Unnai Arindhal Nee Unnai Arindhal
What is the most important tool for a person to succeed in life? Money, education, talent, luck? More than all of these, the true driving force is the ability to decide for oneself what is possible and what is not, and to act accordingly.
The mind thinks of thousands of things; desires lakhs; expects crores. But is it possible to achieve all of that? What is one’s strength, what is one’s weakness, what are one’s positives and shortcomings? Clarity about what one can engage in and perform well is absolutely essential.
If a person embarks on an effort without this clarity… it can make his life worthy of mockery.
The reason is that the path to success is rough and uneven—filled with thorns, stones, and shards of glass. One can travel this path only with great effort. The essential tool needed to journey such a path is knowing oneself.
This truth was beautifully and powerfully conveyed by the poet laureate Kannadasan in one of his songs, expressed in a simple yet impactful way that leaves a lasting impression on the listener’s mind.
Set to music by the maestro K. V. Mahadevan, based on the Shankarabharanam raga, and sung with great emotion by T. M. Soundararajan, the song etched itself deeply into the hearts of listeners and remains unforgettable even today.
The song featured in the successful 1964 film "Vettaikaaran", starring Makkal Thilagam M.G.R., and produced by Devar Films.
‘உன்னை அறிந்தால் நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால் உலகத்தில் போராடலாம் உயர்ந்தாலும் தாழ்ந்தாலும் தலை வணங்காமல் நீ வாழலாம்’ - இது பாடலின் பல்லவி.
A fearless mind that boldly faces everything will naturally arise in a person who truly understands himself. So, even if he faces situations that try to pull him down, he will not lose heart.
He clearly knows what he is capable of and what he is not. Therefore, he also knows how to overcome setbacks and lift himself up again.
The poet instills self-confidence by affirming that such a person can live with dignity—without ever bowing his head.
The way the poet skillfully weaves the essence of Thirukkural into simple and elegant lines in the song’s refrain is truly astonishing.
மயிர்நீப்பின் வாழாக் கவரிமான் அன்னார் உயிர்நீப்பர் மானம் வரின்’
Even if it has to lose a single hair from its body, the gaur (a wild bull) would rather give up its life. In the same way, humans who possess noble character will not hesitate to give up their lives if their dignity suffers even the slightest blemish. In the next stanza, Kannadasan conveys the essence of this Thirukkural in a single line, in a way that even the common man can easily understand
மானம் பெரிதென்று வாழும் மனிதர்களை மானென்று சொல்வதில்லையா?’ -என்ற கவிஞர் அடுத்த வரியைப் பல்லவியோடு தொடர்புபடுத்தி இருக்கிறார்.
பல்லவி என்ன? ‘உன்னை அறிந்தால் நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்’ என்பதுதானே. ?
"Alright then… what is the benefit of knowing oneself? Kannadasan places the answer in the final lines of the first stanza: ‘When one understands oneself and speaks for the good of the people, do they not become leaders?’
In the first line of the next stanza too, the poet conveys the essence of a Thirukkural in the simplest manner: A person who follows the moral codes that must be upheld in this world, and lives righteously, will be regarded as equal to the divine beings in the heavens
வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்பவன் வான்உறையும் தெய்வத்துள் வைக்கப் படும்.
It is the idea of this Thirukkural that the great poet Kannadasan conveys as the first thought in the second stanza: ‘Aren’t all those who live righteously on this earth equal to God?’
The next line, ‘Those who understand the needs of others and generously provide—are they not the children of God?’ clearly reveals that this song was written with Makkal Thilagam M.G.R. in mind.
In this way, when a person understands themselves, upholds their dignity, and lives generously on the path of righteousness, fame comes to them naturally. And what kind of fame is that?
If they were to walk into a gathering of the greatest sages, garlands of praise would fall upon their neck. People would proclaim, ‘Is he not gold without impurity?’
With this, the poet concludes the song in the final stanza
மாபெரும் சபைதன்னில் நீ நடந்தால் உனக்கு மாலைகள் விழவேண்டும். ஒரு மாற்றுக்குறையாத மன்னவன் இவன் என்று போற்றிப் புகழ வேண்டும்’ இந்தப் பாடலின் சிறப்பம்சமே அது அமைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் விதம்தான்.
As stated in the final stanza, if one wishes to receive great honor and fame in a grand assembly, what must be done? Read the first three stanzas — the answer will reveal itself naturally.
Why Kannadasan Emphasizes "நீ" (You)
The phrase "நீ உன்னை அறிந்தால்" (Nee Unnai Arindhaal) translates to "If you know yourself".
The "நீ" (You) is emphatic—it places responsibility and agency on the individual.
Kannadasan is urging personal introspection—a shift from blaming the world to understanding oneself.
The repetition of “unnai arindhaal” emphasizes that self-knowledge is not optional—it’s the first step to clarity, peace, and power.
In Tamil poetry and philosophy, this focus on self-awareness is very deliberate. Kannadasan, a deeply spiritual and philosophical lyricist, often intertwined Vedantic and Bhakti themes into his lyrics, even in popular film songs.
Connection to the Bhagavad Gita
There is indeed a philosophical resonance with teachings in the Bhagavad Gita. One relevant shloka is from Chapter 6, Verse 5:
उद्धरेदात्मनाऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥ Uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet, Ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ.
"Let a man lift himself by himself; let him not degrade himself. For the self alone is the friend of the self, and the self alone is the enemy of the self."
This verse teaches:
You must know and elevate yourself.
Self-mastery is the foundation of power and balance.
Your greatest ally or enemy is you—depending on whether you know and govern your inner world.
So, when Kannadasan writes “Nee unnai arindhaal…”, it directly echoes the Gita's emphasis on self-realization as a prerequisite for facing the world.
Philosophical Message in the Song
The lyrics continue to elaborate that if you know yourself:
You can understand the hearts of others ("ulagam adhu unakku illai"),
You won't be afraid of struggles or loss ("nimmadhi varum unakku"),
You can navigate life’s challenges with peace and poise.
Final Thought
Kannadasan was not quoting the Gita directly—but his core idea aligns beautifully with Krishna's spiritual message:
“Conquer yourself before you try to conquer the world.”
His genius lies in embedding such eternal truths in simple, emotional Tamil lines that resonate across time, faiths, and generations.