(Translation on request for MS)
Thambi, a retired octogenarian and widower, lives in his ancestral home along with some helpers. He enjoys silly jokes and spends evenings playing cards with his friends. He gets a letter from his grandson Bhasi aka Pachu, a final year medical student in Bangalore. Pachu is planning to spend his summer vacation with a few of his friends at his granddad’s place. Thambi is really excited about Pachu’s visit after 6 long years that he gets all helpers to clean the house and add enhancements. He goes so far to even build makeshift toilets in case they all want to use at the same time. 😀

Moonnam Pakkam, a gem of a movie directed by Padmarajan includes one of the greatest performances by the thespian actor Thilakan as Thambi. Visuals of this well loved song moves through flashes of Bhasi as a child visiting Thambi during vacations, while Thambi gets ready for Bhasi’s visit in real time.

To listen to the song, click play:

Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
[When this song rises, it makes me melt inside]
Ee sneha laalanam, nee neenthum saagaram
[This indulgence of love, is an ocean where you swim]
Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
[When this song rises, it makes me melt inside]

Kilungunnu ithu arakal thorum, kilikonchalinte manikal
Kilungunnu ithu arakal thorum, kilikonchalinte manikal
[Jingling through each of these rooms, the little sounds of your baby-talk]
Marannilla anganam nin malar paadam peytha pulakam
Marannilla anganam nin malar paadam peytha pulakam
[This yard has never forgotten the pleasure showered by your petal soft feet]
Ennile enne kaanvu njaan ninnil,
Vidarnnu marubhoovin eriveyililum pookkal
[I see my soul in you
Flowers bloom in this desert, even under the burning sun]

Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
[When this song rises, it makes me melt inside]

Niramaala chaarthi prakruthi, chiri korthu ninte vikruthi
Niramaala chaarthi prakruthi, chiri korthu ninte vikruthi
[The nature adorns a necklace of colors, stringing (beads of) laughter at your mischief]
Valararunnu ithu Ona bhangi, poo vilikal engum pongi
Valararunnu ithu Ona bhangi, poo vilikal engum pongi
[This beauty of Onam season is growing, the chants of festival are arising everywhere]
Ennil nin ormayum pookkalam theerppu,
Marayaaykee madhuram uranju koodum nimisham
[Your memories create a pookalam* in me
Eternal is this moment where the sweetness concentrates]

Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
[When this song rises, it makes me melt inside]
Ee sneha laalanam, nee neenthum saagaram
[This indulgence of love, is an ocean where you swim]
Unarum ee gaanam, urukum en ullam
Mmmm….
[When this song rises, it makes me melt inside]

* Pookkalam is a floral arrangement set during Onam festival celebrations.

+ Image copyright to the original uploader.