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Unnal Mudiyum Thambi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Unnal Mudiyum Thambi

From Unnal Mudiyum Thambi · 1988

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
9 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Unnaal mudiyum thambi thambi
Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
Unnaal mudiyum thambi thambi
Ada unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
Tholai uyarthu
Thoongi vizhum naatai ezhuppu
Un tholai uyarthu
Thoongi vizhum naatai ezhuppu
Yedhaiyum mudikkum
Idhayam unnil kanden
Unnaal mudiyum thambi thambi
Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
Naalaiya naatin
Thalaivanum neeyae
Nambikai kondu varuvaayae
Unakenna orr sarithiramae
Ezhudhum kaalam undu
Unnaal mudiyum
Ada unnaal mudiyum
Ahaa unnaal mudiyum
Thambi thambi
Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
Aaagaaya gangai
Kaaindhaalum kaayum
Saaraaya gangai kaayaadhada
Aalvoargal podum sattangal yaavum
Kaasulla pakkam paayadhada
Kudichavan bodhaiyil nippaan
Kudumbathai veedhiyil vaippaan
Thadupadhu yaar endru
Konjam nee keladaa
Kallu kadai kaasilae dhaanda
Katchi kodi yerudhu poda
Kallu kadai kaasilae dhaanda
Katchi kodi yerudhu poda
Mannodu pogaamal
Nam naadu thirundha cheiyanum
Unnaal mudiyum
Ada unnaal mudiyum
Ahaa unnaal mudiyum
Thambi thambi
Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
Kaloori palli illadha oorai
Kaiyodu indrae thee mootuvom
Kalladha pergal illadha naadu
Nam naadu endrae naam maatruvom
Irukira kovilai ellaam
Padikira palligal seivom
Arivenum gopuram angae
Naam kaanuvom
Vaanam ungal kaigalil undu
Gnyanam ungal nenjinil undu
Vaanam ungal kaigalil undu
Gnyanam ungal nenjinil undu
Naan endru ennamal
Naam endru uravu kollanum
………………………………………
Unnaal mudiyum
Ada unnaal mudiyum
Ahaa unnaal mudiyum
Thambi thambi
Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
Tholai uyarthu
Thoongi vizhum naatai ezhuppu
Un tholai uyarthu
Thoongi vizhum naatai ezhuppu
Yedhaiyum mudikkum
Idhayam unnil kanden
Unnaal mudiyum thambi thambi
Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi
You can do it, my brother, my brother!
Believe in the self inside you!
You can do it, my brother, my brother!
Oh, believe in the self inside you!
Lift your shoulders high!
Wake up this sleeping nation!
Lift your shoulders high!
Wake up this sleeping nation!
A heart that can achieve anything,
I see inside you!
You can do it, my brother, my brother!
Believe in the self inside you!
For tomorrow's nation,
you are the leader!
Step forward with confidence!
There is a time for you
to write history!
You can do it!
Oh, you can do it!
Ah, you can do it!
Brother, my brother!
Believe in the self inside you!
Even if the heavenly river Ganges
happens to run dry,
this river of liquor will never run dry!
All the laws made by the rulers
never strike against the rich!
The drunkard stands in a stupor,
leaving his family out on the street!
Who is there to stop this?
Just ask yourself!
It is only with money from the liquor shop
that party flags fly high!
It is only with money from the liquor shop
that party flags fly high!
Without letting it turn to ruin,
we must set our country right!
You can do it!
Oh, you can do it!
Ah, you can do it!
Brother, my brother!
Believe in the self inside you!
Any town without a school or college,
let us set on fire right away!
A land with no uneducated people—
let us make our country into that!
Let us turn all the temples that exist
into schools for learning!
A tower of wisdom, right there,
is what we will see!
The sky is in your hands,
wisdom is in your heart!
The sky is in your hands,
wisdom is in your heart!
Without thinking only of 'I',
we must unite as 'we'!
...
You can do it!
Oh, you can do it!
Ah, you can do it!
Brother, my brother!
Believe in the self inside you!
Lift your shoulders high!
Wake up this sleeping nation!
Lift your shoulders high!
Wake up this sleeping nation!
A heart that can achieve anything,
I see inside you!
You can do it, my brother, my brother!
Believe in the self inside you!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic Tamil anthem serves as a powerful call to action aimed at the youth, urging them to recognize their inner potential and take responsibility for societal transformation. The lyricist addresses the younger generation, calling upon them to awaken a dormant nation through self-belief, unity, and moral strength. The song fiercely critiques socio-political evils, particularly the widespread prevalence of alcoholism and political opportunism funded by liquor revenues.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Unnaal mudiyum thambi thambi / Unakkul irukkum unnai nambi

Matching second consonants across lines, creating rhythm ('Unnaal' / 'Unakkul' and 'Tholai' / 'Thoongi').

Moonaai (Head alliteration)

Tholai uyarthu / Thoongi vizhum naatai ezhuppu

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds in consecutive words ('Tholai' / 'Thoongi').

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Saaraaya gangai kaayaadhada / Arivenum gopuram angae naam kaanuvom

Comparing alcohol to an undying river ('Saaraaya gangai') and knowledge to a temple tower ('Arivenum gopuram').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Unnal Mudiyum Thambi' (1988) directed by K. Balachander was inspired by the Telugu film 'Rudraveena'. The song features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with vocals by K. J. Yesudas, serving as the central ideological pillar of the film.

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