Undakki Vittavargal
From Mugarasi · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Mugarasi1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us (mother and father). |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down (pallbearers). |
| Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru | A hundred people gather to celebrate. |
| Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru | Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you? |
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us. |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down. |
| Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru | A hundred people gather to celebrate. |
| Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru | Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you? |
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us. |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down. |
| Male | |
| Theeraadha noigalaiyum theerthu mudithaan | He cured even incurable diseases. |
| Ivan seraadha vaithiyathai serndhu padithaan | He studied medical knowledge that no one else had mastered. |
| Padithaan..mudithaan hoi | He studied... he finished... hoi! |
| Theeraadha noigalaiyum theerthu mudithaan | He cured even incurable diseases. |
| Ivan seraadha vaithiyathai serndhu padithaan | He studied medical knowledge that no one else had mastered. |
| Pirar noyi theerkum vaithiyan | The doctor who heals the illnesses of others, |
| Thann noyi theerka maataamal paai pottu thoongudhappa | Lies down on a mat unable to cure his own illness! |
| Uyirum peiyodu serndhadhappa… hoi.. | His soul has departed to join the spirits... hoi! |
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us. |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down. |
| Male | |
| Kalyanam seivadharkum naal soluvaar | They predict the day for weddings. |
| Endha kaariyathai seivadharkum thedhi kuripaar | They set the precise date for every undertaking. |
| Kalyanam seivadharkum naal soluvaar | They predict the day for weddings. |
| Endha kaariyathai seivadharkum thedhi kuripaar | They set the precise date for every undertaking. |
| Nalla seidhi sollum josiyarkkum | Even for the astrologer who delivers good news, |
| Needhi sollum saavu vandhu thedhi vaithu vittadhadiyo | Righteous death has fixed a date and arrived! |
| Kanakil meedhi vaikka villaiyadiyo…hoi… | Leaving nothing unpaid in life's ledger... hoi! |
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us. |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down. |
| Male | |
| Pattanathil paadhi ivan vaangi mudithaan | He bought up half the town. |
| Andha pattayathil kandadhupol velieduthaan | He fenced it off just as recorded in the title deed. |
| Eduthaan… mudithaan..hoi… | He took it... he finished it... hoi! |
| Pattanathil paadhi ivan vaangi mudithaan | He bought up half the town. |
| Andha pattayathil kandadhupol velieduthaan | He fenced it off just as recorded in the title deed. |
| Adhil ettadukku maadi vaithu kattidathai kattivitu | After building an eight-story mansion on it, |
| Ettadikul vandhu paaduthaar | He now rests inside an eight-foot grave! |
| Mannai kottiyavan veli eduthaan…hoi… | The one who moved the earth ended up fenced in... hoi! |
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us. |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down. |
| Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru | A hundred people gather to celebrate. |
| Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru | Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you? |
| Male | |
| Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru | Two people created us. |
| Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru | Four people brought us here and set us down. |
| Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru | A hundred people gather to celebrate. |
| Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru | Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you? |
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
கொண்டாடும்போது ஒரு நூறு பேரு
உயிர் கூடு விட்டு போன பின்னே கூட யாரு
Two people created us (mother and father).
Four people brought us here and set us down (pallbearers).
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
கொண்டாடும்போது ஒரு நூறு பேரு
உயிர் கூடு விட்டு போன பின்னே கூட யாரு
Two people created us.
Four people brought us here and set us down.
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
Two people created us.
Four people brought us here and set us down.
தீராத நோய்களையும் தீர்த்து முடித்தான்
இவன் சேராத வைத்தியத்தை சேர்ந்து படித்தான்
படித்தான்.... முடித்தான்.... ஹோய் ...
தீராத நோய்களையும் தீர்த்து முடித்தான்
இவன் சேராத வைத்தியத்தை சேர்ந்து படித்தான்
பிறர் நோய் தீர்க்கும் வைத்தியன்
தன் நோய் தீர்க்க மாட்டாமல் பாய் போட்டு தூங்குதப்பா
உயிரும் பேயோடு சேர்ந்ததப்பா... ஹோய்...
He cured even incurable diseases.
He studied medical knowledge that no one else had mastered.
He studied... he finished... hoi!
He cured even incurable diseases.
He studied medical knowledge that no one else had mastered.
The doctor who heals the illnesses of others,
Lies down on a mat unable to cure his own illness!
His soul has departed to join the spirits... hoi!
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
Two people created us.
Four people brought us here and set us down.
கல்யாணம் செய்வதற்கும் நாள் சொல்லுவார்
எந்த காரியத்தை செய்வதற்கும் தேதி குறிப்பார்
கல்யாணம் செய்வதற்கும் நாள் சொல்லுவார்
எந்த காரியத்தை செய்வதற்கும் தேதி குறிப்பார்
நல்ல சேதி சொல்லும் ஜோஸியர்க்கும்
நீதி சொல்லும் சாவு வந்து தேதி வைத்து விட்டதடியோ
கணக்கில் மீதி வைக்க வில்லையடியோ.... ஹோய்...
They predict the day for weddings.
They set the precise date for every undertaking.
They predict the day for weddings.
They set the precise date for every undertaking.
Even for the astrologer who delivers good news,
Righteous death has fixed a date and arrived!
Leaving nothing unpaid in life's ledger... hoi!
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
Two people created us.
Four people brought us here and set us down.
பட்டணத்தில் பாதி இவன் வாங்கி முடித்தான்
அந்த பட்டயத்தில் கண்டதுபோல் வேலி எடுத்தான்
எடுத்தான்.... முடித்தான்.... ஹோய்...
