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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnaithan Kumbitten Unnaiye

From Santhippu · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Santhippu1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Unnaithaan kumbittenI worshiped only you
Unnaiye nambittenI trusted only you
Unnaithaan kumbittenI worshiped only you
Unnaiye nambittenI trusted only you
Naan sonnaa nee konjam keluListen to me for a bit
Ennai pol unnaithaanJust like me, trusting you
Romba per nambithaanSo many people
Ennai pol unnaithaanJust like me, trusting you
Romba per nambithaanSo many people
Vaazhgindraar inge thaan paaruAre living right here, look
Male
Ennaiye nambi irunthaalennaSo what if they depend on me?
Evarukkum naan oru yeniI am a ladder for everyone
En mel yeri uthaithal koodaEven if they climb on me and kick me down
Enakkenna naan oru gnaaniWhat do I care? I am a wise sage
Enakkaa vaazhgiren naanAm I living for myself?
Pirarikke vaazhgirenI live for others
Enakkaa vaazhgiren naanAm I living for myself?
Pirarikke vaazhgirenI live for others
Male
Unnai thaan kumbitteneI worshiped only you
Unnaiye nambittenI trusted only you
Naan yaaru nee sollu saamiYou tell me who I am, Lord
Thumbikkai appaneO elephant-trunked father
Sanmugan annaneBrother of Shanmuga
Nee sonnaa ketkaathu boomiIf you speak, won't the earth listen?
Male
Unnai pola theivam koodaEven a deity like you
Irukkathu anboduWon't have so much affection
Unnai vittu naanum sendraalIf I leave you and go away
Sirikkaathu nam veeduOur house won't smile
Male
Unnai pola theivam koodaEven a deity like you
Irukkathu anboduWon't have so much affection
Unnai vittu naanum sendraalIf I leave you and go away
Sirikkaathu nam veeduOur house won't smile
Male
Unakke theriyum enakkintha naade veeduYou know very well that this nation is my home
Uravenbathoo naalum uzhaikindra kaithaanRelationships are the hands that work every day
Enge irunthaalum enakkenna thondanthaaneWherever I am, service is my duty
Oor vaazhave paadum poonthendral naaneI am the gentle breeze singing for the world to live
Male
Unnaithaan kumbittenI worshiped only you
Unnaiye nambittenI trusted only you
Naan sonnaa nee konjam keluListen to me for a bit
Ennai pol unnaithaanJust like me, trusting you
Romba per nambithaanSo many people
Vaazhgindraar inge thaan paaruAre living right here, look
Male
Thavikkindra nenjaiyellaamFor all suffering hearts
Karai yetrum oadam neeYou are the boat that carries them to shore
Thiyagathin yettil ellaamIn all the books of sacrifice
Pugazh koottum paadam neeYou are the lesson that adds glory
Male
Pathavi perumai itharkaaga vaazhnthenillaiI didn't live for position or pride
Pani seiyyave ennai padaithaale annaiMother created me solely to serve
Ethaiyum sumakkum manam ondru thevan thanthaanGod gave me a heart that can bear anything
Atharkaagave ennai vaazhgendru sonnaalFor that reason she told me to live
Male
Unnaithaan kumbittenI worshiped only you
Unnaiye nambittenI trusted only you
Naan yaaru nee sollu saamiYou tell me who I am, Lord
Thumbikkai appane sanmugan annaneO elephant-trunked father, brother of Shanmuga
Nee sonnaal ketkkathu boomiIf you speak, won't the earth listen?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Unnaithaan Kumbitten from Santhippu (1983) is a deeply emotional and philosophical dialogue song rendered by T.M. Soundarajan and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam. The song highlights themes of selfless service, sacrifice, and deep familial affection. The protagonist compares himself to a ladder for others to rise and a gentle breeze serving the nation, placing duty and devotion above personal ambition or pride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Evarukkum naan oru yeni

Compares the speaker to a ladder ('yeni') that enables everyone to climb high, even if they kick it down afterward.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Karai yetrum oadam nee

Compares the beloved figure/deity to a boat ('oadam') carrying distressed hearts safely to shore.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Unnaithaan kumbitten / Unnaiye nambitten

Matching end sounds 'kumbitten' and 'nambitten' creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Santhippu (1983) featured legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan alongside Prabhu. The music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan brings together legendary vocalists T. M. Soundarajan and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam in a classic multi-generational duet.

Keep listening

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