Unnai Padatha
From Irattai Roja · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Irattai Roja1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
| Male | |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
| En dheviyae en aaviyae | Oh my goddess, oh my soul! |
| Ennaeramum un vaelviyae | At all times, my life is a sacred ritual dedicated to you. |
| Sangeetha dhevathaiyae | Oh goddess of music, |
| Nee indri naan illaiyae | Without you, I do not exist. |
| Male | |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
| Male | |
| Poonguyil paattisaikka | Who taught the cuckoo bird |
| Yaar solli thandhadhu | To compose and sing its melody? |
| Vaan mayil naatiyangal | Who taught the celestial peacock |
| Yaar solli vandhadhu | To perform its divine dance? |
| Yaavaiyum vaan irukkum | It was all bestowed |
| Or dheivam thandhadhu | By the one God who resides in the sky. |
| Vaan urai dheivam endru | And that heavenly deity, |
| Naan unai kandadhu | Is who I saw in you. |
| Male | |
| Ezhaiyin naavil ezhisai gaanam | The song of seven notes on a poor man's tongue, |
| Vaazhndhida naalum poorana njaanam | And complete wisdom to live each day, |
| Naan pera thandhaai naayagiyae | You gave me to possess, oh divine heroine! |
| Naan pera thandhaai naayagiyae | You gave me to possess, oh divine heroine! |
| En dheviyae en aaviyae | Oh my goddess, oh my soul! |
| Sangeetha dhevathaiyae | Oh goddess of music, |
| Nee indri naan illaiyae | Without you, I do not exist. |
| Male | |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
| Male | |
| Odaiyin ul irundhu | In the stream flowing from within, |
| Neer pongum ootrilum | And in the gushing spring of water, |
| Ootradhan mel nadakkum | In the gentle breeze that floats |
| Poonthendral kaatrilum | Over the surface of that spring, |
| Kaatrudan kai anaithu | In the flower dancing arm in arm |
| Koothaadum poovilum | Along with the wind, |
| Naatrisai oor muzhukka | Across all four directions in the town, |
| Naan kaanum yaavilum | In everything that I behold, |
| Male | |
| Thondrida kanden dheviyin roobam | I saw the form of the goddess appear. |
| Ezhaiyin nenjil yaetriya dheepam | You are the lamp lit in this poor man's heart, |
| Naan dhinam paadum keerthanamae | The hymn that I sing every day! |
| Naan dhinam paadum keerthanamae | The hymn that I sing every day! |
| En dheviyae en aaviyae | Oh my goddess, oh my soul! |
| Sangeetha dhevathaiyae | Oh goddess of music, |
| Nee indri naan illaiyae | Without you, I do not exist. |
| Male | |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
| En dheviyae yen aaviyae | Oh my goddess, oh my soul! |
| Sangeetha dhevathaiyae | Oh goddess of music, |
| Nee indri naan illaiyae | Without you, I do not exist. |
| Male | |
| Unnai paadaadha | A tongue that does not sing of you, |
| Naavum oru naavum alla | Is not a tongue at all. |
| Adhai kaelaadha | A heart that does not hear it, |
| Nenjam oru nenjam alla | Is not a heart at all. |
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
என் தேவியே என் ஆவியே
எந்நேரமும் உன் வேள்வியே
சங்கீத தேவதையே
நீ இன்றி நான் இல்லையே
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
At all times, my life is a sacred ritual dedicated to you.
Oh goddess of music,
Without you, I do not exist.
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
பூங்குயில் பாட்டிசைக்க
யார் சொல்லித் தந்தது
வான் மயில் நாட்டியங்கள்
யார் சொல்லி வந்தது
யாவையும் வான் இருக்கும்
ஓர் தெய்வம் தந்தது
வான் உரை தெய்வம் என்று
நான் உனைக் கண்டது
Who taught the cuckoo bird
To compose and sing its melody?
Who taught the celestial peacock
To perform its divine dance?
It was all bestowed
By the one God who resides in the sky.
And that heavenly deity,
Is who I saw in you.
ஏழையின் நாவில் ஏழிசை கானம்
வாழ்ந்திட நாளும் பூரண ஞானம்
நான் பெறத் தந்தாய் நாயகியே
நான் பெறத் தந்தாய் நாயகியே
என் தேவியே என் ஆவியே
சங்கீத தேவதையே
நீ இன்றி நான் இல்லையே
The song of seven notes on a poor man's tongue,
And complete wisdom to live each day,
You gave me to possess, oh divine heroine!
You gave me to possess, oh divine heroine!
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Oh goddess of music,
Without you, I do not exist.
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
ஓடையின் உள் இருந்து
நீர் பொங்கும் ஊற்றிலும்
ஊற்றதன் மேல் நடக்கும்
பூந்தென்றல் காற்றிலும்
காற்றுடன் கை அணைத்து
கூத்தாடும் பூவிலும்
நாற்றிசை ஊர் முழுக்க
நான் காணும் யாவிலும்
In the stream flowing from within,
And in the gushing spring of water,
In the gentle breeze that floats
Over the surface of that spring,
In the flower dancing arm in arm
Along with the wind,
Across all four directions in the town,
In everything that I behold,
தோன்றிடக் கண்டேன் தேவியின் ரூபம்
ஏழையின் நெஞ்சில் ஏற்றிய தீபம்
நான் தினம் பாடும் கீர்த்தனமே
நான் தினம் பாடும் கீர்த்தனமே
என் தேவியே என் ஆவியே
சங்கீத தேவதையே
நீ இன்றி நான் இல்லையே
I saw the form of the goddess appear.
