Unavu Sellavillai
From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961
- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singers
- K. Jamunarani, M. S. Rajeswari
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Kappalotiya Tamizhan1961
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Unavu sellavillai | Food does not go down |
| Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai | Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep |
| Chorus :Haa haa haa | [Chorus vocalizations: Haa haa haa] |
| Hoo hoo hoo | [Hoo hoo hoo] |
| Hmm mm mm | [Hmm mm mm] |
| Female :Unavu sellavillai | Food does not go down |
| Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai | Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep |
| Manam virumbavillai | My mind desires nothing |
| Sagiyae malar pidikkavillai | Oh friend, I no longer enjoy flowers |
| Chorus :Hmm mm mm | [Chorus vocalizations: Hmm mm mm] |
| Female :Manam virumbavillai | My mind desires nothing |
| Sagiyae malar pidikkavillai | Oh friend, I no longer enjoy flowers |
| Chorus | |
| Unavu sellavillai | Food does not go down |
| Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai | Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep |
| Female | |
| Gunam urudhi illai | My disposition is not stable |
| Edhilum kulappam vandhadhadi | Confusion has creeped into everything, my friend |
| Gunam urudhi illai | My disposition is not stable |
| Edhilum kulappam vandhadhadi | Confusion has creeped into everything, my friend |
| Kanamum ullathilae | Even for a single moment, in my heart |
| Sugamae kaana kidaithathillai | Happiness cannot be found anywhere |
| Kanamum ullathilae | Even for a single moment, in my heart |
| Sugamae kaana kidaithathillai | Happiness cannot be found anywhere |
| Chorus | |
| Unavu sellavillai | Food does not go down |
| Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai | Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep |
| Female | |
| Naalu vayithiyarum | All four doctors who checked on me |
| Inimael nambhudharkillai endraar | Declared there is no hope hereafter |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi | [Chorus vocalizations: Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi] |
| Female :Naalu vayithiyarum | All four doctors who checked on me |
| Inimael nambhudharkillai endraar | Declared there is no hope hereafter |
| Paalathu sosiyanum | The astrologer sitting near the bridge |
| Giragam paduthum endruvittaan | Said that evil planetary positions are troubling me |
| Chorus :Haai haai haai | [Chorus vocalizations: Haai haai haai] |
| Female :Paalathu sosiyanum | The astrologer sitting near the bridge |
| Giragam paduthum endruvittaan | Said that evil planetary positions are troubling me |
| Chorus | |
| Unavu sellavillai | Food does not go down |
| Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai | Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep |
| Female | |
| Ichai pirandhadhadi | Yet desire was born, my friend |
| Edhilum inbam vilaindhadhadi | Joy blossomed in everything, my friend |
| Ichai pirandhadhadi | Yet desire was born, my friend |
| Edhilum inbam vilaindhadhadi | Joy blossomed in everything, my friend |
| Acham olindhadhadi | Fear vanished completely, my friend |
| Sagiyae azhagu vandhadhadi | Oh friend, true beauty arrived |
| Acham olindhadhadi | Fear vanished completely, my friend |
| Sagiyae azhagu vandhadhadi | Oh friend, true beauty arrived |
| Female | |
| Haa…aa…aaa…aa… | [Vocalizing: Haa...aa...aaa...aa...] |
| Ennum poludhil ellaam | Every single time I think about it |
| Avan kai itta idanthanilae | At the exact place touched by his hand |
| Ennum poludhil ellaam | Every single time I think about it |
| Avan kai itta idanthanilae | At the exact place touched by his hand |
| Thanendrirundhapadi | As if soothingly cooled down |
| Thanendrirundhapadi | As if soothingly cooled down |
| Pudhidhoor saanthi pirandhadhadi | A brand new peace was born, my friend |
| Thanendrirundhapadi | As if soothingly cooled down |
| Pudhidhoor saanthi pirandhadhadi | A brand new peace was born, my friend |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa haa | [Vocalizations: Haa haa haa] |
| Hoo hoo hoo | [Hoo hoo hoo] |
| Hmm mm mm | [Hmm mm mm] |
| Chorus :Haa haa haa | [Chorus vocalizations: Haa haa haa] |
| Hoo hoo hoo | [Hoo hoo hoo] |
| Hmm mm mm | [Hmm mm mm] |
உணவு செல்லவில்லை
சகியே உறக்கம் கொள்ளவில்லை
குழு :
ஹா ஹா ஹா
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
உணவு செல்லவில்லை
சகியே உறக்கம் கொள்ளவில்லை
பெண் : மணம் விரும்பவில்லை
சகியே மலர் பிடிக்கவில்லை....
