Vairamuthu’s ‘Unnai Paarthu’ from the album ‘Naatpadu Theral 2’ features Augaath’s percussive composition. Shankar Mahadevan delivers this spoken-word piece on irrational public judgment with deliberate pacing.
Released: June 5, 2022
Unnai Paarthu
Shankar Mahadevan | Vairamuthu • From “Naatpadu Theral 2”
What is the meaning of Unnai Paarthu Lyrics from Naatpadu Theral 2?
Vairamuthu lists contradictory critiques: simplicity becomes ‘village roots,’ formality becomes ‘educational pride.’ His refrain states both ‘that way is wrong’ and ‘this way is wrong’ as unavoidable truths.
Unnai Parthu Ulagam KuraikkumThe world barks when it sees you.
Thannanbikkai Thalara VidatheDon’t let your self-confidence waver.
Rettai Pechu Pesum UlagamThe world speaks with a double tongue.
Mirattum Thambhi Mirandu VidatheIt’ll try to scare you, brother, but don’t be afraid.
Ovvoru Vayilum Ottrai NakkuEvery mouth has a single tongue,
Ulagin Vayil Rettai Nakkubut the world’s mouth has two.
Enakku Nerndha Izhamozhi EllamAll the insults that were thrown at me,
Unaku Solgiren Ullathil EzhuthuI’m telling you now; etch them in your heart.
Ezhuthu Ehzuthu EzhuthuWrite it down, write it down, write it down.
Ezhuthu Ehzuthu EzhuthuWrite it down, write it down, write it down.
Innisai Thamizhai Elimai SeidhenI simplified the musical Tamil language.
Ilakkiyam Illai Legiyam EndrathuThey said it’s not literature, but just a ‘remedy paste’.
Thirai Pattukkul Sendhamizh SeidhenI brought classical Tamil into film songs.
Parimelazhagarai Varasol EndrathuThey told me to go call ‘Parimelazhagar’ (the great scholar).
Ho Kurunthogai Kamban Kotti MoozhginenI immersed myself in the works of Kamban and the ‘Kurunthogai’ classics.
Kundu Sattiyil Kudhirai EndrathuThey called me a ‘horse running inside a small pot’.
Eliyat Neruda Ellam SonnenI spoke of Eliot and Neruda too.
Thiramai Ellam Thirudiya ThendrathuThey said all my talent was just stolen.
Thirudiya Thendrathu Thirudiya ThendrathuThey said it was stolen, they said it was stolen.
Thirudiya Thendrathu Thirudiya ThendrathuThey said it was stolen, they said it was stolen.
Appadi Irundhal Adhuvum ThappuIf you’re like that, it’s considered wrong.
Ippadi Irundhal Idhuvum ThappuIf you’re like this, it’s also considered wrong.
Kaththum Naikku Karanam VendamA barking dog doesn’t need a reason.
Than Nizhal Parthu Thane Kuraikkum KuraikkumIt’ll just bark at its own shadow.
Eliya Thottrame Iyalbena IrundhenI kept a simple appearance as my natural self.
Vaduga Patti Vazhiyudhu EndrathuThey said my ‘village roots’ were showing too much.
Azhagai Nanaum Adaigal KondenWhen I dressed myself up in style,
Kazhuthaikkuedharkku Kanmai Endrathuthey asked why a ‘donkey’ needs eye-liner.
Medaiyil Kalmel KalittamarndhenWhen I sat cross-legged on the stage,
Paditha Thimirthan Panivillai Endrathuthey said it’s the pride of education and a lack of humility.
Moothavar Vandhadhum Mudhalil EzhundhenWhen an elder arrived and I was the first to stand,
Kavigan Nalla Kakka Endrathuthey said the poet is just a good ‘sycophant’.
Appadi Irundhal Adhuvum ThappuIf you’re like that, it’s considered wrong.
Ippadi Irundhal Idhuvum ThappuIf you’re like this, it’s also considered wrong.
Kaththum Naikku Karanam VendamA barking dog doesn’t need a reason.
Than Nizhal Parthu Thane Kuraikkum KuraikkumIt’ll just bark at its own shadow.
Mattravar Soozhchiyal Mannil VizhunthenI fell to the ground because of others’ conspiracies.
Puthi Kozhuthavan Pudhainthan EndrathuThey said the ‘arrogant man’ has finally been buried.
Moochu Piditha Mutti MulaithenWhen I held my breath and fought back to sprout again,
Thandhirakaran Thalli Nil Endrathuthey said ‘He’s a manipulator, stay away from him’.
