
| Male | |
| Ilaithavan thalaiyil | If on the weak person's head |
| Valuthavan adithaal | The strong person strikes |
| Ennadi mudivaagum | What will be the ultimate outcome, my dear? |
| Singhi ennadi mudivaagum | Singhi, what will be the outcome? |
| Ilaithavan thalaiyil | If on the weak person's head |
| Valuthavan adithaal | The strong person strikes |
| Ennadi mudivaagum | What will be the ultimate outcome, my dear? |
| Singhi ennadi mudivaagum | Singhi, what will be the outcome? |
| Female | |
| Andha valuthavan thalaiyil | On that strong person's head |
| Ilaithavan adippathu | The weak person striking back |
| Maruppadi uruvaagum | Will happen again as a reaction |
| Singha marupapdi uruvaagum | Singha, it will happen again |
| Andha valuthavan thalaiyil | On that strong person's head |
| Ilaithavan adippathu | The weak person striking back |
| Maruppadi uruvaagum | Will happen again as a reaction |
| Singha marupapdi uruvaagum | Singha, it will happen again |
| Male | |
| Kallaiyum pullaiyum | The one who told us to eat |
| Saapida sonnavan | Stones and grass |
| Kadaisiyil ennaanaan | What happened to him in the end? |
| Singhi kadaisiyil ennaanaan | Singhi, what happened in the end? |
| Kallaiyum pullaiyum | The one who told us to eat |
| Saapida sonnavan | Stones and grass |
| Kadaisiyil ennaanaan | What happened to him in the end? |
| Singhi kadaisiyil ennaanaan | Singhi, what happened in the end? |
| Female | |
| Andha kallaiyum pullaiyum | Those stones and grass |
| Thanae thaniyaai | All by himself in isolation |
| Saappittu mannaanaan | He ate and turned to dust |
| Singha saappittu mannaanaan | Singha, he ate and turned to dust |
| Andha kallaiyum pullaiyum | Those stones and grass |
| Thanae thaniyaai | All by himself in isolation |
| Saappittu mannaanaan | He ate and turned to dust |
| Singha saappittu mannaanaan | Singha, he ate and turned to dust |
| Male | |
| Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu | You understand it, and I understand it |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi singhi | The town doesn't understand it, Singhi |
| Oorukku puriyaladi | The town doesn't understand it |
| Female | |
| Veliyae kanakku nadakkudhu | Accounts are being settled outside |
| Koottam thiraludhu kattaayam puriyumada | A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man |
| Singham kattaayam puriyumada | Singam, they will surely understand, man |
| Singham kattaayam puriyumada | Singam, they will surely understand, man |
தண்ணீரில் மீனிருக்கும்
தரணியிலுள்ள முறை
இங்கு தரையிலே மீன் கிடந்து
தவியாய் தவிக்குதடா
Fish lives in water
That is the rule of the world
Here, fish lies on the ground
And writhes in agony
புத்திலே பாம்பிருக்கும்
பூதலத்திலுள்ள முறை
இங்கு அரண்மனையில் பாம்பு வந்து
அதிகாரம் நடத்துதடா
ஹா ...ஆஅ
Snake lives in an anthill
That is the nature of the world
Here, a snake has entered the palace
And rules over us with power
Haa... aaa..
