Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unmai Therinthirukkum

From Subrabatham · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Subrabatham1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unmai therinthirukkum oruvanaiyaa kannaa neeAre you the one who knows the truth, Oh Krishna?
Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaaAre you the God who understands human hearts?
Unmai therinthirukkum oruvanaiyaa kannaa neeAre you the one who knows the truth, Oh Krishna?
Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaaAre you the God who understands human hearts?
Female
Vennei thirudiya un kangalukkuTo your eyes that stole butter,
Un veettil thirudiyavan inam theriyumThe identity of the thief who stole in your house is well known.
Vennei thirudiya un kangalukkuTo your eyes that stole butter,
Un veettil thirudiyavan inam theriyumThe identity of the thief who stole in your house is well known.
Female
Unmai therinthirukkum oruvanaiyaa kannaa neeAre you the one who knows the truth, Oh Krishna?
Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaaAre you the God who understands human hearts?
Female
Selai thiruda mattum therinthavanoAre you someone who only knows how to steal sarees?
Illai thirudargalai pidikka mudinthavanoOr are you capable of catching real thieves?
Selai thiruda mattum therinthavanoAre you someone who only knows how to steal sarees?
Illai thirudargalai pidikka mudinthavanoOr are you capable of catching real thieves?
Female
Paandavar thamakku mattum thoodhuvanoWere you an envoy only for the Pandavas?
Illai bakdhargal yaavrkkum naayaganoOr are you the Lord for all true devotees?
Paandavar thamakku mattum thoodhuvanoWere you an envoy only for the Pandavas?
Illai bakdhargal yaavrkkum naayaganoOr are you the Lord for all true devotees?
Female
Unmai therinthirukkum oruvanaiyaa kannaa neeAre you the one who knows the truth, Oh Krishna?
Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaaAre you the God who understands human hearts?
Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaaAre you the God who understands human hearts?
Female
Bhoomiyai paayaaga suruttiyavanOh Lord who rolled up the earth like a mat,
Vaazhvil purushaarththam ennavendru kooriyavanOh Lord who taught the ultimate purpose of human life,
Bhoomiyai paayaaga suruttiyavanOh Lord who rolled up the earth like a mat,
Vaazhvil purushaarththam ennavendru kooriyavanOh Lord who taught the ultimate purpose of human life,
Female
Saamikku theriyaatha thirudanillaiThere is no thief unknown to God,
Nee sakthi izhanthuvitta gurudanillaiYou are not a blind person who has lost power.
Saamikku theriyaatha thirudanillaiThere is no thief unknown to God,
Nee sakthi izhanthuvitta gurudanillaiYou are not a blind person who has lost power.
Female
Kai kodukkavillaiyendraal kangal edharkkuIf you do not lend a helping hand, what is the use of your eyes?
Nee kavalukku illaiyendraal kovil edharkkuIf you are not there to guard us, what is the use of a temple?
Vaadikkaiyaai kodppaen kaigal unakkuI will offer my folded hands to you in prayer as custom,
En kanavarai thanthu vidu mangai enakkuReturn my husband to me, a married woman.
Female
Unmai therinthirukkum oruvanaiyaa kannaa neeAre you the one who knows the truth, Oh Krishna?
Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaaAre you the God who understands human hearts?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an emotionally charged prayer addressed to Lord Krishna by a distressed woman demanding divine justice and the safe return of her husband. She invokes Krishna's famous mythological feats—such as stealing butter and clothes, serving as a messenger for the Pandavas, taking the Varaha avatar to rescue the Earth, and expounding the supreme philosophy of life (Bhagavad Gita)—to question whether he is truly omniscient and compassionate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Unmai therinthirukkum oruvanaiyaa kannaa nee / Ullangalai purintha iraivanaiyaa

Matching initial vowel sounds across consecutive lines ('Unmai' and 'Ullangalai').

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vennei thirudiya un kangalukku / Un veettil thirudiyavan inam theriyum

Matching second consonants across lines ('Vennei' and 'Un veettil' share 'n' sound patterns).

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa Aani)

Kai kodukkavillaiyendraal kangal edharkku / Nee kavalukku illaiyendraal kovil edharkku

Using provocative questions to challenge Krishna's justice and role as a deity.

Mythological Allusion (Purana Kurippu)

Bhoomiyai paayaaga suruttiyavan / Vaazhvil purushaarththam ennavendru kooriyavan

Alluding to Krishna/Vishnu's Varaha avatar ('rolling earth like a mat') and the teaching of Bhagavad Gita ('purushaarththam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this track showcases Vani Jairam's expressive classical vocal delivery, blending devotional fervor with dramatic tension in the 1977 film Subrabatham.

Keep listening

More from Subrabatham