Unavey Marundhu
From Server Sundaram (2017 Film) · 2017
- Lyricist
- Vivek
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Details
- Server Sundaram (2017 Film)2017
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaahaaaaa……aaaaa… | Aaahaaaaa……aaaaa… |
| Nana naaaa…aaaaa…aaaa…aana na na… | Nana naaaa…aaaaa…aaaa…aana na na… |
| Aaaaaaa…aaaa…na na …aaaa…aaa… | Aaaaaaa…aaaa…na na …aaaa…aaa… |
| Ahaaaa…aaa….thiranaaa..aaaa…aaa | Ahaaaa…aaa….thiranaaa..aaaa…aaa |
| Female | |
| Unavae naam marundhaaga | When food was our medicine, |
| Irundhomae sirandhuuuu… | We lived in great health and excellence... |
| Unavae naam marundhaaga | When food was our medicine, |
| Irundhomae sirandhuu… | We lived in great health and excellence... |
| Medhuvaga marandhomae | Slowly, we forgot that wisdom, |
| Marundhae nam virundhu | And now medicine has become our daily feast. |
| Female | |
| Ilaiyodu sudu sooru | When hot rice touches the banana leaf, |
| Padum bodhu naarchaththu | Dietary fiber and nutrients are released; |
| Seyarkai ilai pottu | By laying artificial plastic leaves instead, |
| Nanjaakinom…. | We turned our meals into poison... |
| Female | |
| Kodhikkadha kaai thindru | By eating raw, uncooked greens, |
| Kili poonai thembaachu | Parrots and cats grew strong; |
| Ariyaamal arivai naam | Without realizing it, our wisdom |
| Ayindhu aakinom | We lost and wasted away. |
| Female | |
| Kai kuththal arisikkul | Inside hand-pounded rice, |
| Karuvaagum ootam | Essential nutrients form like an embryo; |
| Iyandhirathil theeti | By polishing it in mechanical mills, |
| Karuvarukirom | We destroy that vital embryo. |
| Female | |
| Paalukkul padhamaaga | Formed delicately within milk, |
| Payiraagum puradham | Proteins grow naturally; |
| Adhivegam soodaetri | By overheating it at extreme speed, |
| Adhai azhikirom… | We destroy its true value... |
| Female | |
| Unavae naam marundhaaga | When food was our medicine, |
| Irundhomae sirandhu | We lived in great health and excellence; |
| Medhuvaga marandhomae | Slowly, we forgot that wisdom, |
| Marundhae nam virundhu | And now medicine has become our daily feast. |
| Marundhae nam virundhu…uuhh..uhh… | Medicine has become our daily feast... |
| Female | |
| Pazhangalaam mudhalaaga | Starting with fresh fruits, |
| Ilai pottu naamum | Laying down a traditional banana leaf, |
| Pazhagaram vaithomae | We served sweets first; |
| Adhil arthamundu | There was deep wisdom behind that ritual. |
| Female | |
| Neiyum paruppum | Ghee and cooked lentils, |
| Mudhalaaga ul sendru | Entering the digestive tract first, |
| Unavu kuzhaai varai | Smooth and prepare the food pipe |
| Thanmaiyakkum | For the meal that follows. |
| Female | |
| Rusikkaga undavai | Items eaten purely for taste, |
| Serikkadha mattravai | And other foods hard to digest, |
| Rasam ootra irai maatri | Pouring digestive rasam neutralizes them |
| Nanmai aakum | And turns them into health benefits. |
| Female | |
| Karunai kizhangaalae | By consuming elephant foot yam, |
| Koluppai karaikirom | We melt away body fat; |
| Saapitta soottaiyae | The internal heat generated by heavy food, |
| Morittu anaikirom | We cool down with digestive buttermilk. |
| Female | |
| Paatikku therindhadhu | What our grandmothers knew inherently |
| Ennaalum uyarndhadhae | Remains superior across all eras; |
| Aaraindhu paarka nam | Yet to analyze and understand its depth, |
| Vingyanam marandhadhae | Our modern science forgot. |
| Female | |
| Unavae naam marundhaaga | When food was our medicine, |
| Irundhomae sirandhuu… | We lived in great health and excellence... |
| Medhuvaga marandhomae | Slowly, we forgot that wisdom, |
