Unnai Arinthaal
From Vettaikaaran (1964) Film · 1964
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vettaikaaran (1964) Film1964
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Unnai arindhaal | If you know yourself, |
| Nee unnai arindhaal | If you truly know yourself, |
| Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa… | You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah... |
| Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum | Whether you rise or fall in life, |
| Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam | You can live without bowing your head down. |
| Male | |
| Unnai arindhaal | If you know yourself, |
| Nee unnai arindhaal | If you truly know yourself, |
| Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa… | You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah... |
| Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum | Whether you rise or fall in life, |
| Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam | You can live without bowing your head down. |
| Male | |
| {Maanam periyadhendru | Those who consider self-respect supreme, |
| Vaazhum manidhargalai | Among all human beings who live, |
| Maan endru solvadhillaiyaa | Are they not praised as noble as a deer? |
| Thannai thaanum arindhu kondu | Those who first understand themselves, |
| Oorukkum solbavargal | And then impart wisdom to the world, |
| Thalaivargal aavadhillaiyaa} (2) | Do they not become true leaders? |
| Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… | Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… |
| Male | |
| Unnai arindhaal | If you know yourself, |
| Nee unnai arindhaal | If you truly know yourself, |
| Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa… | You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah... |
| Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum | Whether you rise or fall in life, |
| Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam | You can live without bowing your head down. |
| Lalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…ree | Lalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…ree |
| Maa… hoo… aah… | Maa… hoo… aah… |
| Male | |
| {Boomiyil naeraaga | Those who live an upright life, |
| Vaazhbavar ellorum | Walking on the right path on this earth, |
| Saamikku nigar illaiyaa | Are they not equal to God Himself? |
| Pirar thaevai arindhu kondu | Understanding the needs of others, |
| Vaari koduppavargal | Those who give generously and selflessly, |
| Dheivathin pillai illaiyaa} (2) | Are they not the children of God? |
| Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… | Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… |
| Male | |
| Unnai arindhaal | If you know yourself, |
| Nee unnai arindhaal | If you truly know yourself, |
| Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa… | You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah... |
| Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum | Whether you rise or fall in life, |
| Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam | You can live without bowing your head down. |
| Whistling :………………………….. | [Whistling instrumental] |
| Male | |
| {Maaperum sabaigalil | In grand assemblies and royal halls, |
| Nee nadandhaal | When you walk in with dignity, |
| Unakku maalaigal vizha vendum | Garlands of honor should fall upon you. |
| Oru maattru kuraiyaadha | Like pure gold without any flaw, |
| Mannavan ivanendru | Proclaiming 'He is an unblemished king', |
| Pottri pughazha vendum} (2) | Everyone should praise and celebrate you. |
| Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… | Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… |
| Male | |
| Unnai arindhaal | If you know yourself, |
| Nee unnai arindhaal | If you truly know yourself, |
| Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa… | You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah... |
| Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum | Whether you rise or fall in life, |
| Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam | You can live without bowing your head down. |
| Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… | Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo… |
உன்னை அறிந்தால்.....
நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்
உலகத்தில் போராடலாம் ஆ......ஆ.....
உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும்
தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்
If you know yourself,
If you truly know yourself,
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Whether you rise or fall in life,
You can live without bowing your head down.
உன்னை அறிந்தால்.....
நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்
உலகத்தில் போராடலாம் ஆ......ஆ.....
உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும்
தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்
If you know yourself,
If you truly know yourself,
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Whether you rise or fall in life,
You can live without bowing your head down.
{மானம் பெரியது என்று
வாழும் மனிதர்களை
மான் என்று சொல்வதில்லையா
தன்னை தானும் அறிந்து கொண்டு
ஊருக்கும் சொல்பவர்கள்
தலைவர்கள் ஆவதில்லையா} (2)
ஹூ....ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ.....ஹூ...
Those who consider self-respect supreme,
Among all human beings who live,
Are they not praised as noble as a deer?
Those who first understand themselves,
And then impart wisdom to the world,
Do they not become true leaders?
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
உன்னை அறிந்தால்.....
நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்
உலகத்தில் போராடலாம் ஆ......ஆ.....
உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும்
தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்
லலல்லலா லலல்லலா லலல்லலா....ர ரா....ரீ....
மா...ஹோ....ஆ.....
If you know yourself,
If you truly know yourself,
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Whether you rise or fall in life,
You can live without bowing your head down.
Lalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…ree
Maa… hoo… aah…
{பூமியில் நேராக
வாழ்பவர் எல்லோரும்
சாமிக்கு நிகர் இல்லையா
பிறர் தேவை அறிந்து கொண்டு
வாரிக் கொடுப்பவர்கள்
தெய்வத்தின் பிள்ளை இல்லையா} (2)
ஹூ....ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ.....ஹூ...
Those who live an upright life,
Walking on the right path on this earth,
Are they not equal to God Himself?