பட்டணத்தில் பாதி இவன் வாங்கி முடித்தான்
அந்த பட்டயத்தில் கண்டதுபோல் வேலி எடுத்தான்
அதில் எட்டடுக்கு மாடி வைத்து கட்டிடத்தை கட்டி விட்டு
எட்டடிக்குள் வந்து படுத்தார்
மண்ணை கொட்டியவன் வேலி எடுத்தான்.... ஹோய்...
He bought up half the town.
He fenced it off just as recorded in the title deed.
He took it... he finished it... hoi!
He bought up half the town.
He fenced it off just as recorded in the title deed.
After building an eight-story mansion on it,
He now rests inside an eight-foot grave!
The one who moved the earth ended up fenced in... hoi!
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
கொண்டாடும்போது ஒரு நூறு பேரு
உயிர் கூடு விட்டு போன பின்னே கூட யாரு
Two people created us.
Four people brought us here and set us down.
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
உண்டாக்கி விட்டவர்கள் ரெண்டு பேரு
இங்கு கொண்டு வந்து போட்டவர்கள் நாலு பேரு
கொண்டாடும்போது ஒரு நூறு பேரு
உயிர் கூடு விட்டு போன பின்னே கூட யாரு
Two people created us.
Four people brought us here and set us down.
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us (mother and father).
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down (pallbearers).
Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us.
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down.
Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us.
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down.
Theeraadha noigalaiyum theerthu mudithaan
He cured even incurable diseases.
Ivan seraadha vaithiyathai serndhu padithaan
He studied medical knowledge that no one else had mastered.
Padithaan..mudithaan hoi
He studied... he finished... hoi!
Theeraadha noigalaiyum theerthu mudithaan
He cured even incurable diseases.
Ivan seraadha vaithiyathai serndhu padithaan
He studied medical knowledge that no one else had mastered.
Pirar noyi theerkum vaithiyan
The doctor who heals the illnesses of others,
Thann noyi theerka maataamal paai pottu thoongudhappa
Lies down on a mat unable to cure his own illness!
Uyirum peiyodu serndhadhappa… hoi..
His soul has departed to join the spirits... hoi!
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us.
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down.
Kalyanam seivadharkum naal soluvaar
They predict the day for weddings.
Endha kaariyathai seivadharkum thedhi kuripaar
They set the precise date for every undertaking.
Kalyanam seivadharkum naal soluvaar
They predict the day for weddings.
Endha kaariyathai seivadharkum thedhi kuripaar
They set the precise date for every undertaking.
Nalla seidhi sollum josiyarkkum
Even for the astrologer who delivers good news,
Needhi sollum saavu vandhu thedhi vaithu vittadhadiyo
Righteous death has fixed a date and arrived!
Kanakil meedhi vaikka villaiyadiyo…hoi…
Leaving nothing unpaid in life's ledger... hoi!
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us.
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down.
Pattanathil paadhi ivan vaangi mudithaan
He bought up half the town.
Andha pattayathil kandadhupol velieduthaan
He fenced it off just as recorded in the title deed.
Eduthaan… mudithaan..hoi…
He took it... he finished it... hoi!
Pattanathil paadhi ivan vaangi mudithaan
He bought up half the town.
Andha pattayathil kandadhupol velieduthaan
He fenced it off just as recorded in the title deed.
Adhil ettadukku maadi vaithu kattidathai kattivitu
After building an eight-story mansion on it,
Ettadikul vandhu paaduthaar
He now rests inside an eight-foot grave!
Mannai kottiyavan veli eduthaan…hoi…
The one who moved the earth ended up fenced in... hoi!
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us.
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down.
Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru
Two people created us.
Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru
Four people brought us here and set us down.
Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru
A hundred people gather to celebrate.
Uyir kooduvitu ponapinne kooda yaaru
Once the soul leaves the cage, who stays beside you?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song from 'Mugarasi' (1966) meditates on the transient nature of human existence, wealth, and ego. It opens with the stark reality of life's journey: created by two (parents), carried to the grave by four (pallbearers), surrounded by crowds during times of joy, yet entirely alone once life leaves the body. Kannadasan uses poignant vignettes—a brilliant doctor unable to cure himself, an astrologer who cannot foresee or avoid his own day of death, and a wealthy tycoon who constructs an eight-story mansion only to be buried in an eight-foot plot of land—to demonstrate that death acts as the ultimate equalizer, stripping away all earthly accomplishments.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Irony and Contrast (Muran)
“Adhil ettadukku maadi vaithu kattidathai kattivitu / Ettadikul vandhu paaduthaar”
Contrasts an eight-story mansion ('ettadukku maadi') built during life with the eight-foot grave ('ettadikul') occupied after death to emphasize human mortality.
Second-Letter Rhyme (Etuhais)
“Pattanathil paadhi ivan vaangi mudithaan / Andha pattayathil kandadhupol velieduthaan”
The second letter 'tta' rhymes across words to create musicality and emphasis.
Numerical Metaphor
“Undaaki vittavargal rendu peru / Inge konduvandhu pottavargal naalu peru / Kondaadum podhu oru nooru peru”
Uses precise numbers (2 parents, 4 pallbearers, 100 fair-weather friends) as a stark poetic count of human life relationships.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mugarasi' (1966) features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. This song is one of Kannadasan's iconic philosophical tracks ('Thathuva Paadal'), known for delivering deep existential truths using simple, rhythmic language sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan.
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