You are the lamp lit in this poor man's heart,
The hymn that I sing every day!
The hymn that I sing every day!
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Oh goddess of music,
Without you, I do not exist.
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
என் தேவியே என் ஆவியே
எந்நேரமும் உன் வேள்வியே
சங்கீத தேவதையே
நீ இன்றி நான் இல்லையே
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Oh goddess of music,
Without you, I do not exist.
உன்னைப் பாடாத
நாவும் ஒரு நாவும் அல்ல
அதைக் கேளாத
நெஞ்சம் ஒரு நெஞ்சம் அல்ல
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Is not a tongue at all.
A heart that does not hear it,
Is not a heart at all.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
En dheviyae en aaviyae
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Ennaeramum un vaelviyae
At all times, my life is a sacred ritual dedicated to you.
Sangeetha dhevathaiyae
Oh goddess of music,
Nee indri naan illaiyae
Without you, I do not exist.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
Poonguyil paattisaikka
Who taught the cuckoo bird
Yaar solli thandhadhu
To compose and sing its melody?
Vaan mayil naatiyangal
Who taught the celestial peacock
Yaar solli vandhadhu
To perform its divine dance?
Yaavaiyum vaan irukkum
It was all bestowed
Or dheivam thandhadhu
By the one God who resides in the sky.
Vaan urai dheivam endru
And that heavenly deity,
Naan unai kandadhu
Is who I saw in you.
Ezhaiyin naavil ezhisai gaanam
The song of seven notes on a poor man's tongue,
Vaazhndhida naalum poorana njaanam
And complete wisdom to live each day,
Naan pera thandhaai naayagiyae
You gave me to possess, oh divine heroine!
Naan pera thandhaai naayagiyae
You gave me to possess, oh divine heroine!
En dheviyae en aaviyae
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Sangeetha dhevathaiyae
Oh goddess of music,
Nee indri naan illaiyae
Without you, I do not exist.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
Odaiyin ul irundhu
In the stream flowing from within,
Neer pongum ootrilum
And in the gushing spring of water,
Ootradhan mel nadakkum
In the gentle breeze that floats
Poonthendral kaatrilum
Over the surface of that spring,
Kaatrudan kai anaithu
In the flower dancing arm in arm
Koothaadum poovilum
Along with the wind,
Naatrisai oor muzhukka
Across all four directions in the town,
Naan kaanum yaavilum
In everything that I behold,
Thondrida kanden dheviyin roobam
I saw the form of the goddess appear.
Ezhaiyin nenjil yaetriya dheepam
You are the lamp lit in this poor man's heart,
Naan dhinam paadum keerthanamae
The hymn that I sing every day!
Naan dhinam paadum keerthanamae
The hymn that I sing every day!
En dheviyae en aaviyae
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Sangeetha dhevathaiyae
Oh goddess of music,
Nee indri naan illaiyae
Without you, I do not exist.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
En dheviyae yen aaviyae
Oh my goddess, oh my soul!
Sangeetha dhevathaiyae
Oh goddess of music,
Nee indri naan illaiyae
Without you, I do not exist.
Unnai paadaadha
A tongue that does not sing of you,
Naavum oru naavum alla
Is not a tongue at all.
Adhai kaelaadha
A heart that does not hear it,
Nenjam oru nenjam alla
Is not a heart at all.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Unnai Paadaadha from Irattai Roja (1996) is a soulful Tamil track expressing intense devotion to music and the beloved, who is venerated as the divine goddess of music (Sangeetha Dhevathai). The protagonist asserts that a tongue which fails to sing her praise or a heart that fails to listen to her melody is devoid of true life. Life itself becomes a continuous sacred sacrifice (vaelvi) performed in her honor. The lyrics beautifully weave nature into this spiritual devotion, noting that the natural melodies of cuckoos, the dances of peacocks, bubbling springs, and wind-swayed blossoms are all reflections of the divine. The speaker sees the deity residing within the beloved, acknowledging her as the light lit inside a poor heart and the holy hymn (keerthanam) recited every day.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar / Refrain Repetition
“Unnai paadaadha / Naavum oru naavum alla”
The opening refrain 'Unnai paadaadha naavum oru naavum alla' is repeated multiple times to reinforce the central theme that speech and emotion are meaningless without praising the divine.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Ezhaiyin naavil ezhisai gaanam / Vaazhndhida naalum poorana njaanam”
The second letter 'zh' (ழ) rhymes across 'Ezhaiyin' and 'Vaazhndhida', giving classical Tamil rhythmic structure.
Monaai (Initial Consonant Alliteration)
“Poonguyil paattisaikka”
The sound 'P' iterates at the beginning of 'Poonguyil' and 'paattisaikka', adding melodic sweetness.
Urvagam (Metaphor)
“En dheviyae en aaviyae / Sangeetha dhevathaiyae”
The subject is metaphorically equated directly to the speaker's soul ('aavi') and the deity of music ('Sangeetha dhevathai').
Did you know?
Trivia
Irattai Roja (1996) was directed by Keyaar and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song using traditional devotional Tamil imagery, blending classical Carnatic music references like 'ezhisai' (seven musical notes) and 'keerthanam' (devotional hymn) into a romantic cinema composition.
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