உனக்கும் புரியுது எனக்கும் புரியுது
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி
வெளியே கணக்கு நடக்குது
கூட்டம் திரளுது கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
சிங்கா கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
சிங்கா கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
You understand it, and I understand it
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it
உனக்கும் புரியுது எனக்கும் புரியுது
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி
வெளியே கணக்கு நடக்குது
கூட்டம் திரளுது கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
சிங்கா கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
சிங்கா கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
Accounts are being settled outside
A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Singam, they will surely understand, man
காட்டை அழிக்குது வேட்டை நடத்துது
கண் கெட்ட ஒரு கூட்டம்
இங்கே கண் கெட்ட ஒரு கூட்டம்
காட்டை அழிக்குது வேட்டை நடத்துது
கண் கெட்ட ஒரு கூட்டம்
இங்கே கண் கெட்ட ஒரு கூட்டம்
You understand it, and I understand it
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it
அது வீட்டை இடிக்குது
பூட்டை உடைக்குது
ஆடுது குரங்காட்டம் சிங்கா
ஆடுது குரங்காட்டம்
அது வீட்டை இடிக்குது
பூட்டை உடைக்குது
ஆடுது குரங்காட்டம் சிங்கா
ஆடுது குரங்காட்டம்
Accounts are being settled outside
A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Singam, they will surely understand, man
வானம் பொழிஞ்சுது
பூமி வெளஞ்சுது
வானம் பொழிஞ்சுது
பூமி வெளஞ்சுது
அறுவடை என்னாச்சு
சிங்கி அறுவடை என்னாச்சு
வானம் பொழிஞ்சுது
பூமி வெளஞ்சுது
அறுவடை என்னாச்சு
சிங்கி அறுவடை என்னாச்சு
Destroying the forest, conducting a hunt
A blind crowd of people
Here, a blind crowd of people
Destroying the forest, conducting a hunt
A blind crowd of people
Here, a blind crowd of people
அது ஓடி மறஞ்சுது
பதுங்கி கிடக்குது
குடிசைகள் மண்ணாச்சு
சிங்கா குடிசைகள் மண்ணாச்சு
அது ஓடி மறஞ்சுது
பதுங்கி கிடக்குது
குடிசைகள் மண்ணாச்சு
சிங்கா குடிசைகள் மண்ணாச்சு
It demolishes houses
It breaks locks
It acts like a mischievous monkey, Singha
It acts like a mischievous monkey
It demolishes houses
It breaks locks
It acts like a mischievous monkey, Singha
It acts like a mischievous monkey
இது உனக்கும் புரியுது எனக்கும் புரியுது
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி
The sky poured rain
The earth yielded crops
The sky poured rain
The earth yielded crops
What happened to the harvest?
Singhi, what happened to the harvest?
The earth yielded crops
What happened to the harvest?
What happened to the harvest?
Singhi, what happened to the harvest?
இளைத்தவன் தலையில்
வலுத்தவன் அடித்தால்
என்னடி முடிவாகும்
சிங்கி என்னடி முடிவாகும்
இளைத்தவன் தலையில்
வலுத்தவன் அடித்தால்
என்னடி முடிவாகும்
சிங்கி என்னடி முடிவாகும்
It ran away and hid
It lies crouching in hiding
Huts turned to dust
Singha, huts turned to dust
It ran away and hid
It lies crouching in hiding
Huts turned to dust
Singha, huts turned to dust
அந்த வலுத்தவன் தலையில்
இளைத்தவன் அடிப்பது
மறுபடி உருவாகும்
சிங்கா மறுபடி உருவாகும்
அந்த வலுத்தவன் தலையில்
இளைத்தவன் அடிப்பது
மறுபடி உருவாகும்
சிங்கா மறுபடி உருவாகும்
You understand it, and I understand it
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it
கல்லையும் புல்லையும்
சாப்பிடச் சொன்னவன்
கடைசியில் என்னான்னான்
சிங்கி கடைசியில் என்னான்னான்
கல்லையும் புல்லையும்
சாப்பிடச் சொன்னவன்
கடைசியில் என்னான்னான்
சிங்கி கடைசியில் என்னான்னான்
If on the weak person's head
The strong person strikes
What will be the ultimate outcome, my dear?
Singhi, what will be the outcome?
If on the weak person's head
The strong person strikes
What will be the ultimate outcome, my dear?
Singhi, what will be the outcome?
அந்த கல்லையும் புல்லையும்
தானே தனியாய்
சாப்பிட்டு மண்ணான்னான்
சிங்கா சாப்பிட்டு மண்ணான்னான்......
அந்த கல்லையும் புல்லையும்
தானே தனியாய்
சாப்பிட்டு மண்ணான்னான்
சிங்கா சாப்பிட்டு மண்ணான்னான்...
