Unthan Desathin Kural
From Desam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- A. R. Rahman
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Desam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Undhan desathin kural | The voice of your nation |
| Tholaithoorathil atho | Far away in the distance, look |
| Seviyil vilaathaa… | Does it not fall on your ears? |
| Sontha veedu unnai | Your own home is calling you, |
| Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila | Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian! |
| Male | |
| Antha naatkalai ninai | Think of those old days |
| Avai neenguma unai | Will they ever leave you? |
| Nilal pol varathaa… | Won't they follow you like a shadow? |
| Ayal naadu unthan | A foreign country is not your home, |
| Veedalla viduthiyada tamila | It is merely a lodge, O Tamilian! |
| Male | |
| Vaanam engum paranthaalum | No matter how far a bird flies in the sky, |
| Paravai endrum than kootil | Its heart belongs to its nest. |
| Ulagum engum vazhnthaalum | No matter where in the world he lives, |
| Tamilan endrum thaai naatil | A Tamilian belongs in his motherland. |
| Male | |
| Santharpangal vainthaalum | Even if opportunities arise, |
| Angu selva maram kaithaalum | And trees of wealth yield fruit there, |
| Ull manathin kooval unthan | The call from deep within your heart, |
| Seviyil vilaathaa | Does it not reach your ears? |
| Male | |
| Undhan desathin kural | The voice of your nation |
| Tholaithoorathil atho | Far away in the distance, look |
| Seviyil vilaathaa… | Does it not fall on your ears? |
| Sontha veedu unnai | Your own home is calling you, |
| Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila | Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian! |
| Chorus | |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Male | |
| Gangai unai alaikirathu | The Ganges calls you |
| Yamunai unai alaikirathu | The Yamuna calls you |
| Imayam unai alaikirathu | The Himalayas call you |
| Pala samayam unnai alaikirathu | Many memories call you time and again |
| Male | |
| Kannamoochi aatam alaika | The game of hide-and-seek calls you |
| Chinna pattam poochi kootam alaika | The swarm of tiny butterflies calls you |
| Thennam thoppu thuravugal alaika | The coconut groves and deep wells call you |
| Katti kaatha uravugal alaika | The family relations protected with care call you |
| Male | |
| Nee thaan thinna | The moonlit rice meal that |
| Nila soru thaan alaika | You used to eat calls you |
| Male | |
| Undhan desathin kural | The voice of your nation |
| Tholaithoorathil atho | Far away in the distance, look |
| Seviyil vilaathaa… | Does it not fall on your ears? |
| Sontha veedu unnai | Your own home is calling you, |
| Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila | Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian! |
| Chorus | |
| {Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | {Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm} (2) | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm} (2) |
| Male | |
| Paal pola ulla vennilavu | Even the milk-like white moon |
| Paarthal siru karai irukku | Has a tiny spot when you look closely |
| Malar pol ulla thaai mannil | Like a flower, in our motherland, |
| Maaratha sila vali irukkum | There are some unhealing pains |
| Male | |
| Kanneer thudaika vendum | Your hands must wipe away those tears |
| Unthan kaigal | With your hands, |
| Athil selikka vendum unmaigal | Truths must flourish there |
| Intha desam uyarattum unnalae | Let this nation rise because of you |
| Makkal kootam varattum un pinnalae | Let the crowds follow behind you |
| Anbu thaaiyin madi unai alaikuthae tamila | The loving mother's lap calls you, O Tamilian! |
| Male | |
| Undhan desathin kural | The voice of your nation |
| Tholaithoorathil atho | Far away in the distance, look |
| Seviyil vilaathaa… | Does it not fall on your ears? |
| Sontha veedu unnai | Your own home is calling you, |
| Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila | Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian! |
| Chorus | |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm |
| Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm ..mmm | Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm ..mmm |
உந்தன் தேசத்தின் குரல்
தொலை தூரத்தில் அதோ
செவியில் விழாதா
சொந்த வீடு உன்னை
வாவென்று அழைக்குதடா தமிழா
The voice of your nation
Far away in the distance, look
Does it not fall on your ears?
Your own home is calling you,
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
அந்த நாட்களை நினை
அவை நீங்குமா உனை
நிழல் போல் வராதா
அயல் நாடு உந்தன்
வீடல்ல விடுதியடா தமிழா
Think of those old days
Will they ever leave you?
Won't they follow you like a shadow?
A foreign country is not your home,
It is merely a lodge, O Tamilian!
வானம் எங்கும் பறந்தாலும்
பறவை என்றும் தன் கூட்டில்
உலகம் எங்கும் வாழ்ந்தாலும்
தமிழன் என்றும் தாய் நாட்டில்
No matter how far a bird flies in the sky,
Its heart belongs to its nest.
No matter where in the world he lives,
A Tamilian belongs in his motherland.
சந்தர்ப்பங்கள் வாயிந்தாலும்
அங்கு செல்வ மரம் காய்த்தாலும்
உள் மனத்தின் கூவல்
உந்தன் செவியில் விழாதா
Even if opportunities arise,
And trees of wealth yield fruit there,
The call from deep within your heart,
Does it not reach your ears?
உந்தன் தேசத்தின் குரல்
தொலை தூரத்தில் அதோ
செவியில் விழாதா
சொந்த வீடு உன்னை
வாவென்று அழைக்குதடா தமிழா
The voice of your nation
Far away in the distance, look
Does it not fall on your ears?
Your own home is calling you,
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
.....................................
