Unnai Kelaai
From Desam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. L. Maharajan, Hariharan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Desam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa | Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa | Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Female :Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) | Female: Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) (Vocalizations) |
| Hohoo ho ho hohoo hoo ho hoo | Hohoo ho ho hohoo hoo ho hoo (Vocalizations) |
| Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo.. | Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo.. (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai | Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth? |
| Male | |
| Ullakkannaal nee paaraai | Look through your inner eye, |
| Unnaivendru nee vaaraai | Conquer yourself and come forth, |
| Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai | All paths will turn out fine and prosperous. |
| Chorus | |
| Rhom dhom thaananana | Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rathadhom thaanana | Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rhom dhom thaananana | Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rathadhom thaanana | Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rhom dhom thaananana | Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rathadhom thaanana bhaiyaa | Rathadhom thaanana brother (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Male | |
| Hmmm mmm aaaa…aaa | Hmmm mmm aaaa…aaa (Vocalizations) |
| Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. | Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. (Vocalizations) |
| Ae saalaiyae ae saalaiyae | Oh road, oh road, |
| Engae pogiraai | Where are you going? |
| Ennodu dhaan enennadhaan | What all are you, |
| Nee solgiraai | Saying to me? |
| Male | |
| Ae saalaiyae ae saalaiyae | Oh road, oh road, |
| Engae pogiraai | Where are you going? |
| Ennodu dhaan enennadhaan | What all are you, |
| Nee solgiraai | Saying to me? |
| Hoo hohoo hoo oo hoo | Hoo hohoo hoo oo hoo (Vocalizations) |
| Hohooo hoo oooo..ooo | Hohooo hoo oooo..ooo (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Ethanai iniya seidhigalo | How many sweet news stories, |
| Ellaam nilaikkum needhigalo | Are these all eternal moral truths? |
| Ethanai kaalgal sendranavo | How many feet have walked upon you? |
| Ethanai kadhaigal vendranavo | How many stories have triumphed here? |
| Male | |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Vazhkai oru vandi paaraai | Look, life is like a vehicle/chariot, |
| Angangae medum undu | There are high mounds here and there, |
| Angangae pallam undu | There are deep depressions here and there, |
| Adhai vellum ullam sellum neraai | The heart that overcomes them moves straight ahead. |
| Male | |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai | Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth? |
| Male | |
| Ullakkannaal nee paaraai | Look through your inner eye, |
| Unnaivendru nee vaaraai | Conquer yourself and come forth, |
| Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai | All paths will turn out fine and prosperous. |
| Male | |
| Hei na nananana | Hei na nananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Hei na nananana | Hei na nananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Hey eh hey eh hey | Hey eh hey eh hey (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| Kal enna kaadum enna | What of stones, what of forests, |
| Ellaamae | I saw everything, |
| Kandenae kanneerae illaamae | Without any tears in my eyes. |
| Aagayam sollum idhai kelaayo | Won't you listen to what the sky says? |
| Oorukkul sodi kili paaraayo | Won't you see the pair of lovebirds in town? |
| Male | |
| Megathai kelu sollum | Ask the cloud, it will tell, |
| En raagathai adhuvum sollum | It will even play my melody. |
| Ammm amma iyarkai ezhudhum | Ammm, mother nature writes, |
| Puthu pudhidhaai | Brand new things every day. |
| Male | |
| Sogangal poiyada | Sorrows are mere illusions, my friend, |
| Sumai neekki vellada | Cast away your burdens and win! |
| Manam endra veettai nee | The house called your mind, |
| Dhinam sutham seiyada | Cleanse it every single day, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Naththaikul muthu pol | Like a pearl inside a shell, |
| Marathukul viyhthu pol | Like a seed inside a tree, |
| Unvaazhkai enbadhum | Your life lies hidden, |
| Ullathil ullathada | Within your own heart, my friend. |
| Male | |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai | Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth? |
| Male | |