| Marundhae nam virundhu | And now medicine has become our daily feast. |
| Virundhuuuu….uhhh… | Feast.... |
| Female | |
| ……………………….. | ..................... |
| Female | |
| Paayasam inippikku | Payasam for sweetness, |
| Paagarkaai kasapukku | Bitter gourd for bitterness, |
| Puli saadham pulipukku | Tamarind rice for sourness, |
| Vaazhaippu thuvarpukku | Banana flower for astringency, |
| Female | |
| Oorukaai…naavilae kaaramaai | Pickle... spicy on the tongue, |
| Sittigai.. uppudhaan oramaai | A pinch of salt served on the side. |
| Arusuvayum nanmaiyum | Having lived celebrating all six tastes (Arusuvai) |
| Kondaadi vazhndhavar | And their health benefits, |
| Oru suvaiyum illadha | We jumped to processed food |
| Unavukku thaavinom | That carries no real taste or life. |
| Female | |
| Iyandhira kuttigal | Packaged food boxes |
| Iyindridum pottalam | Assembled by machines, |
| Nam sava pettigal | Let us state clearly |
| Enbhadhai kooruvom | That these are our coffins. |
| Female | |
| Akkarai serthuthaan | With genuine love and care, |
| Unavidum thaai manam | A mother feeds her child; |
| Naamumae nam udal | We too must cherish and care for |
| Appadi penuvom..ooohoooo…. | Our own body in the very same way... |
| Female | |
| Unavae naam marundhaaga | When food was our medicine, |
| Irundhomae sirandhuu… | We lived in great health and excellence... |
| Virundhuu…. virundhuuu…. | Feast.... feast.... |
| Virundhuuuu… virundhuuuu…uu… | Feast.... feast.... |
..........................................
Aaahaaaaa……aaaaa…
Nana naaaa…aaaaa…aaaa…aana na na…
Aaaaaaa…aaaa…na na …aaaa…aaa…
Ahaaaa…aaa….thiranaaa..aaaa…aaa
உணவே நம்
மருந்தாக இருந்தோமே
சிறந்து உணவே நம்
மருந்தாக இருந்தோமே
சிறந்து மெதுவாக மறந்தோமே
மருந்தே நம் விருந்து
When food was our medicine,
We lived in great health and excellence...
When food was our medicine,
We lived in great health and excellence...
Slowly, we forgot that wisdom,
And now medicine has become our daily feast.
இலையோடு
சுடு சோறு படும்போது
நார் சத்து செயற்கை
இலை போட்டு நஞ்சாக்கினோம்
When hot rice touches the banana leaf,
Dietary fiber and nutrients are released;
By laying artificial plastic leaves instead,
We turned our meals into poison...
கொதிக்காத
காய் தின்று கிளி பூனை
தெம்பாச்சு அறியாமல்
அறிவை நாம் ஐந்து ஆக்கினோம்
By eating raw, uncooked greens,
Parrots and cats grew strong;
Without realizing it, our wisdom
We lost and wasted away.
கைக்குத்தல்
அரிசிக்குள் கருவாகும்
ஊட்டம் இயந்திரத்தில்
தீட்டி கரு வறுக்கிறோம்
Inside hand-pounded rice,
Essential nutrients form like an embryo;
By polishing it in mechanical mills,
We destroy that vital embryo.
பாலுக்குள் பதமாக
பயிராகும் புரதம் அதிவேகம்
சூடேற்றி அதை அழிக்கிறோம்
Formed delicately within milk,
Proteins grow naturally;
By overheating it at extreme speed,
We destroy its true value...
உணவே நம்
மருந்தாக இருந்தோமே
சிறந்து மெதுவாக
மறந்தோமே மருந்தே
நம் விருந்து மருந்தே
நம் விருந்து........
When food was our medicine,
We lived in great health and excellence;
Slowly, we forgot that wisdom,
And now medicine has become our daily feast.
Medicine has become our daily feast...
பழங்காலம்
முதலாக இலைப்போட்டு
நாமும் பலகாரம் வைத்தோமே
அதில் அர்த்தம் உண்டு
Starting with fresh fruits,
Laying down a traditional banana leaf,
We served sweets first;
There was deep wisdom behind that ritual.
நெய்யும் பருப்பும்
முதலாக உள் சென்று உணவுக்
குழாய்வரை தன்மையாக்கும்
Ghee and cooked lentils,
Entering the digestive tract first,
Smooth and prepare the food pipe
For the meal that follows.
ருசிக்காக உண்டவை
செறிக்காத மற்றவை இரசம்
ஊற்ற இறைமாற்றி நன்மையாக்கும்
Items eaten purely for taste,
And other foods hard to digest,
Pouring digestive rasam neutralizes them
And turns them into health benefits.
