Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen
From Apoorva Sagodharargal · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Apoorva Sagodharargal1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Unna nenachen pattu padichen | Thinking of you, I sang a song |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachen pattu padichen | Thinking of you, I sang a song |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Enna nenachen naanum sirichen | Thinking of myself, I laughed as well |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| : Andha vaanam azhutha than | Only when that sky cries |
| Intha bhoomiyae sirikkum | This earth smiles in joy |
| Vaanam pol sila per | Just like the sky, some people's |
| Sontha vaazhkaiyum irukkum | Personal lives are bound to be |
| Unarnthen naan…. | I have realized this now... |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachen pattu padichen | Thinking of you, I sang a song |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Enna nenachen naanum sirichen | Thinking of myself, I laughed as well |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| Aasai vanthu ennai aatti vaitha paavam | It is the sin of desire that controlled me |
| Matravarai naan yen kutram solla venum | Why should I blame others for my plight? |
| Kottum mazhai kaalam uppu vikka ponen | I went to sell salt during heavy downpours |
| Kaatradikkum neram maavu vikka ponen | I went to sell flour when fierce winds blew |
| Male | |
| Thappu kanaakkai pottu thavithen | I calculated wrongly and suffered in distress |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Patta piragae budhi thelinthen | Only after suffering did wisdom dawn upon me |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| Nalam purinthai enakku | You have done me good |
| Nandri uraippen unakku | I shall express my gratitude to you |
| Naan thaan…. | It is I who... |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachen pattu padichen | Thinking of you, I sang a song |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Enna nenachen naanum sirichen | Thinking of myself, I laughed as well |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| Kannirrandil naan thaan kaadhal enum kottai | With my two eyes, I built a fort of love |
| Katti vaithu paarthen athanaiyum ottai | I built it and watched, but it was full of holes |
| Ullabadi yogam ullavarkku naalum | For those blessed with good fortune in life |
| Natta vidhai yaavum nalla maram aagum | Every seed they plant grows into a good tree |
| Male | |
| Aadum varaikkum aadi iruppom | As long as the show goes on, let us dance |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Aattam mudinthaal ottam eduppom | When the game ends, we shall run away |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| Nalam purinthaai enakku | You have done me good |
| Nandri uraippen unakku | I shall express my gratitude to you |
| Naan thaan…. | It is I who... |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachen pattu padichen | Thinking of you, I sang a song |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Enna nenachen naanum sirichen | Thinking of myself, I laughed as well |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Male | |
| Andha vaanam azhutha than | Only when that sky cries |
| Intha bhoomiyae sirikkum | This earth smiles in joy |
| Vaanam pol sila per | Just like the sky, some people's |
| Sontha vaazhkaiyum irukkum | Personal lives are bound to be |
| Unarnthen naan…. | I have realized this now... |
| Male | |
| Unna nenachen pattu padichen | Thinking of you, I sang a song |
| Thangamae nyaana thangamae | Oh my precious gold, wise gold |
| Enna nenachen… naanum sirichen | Thinking of myself... I laughed as well |
| Thangamae…nyaana thangamae.. | Oh my precious gold... wise gold.. |
உன்னை நினைச்சேன்
பாட்டு படிச்சேன் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
உன்னை நினைச்சேன்
பாட்டு படிச்சேன் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே என்ன
நெனச்சேன் நானும் சிரிச்சேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
அந்த வானம்
அழுதாத்தான் இந்த
பூமியே சிரிக்கும்
வானம் போல் சிலபேர்
சொந்த வாழ்க்கையும்
இருக்கும் உணர்ந்தேன்
நான்
Only when that sky cries
This earth smiles in joy
Just like the sky, some people's
Personal lives are bound to be
I have realized this now...
உன்னை நினைச்சேன்
பாட்டு படிச்சேன் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே என்ன
நெனச்சேன் நானும் சிரிச்சேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
ஆசை வந்து
என்னை ஆட்டி வைத்த
பாவம் மற்றவரை நான்
ஏன் குற்றம் சொல்ல
வேணும் கொட்டும் மழை
காலம் உப்பு விக்க போனேன்
காற்றடிக்கும் நேரம் மாவு
விக்க போனேன்
It is the sin of desire that controlled me
Why should I blame others for my plight?
I went to sell salt during heavy downpours
I went to sell flour when fierce winds blew
தப்பு கணக்கை
போட்டு தவித்தேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
பட்ட பிறகே புத்தி தெளிந்தேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
I calculated wrongly and suffered in distress
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Only after suffering did wisdom dawn upon me
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
நலம் புரிந்தாய்
எனக்கு நன்றி உரைப்பேன்
உனக்கு நான் தான்
You have done me good
I shall express my gratitude to you
It is I who...
உன்னை நினைச்சேன்
பாட்டு படிச்சேன் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே என்ன
நெனச்சேன் நானும் சிரிச்சேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
கண்ணிரண்டில்
நான் தான் காதல் என்னும்
கோட்டை கட்டி வைத்து
பார்த்தேன் அத்தனையும்
ஓட்டை உள்ளபடி யோகம்
உள்ளவர்க்கு நாளும் நட்ட
விதை யாவும் நல்ல மரம் ஆகும்
With my two eyes, I built a fort of love
I built it and watched, but it was full of holes
For those blessed with good fortune in life
Every seed they plant grows into a good tree
ஆடும் வரைக்கும்
ஆடி இருப்போம் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே ஆட்டம்
முடிந்தால் ஓட்டம் எடுப்போம்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
As long as the show goes on, let us dance
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
When the game ends, we shall run away
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
நலம் புரிந்தாய்
எனக்கு நன்றி உரைப்பேன்
உனக்கு நான் தான்
You have done me good
I shall express my gratitude to you
It is I who...