On that strong person's head
The weak person striking back
Will happen again as a reaction
Singha, it will happen again
On that strong person's head
The weak person striking back
Will happen again as a reaction
Singha, it will happen again
இது உனக்கும் புரியுது எனக்கும் புரியுது
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி சிங்கி
ஊருக்குப் புரியலடி
வெளியே கணக்கு நடக்குது
கூட்டம் திரளுது கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
சிங்கா கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
சிங்கா கட்டாயம் புரியுமடா
The one who told us to eat
Stones and grass
What happened to him in the end?
Singhi, what happened in the end?
The one who told us to eat
Stones and grass
What happened to him in the end?
Singhi, what happened in the end?
Those stones and grass
All by himself in isolation
He ate and turned to dust
Singha, he ate and turned to dust
Those stones and grass
All by himself in isolation
He ate and turned to dust
Singha, he ate and turned to dust
You understand it, and I understand it
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
The town doesn't understand it
Accounts are being settled outside
A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Thanneeril meenirukkum
Fish lives in water
Tharaniyil ulla murai
That is the rule of the world
Inghu tharaiyilae meen kidanthu
Here, fish lies on the ground
Thaviyaai thavikkudhu
And writhes in agony
Puthilae paambirukkum
Snake lives in an anthill
Boothathil ulla murai
That is the nature of the world
Inghu aranmanaiyil paambhu vandhu
Here, a snake has entered the palace
Adhigaaram nadathudhada
And rules over us with power
Haa…aaa..
Haa... aaa..
Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu
You understand it, and I understand it
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi
The town doesn't understand it
Veliyae kanakku nadakkudhu
Accounts are being settled outside
Koottam thiraludhu kattaayam puriyumada
A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man
Singham kattaayam puriyumada
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Singham kattaayam puriyumada
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu
You understand it, and I understand it
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi
The town doesn't understand it
Veliyae kanakku nadakkudhu
Accounts are being settled outside
Koottam thiraludhu kattaayam puriyumada
A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man
Singham kattaayam puriyumada
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Singham kattaayam puriyumada
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Kaattai azhikkudhu vaettai nadathudhu
Destroying the forest, conducting a hunt
Kann ketta oru koottam
A blind crowd of people
Ingae kann ketta oru koottam
Here, a blind crowd of people
Kaattai azhikkudhu vaettai nadathudhu
Destroying the forest, conducting a hunt
Kann ketta oru koottam
A blind crowd of people
Ingae kann ketta oru koottam
Here, a blind crowd of people
Adhu veettai idikkudhu
It demolishes houses
Poottai udaikkudhu
It breaks locks
Aadudhu kurangattam singhaa
It acts like a mischievous monkey, Singha
Aadudhu kurangattam
It acts like a mischievous monkey
Adhu veettai idikkudhu
It demolishes houses
Poottai udaikkudhu
It breaks locks
Aadudhu kurangattam singhaa
It acts like a mischievous monkey, Singha
Aadudhu kurangattam
It acts like a mischievous monkey
Vaanam pozhinjudhu
The sky poured rain
Boomi velanjadhu
The earth yielded crops
Vaanam pozhinjudhu
The sky poured rain
Boomi velanjadhu
The earth yielded crops
Aruvadai ennaachu
What happened to the harvest?
Singhi aruvadai ennaachu
Singhi, what happened to the harvest?
Boomi velanjadhu
The earth yielded crops
Aruvadai ennaachu
What happened to the harvest?
Aruvadai ennaachu
What happened to the harvest?
Singhi aruvadai ennaachu
Singhi, what happened to the harvest?
Adhu odi maranjadhu
It ran away and hid
Padhunghi kidakkudhu
It lies crouching in hiding
Kudisaigal mannaachu
Huts turned to dust
Singha kudisaigal mannaachu
Singha, huts turned to dust
Adhu odi maranjadhu
It ran away and hid
Padhunghi kidakkudhu
It lies crouching in hiding
Kudisaigal mannaachu
Huts turned to dust
Singha kudisaigal mannaachu
Singha, huts turned to dust
Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu
You understand it, and I understand it
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi
The town doesn't understand it
Ilaithavan thalaiyil
If on the weak person's head
Valuthavan adithaal
The strong person strikes
Ennadi mudivaagum
What will be the ultimate outcome, my dear?