கருணைக்கிழங்காலே
கொழுப்பை கரைக்கிறோம்
சாப்பிட்ட சூட்டையே
மோரிட்டு அணைக்கிறோம்
By consuming elephant foot yam,
We melt away body fat;
The internal heat generated by heavy food,
We cool down with digestive buttermilk.
பாட்டிக்குத்
தெரிந்தது எந்நாளும்
உயர்ந்ததே ஆராய்ந்து
பார்க்க நம் விஞ்ஞானம்
மறந்ததே
What our grandmothers knew inherently
Remains superior across all eras;
Yet to analyze and understand its depth,
Our modern science forgot.
உணவே நம்
மருந்தாக இருந்தோமே
சிறந்து மெதுவாக
மறந்தோமே மருந்தே
நம் விருந்து விருந்து........
When food was our medicine,
We lived in great health and excellence...
Slowly, we forgot that wisdom,
And now medicine has become our daily feast.
Feast....
...........................
.....................
பாயாசம்
இனிப்புக்கு பாகற்காய்
கசப்புக்கு புளிசாதம்
புளிப்புக்கு வாழைப்பூ
துவா்ப்புக்கு
Payasam for sweetness,
Bitter gourd for bitterness,
Tamarind rice for sourness,
Banana flower for astringency,
ஊறுகாய்
நாவிலே காரமாய்
சிட்டிகை உப்புதான்
ஓரமாய் அறுசுவையும்
நன்மையும் கொண்டாடி
வாழ்ந்தவர் ஒரு சுவையும்
இல்லாத உணவுக்கு தாவினோம்
Pickle... spicy on the tongue,
A pinch of salt served on the side.
Having lived celebrating all six tastes (Arusuvai)
And their health benefits,
We jumped to processed food
That carries no real taste or life.
இயந்திர
குட்டிகள் இயன்றிடும்
பொட்டலம் நம் சவப்பெட்டிகள்
என்பதைக் கூறுவோம்
Packaged food boxes
Assembled by machines,
Let us state clearly
That these are our coffins.
அக்கரை சேர்த்து
தான் உணவிடும் தாய்
மனம் நாமுமே நம் உடல்
அப்படி பேணுவோம்....ஓஹோ
With genuine love and care,
A mother feeds her child;
We too must cherish and care for
Our own body in the very same way...
உணவே நம்
மருந்தாக இருந்தோமே
சிறந்து விருந்து விருந்து
விருந்து விருந்து
When food was our medicine,
We lived in great health and excellence...
Feast.... feast....
Feast.... feast....
Aaahaaaaa……aaaaa…
Aaahaaaaa……aaaaa…
Nana naaaa…aaaaa…aaaa…aana na na…
Nana naaaa…aaaaa…aaaa…aana na na…
Aaaaaaa…aaaa…na na …aaaa…aaa…
Aaaaaaa…aaaa…na na …aaaa…aaa…
Ahaaaa…aaa….thiranaaa..aaaa…aaa
Ahaaaa…aaa….thiranaaa..aaaa…aaa
Unavae naam marundhaaga
When food was our medicine,
Irundhomae sirandhuuuu…
We lived in great health and excellence...
Unavae naam marundhaaga
When food was our medicine,
Irundhomae sirandhuu…
We lived in great health and excellence...
Medhuvaga marandhomae
Slowly, we forgot that wisdom,
Marundhae nam virundhu
And now medicine has become our daily feast.
Ilaiyodu sudu sooru
When hot rice touches the banana leaf,
Padum bodhu naarchaththu
Dietary fiber and nutrients are released;
Seyarkai ilai pottu
By laying artificial plastic leaves instead,
Nanjaakinom….
We turned our meals into poison...
Kodhikkadha kaai thindru
By eating raw, uncooked greens,
Kili poonai thembaachu
Parrots and cats grew strong;
Ariyaamal arivai naam
Without realizing it, our wisdom
Ayindhu aakinom
We lost and wasted away.
Kai kuththal arisikkul
Inside hand-pounded rice,
Karuvaagum ootam
Essential nutrients form like an embryo;
Iyandhirathil theeti
By polishing it in mechanical mills,
Karuvarukirom
We destroy that vital embryo.
Paalukkul padhamaaga
Formed delicately within milk,
Payiraagum puradham
Proteins grow naturally;
Adhivegam soodaetri
By overheating it at extreme speed,
Adhai azhikirom…
We destroy its true value...