உன்னை நினைச்சேன்
பாட்டு படிச்சேன் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே என்ன
நெனச்சேன் நானும் சிரிச்சேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
அந்த வானம்
அழுதாத்தான் இந்த
பூமியே சிரிக்கும்
வானம் போல் சிலபேர்
சொந்த வாழ்க்கையும்
இருக்கும் உணர்ந்தேன்
நான்
Only when that sky cries
This earth smiles in joy
Just like the sky, some people's
Personal lives are bound to be
I have realized this now...
உன்னை நினைச்சேன்
பாட்டு படிச்சேன் தங்கமே
ஞான தங்கமே என்ன
நெனச்சேன் நானும் சிரிச்சேன்
தங்கமே ஞான தங்கமே
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Thinking of myself... I laughed as well
Oh my precious gold... wise gold..
Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Enna nenachen naanum sirichen
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
: Andha vaanam azhutha than
Only when that sky cries
Intha bhoomiyae sirikkum
This earth smiles in joy
Vaanam pol sila per
Just like the sky, some people's
Sontha vaazhkaiyum irukkum
Personal lives are bound to be
Unarnthen naan….
I have realized this now...
Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Enna nenachen naanum sirichen
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Aasai vanthu ennai aatti vaitha paavam
It is the sin of desire that controlled me
Matravarai naan yen kutram solla venum
Why should I blame others for my plight?
Kottum mazhai kaalam uppu vikka ponen
I went to sell salt during heavy downpours
Kaatradikkum neram maavu vikka ponen
I went to sell flour when fierce winds blew
Thappu kanaakkai pottu thavithen
I calculated wrongly and suffered in distress
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Patta piragae budhi thelinthen
Only after suffering did wisdom dawn upon me
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Nalam purinthai enakku
You have done me good
Nandri uraippen unakku
I shall express my gratitude to you
Naan thaan….
It is I who...
Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Enna nenachen naanum sirichen
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Kannirrandil naan thaan kaadhal enum kottai
With my two eyes, I built a fort of love
Katti vaithu paarthen athanaiyum ottai
I built it and watched, but it was full of holes
Ullabadi yogam ullavarkku naalum
For those blessed with good fortune in life
Natta vidhai yaavum nalla maram aagum
Every seed they plant grows into a good tree
Aadum varaikkum aadi iruppom
As long as the show goes on, let us dance
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Aattam mudinthaal ottam eduppom
When the game ends, we shall run away
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Nalam purinthaai enakku
You have done me good
Nandri uraippen unakku
I shall express my gratitude to you
Naan thaan….
It is I who...
Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Enna nenachen naanum sirichen
Thinking of myself, I laughed as well
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Andha vaanam azhutha than
Only when that sky cries
Intha bhoomiyae sirikkum
This earth smiles in joy
Vaanam pol sila per
Just like the sky, some people's
Sontha vaazhkaiyum irukkum
Personal lives are bound to be
Unarnthen naan….
I have realized this now...
Unna nenachen pattu padichen
Thinking of you, I sang a song
Thangamae nyaana thangamae
Oh my precious gold, wise gold
Enna nenachen… naanum sirichen
Thinking of myself... I laughed as well
Thangamae…nyaana thangamae..
Oh my precious gold... wise gold..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen' is a poignant, philosophical song from the 1989 landmark Tamil film 'Apoorva Sagodharargal'. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the song captures the heartbreaking grief of Appu (Kamal Haasan), a dwarf circus clown who discovers that the woman he loves only views him with pity and affection as a friend, not as a romantic partner. Rather than expressing anger, the protagonist responds with self-deprecating humor and profound stoicism. He draws parallels between his tears and the rain that makes the earth blossom, realizing that his suffering brings joy to others in his role as a clown. The lyrics blend traditional folk rhythm with deep philosophical reflections on fate, bad timing, and the illusion of romantic dreams.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Andha vaanam azhutha than / Intha bhoomiyae sirikkum”
The sky crying (rain) to bring joy to the earth serves as a metaphor for the protagonist's silent heartbreak creating entertainment and happiness for others.
Proverbial Analogy (Pazhamozhi)
“Kottum mazhai kaalam uppu vikka ponen / Kaatradikkum neram maavu vikka ponen”
Refers to classic Tamil folk adages describing ultimate bad luck—selling salt in rain causes it to dissolve, and selling flour in wind blows it away.
Metaphor
“Kannirrandil naan thaan kaadhal enum kottai / Katti vaithu paarthen athanaiyum ottai”
Compares his romantic aspirations to a fort built with eyes that ultimately proved structurally flawed and full of holes.
Refrain (Madakku / Anaphora)
“Thangamae nyaana thangamae”
The line 'Thangamae nyaana thangamae' is repeated rhythmically throughout the song, echoing traditional Siddhar philosophical folk poetry (Nattupura Paattu).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali, this iconic track won S. P. Balasubrahmanyam the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1989. The song is famed for Kamal Haasan's emotional performance as a dwarf, achieved entirely through physical body posture, creative camera angles, and special shoes without modern digital VFX.
Keep listening
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