| Ullakkannaal nee paaraai | Look through your inner eye, |
| Unnaivendru nee vaaraai | Conquer yourself and come forth, |
| Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai | All paths will turn out fine and prosperous. |
| Male | |
| Mazhai mega thooralai ellaam | For the mountains to receive all rain cloud showers, |
| Malaigal vaanga | And for the streams to hold the cool water given, |
| Adhu thandha kulir neerai dhaan | Like a river, it swells up, |
| Odaigal thaanga | Here upon this earth, |
| Male | |
| Nadhiyai pol adhu dhaan | Seeking the vast ocean, the Ganges flows there. |
| Mann mel perugudhu ingae | If you bathe in the Ganges, |
| Nedunkadalai thedi sellum | Your sins might go away, |
| Gangai angae | But will your desires leave...? |
| Male | |
| Gangaiyil neeraadinaal | Just like a river flowing ceaselessly, |
| Paavangal pogalaam | Every life flows everywhere, |
| Aasaigal pogumaa…aaa.. | Heading towards God, the ocean, |
| Male | |
| Uyir ellaam nadhiyai pola | The journey continues. |
| Oyaamal engum paaya | Sorrows are mere illusions, my friend, |
| Iraivan avan kadal endru | Cast away your burdens and win! |
| Payanam pogum | The house called your mind, |
| Male | |
| Sogangal poiyada | Cleanse it every single day, my friend. |
| Sumai neekki vellada | On the path you walk, |
| Manam endra veettai nee | Destroy the darkness of falsehood, |
| Dhinam sutham seiyada | Light the lamp of truth, |
| Male | |
| Nee pogum paadhayil | And conquer the world, my friend. |
| Poi irulai kollada | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Unmai jothi yetri nee | Ask yourself, who are you? |
| Ulagai vellada | Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth? |
| Male | |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Male: Aaaa….aaa… (Vocalizations) |
| Unnai kelaai nee yaaru | Look through your inner eye, |
| Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai | Conquer yourself and come forth, |
| Male :Aaaa….aaa… | All paths will turn out fine and prosperous. |
| Male | |
| Ullakkannaal nee paaraai | Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Unnaivendru nee vaaraai | Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai | Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Chorus | |
| Rhom dhom thaananana | Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rathadhom thaanana | Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rhom dhom thaananana | Rathadhom thaanana brother (Rhythmic vocal beats) |
| Rathadhom thaanana | ……………………………………… (Instrumental / Vocal transition) |
| Rhom dhom thaananana | Male: ……………………………………… (Instrumental / Vocal transition) |
| Rathadhom thaanana bhaiyaa | Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) (Vocalizations) |
| Male | |
| ……………………………………… | Male: Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Male :……………………………………… | Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Female | |
| Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) | |
| Male :Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa | |
| Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa | |
மற்றும் ஹரிஹரன்
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Female: Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) (Vocalizations)
Hohoo ho ho hohoo hoo ho hoo (Vocalizations)
Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo.. (Vocalizations)
பா மா சா நி நி தா தா பா ..(2)
.....................................
Ask yourself, who are you?
Ask yourself, who are you?
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உண்மை கண்டார்
யார் யாரு கூறாய்
Look through your inner eye,
Conquer yourself and come forth,
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
உள்ள கண்ணால் நீ பாராய்
உன்னை வென்று நீ வாராய்
பாதை எல்லாம் போகுமே சீராய்
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana brother (Rhythmic vocal beats)
....................................
Hmmm mmm aaaa…aaa (Vocalizations)
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. (Vocalizations)
Oh road, oh road,
Where are you going?
What all are you,
Saying to me?
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ஆஅ
ஆஅ ....ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆஆ.....
ஏ சாலையே ஏ சாலையே
எங்கே போகிறாய்
என்னோடு தான் என்னென்னத்தான்
நீ சொல்கிறாய்
ஹோ ஹோஹோ ஹோ ஓஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஓ ஹோ
Oh road, oh road,
Where are you going?
What all are you,
Saying to me?
Hoo hohoo hoo oo hoo (Vocalizations)
Hohooo hoo oooo..ooo (Vocalizations)
எத்தனை இனிய செய்திகளோ
எல்லாம் நிலைக்கும் நீதிகளோ
எத்தனை கால்கள் சென்றனவோ
எத்தனை கதைகள் வென்றனவோ
How many sweet news stories,
Are these all eternal moral truths?
How many feet have walked upon you?
How many stories have triumphed here?
