Rhythmic Kathak syllables introduce “Unnai Kaanadhu Naan” from the album Vishwaroopam. Kamal Haasan and Shankar Mahadevan perform this devotional piece. The song establishes a classical setting for an all-consuming love story starring Haasan and Pooja Kumar.
Released: January 10, 2015
Unnai Kaanadhu Naan
Kamal Haasan | Shankar Mahadevan • From “Vishwaroopam”
Vishwaroopam’s Unnai Kaanadhu Naan Lyrics Translation
Kamal Haasan’s lyrics directly state that without seeing the beloved, “I cease to exist.” This idea intensifies with a plea to be worn like a garment, a request for complete union. The devotion is presented as absolute, drawing on the imagery of Radha’s pining for Krishna.
Dhaga Dhaga DhagaDhaga Dhaga Dhaga
Dhina Dhina DhinaDhina Dhina Dhina
Naga Naga NagaNaga Naga Naga
Thikita Dhaana Dhaana DhaanaThikita Dhaana Dhaana Dhaana
Thikkita Thikkita Thakinna DhaanaThikkita Thikkita Thakinna Dhaana
Thaakudu DhaanaThaakudu Dhaana
Thikkitu Thakkata Dhi Dhi DhiThikkitu Thakkata Dhi Dhi Dhi
Dhaanu Dhaanu GenthananaDhaanu Dhaanu Genthanana
Dhaanu Dhaanu GenthananaDhaanu Dhaanu Genthanana
Dhaanu Dhaanu GenthananaDhaanu Dhaanu Genthanana
Adhinavaneetha AbhinayarajaO king of dance who loves fresh butter,
Gokulabaala KotiprakashaO child of Gokul, radiant as a million suns.
Viraga Naraga Shree Rakshaka MaalaYou’re the sacred garland that saves me from the hell of longing.
Ethanai Murai Naan Yengi SaavenHow many more times must I die from this yearning?
Idhavanai Ennai AatkolvaayaaO gracious one, will you accept me as your own?
Soodiya Vaadalai Soodiya VaaCome, wearing the faded garland I once wore.
Kalavaadiya Sindhai ThirumbaathaThe mind that you stole has not returned.
Bhoothagiyaaga PanithiduvaayaaWill you let me serve you like a devoted spirit?
Paavai Viragam ParugiduvaayaaWill you drink the longing of this maiden?
Aayar Tham Maaya Nee VaaO illusionist of the Aayar clan, please come.
Maaya MaayaO magical one, magical one.
Aayar Tham Maaya Nee VaaO illusionist of the Aayar clan, please come.
Maaya MaayaO magical one, magical one.
Aayar Tham Maaya Nee VaaO illusionist of the Aayar clan, please come.
Maaya Maaya HaanO magical one, magical one, ah.
Unnai KaanadhuWithout seeing you,
Naan Indru Naan IllaiyeToday, I cease to exist.
Vidhai Illaamal VerillaiyeWithout a seed, there can be no root.
Unnai KaanadhuWithout seeing you,
Naan Indru Naan IllaiyeToday, I cease to exist.
Vidhai Illaamal VerillaiyeWithout a seed, there can be no root.
Maaya Thirudan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the magical thief,
Kaama Kalaignan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the artist of desire.
Maaya Thirudan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the magical thief,
Kaama Kalaignan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the artist of desire.
Krishna AaaKrishna… ah…
Unnai KaanadhuWithout seeing you,
Naan Indru Naan IllaiyeToday, I cease to exist.
Vidhai Illaamal VerillaiyeWithout a seed, there can be no root.
Nidham Kaankindra Vaan Kooda NijamallaEven the sky I see each day isn’t real.
Idham Serkkum Kanaa Kooda Sugam AllaEven a pleasant dream brings no comfort.
Nee Illaamal Naan IllaiyeWithout you, I don’t exist.
Unnai KaanaamalWithout seeing you,
Unnai KaanaamalWithout seeing you,
Unnai KaanaamalWithout seeing you,
Unnai KaanaamalWithout seeing you.
Ga Ma Da Ni Sa Ni Da Pa MaGa Ma Da Ni Sa Ni Da Pa Ma
Ga Ma Ni Ga Ri SaGa Ma Ni Ga Ri Sa
Unnai KaanaamalWithout seeing you,
Pen Nenju ThadumaarutheA woman’s heart stumbles and falters.
Vidhai Illaamal VerillaiyeWithout a seed, there can be no root.
Nalina Mogana Shyaamala RangaO beautiful, enchanting, dark-skinned Ranga,
Dheem Dheem Kadathaga DhinnaDheem Dheem Kadathaga Dhinna.
Nadana Baava Sruthilaya GangaYou are a river of expression, rhythm, and melody.
Kadathagathin Dheem DheennaKadathagathin Dheem Dheenna.
Sarivara Thoongaathu VaadumI wither away without proper sleep.
Anudhinam Unakkaaga YengumI yearn for you every single day.
Raadhaa Naan UnakkenaI am Radha, just for you.
Raadhaa Thaan UnakoruThis Radha is for you,
Raadhaa ThaanThis Radha is.
Avvaaru NokkinaalIf you look at me that way,
Evvaaru NaanuvenHow can I possibly bear it?
Kannaadi Mun NindruI stood before a mirror,
Paarthu KondenAnd watched myself.
Ondraaga SeithidaTo make us one,
Oru Nooru NaadagamI imagined a hundred dramas.
Othigaigal SeidhuI rehearsed them all,
Edhir Paarthu IrundhenAnd I waited in anticipation.
Edhir Paaraamale AvanUnexpectedly, he came.
Edhir Paaraamale AvanUnexpectedly, he came.
Ohoo Pin Irundhu Vandhu EnnaiOh, coming from behind,
Bambaramaai Sulatri VittuHe spun me around like a top.
Ulagunda Peru Vaayil EndhanAnd with that great mouth that swallowed the universe,
Vaayodu Vaai PathithaanHe pressed his lips against mine.
Ingu Bhoologam Endru Oru Porul UllathaiThat a thing called the Earthly world existed here,
Indha Poongothai Maranthaal AdiThis flower-like girl completely forgot, my friend.
Udalanindha Aadai PolLike the clothes worn on your body,
Enai Anindhu KolvaayaaWill you wear me?
Ini Nee Ini Nee Ee KannaFrom now on, it’s you, only you, O Krishna.
Thoongaadha En KanninFrom my sleepless eyes,
Thuyiluritha Kannan ThaanIt was Krishna who stole the sleep.
Ini Nee Ini Nee EeeFrom now on, it’s you, only you.
Idhu Neraamale NaanIf this never happened,
Unnai Paaraamale NaanIf I had never seen you,
Indha Muzhu Jenmam Poi IrundhaalIf this entire life had been a lie…
Endru Adhai EnniInstead of dwelling on that,
Veen Yekkam YengaamaleAnd pining with useless longing,
Unnai Moochaaki VaazhvenadaI will make you my very breath and live.
Maaya Thirudan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the magical thief,
Kaama Kalaignan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the artist of desire.
Maaya Thirudan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the magical thief,
Kaama Kalaignan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the artist of desire.
Maaya Thirudan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the magical thief,
Kaama Kalaignan Kanna KannaO Krishna, the artist of desire.
Unnai Kaanadhu Naan Music Video
The song equates devotion with a total loss of individual identity. Every line reinforces that one’s existence depends entirely on the other person. This “Unnai Kaanadhu Naan” lyrics meaning shows a spiritual crisis framed as a love song.