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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

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 arindhaalIf you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaalIf you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalumWhether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaamYou can live without bowing your head down.
Male
Unnai arindhaalIf you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaalIf you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalumWhether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaamYou can live without bowing your head down.
Male
{Maanam periyadhendruThose who consider self-respect supreme,
Vaazhum manidhargalaiAmong all human beings who live,
Maan endru solvadhillaiyaaAre they not praised as noble as a deer?
Thannai thaanum arindhu konduThose who first understand themselves,
Oorukkum solbavargalAnd 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 arindhaalIf you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaalIf you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalumWhether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaamYou can live without bowing your head down.
Lalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…reeLalallalaa lalallalaa lalallalaa…ra raa…ree
Maa… hoo… aah…Maa… hoo… aah…
Male
{Boomiyil naeraagaThose who live an upright life,
Vaazhbavar ellorumWalking on the right path on this earth,
Saamikku nigar illaiyaaAre they not equal to God Himself?
Pirar thaevai arindhu konduUnderstanding the needs of others,
Vaari koduppavargalThose 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 arindhaalIf you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaalIf you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalumWhether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaamYou can live without bowing your head down.
Whistling :…………………………..[Whistling instrumental]
Male
{Maaperum sabaigalilIn grand assemblies and royal halls,
Nee nadandhaalWhen you walk in with dignity,
Unakku maalaigal vizha vendumGarlands of honor should fall upon you.
Oru maattru kuraiyaadhaLike pure gold without any flaw,
Mannavan ivanendruProclaiming '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 arindhaalIf you know yourself,
Nee unnai arindhaalIf you truly know yourself,
Ulagathil poraadalaam aa…aa…You can fight and succeed in this world, ah... ah...
Uyarndhaalum thaazhndhaalumWhether you rise or fall in life,
Thalai vanangaamal nee vaazhalaamYou 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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