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
கங்கை உன்னை அழைக்கிறது
யமுனை உன்னை அழைக்கிறது
இமயம் உன்னை அழைக்கிறது
பல சமயம் உன்னை அழைக்கிறது
The Ganges calls you
The Yamuna calls you
The Himalayas call you
Many memories call you time and again
கண்ணாமூச்சி ஆட்டம் அழைக்க
சின்ன பட்டாம்பூச்சி கூட்டம் அழைக்க
தென்னம் தோப்பு துறவுகள் அழைக்க
கட்டி காத்த உறவுகள் அழைக்க
நீ தான் தின்ன நிலா சோறு தான் அழைக்க
The game of hide-and-seek calls you
The swarm of tiny butterflies calls you
The coconut groves and deep wells call you
The family relations protected with care call you
உந்தன் தேசத்தின் குரல்
தொலை தூரத்தில் அதோ
செவியில் விழாதா
சொந்த வீடு உன்னை
வாவென்று அழைக்குதடா தமிழா
The moonlit rice meal that
You used to eat calls you
....................................
The voice of your nation
Far away in the distance, look
Does it not fall on your ears?
Your own home is calling you,
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
பால் போல உள்ள வெண்ணிலவு
பார்த்தால் சிறு கரை இருக்கு
மலர் போல் உள்ள தாய் மண்ணில்
மாறாத சில வலி இருக்கு
{Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm} (2)
கண்ணீர் துடைக்க வேண்டும்
உந்தன் கைகள்
அதில் செழிக்க வேண்டும்
உண்மைகள்
இந்த தேசம் உயரட்டும் உன்னாலே
மக்கள் கூட்டம் வரட்டும் உன் பின்னாலே
அன்பு தாயின் மடி
உன்னை அழைக்குதே தமிழா
Even the milk-like white moon
Has a tiny spot when you look closely
Like a flower, in our motherland,
There are some unhealing pains
உந்தன் தேசத்தின் குரல்
தொலை தூரத்தில் அதோ
செவியில் விழாதா
சொந்த வீடு உன்னை
வாவென்று அழைக்குதடா தமிழா
Your hands must wipe away those tears
With your hands,
Truths must flourish there
Let this nation rise because of you
Let the crowds follow behind you
The loving mother's lap calls you, O Tamilian!
...................................
The voice of your nation
Far away in the distance, look
Does it not fall on your ears?
Your own home is calling you,
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm ..mmm
Undhan desathin kural
The voice of your nation
Tholaithoorathil atho
Far away in the distance, look
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Does it not fall on your ears?
Sontha veedu unnai
Your own home is calling you,
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
Antha naatkalai ninai
Think of those old days
Avai neenguma unai
Will they ever leave you?
Nilal pol varathaa…
Won't they follow you like a shadow?
Ayal naadu unthan
A foreign country is not your home,
Veedalla viduthiyada tamila
It is merely a lodge, O Tamilian!
Vaanam engum paranthaalum
No matter how far a bird flies in the sky,
Paravai endrum than kootil
Its heart belongs to its nest.
Ulagum engum vazhnthaalum
No matter where in the world he lives,
Tamilan endrum thaai naatil
A Tamilian belongs in his motherland.
Santharpangal vainthaalum
Even if opportunities arise,
Angu selva maram kaithaalum
And trees of wealth yield fruit there,
Ull manathin kooval unthan
The call from deep within your heart,
Seviyil vilaathaa
Does it not reach your ears?
Undhan desathin kural
The voice of your nation
Tholaithoorathil atho
Far away in the distance, look
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Does it not fall on your ears?
Sontha veedu unnai
Your own home is calling you,
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Gangai unai alaikirathu
The Ganges calls you
Yamunai unai alaikirathu
The Yamuna calls you
Imayam unai alaikirathu
The Himalayas call you
Pala samayam unnai alaikirathu
Many memories call you time and again
Kannamoochi aatam alaika
The game of hide-and-seek calls you
Chinna pattam poochi kootam alaika
The swarm of tiny butterflies calls you
Thennam thoppu thuravugal alaika
The coconut groves and deep wells call you
Katti kaatha uravugal alaika
The family relations protected with care call you
Nee thaan thinna
The moonlit rice meal that
Nila soru thaan alaika
You used to eat calls you
Undhan desathin kural
The voice of your nation
Tholaithoorathil atho
Far away in the distance, look
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Does it not fall on your ears?
Sontha veedu unnai
Your own home is calling you,
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
{Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
{Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm} (2)
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm} (2)
Paal pola ulla vennilavu
Even the milk-like white moon
Paarthal siru karai irukku
Has a tiny spot when you look closely
Malar pol ulla thaai mannil
Like a flower, in our motherland,
Maaratha sila vali irukkum
There are some unhealing pains
Kanneer thudaika vendum
Your hands must wipe away those tears
Unthan kaigal
With your hands,
Athil selikka vendum unmaigal
Truths must flourish there
Intha desam uyarattum unnalae
Let this nation rise because of you
Makkal kootam varattum un pinnalae
Let the crowds follow behind you
Anbu thaaiyin madi unai alaikuthae tamila
The loving mother's lap calls you, O Tamilian!
Undhan desathin kural
The voice of your nation
Tholaithoorathil atho
Far away in the distance, look
Seviyil vilaathaa…
Does it not fall on your ears?
Sontha veedu unnai
Your own home is calling you,
Vaa vendru alaikuthuda tamila
Come back, it calls out to you, O Tamilian!
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm
Hmmm…mmm..mmm…mmm ..mmm
Hmmm...mmm..mmm...mmm ..mmm
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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