Singhi ennadi mudivaagum
Singhi, what will be the outcome?
Ilaithavan thalaiyil
If on the weak person's head
Valuthavan adithaal
The strong person strikes
Ennadi mudivaagum
What will be the ultimate outcome, my dear?
Singhi ennadi mudivaagum
Singhi, what will be the outcome?
Andha valuthavan thalaiyil
On that strong person's head
Ilaithavan adippathu
The weak person striking back
Maruppadi uruvaagum
Will happen again as a reaction
Singha marupapdi uruvaagum
Singha, it will happen again
Andha valuthavan thalaiyil
On that strong person's head
Ilaithavan adippathu
The weak person striking back
Maruppadi uruvaagum
Will happen again as a reaction
Singha marupapdi uruvaagum
Singha, it will happen again
Kallaiyum pullaiyum
The one who told us to eat
Saapida sonnavan
Stones and grass
Kadaisiyil ennaanaan
What happened to him in the end?
Singhi kadaisiyil ennaanaan
Singhi, what happened in the end?
Kallaiyum pullaiyum
The one who told us to eat
Saapida sonnavan
Stones and grass
Kadaisiyil ennaanaan
What happened to him in the end?
Singhi kadaisiyil ennaanaan
Singhi, what happened in the end?
Andha kallaiyum pullaiyum
Those stones and grass
Thanae thaniyaai
All by himself in isolation
Saappittu mannaanaan
He ate and turned to dust
Singha saappittu mannaanaan
Singha, he ate and turned to dust
Andha kallaiyum pullaiyum
Those stones and grass
Thanae thaniyaai
All by himself in isolation
Saappittu mannaanaan
He ate and turned to dust
Singha saappittu mannaanaan
Singha, he ate and turned to dust
Unakkum puriyudhu enakkum puriyudhu
You understand it, and I understand it
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi singhi
The town doesn't understand it, Singhi
Oorukku puriyaladi
The town doesn't understand it
Veliyae kanakku nadakkudhu
Accounts are being settled outside
Koottam thiraludhu kattaayam puriyumada
A crowd is gathering, they will surely understand, man
Singham kattaayam puriyumada
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Singham kattaayam puriyumada
Singam, they will surely understand, man
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from Kuravanji (1960) is structured as a folk dialogue between Singan and Singhi, two nomadic fortune-tellers/gypsies who observe the sociopolitical corruption around them. Through sharp allegories—such as fish suffering on land and snakes ruling in palaces—the duet critiques oppressive rulers, greedy exploiters, and societal injustice. They discuss how the poor are deprived of their harvest, how oppressors act like unruly monkeys destroying homes, and how tyranny inevitably breeds revolution where the oppressed rise up against the strong.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory (Uvamanam)
“Inghu tharaiyilae meen kidanthu thaviyaai thavikkudhu”
The song uses natural elements like fish out of water and snakes in palaces to symbolize citizens suffering under unnatural leadership.
Folk Dialogue Structure (Singan-Singhi Samvaad)
“Oorukku puriyaladi singhi”
A traditional Tamil Kuravanji drama device where characters Singan and Singhi converse in call-and-response verse addressing each other.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Aadudhu kurangattam singhaa”
Describing oppressive destructiveness as a wild monkey's dance ('kurangattam').
Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)
“Ilaithavan thalaiyil valuthavan adithaal”
Contrasting the actions and fates of the strong ('valuthavan') and the weak ('ilaithavan').
Did you know?
Trivia
Kuravanji (1960) was adapted from the classical Tamil Kuravanji literary format, combining traditional folk art form with contemporary political allegories written by Kannadasan during a period of strong political movement in Tamil Nadu.
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