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
வாழ்க்கை ஒரு வண்டி பாராய்
அங்கங்கே மேடும் உண்டு
அங்கங்கே பள்ளம் உண்டு
அதை வெல்லும் உள்ளம் செல்லும் நேராய்
Ask yourself, who are you?
Ask yourself, who are you?
Look, life is like a vehicle/chariot,
There are high mounds here and there,
There are deep depressions here and there,
The heart that overcomes them moves straight ahead.
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உண்மை கண்டார்
யார் யாரு கூறாய்
Ask yourself, who are you?
Ask yourself, who are you?
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
உள்ள கண்ணால் நீ பாராய்
உன்னை வென்று நீ வாராய்
பாதை எல்லாம் போகுமே சீராய்
Look through your inner eye,
Conquer yourself and come forth,
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
.......................................
Hei na nananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Hei na nananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Hey eh hey eh hey (Vocalizations)
கல் என்ன காடும் என்ன
எல்லாமே கண்டேனே
கண்ணீரே இல்லாமே
ஆகாயம் சொல்லும் இதை கேளாயோ
ஊருக்குள் சோடிக்கிளி பாராயோ
What of stones, what of forests,
I saw everything,
Without any tears in my eyes.
Won't you listen to what the sky says?
Won't you see the pair of lovebirds in town?
மேகத்தை கேளு சொல்லும்
என் ராகத்தை அதுவும் சொல்லும்
அம்மம்மா இயற்கை எழுதும்
புது புதுதாய்
Ask the cloud, it will tell,
It will even play my melody.
Ammm, mother nature writes,
Brand new things every day.
சோகங்கள் பொய்யடா
சுமை நீக்கி வெல்லடா
மனம் என்ற வீட்டை நீ
தினம் சுத்தம் செய்யடா
Sorrows are mere illusions, my friend,
Cast away your burdens and win!
The house called your mind,
Cleanse it every single day, my friend.
நத்தைக்குள் முத்து போல்
மரத்துக்குள் வித்து போல்
உன் வாழ்க்கை என்பதும்
உள்ளத்தில் உள்ளதடா
Like a pearl inside a shell,
Like a seed inside a tree,
Your life lies hidden,
Within your own heart, my friend.
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உண்மை கண்டார்
யார் யாரு கூறாய்
Ask yourself, who are you?
Ask yourself, who are you?
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
உள்ள கண்ணால் நீ பாராய்
உன்னை வென்று நீ வாராய்
பாதை எல்லாம் போகுமே சீராய்
Look through your inner eye,
Conquer yourself and come forth,
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
மழை மேகத் தூரலை எல்லாம்
மலைகள் வாங்க
அது தந்த குளிர் நீரை தான்
ஓடைகள் தாங்க
For the mountains to receive all rain cloud showers,
And for the streams to hold the cool water given,
Like a river, it swells up,
Here upon this earth,
நதியை போல் அது தான்
மண்மேல் பெருகுது இங்கே
நெடுங்கடலை தேடி செல்லும்
கங்கை அங்கே
Seeking the vast ocean, the Ganges flows there.
If you bathe in the Ganges,
Your sins might go away,
But will your desires leave...?
கங்கையில் நீராடினால்
பாவங்கள் போகலாம்
ஆசைகள் போகுமா
உயிர் எல்லாம் நதியை போல
ஓயாமல் எங்கும் பாய
இறைவன் அவன் கடல் என்று
பயணம் போகும்
Just like a river flowing ceaselessly,
Every life flows everywhere,
Heading towards God, the ocean,
சோகங்கள் பொய்யடா
சுமை நீக்கி வெல்லடா
மனம் என்ற வீட்டை நீ
தினம் சுத்தம் செய்யடா
The journey continues.
Sorrows are mere illusions, my friend,
Cast away your burdens and win!
The house called your mind,
நீ போகும் பாதையில்
பொய் இருளை கொல்லடா
உண்மை ஜோதி ஏற்றி நீ
உலகை வெல்லடா
Cleanse it every single day, my friend.
On the path you walk,
Destroy the darkness of falsehood,
Light the lamp of truth,
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உன்னை கேளாய் நீ யாரு
உண்மை கண்டார்
யார் யாரு கூறாய்
ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
And conquer the world, my friend.
Ask yourself, who are you?