Unavae naam marundhaaga
When food was our medicine,
Irundhomae sirandhu
We lived in great health and excellence;
Medhuvaga marandhomae
Slowly, we forgot that wisdom,
Marundhae nam virundhu
And now medicine has become our daily feast.
Marundhae nam virundhu…uuhh..uhh…
Medicine has become our daily feast...
Pazhangalaam mudhalaaga
Starting with fresh fruits,
Ilai pottu naamum
Laying down a traditional banana leaf,
Pazhagaram vaithomae
We served sweets first;
Adhil arthamundu
There was deep wisdom behind that ritual.
Neiyum paruppum
Ghee and cooked lentils,
Mudhalaaga ul sendru
Entering the digestive tract first,
Unavu kuzhaai varai
Smooth and prepare the food pipe
Thanmaiyakkum
For the meal that follows.
Rusikkaga undavai
Items eaten purely for taste,
Serikkadha mattravai
And other foods hard to digest,
Rasam ootra irai maatri
Pouring digestive rasam neutralizes them
Nanmai aakum
And turns them into health benefits.
Karunai kizhangaalae
By consuming elephant foot yam,
Koluppai karaikirom
We melt away body fat;
Saapitta soottaiyae
The internal heat generated by heavy food,
Morittu anaikirom
We cool down with digestive buttermilk.
Paatikku therindhadhu
What our grandmothers knew inherently
Ennaalum uyarndhadhae
Remains superior across all eras;
Aaraindhu paarka nam
Yet to analyze and understand its depth,
Vingyanam marandhadhae
Our modern science forgot.
Unavae naam marundhaaga
When food was our medicine,
Irundhomae sirandhuu…
We lived in great health and excellence...
Medhuvaga marandhomae
Slowly, we forgot that wisdom,
Marundhae nam virundhu
And now medicine has become our daily feast.
Virundhuuuu….uhhh…
Feast....
………………………..
.....................
Paayasam inippikku
Payasam for sweetness,
Paagarkaai kasapukku
Bitter gourd for bitterness,
Puli saadham pulipukku
Tamarind rice for sourness,
Vaazhaippu thuvarpukku
Banana flower for astringency,
Oorukaai…naavilae kaaramaai
Pickle... spicy on the tongue,
Sittigai.. uppudhaan oramaai
A pinch of salt served on the side.
Arusuvayum nanmaiyum
Having lived celebrating all six tastes (Arusuvai)
Kondaadi vazhndhavar
And their health benefits,
Oru suvaiyum illadha
We jumped to processed food
Unavukku thaavinom
That carries no real taste or life.
Iyandhira kuttigal
Packaged food boxes
Iyindridum pottalam
Assembled by machines,
Nam sava pettigal
Let us state clearly
Enbhadhai kooruvom
That these are our coffins.
Akkarai serthuthaan
With genuine love and care,
Unavidum thaai manam
A mother feeds her child;
Naamumae nam udal
We too must cherish and care for
Appadi penuvom..ooohoooo….
Our own body in the very same way...
Unavae naam marundhaaga
When food was our medicine,
Irundhomae sirandhuu…
We lived in great health and excellence...
Virundhuu…. virundhuuu….
Feast.... feast....
Virundhuuuu… virundhuuuu…uu…
Feast.... feast....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Server Sundaram' serves as a passionate critique of modern dietary habits compared to traditional Tamil culinary science. It highlights how ancient food customs—such as eating off banana leaves, starting meals with sweet and ghee-soaked lentils, incorporating all six basic tastes (Arusuvai), and using traditional ingredients like hand-pounded rice and buttermilk—were designed around optimal nutrition and digestive health.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antithesis
“Unavae naam marundhaaga / Marundhae nam virundhu”
Compares the historical reality where food served as medicine ('Unavae naam marundhaaga') with the modern tragedy where chemical medicines have replaced meals ('Marundhae nam virundhu').
Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ariyaamal arivai naam / Ayindhu aakinom”
The second consonant 'rai' matches across lines, creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow ('Ariyaamal' vs 'Ayindhu').
Metaphor
“Iyandhira kuttigal... Nam sava pettigal”
Directly equates machine-packaged processed food containers to coffins ('sava pettigal'), emphasizing their lethal long-term impact on human health.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Vivek wrote this song for the Santhanam-starrer 'Server Sundaram', composed by Santhosh Narayanan. The lyrics explicitly detail 'Arusuvai' (the six tastes of Tamil tradition: sweet, bitter, sour, astringent, spicy, and salty) and contrast ancient Siddha-based nutrition with modern processed food culture.
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