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Karthigai Deepam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ungu Ungu Ungu

From Karthigai Deepam · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Movie name
Karthigai Deepam
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
18 Mar 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ungu ungu
Ungu unnada selvamae
Ungu unnada selvamae
Sangilae un panghu oorudhu
Ungu unnada selvamae
Sangilae un panghu oorudhu
Ungu unnada selvamae
Thangha veenaiyae thamizhin oosaiyae
Thavazhum podhigaiyin thendrale
Thangha veenaiyae thamizhin oosaiyae
Thavazhum podhigaiyin thendrale
Thaayin mananili therindha pinnum
Thaamadham seiyaadhae kannae
Ungu …ungu unnada selvamae
Sangilae un panghu oorudhu
Ungu unnada selvamae
Sengarumbhin vaai thirandhu
Sidharum mazhalai thaen surandhu
Sengarumbhin vaai thirandhu
Sidharum mazhalai thaen surandhu
Anga thamarai vaadumunnae
Amudham unnadaa endhan kannae
Ungu …ungu unnada selvamae
Sangilae un panghu oorudhu
Ungu unnada selvamae
Vennilaavai paada solven
Veesum thendralai aada seiven
Vennilaavai paada solven
Veesum thendralai aada seiven
Kannae munnavar veeram valartha
Kadhaigal yaavaiyum unakku solven
Ungu …ungu unnada selvamae
Sangilae un panghu oorudhu
Ungu unnada selvamae
Eat up, eat up...
Eat your food, my precious child!
Eat your food, my precious child!
Your share of milk is ready in the feeding conch,
Eat your food, my precious child!
Your share of milk is ready in the feeding conch,
Eat your food, my precious child!
O golden veena, O sweet sound of Tamil,
Gentle breeze drifting from the Pothigai hills,
O golden veena, O sweet sound of Tamil,
Gentle breeze drifting from the Pothigai hills,
Even after knowing your mother's longing heart,
Do not delay, my darling!
Eat up... eat your food, my precious child,
Your share of milk is ready in the feeding conch,
Eat your food, my precious child!
Open your sweet sugarcane mouth,
Spilling the honey of your baby talk,
Open your sweet sugarcane mouth,
Spilling the honey of your baby talk,
Before your lotus-like little body wilts,
Drink this nectar, my dearest child!
Eat up... eat your food, my precious child,
Your share of milk is ready in the feeding conch,
Eat your food, my precious child!
I will ask the bright moon to sing,
I will make the gentle breeze dance,
I will ask the bright moon to sing,
I will make the gentle breeze dance,
My darling, all the stories of bravery
That our ancestors lived, I will tell you!
Eat up... eat your food, my precious child,
Your share of milk is ready in the feeding conch,
Eat your food, my precious child!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic lullaby and feeding song from the 1965 film 'Karthigai Deepam' depicts a tender moment between a mother and her young child. The mother coaxes her baby to eat by showering affectionately imaginative compliments—comparing the infant to a golden veena, the sweet melody of the Tamil language, and the gentle breeze blowing from the Pothigai mountains.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Thangha veenaiyae thamizhin oosaiyae”

Compares the child directly to a golden veena (musical instrument) and the divine sound of Tamil.

Simile / Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

“Sengarumbhin vaai thirandhu / Anga thamarai vaadumunnae”

Compares the baby's mouth to red sugarcane ('Sengarumbu') and delicate body to a lotus flower ('Anga thamarai').

Personification

“Vennilaavai paada solven / Veesum thendralai aada seiven”

Attributes human actions such as singing to the moon and dancing to the gentle breeze.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although L. R. Eswari is widely celebrated for her high-energy, sensual, and upbeat dance numbers in Tamil cinema during the 60s and 70s, songs like 'Ungu Unnada Selvamae' showcased her remarkable versatility in delivering soft, emotive, and tender maternal lullabies.

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