Understanding the needs of others,
Those who give generously and selflessly,
Are they not the children of God?
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
உன்னை அறிந்தால்.....
நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்
உலகத்தில் போராடலாம் ஆ......ஆ.....
உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும்
தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்
விசில் :
.......................................
If you know yourself,
If you truly know yourself,
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Whether you rise or fall in life,
You can live without bowing your head down.
[Whistling instrumental]
{மாபெரும் சபையினில்
நீ நடந்தால்
உனக்கு மாலைகள் விழவேண்டும்
ஒரு மாற்று குறையாத
மன்னவன் இவனென்று
போற்றிப் புகழ வேண்டும்} (2)
ஹூ....ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ.....ஹூ...
In grand assemblies and royal halls,
When you walk in with dignity,
Garlands of honor should fall upon you.
Like pure gold without any flaw,
Proclaiming 'He is an unblemished king',
Everyone should praise and celebrate you.
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
உன்னை அறிந்தால்.....
நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்
உலகத்தில் போராடலாம் ஆ......ஆ.....
உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும்
தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்
ஹூ....ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ......ஹூ.....ஹூ...
If you know yourself,
If you truly know yourself,
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Whether you rise or fall in life,
You can live without bowing your head down.
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Unnai arindhaal
If you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaal
If you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum
Whether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam
You can live without bowing your head down.
Unnai arindhaal
If you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaal
If you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum
Whether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam
You can live without bowing your head down.
{Maanam periyadhendru
Those who consider self-respect supreme,
Vaazhum manidhargalai
Among all human beings who live,
Maan endru solvadhillaiyaa
Are they not praised as noble as a deer?
Thannai thaanum arindhu kondu
Those who first understand themselves,
Oorukkum solbavargal
And then impart wisdom to the world,
Thalaivargal aavadhillaiyaa} (2)
Do they not become true leaders?
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Unnai arindhaal
If you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaal
If you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum
Whether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam
You can live without bowing your head down.
Lalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…ree
Lalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…ree
Maa… hoo… aah…
Maa… hoo… aah…
{Boomiyil naeraaga
Those who live an upright life,
Vaazhbavar ellorum
Walking on the right path on this earth,
Saamikku nigar illaiyaa
Are they not equal to God Himself?
Pirar thaevai arindhu kondu
Understanding the needs of others,
Vaari koduppavargal
Those who give generously and selflessly,
Dheivathin pillai illaiyaa} (2)
Are they not the children of God?
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Unnai arindhaal
If you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaal
If you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum
Whether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam
You can live without bowing your head down.
Whistling :…………………………..
[Whistling instrumental]
{Maaperum sabaigalil
In grand assemblies and royal halls,
Nee nadandhaal
When you walk in with dignity,
Unakku maalaigal vizha vendum
Garlands of honor should fall upon you.
Oru maattru kuraiyaadha
Like pure gold without any flaw,
Mannavan ivanendru
Proclaiming 'He is an unblemished king',
Pottri pughazha vendum} (2)
Everyone should praise and celebrate you.
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Unnai arindhaal
If you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaal
If you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…
You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum
Whether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaam
You can live without bowing your head down.
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…hoo…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Unnai Arindhaal is an iconic philosophical Tamil song from the 1964 movie Vettaikaaran, penned by Kannadasan. The core message of the song centers around self-realization, integrity, and self-respect. It emphasizes that true victory in life comes from knowing one's own character and values, which empowers a person to face life's ups and downs without compromising their dignity or bowing to injustice. The lyricist highlights that righteous individuals who give generously to those in need are divine in spirit, and those who master self-awareness before leading others become true leaders. The song serves as a timeless motivational call to lead a clean, virtuous life that naturally earns respect and acclaim in the world.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Unnai arindhaal / Nee unnai arindhaal”
The repetition of 'Unnai arindhaal, nee unnai arindhaal' reinforces the central theme of self-awareness and self-mastery.
Antithesis / Ethirai
“Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalum”
Juxtaposition of contrasting states 'Uyarndhaalum' (rising) and 'Thaazhndhaalum' (falling) to emphasize steadfastness in all circumstances.
Pun / Wordplay (Sledai)
“Maanam periyadhendru... Maan endru solvadhillaiyaa”
Play on the words 'Maanam' (dignity/self-respect) and 'Maan' (deer), referring to the ancient Tamil belief that a deer sacrifices its life if it loses its hair, symbolizing honor.
Metaphor
“Oru maattru kuraiyaadha Mannavan ivanendru”
Comparing an immaculate, righteous human being to pure, unadulterated gold ('Oru maattru kuraiyaadha mannavan').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, this song became one of the defining political and moral anthems for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Its message of self-respect and righteous leadership strongly echoed MGR's real-life socio-political image.
Keep listening
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