Ask yourself, who are you?
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
உள்ள கண்ணால் நீ பாராய்
உன்னை வென்று நீ வாராய்
பாதை எல்லாம் போகுமே சீராய்
Male: Aaaa….aaa… (Vocalizations)
Look through your inner eye,
Conquer yourself and come forth,
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
...............................
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
..............................
...............................
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana brother (Rhythmic vocal beats)
……………………………………… (Instrumental / Vocal transition)
Male: ……………………………………… (Instrumental / Vocal transition)
Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) (Vocalizations)
...............................
பா மா சா நி நி தா தா பா ..(2)
Male: Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Female :Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2)
Female: Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) (Vocalizations)
Hohoo ho ho hohoo hoo ho hoo
Hohoo ho ho hohoo hoo ho hoo (Vocalizations)
Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..
Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo.. (Vocalizations)
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
Ullakkannaal nee paaraai
Look through your inner eye,
Unnaivendru nee vaaraai
Conquer yourself and come forth,
Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
Rhom dhom thaananana
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana bhaiyaa
Rathadhom thaanana brother (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Hmmm mmm aaaa…aaa
Hmmm mmm aaaa…aaa (Vocalizations)
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa….
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. (Vocalizations)
Ae saalaiyae ae saalaiyae
Oh road, oh road,
Engae pogiraai
Where are you going?
Ennodu dhaan enennadhaan
What all are you,
Nee solgiraai
Saying to me?
Ae saalaiyae ae saalaiyae
Oh road, oh road,
Engae pogiraai
Where are you going?
Ennodu dhaan enennadhaan
What all are you,
Nee solgiraai
Saying to me?
Hoo hohoo hoo oo hoo
Hoo hohoo hoo oo hoo (Vocalizations)
Hohooo hoo oooo..ooo
Hohooo hoo oooo..ooo (Vocalizations)
Ethanai iniya seidhigalo
How many sweet news stories,
Ellaam nilaikkum needhigalo
Are these all eternal moral truths?
Ethanai kaalgal sendranavo
How many feet have walked upon you?
Ethanai kadhaigal vendranavo
How many stories have triumphed here?
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Vazhkai oru vandi paaraai
Look, life is like a vehicle/chariot,
Angangae medum undu
There are high mounds here and there,
Angangae pallam undu
There are deep depressions here and there,
Adhai vellum ullam sellum neraai
The heart that overcomes them moves straight ahead.
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
Ullakkannaal nee paaraai
Look through your inner eye,
Unnaivendru nee vaaraai
Conquer yourself and come forth,
Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
Hei na nananana
Hei na nananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Hei na nananana
Hei na nananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Hey eh hey eh hey
Hey eh hey eh hey (Vocalizations)
Kal enna kaadum enna
What of stones, what of forests,
Ellaamae
I saw everything,
Kandenae kanneerae illaamae
Without any tears in my eyes.
Aagayam sollum idhai kelaayo
Won't you listen to what the sky says?
Oorukkul sodi kili paaraayo
Won't you see the pair of lovebirds in town?
Megathai kelu sollum
Ask the cloud, it will tell,
En raagathai adhuvum sollum
It will even play my melody.
Ammm amma iyarkai ezhudhum
Ammm, mother nature writes,
Puthu pudhidhaai
Brand new things every day.
Sogangal poiyada
Sorrows are mere illusions, my friend,
Sumai neekki vellada
Cast away your burdens and win!
Manam endra veettai nee
The house called your mind,
Dhinam sutham seiyada
Cleanse it every single day, my friend.
Naththaikul muthu pol
Like a pearl inside a shell,
Marathukul viyhthu pol
Like a seed inside a tree,
Unvaazhkai enbadhum
Your life lies hidden,
Ullathil ullathada
Within your own heart, my friend.
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
Ullakkannaal nee paaraai
Look through your inner eye,
Unnaivendru nee vaaraai
Conquer yourself and come forth,
Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
Mazhai mega thooralai ellaam
For the mountains to receive all rain cloud showers,
Malaigal vaanga
And for the streams to hold the cool water given,
Adhu thandha kulir neerai dhaan
Like a river, it swells up,
Odaigal thaanga
Here upon this earth,
Nadhiyai pol adhu dhaan
Seeking the vast ocean, the Ganges flows there.
