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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unmai Ondre Pesum

From Pudhu Vazhvu · 1957

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Pudhu Vazhvu
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
18 Jul 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unmai ondrae pesum
Nalla uyar gunam vendum
Unmai ondrae pesum
Nalla uyar gunam vendum
Nanmai theemai edhu vandhaalum
Nanmai theemai edhu vandhaalum
Nadu nilaiyil maaridatha
Unmai ondrae pesum
Nalla uyar gunam vendum
Ponnil boga baakiyam
Thannil purala nernthaalum
Ponnil boga baakiyam
Thannil purala nernthaalum
Mannan arinjan endrellorum
Madhikka vaazhndhaalum
Mannan arinjan endrellorum
Madhikka vaazhndhaalum
Innal varinum jeevan thannai
Izhakka nerndhaalum
Annal gaandhi aathma gnyaani
Sonna sollai marandhidaamal
Unmai ondrae pesum
Annal gaandhi aathma gnyaani
Sonna sollai marandhidaamal
Unmai ondrae pesum
Nalla uyar gunam vendum
Annai thandhaithanai marava
Arungunam vendum
Annai thandhaithanai marava
Arungunam vendum
Pinnar avarkku sevai seiya
Perum payan vendum
Pinnar avarkku sevai seiya
Perum payan vendum
Enna vandhum thanai marava
Iyalvadhum vendum
Enna vandhum thanai marava
Iyalvadhum vendum
Kann irundhum kurudanaagi
Kadamai maranthu uzhandridaamal
Unmai ondrae pesum
Kann irundhum kurudanaagi
Kadamai maranthu uzhandridaamal
Unmai ondrae pesum
Nalla uyar gunam vendum
Speak only the truth,
and possess a noble, good character.
Speak only the truth,
and possess a noble, good character.
Whatever comes, whether good or bad,
whatever comes, whether good or bad,
without wavering from being fair and just,
speak only the truth,
and possess a noble, good character.
Even if you get to roll in gold,
pleasure, and boundless wealth,
even if you get to roll in gold,
pleasure, and boundless wealth,
and live a life where all respect you
as a king and a wise scholar,
and live a life where all respect you
as a king and a wise scholar,
even if hardships strike or you have to
lose your very life,
without forgetting the words spoken
by the noble Gandhi, the wise spiritual guide,
speak only the truth,
without forgetting the words spoken
by the noble Gandhi, the wise spiritual guide,
speak only the truth,
and possess a noble, good character.
One must have the rare virtue
of never forgetting mother and father.
One must have the rare virtue
of never forgetting mother and father.
And then, one needs the great blessing
to be able to serve them.
And then, one needs the great blessing
to be able to serve them.
Whatever happens, one must have the quality
of never losing oneself in pride.
Whatever happens, one must have the quality
of never losing oneself in pride.
Instead of turning blind despite having eyes
and wandering lost, forgetting one's duty,
speak only the truth,
instead of turning blind despite having eyes
and wandering lost, forgetting one's duty,
speak only the truth,
and possess a noble, good character.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Unmai Ondrae Pesum is a deeply ethical and moralistic song from the 1957 Tamil film Pudhu Vazhvu. Sung by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, composed by G. Ramanathan, and written by Papanasam Sivan, the song emphasizes the absolute imperative of truthfulness, moral fortitude, filial piety, and devotion to duty across all life circumstances. The lyrics urge individuals to maintain an unwavering commitment to truth and neutrality, regardless of whether they experience immense wealth, high societal stature, or severe life-threatening adversity. Explicitly referencing the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the song warns against metaphorical blindness—having eyes yet ignoring moral duty—and calls for steadfast respect toward parents and adherence to self-awareness and virtue.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

“Annai thandhaithanai marava / Arungunam vendum”

Matching first consonant sounds in words across lines or phrases, such as 'Annai' and 'Arungunam', or 'Kann' and 'Kadamai'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Ponnil boga baakiyam ... / Mannan arinjan endrellorum”

Matching second consonant sounds across consecutive lines, seen in 'Ponnil' (n) and 'Mannan' (n).

Paradox / Metaphor

“Kann irundhum kurudanaagi”

The phrase 'Kann irundhum kurudanaagi' (becoming blind despite having eyes) acts as a powerful metaphor for ignoring moral responsibilities and truth despite being fully capable of seeing reality.

Anaphora / Refrain

“Unmai ondrae pesum / Nalla uyar gunam vendum”

The thematic phrase 'Unmai ondrae pesum / Nalla uyar gunam vendum' is repeated continuously as a chorus refrain to reinforce the central ethical message of truth and character.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhu Vazhvu (1957) was among the final film projects starring the legendary M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), Tamil cinema's first undisputed superstar. The song's lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan, often called the 'Tamil Tyagaraja', who seamlessly merged Carnatic classical sensibilities with Gandhian principles of truth (Sathya) tailored for MKT's high-pitched, resonant vocal style.

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