Pagaiayi Kandu Paiya NagarndhenWhen I saw my enemy and moved away slowly,
Payandhu Vittan Pavam Endrathuthey said ‘Poor thing, he’s gotten scared’.
Modhi Midhithu Mugathil UmildhenWhen I clashed, trampled, and spat in their face,
Vilangi Vittadha Mirugam Endrathuthey asked ‘Has the beast finally broken free?’
Uyarndhor Perumai Uvandhu PugazhndhenI took pleasure in praising the greatness of the noble.
Kadhil Poo Vaikkiran Kavanam EndrathuThey said ‘Be careful, he’s just trying to fool you’.
Viral Nagatahlavu Vimarsanam SeidhenWhen I offered a tiny bit of criticism,
Arival Edukkiran Abathu Endrathuthey said ‘He’s picking up a weapon, it’s dangerous’.
Punathil Porulil Pattattru IrundhenI remained detached from wealth and material things.
Varumaiyin Vindhil Pirandhavan EndrathuThey said ‘He was born from the seed of poverty’.
Ennai Theithu Mandapam KattinenWhen I worked hard to build a grand hall,
Pulavan Illai Poorshva Endrathuthey said ‘He’s not a poet, he’s just a bourgeois’.
Sondha Peril Thuli Nilam IllaiWhen I didn’t own even a tiny piece of land in my name,
Ivana Mannin Maindhan Endrathuthey asked ‘Is this guy really a son of this soil?’
Thennai Marangal Thedi VanginenWhen I went out and bought coconut groves,
Pannaiyar Anan Pavalan Endrathuthey said ‘The poet has now become a landlord’.
Kayavar Kettal Kasu MaruthenWhen wicked people asked, I refused to give money.
Karakka Mudiyadha Kanjan EndrathuThey called me an ‘unyielding miser’.
Unmai Irundhal Urupporul KoduthenWhen I saw truth, I gave something of value.
Udhiri Thiriyum Oodhari EndrathuThey called me a ‘wandering wastrel’.
Appadi Irundhal Adhuvum ThappuIf you’re like that, it’s considered wrong.
Ippadi Irundhal Idhuvum ThappuIf you’re like this, it’s also considered wrong.
Kaththum Naikku Karanam VendamA barking dog doesn’t need a reason.
Than Nizhal Parthu Thane Kuraikkum KuraikkumIt’ll just bark at its own shadow.
Mangaiyaridaiye Maunam KathenI maintained silence while among women.
Kavingen Endra Karvar EndrathuThey said ‘He’s just an arrogant poet’.
Pengal Silarudan Pesa ThodanginenWhen I started talking with a few women,
Kangalai Kavani Kamam Endrathuthey said ‘Look at his eyes, it’s just lustful intent’.
Hmm Virudhugal Kaluthil Veezha KandenI saw awards being placed around my neck.
Kuruttu Adhirstam Koodiya ThendrathuThey said ‘It’s just a case of blind luck’.
Mendum Meednum Virudhugal KondenWhen I kept receiving awards again and again,
Dilliyil Yaraiyoo Theriyum Endrathuthey said ‘He must know someone important in Delhi’.
Dhisaigal Thorum Thedhi KoduthenI gave my time and dates in every direction.
Aiyoo Pugalukku Alaigiran EndrathuThey said ‘Oh, look how he’s wandering for fame’.
Nera Kuaraivu Niruthi KondenWhen I stopped because of a lack of time,
Kanakku Parkkiran Kavingan Endrathuthey said ‘This poet is calculating every move’.
Appadi Irundhal Adhuvum ThappuIf you’re like that, it’s considered wrong.
Ippadi Irundhal Idhuvum ThappuIf you’re like this, it’s also considered wrong.
Kaththum Naikku Karanam VendamA barking dog doesn’t need a reason.
Than Nizhal Parthu Thane Kuraikkum KuraikkumIt’ll just bark at its own shadow.
Ulagin Vaiyai Thaithidu AlladhuEither sew the world’s mouth shut,
Irandu Sevigalai Irukki Moodiduor close both of your ears tightly.
Ulagin Vaiyai Thaipathu KadinamSewing the world’s mouth shut is difficult,
Undhan Sevigal Mooduthal Sulabambut closing your own ears is easy.
Unnai Paarthu Music Video
Public figures face baseless scrutiny according to the ‘Unnai Paarthu’ lyrics translation. Vairamuthu advises closing one’s ears since silencing critics proves impossible.