குழு :
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
மணம் விரும்பவில்லை
சகியே மலர் பிடிக்கவில்லை....
Food does not go down
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
[Chorus vocalizations: Haa haa haa]
[Hoo hoo hoo]
[Hmm mm mm]
Food does not go down
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
My mind desires nothing
Oh friend, I no longer enjoy flowers
[Chorus vocalizations: Hmm mm mm]
My mind desires nothing
Oh friend, I no longer enjoy flowers
உணவு செல்லவில்லை
சகியே உறக்கம் கொள்ளவில்லை
Food does not go down
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
குணம் உறுதியில்லை
எதிலும் குழப்பம் வந்ததடி
குணம் உறுதியில்லை
எதிலும் குழப்பம் வந்ததடி
கணமும் உள்ளத்திலே
சுகமே காணக் கிடைத்ததில்லை
கணமும் உள்ளத்திலே
சுகமே காணக் கிடைத்ததில்லை
My disposition is not stable
Confusion has creeped into everything, my friend
My disposition is not stable
Confusion has creeped into everything, my friend
Even for a single moment, in my heart
Happiness cannot be found anywhere
Even for a single moment, in my heart
Happiness cannot be found anywhere
உணவு செல்லவில்லை
சகியே உறக்கம் கொள்ளவில்லை
Food does not go down
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
நாலு வயித்தியரும்
இனிமேல் நம்புதற் கில்லையென்றார்
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
நாலு வயித்தியரும்
இனிமேல் நம்புதற் கில்லையென்றார்
பாலத்துச் சோசியனும்
கிரகம் படுத்தும் என்றுவிட்டான்
குழு :
ஹாய் ஹாய் ஹாய் ஹாய்
பாலத்துச் சோசியனும்
கிரகம் படுத்தும் என்றுவிட்டான்
All four doctors who checked on me
Declared there is no hope hereafter
[Chorus vocalizations: Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi]
All four doctors who checked on me
Declared there is no hope hereafter
The astrologer sitting near the bridge
Said that evil planetary positions are troubling me
[Chorus vocalizations: Haai haai haai]
The astrologer sitting near the bridge
Said that evil planetary positions are troubling me
உணவு செல்லவில்லை
சகியே உறக்கம் கொள்ளவில்லை
Food does not go down
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
இச்சை பிறந்ததடி
எதிலும் இன்பம் விளைந்ததடி
இச்சை பிறந்ததடி
எதிலும் இன்பம் விளைந்ததடி
அச்சம் ஒழிந்ததடி
சகியே அழகு வந்ததடி
அச்சம் ஒழிந்ததடி
சகியே அழகு வந்ததடி
Yet desire was born, my friend
Joy blossomed in everything, my friend
Yet desire was born, my friend
Joy blossomed in everything, my friend
Fear vanished completely, my friend
Oh friend, true beauty arrived
Fear vanished completely, my friend
Oh friend, true beauty arrived
ஹா ஆஅ..ஆஅ..ஆஅ.
எண்ணும் பொழுதில் எல்லாம்
அவன் கை இட்ட இடந்தனிலே
எண்ணும் பொழுதில் எல்லாம்
அவன் கை இட்ட இடந்தனிலே
தண்ணென்றிருந்ததடி
தண்ணென்றிருந்ததடி
புதிதோர் சாந்தி பிறந்ததடி......
தண்ணென்றிருந்ததடி
புதிதோர் சாந்தி பிறந்ததடி......
[Vocalizing: Haa...aa...aaa...aa...]
