Unmai Orunaal Vellum
From Lingaa · 2014
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Haricharan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Lingaa2014
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Unmai oru naal vellum | Truth will win one day |
| Intha ulagam un per sollum | This world will speak your name |
| Andru oorae potrum | On that day, the whole town will praise you |
| Manithan neeyae | You are the true human |
| Neeyada.. neeyada | It is you, my friend.. it is you |
| Male | |
| Poigal puyal pol veesum | Lies will blow like a storm |
| Aanaal unmai medhuvaai pesum | But truth will speak softly |
| Andru neeyae vaazhvil velvaai | On that day, you will triumph in life |
| Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..kalangaathae… | Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened... |
| Karaiyaathae…karaiyaathae | Do not break down... do not break down |
| Kalangaathae kalangaathae .. | Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. |
| Male | |
| Raamanum azhuthaan | Even Lord Rama wept |
| Dharmanum azhuthaan | Even Yudhisthira wept |
| Neeyo azhavillai | Yet you did not weep |
| Unakko azhivillai | And you have no destruction |
| Male | |
| Sirithu varum singam undu | There are lions that approach with a smile |
| Punnagaikkum puligal undu | There are tigers that smile |
| Uraiyaadi uyir kudikkum | There are wolves that speak warmly |
| Onaaigal undu | and drink your life away |
| Male | |
| Ponnaadai porthi vittu | They wrap a golden shawl around you |
| Unnaadai avizhpathundu | and then strip away your dignity |
| Poochchendil olinthu nirkum | There is a venomous snake |
| Poo naagam undu | hiding inside a bouquet of flowers |
| Male | |
| Pallathil orr yaanai | Even if an elephant falls |
| Veezhnthaalum | into a pit |
| Adhan ullathai | its inner spirit |
| Veezhthivida mudiyaathu | cannot be defeated |
| Male | |
| Unmai oru naal vellum | Truth will win one day |
| Intha ulagam un per sollum | This world will speak your name |
| Andru oorae potrum | On that day, the whole town will praise you |
| Manithan neeyae | You are the true human |
| Neeyada.. neeyada | It is you, my friend.. it is you |
| Male | |
| Poigal puyal pol veesum | Lies will blow like a storm |
| Aanaal unmai medhuvaai pesum | But truth will speak softly |
| Andru neeyae vaazhvil velvaai | On that day, you will triumph in life |
| Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..kalangaathae… | Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened... |
| Karaiyaathae…karaiyaathae | Do not break down... do not break down |
| Kalangaathae kalangaathae .. | Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. |
| Male | |
| Suttaalum sangu niram | Even if burnt, the color of a conch |
| Eppodhum vellaiyada | is always white, my friend |
| Maen makkal ennaalum | Noble people, forever |
| Maen makkal thaanae | will remain noble people |
| Male | |
| Kettaalum nam thalaivan | Even if in ruins, our leader |
| Ippodhum rajan adaa | is still a king today |
| Veezhndhalum vallal karam | Even if fallen, a philanthropist's hand |
| Veezhadhu thaanae | will never fall |
| Male | |
| Ponnodu man ellaam | Even if all wealth and land |
| Ponaalum | are lost |
| Avan punnagaiyai | his smile |
| Kollaiyida mudiyaathu | cannot be stolen |
| Male | |
| Unmai oru naal vellum | Truth will win one day |
| Intha ulagam un per sollum | This world will speak your name |
| Andru oorae potrum | On that day, the whole town will praise you |
| Manithan neeyae | You are the true human |
| Neeyada.. neeyada | It is you, my friend.. it is you |
| Male | |
| Poigal puyal pol veesum | Lies will blow like a storm |
| Aanaal unmai medhuvaai pesum | But truth will speak softly |
| Andru neeyae vaazhvil velvaai | On that day, you will triumph in life |
| Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..kalangaathae… | Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened... |
| Karaiyaathae…karaiyaathae | Do not break down... do not break down |
| Kalangaathae kalangaathae .. | Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. |
உண்மை ஒருநாள்
வெல்லும் இந்த உலகம்
உன் பேர் சொல்லும் அன்று
ஊரே போற்றும் மனிதன்
நீயே நீயடா நீயடா
Truth will win one day
This world will speak your name
On that day, the whole town will praise you
You are the true human
It is you, my friend.. it is you
பொய்கள் புயல்
போல் வீசும் ஆனால்
உண்மை மெதுவாய்ப்
பேசும் அன்று நீயே
வாழ்வில் வெல்வாய்
கலங்காதே கலங்காதே
கலங்காதே கரையாதே
கரையாதே கலங்காதே
கலங்காதே
Lies will blow like a storm
But truth will speak softly
On that day, you will triumph in life
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened...