Mann mel perugudhu ingae
If you bathe in the Ganges,
Nedunkadalai thedi sellum
Your sins might go away,
Gangai angae
But will your desires leave...?
Gangaiyil neeraadinaal
Just like a river flowing ceaselessly,
Paavangal pogalaam
Every life flows everywhere,
Aasaigal pogumaa…aaa..
Heading towards God, the ocean,
Uyir ellaam nadhiyai pola
The journey continues.
Oyaamal engum paaya
Sorrows are mere illusions, my friend,
Iraivan avan kadal endru
Cast away your burdens and win!
Payanam pogum
The house called your mind,
Sogangal poiyada
Cleanse it every single day, my friend.
Sumai neekki vellada
On the path you walk,
Manam endra veettai nee
Destroy the darkness of falsehood,
Dhinam sutham seiyada
Light the lamp of truth,
Nee pogum paadhayil
And conquer the world, my friend.
Poi irulai kollada
Ask yourself, who are you?
Unmai jothi yetri nee
Ask yourself, who are you?
Ulagai vellada
Tell me, who are those that have realized the truth?
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Male: Aaaa….aaa… (Vocalizations)
Unnai kelaai nee yaaru
Look through your inner eye,
Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai
Conquer yourself and come forth,
Male :Aaaa….aaa…
All paths will turn out fine and prosperous.
Ullakkannaal nee paaraai
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Unnaivendru nee vaaraai
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Paadhai ellaam pogumae seerai
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana
Rathadhom thaanana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana
Rhom dhom thaananana (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rhom dhom thaananana
Rathadhom thaanana brother (Rhythmic vocal beats)
Rathadhom thaanana
……………………………………… (Instrumental / Vocal transition)
Rhom dhom thaananana
Male: ……………………………………… (Instrumental / Vocal transition)
Rathadhom thaanana bhaiyaa
Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2) (Vocalizations)
………………………………………
Male: Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Male :………………………………………
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Hoo hoo hoo ho hooo..(2)
Male :Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa
Pa ma sa ni ni dha dha pa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Unnai Kelaai Nee Yaaru' is a deeply philosophical and inspirational travel song from the movie Desam (the Tamil dubbed version of Swades). It frames life as an ongoing journey along an open road, encouraging self-reflection, spiritual awakening, and inner mastery over external hardships. The lyrics call upon the listener to look inward ('Ullakkann') to discover their true identity rather than getting distracted by transient worldly struggles. Through metaphors of nature—rivers flowing toward the ocean, seeds inside trees, and pearls within shells—lyricist Vaali conveys that wisdom and happiness reside within oneself. The song emphasizes shedding emotional burdens, overcoming life's ups and downs ('medu pallam'), and dispelling darkness with the light of truth to achieve personal victory and spiritual harmony.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Alliteration (Tamil: மோனை)
“Unnai kelaai nee yaaru / Unmai kandaar yaar yaaru koorai / Ullakkannaal nee paaraai”
Repetition of the initial sound 'U' across consecutive lines ('Unnai', 'Unmai', 'Ullakkannaal', 'Unnaivendru') creating a melodic rhythmic flow.
Metaphor (Tamil: உருவகம்)
“Manam endra veettai nee dhinam sutham seiyada”
Comparing the mind to a home ('Manam endra veettai') that needs daily cleaning of negative thoughts, and life to a cart/journey ('Vazhkai oru vandi').
Simile (Tamil: உவமை)
“Naththaikul muthu pol / Marathukul vithu pol”
Using 'pol' (like) to compare life's hidden potential to a pearl inside a shell and a seed inside a tree.
Personification
“Ae saalaiyae ae saalaiyae engae pogiraai”
Addressing the road directly ('Ae saalaiyae... engae pogiraai') as if it is a living companion that speaks and communicates.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is the Tamil adaptation of the popular track 'Yun Hi Chala Chala' composed by A. R. Rahman for Ashutosh Gowariker's acclaimed Hindi film 'Swades' (2004), which was dubbed in Tamil as 'Desam'. The lyrics were rewritten in Tamil by legendary poet Vaali, maintaining the philosophical and introspective essence of a road trip song.
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