Every single time I think about it
At the exact place touched by his hand
Every single time I think about it
At the exact place touched by his hand
As if soothingly cooled down
As if soothingly cooled down
A brand new peace was born, my friend
As if soothingly cooled down
A brand new peace was born, my friend
ஹா ஹா ஹா
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
குழு :
ஹா ஹா ஹா
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்
[Vocalizations: Haa haa haa]
[Hoo hoo hoo]
[Hmm mm mm]
[Chorus vocalizations: Haa haa haa]
[Hoo hoo hoo]
[Hmm mm mm]
Unavu sellavillai
Food does not go down
Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
Chorus :Haa haa haa
[Chorus vocalizations: Haa haa haa]
Hoo hoo hoo
[Hoo hoo hoo]
Hmm mm mm
[Hmm mm mm]
Female :Unavu sellavillai
Food does not go down
Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
Manam virumbavillai
My mind desires nothing
Sagiyae malar pidikkavillai
Oh friend, I no longer enjoy flowers
Chorus :Hmm mm mm
[Chorus vocalizations: Hmm mm mm]
Female :Manam virumbavillai
My mind desires nothing
Sagiyae malar pidikkavillai
Oh friend, I no longer enjoy flowers
Unavu sellavillai
Food does not go down
Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
Gunam urudhi illai
My disposition is not stable
Edhilum kulappam vandhadhadi
Confusion has creeped into everything, my friend
Gunam urudhi illai
My disposition is not stable
Edhilum kulappam vandhadhadi
Confusion has creeped into everything, my friend
Kanamum ullathilae
Even for a single moment, in my heart
Sugamae kaana kidaithathillai
Happiness cannot be found anywhere
Kanamum ullathilae
Even for a single moment, in my heart
Sugamae kaana kidaithathillai
Happiness cannot be found anywhere
Unavu sellavillai
Food does not go down
Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
Naalu vayithiyarum
All four doctors who checked on me
Inimael nambhudharkillai endraar
Declared there is no hope hereafter
Chorus :Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi
[Chorus vocalizations: Hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi hoi]
Female :Naalu vayithiyarum
All four doctors who checked on me
Inimael nambhudharkillai endraar
Declared there is no hope hereafter
Paalathu sosiyanum
The astrologer sitting near the bridge
Giragam paduthum endruvittaan
Said that evil planetary positions are troubling me
Chorus :Haai haai haai
[Chorus vocalizations: Haai haai haai]
Female :Paalathu sosiyanum
The astrologer sitting near the bridge
Giragam paduthum endruvittaan
Said that evil planetary positions are troubling me
Unavu sellavillai
Food does not go down
Sagiyae urakkam kollavillai
Oh friend, I cannot get any sleep
Ichai pirandhadhadi
Yet desire was born, my friend
Edhilum inbam vilaindhadhadi
Joy blossomed in everything, my friend
Ichai pirandhadhadi
Yet desire was born, my friend
Edhilum inbam vilaindhadhadi
Joy blossomed in everything, my friend
Acham olindhadhadi
Fear vanished completely, my friend
Sagiyae azhagu vandhadhadi
Oh friend, true beauty arrived
Acham olindhadhadi
Fear vanished completely, my friend
Sagiyae azhagu vandhadhadi
Oh friend, true beauty arrived
Haa…aa…aaa…aa…
[Vocalizing: Haa...aa...aaa...aa...]
Ennum poludhil ellaam
Every single time I think about it
Avan kai itta idanthanilae
At the exact place touched by his hand
Ennum poludhil ellaam
Every single time I think about it
Avan kai itta idanthanilae
At the exact place touched by his hand
Thanendrirundhapadi
As if soothingly cooled down
Thanendrirundhapadi
As if soothingly cooled down
Pudhidhoor saanthi pirandhadhadi
A brand new peace was born, my friend
Thanendrirundhapadi
As if soothingly cooled down
Pudhidhoor saanthi pirandhadhadi
A brand new peace was born, my friend
Haa haa haa
[Vocalizations: Haa haa haa]
Hoo hoo hoo
[Hoo hoo hoo]
Hmm mm mm
[Hmm mm mm]
Chorus :Haa haa haa
[Chorus vocalizations: Haa haa haa]
Hoo hoo hoo
[Hoo hoo hoo]
Hmm mm mm
[Hmm mm mm]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song, written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, depicts a young woman describing her intense state of love-sickness (viraha) to her close companion ('Sagi'). She explains how her appetite and sleep have completely vanished, how flowers no longer bring her joy, and how confusion fills her mind. Even traditional remedies, doctors, and astrologers fail to diagnose her condition, attributing it to illness or planetary afflictions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Gunam urudhi illai / Kanamum ullathilae”
The second consonant 'na' rhymes across consecutive lines 'Unavu' and 'Manam' (or 'Gunam' and 'Kanam'), adhering to classical Tamil prosody.
Monaai (Alliteration / First letter matching)
“Ichai pirandhadhadi / Edhilum inbam vilaindhadhadi”
The opening phonemes match within lines such as 'Ichai' and 'Edhilum', or 'Acham' and 'Azhagu', creating rhythmic harmony.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Acham olindhadhadi / Sagiyae azhagu vandhadhadi”
Lines end with the affectionate address suffix 'vandhadhadi' / 'pirandhadhadi', generating a conversational, poetic rhythm typical of Sakhi-style poems.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although written as a romantic poem depicting Nayaki-Nayaka bhava by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, the poem is often interpreted allegorically as the soul's yearning for divine union or the spirit's restless longing for national freedom. It was adapted into the historical biopic 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' (1961) starring Sivaji Ganesan, with music score composed by G. Ramanathan.
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