Do not break down... do not break down
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened..
ராமனும் அழுதான்
தர்மனும் அழுதான் நீயோ
அழவில்லை உனக்கோ
அழிவில்லை
Even Lord Rama wept
Even Yudhisthira wept
Yet you did not weep
And you have no destruction
சிரித்து வரும்
சிங்கம் உண்டு
புன்னகைக்கும் புலிகள்
உண்டு உரையாடி உயிர்
குடிக்கும் ஓநாய்கள் உண்டு
There are lions that approach with a smile
There are tigers that smile
There are wolves that speak warmly
and drink your life away
பொன்னாடை
போர்த்திவிட்டு உன்னாடை
அவிழ்ப்பதுண்டு பூச்செண்டில்
ஒளிந்து நிற்கும் பூநாகம் உண்டு
They wrap a golden shawl around you
and then strip away your dignity
There is a venomous snake
hiding inside a bouquet of flowers
பள்ளத்தில்
ஓர் யானை வீழ்ந்தாலும்
அதன் உள்ளத்தை வீழ்த்தி
விட முடியாது
Even if an elephant falls
into a pit
its inner spirit
cannot be defeated
உண்மை ஒருநாள்
வெல்லும் இந்த உலகம்
உன் பேர் சொல்லும் அன்று
ஊரே போற்றும் மனிதன்
நீயே நீயடா நீயடா
Truth will win one day
This world will speak your name
On that day, the whole town will praise you
You are the true human
It is you, my friend.. it is you
பொய்கள் புயல்
போல் வீசும் ஆனால்
உண்மை மெதுவாய்ப்
பேசும் அன்று நீயே
வாழ்வில் வெல்வாய்
கலங்காதே கலங்காதே
கலங்காதே கரையாதே
கரையாதே கலங்காதே
கலங்காதே
Lies will blow like a storm
But truth will speak softly
On that day, you will triumph in life
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened...
Do not break down... do not break down
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened..
சுட்டாலும்
சங்கு நிறம் எப்போதும்
வெள்ளையடா மேன் மக்கள்
எந்நாளும் மேன் மக்கள் தானே
Even if burnt, the color of a conch
is always white, my friend
Noble people, forever
will remain noble people
கெட்டாலும்
நம் தலைவன் இப்போதும்
ராஜன் அடா வீழ்ந்தாலும்
வள்ளல் கரம் வீழாது தானே
Even if in ruins, our leader
is still a king today
Even if fallen, a philanthropist's hand
will never fall
பொன்னோடு
மண்ணெல்லாம் போனாலும்
அவன் புன்னகையை
கொள்ளையிட முடியாது
Even if all wealth and land
are lost
his smile
cannot be stolen
உண்மை ஒருநாள்
வெல்லும் இந்த உலகம்
உன் பேர் சொல்லும் அன்று
ஊரே போற்றும் மனிதன்
நீயே நீயடா நீயடா
Truth will win one day
This world will speak your name
On that day, the whole town will praise you
You are the true human
It is you, my friend.. it is you
பொய்கள் புயல்
போல் வீசும் ஆனால்
உண்மை மெதுவாய்ப்
பேசும் அன்று நீயே
வாழ்வில் வெல்வாய்
கலங்காதே கலங்காதே
கலங்காதே கரையாதே
கரையாதே கலங்காதே
கலங்காதே
Lies will blow like a storm
But truth will speak softly
On that day, you will triumph in life
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened...
Do not break down... do not break down
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened..
Unmai oru naal vellum
Truth will win one day
Intha ulagam un per sollum
This world will speak your name
Andru oorae potrum
On that day, the whole town will praise you
Manithan neeyae
You are the true human
Neeyada.. neeyada
It is you, my friend.. it is you
Poigal puyal pol veesum
Lies will blow like a storm
Aanaal unmai medhuvaai pesum
But truth will speak softly
Andru neeyae vaazhvil velvaai
On that day, you will triumph in life
Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..kalangaathae…
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened...
Karaiyaathae…karaiyaathae
Do not break down... do not break down
Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened..
