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Isaimozhi
Desam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Unthan Desathin Kural

From Desam · 2002

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
A. R. Rahman
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Desam
Movie release year
2002
Lyrics added on
24 Aug 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Undhan desathin kural
Tholaithoorathil atho
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Sontha veedu unnai
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Antha naatkalai ninai
Avai neenguma unai
Nilal pol varathaa…
Ayal naadu unthan
Veedalla viduthiyada tamila
Vaanam engum paranthaalum
Paravai endrum than kootil
Ulagum engum vazhnthaalum
Tamilan endrum thaai naatil
Santharpangal vainthaalum
Angu selva maram kaithaalum
Ull manathin kooval unthan
Seviyil vilaathaa
Undhan desathin kural
Tholaithoorathil atho
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Sontha veedu unnai
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Gangai unai alaikirathu
Yamunai unai alaikirathu
Imayam unai alaikirathu
Pala samayam unnai alaikirathu
Kannamoochi aatam alaika
Chinna pattam poochi kootam alaika
Thennam thoppu thuravugal alaika
Katti kaatha uravugal alaika
Nee thaan thinna
Nila soru thaan alaika
Undhan desathin kural
Tholaithoorathil atho
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Sontha veedu unnai
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
{Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm} (2)
Paal pola ulla vennilavu
Paarthal siru karai irukku
Malar pol ulla thaai mannil
Maaratha sila vali irukkum
Kanneer thudaika vendum
Unthan kaigal
Athil selikka vendum unmaigal
Intha desam uyarattum unnalae
Makkal kootam varattum un pinnalae
Anbu thaaiyin madi unai alaikuthae tamila
Undhan desathin kural
Tholaithoorathil atho
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Sontha veedu unnai
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm ..mmm
The voice of your homeland,
from far across the distance—
can't you hear it?
Your own home
is calling you back, "Come home, O Tamilian!"
Remember those past days—
will they ever leave you?
Won't they follow you like a shadow?
A foreign land
is not your home, it is just an inn, O Tamilian!
No matter how far across the sky it flies,
a bird always returns to its nest.
Wherever he may live in the world,
a Tamilian always belongs in his motherland.
Even if great opportunities come your way,
even if trees of wealth bear fruit over there,
the cry of your inner soul—
doesn't it reach your ears?
The voice of your homeland,
from far across the distance—
can't you hear it?
Your own home
is calling you back, "Come home, O Tamilian!"
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
The Ganga calls out to you,
the Yamuna calls out to you,
the Himalayas call out to you,
the many faiths call out to you.
The game of hide-and-seek calls you,
a flutter of little butterflies calls you,
the coconut groves and garden wells call you,
the loved ones who protected and raised you call you,
and for you to eat,
the moonlit meals call out to you.
The voice of your homeland,
from far across the distance—
can't you hear it?
Your own home
is calling you back, "Come home, O Tamilian!"
{Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm} (2)
Even the bright moon, pure as milk,
has a tiny spot if you look closely.
In this motherland tender as a flower,
there may still be some lingering pain.
Those tears must be wiped away
by your hands,
and truth must flourish there.
Let this country rise because of you,
let crowds of people follow in your path!
The loving mother's lap is calling you, O Tamilian!
The voice of your homeland,
from far across the distance—
can't you hear it?
Your own home
is calling you back, "Come home, O Tamilian!"
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm
Mmm... mm.. mm... mm ..mm
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful patriotic track urges the Tamil diaspora living abroad to return to their motherland. It reminds listeners that regardless of material prosperity or status achieved in a foreign country, a foreign land remains merely a temporary lodge rather than a true home. The song appeals to nostalgia by invoking vivid imagery of childhood memories, native rivers, games, and familial bonds. Ultimately, it emphasizes that despite the imperfections and challenges faced by the motherland, it is the duty of its skilled children to return, wipe away its tears, and lead it toward growth and prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Nilal pol varathaa...”

Compares memories constantly lingering with a person to a shadow that follows everywhere.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Ayal naadu unthan Veedalla viduthiyada tamila”

Compares living in a foreign country to residing in a temporary lodge ('viduthi') rather than a true home.

Analogy

“Paal pola ulla vennilavu Paarthal siru karai irukku”

Compares the imperfections in the motherland to the spot on the moon, emphasizing acceptance and the drive to bring improvement.

Did you know?

Trivia

Desam (2004 release dubbed from the 2004 Hindi film Swades) features music composed by A. R. Rahman. This song corresponds to the iconic Hindi track 'Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera', originally sung by A. R. Rahman himself, with lyrics translated into Tamil by the legendary poet Vaali.

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