Raamanum azhuthaan
Even Lord Rama wept
Dharmanum azhuthaan
Even Yudhisthira wept
Neeyo azhavillai
Yet you did not weep
Unakko azhivillai
And you have no destruction
Sirithu varum singam undu
There are lions that approach with a smile
Punnagaikkum puligal undu
There are tigers that smile
Uraiyaadi uyir kudikkum
There are wolves that speak warmly
Onaaigal undu
and drink your life away
Ponnaadai porthi vittu
They wrap a golden shawl around you
Unnaadai avizhpathundu
and then strip away your dignity
Poochchendil olinthu nirkum
There is a venomous snake
Poo naagam undu
hiding inside a bouquet of flowers
Pallathil orr yaanai
Even if an elephant falls
Veezhnthaalum
into a pit
Adhan ullathai
its inner spirit
Veezhthivida mudiyaathu
cannot be defeated
Unmai oru naal vellum
Truth will win one day
Intha ulagam un per sollum
This world will speak your name
Andru oorae potrum
On that day, the whole town will praise you
Manithan neeyae
You are the true human
Neeyada.. neeyada
It is you, my friend.. it is you
Poigal puyal pol veesum
Lies will blow like a storm
Aanaal unmai medhuvaai pesum
But truth will speak softly
Andru neeyae vaazhvil velvaai
On that day, you will triumph in life
Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..kalangaathae…
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened...
Karaiyaathae…karaiyaathae
Do not break down... do not break down
Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened..
Suttaalum sangu niram
Even if burnt, the color of a conch
Eppodhum vellaiyada
is always white, my friend
Maen makkal ennaalum
Noble people, forever
Maen makkal thaanae
will remain noble people
Kettaalum nam thalaivan
Even if in ruins, our leader
Ippodhum rajan adaa
is still a king today
Veezhndhalum vallal karam
Even if fallen, a philanthropist's hand
Veezhadhu thaanae
will never fall
Ponnodu man ellaam
Even if all wealth and land
Ponaalum
are lost
Avan punnagaiyai
his smile
Kollaiyida mudiyaathu
cannot be stolen
Unmai oru naal vellum
Truth will win one day
Intha ulagam un per sollum
This world will speak your name
Andru oorae potrum
On that day, the whole town will praise you
Manithan neeyae
You are the true human
Neeyada.. neeyada
It is you, my friend.. it is you
Poigal puyal pol veesum
Lies will blow like a storm
Aanaal unmai medhuvaai pesum
But truth will speak softly
Andru neeyae vaazhvil velvaai
On that day, you will triumph in life
Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..kalangaathae…
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened.. do not be disheartened...
Karaiyaathae…karaiyaathae
Do not break down... do not break down
Kalangaathae kalangaathae ..
Do not be disheartened, do not be disheartened..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Unmai Oru Naal Vellum is a powerful philosophical and motivational song that encourages perseverance, moral integrity, and resilience in the face of temporary hardship, betrayal, and deceit. The lyrics emphasize that while falsehood may roar loudly like a storm, ultimate truth speaks softly and inevitably triumphs in the end. The song reassures a virtuous leader that temporary setbacks do not diminish true inner greatness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Poigal puyal pol veesum”
Compares the sudden and aggressive nature of lies to a blowing storm using the comparative marker 'pol'.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Sirithu varum singam undu / Punnagaikkum puligal undu / Uraiyaadi uyir kudikkum Onaaigal undu”
Metaphorically compares deceitful friends and backstabbers to smiling lions, tigers, and wolves lurking behind pleasant gestures.
Classical Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)
“Suttaalum sangu niram Eppodhum vellaiyada”
References the famous ancient aphorism from Avvaiyar's Moodurai ('Suttaalum sangu niram paal pol vellaiyam'), stating that true nobility never loses its core virtue regardless of hardship.
Rhyme / Anaphora (Ethugai)
“Raamanum azhuthaan / Dharmanum azhuthaan”
Repetition of sound structure across parallel lines citing mythological figures (Rama and Dharma/Yudhisthira).
Did you know?
Trivia
Though listed with unknown credits in the prompt, this song was actually composed by A.R. Rahman and sung by Haricharan for the Rajinikanth starrer 'Lingaa' (2014). Lyricist Vairamuthu incorporated classical Tamil poetic tropes, specifically drawing inspiration from Avvaiyar's didactic work 'Moodurai', to reinforce the theme of noble character surviving adversity.
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