Unnai Azhaithadhu Kan: Did Tamil Cinema Hide Bappi Lahiri’s Effort? | The 40-Year Disco Secret

Whether we recycle plastic to save the environment or not, one thing Kollywood has mastered is recycling old songs! The latest addition to this trending list is the energetic track featured in the new movie Bison - Unnai Azhaithadhu Kan, originally featured in Rajinikanth’s 1983 film Thaai Veedu, holds a significant place among the Disco tracks of Tamil cinema. But if I asked you who the music director was, you might name two people. Do you know why?

This is more than just a recycled tune; it's a historical mystery:

• Is the true composer Bappi Lahiri or Shankar-Ganesh? We're going to break down the mystery.

• Plus, watching this song made me finally understand something about Superstar Rajinikanth that I'd misunderstood for years. I’ll share that revelation at the end.

  
  

First, let’s identify the "life force" of this music before we unveil the secret.

The Heartbeat of Disco: A Pulsating Rhythm and Its War-Time History

When you think of a Disco song, what comes to mind immediately is a pulsating bassline and a steady beat.

In 'Unnai Azhaithadhu Kan,' a relentless rhythm forms the foundation of the entire track. This unwavering musical structure is essential because of Disco music's origins.

The Origin in War-Time France (1940s): During World War II, when German forces occupied France, public entertainment was banned. Since live bands couldn't play, parties were held in basements where music was played from records ('Disc'). These venues became known as 'Discotheques' (literally, a 'record library').

The music played in the Discotheque had to be suitable for continuous dancing. This led to the adoption of a steady, four-on-the-floor beat. Later, with the arrival of Electronic Synthesizers and Drum Machines in the late 70s, the music could be perfectly looped—ensuring the tempo never faltered.

This is why the bass and beat in this song remain unwavering throughout the entire track—from the Pallavi to the interlude. It sustains that high-energy dance mood, making Disco the true grandfather of modern Electronic Dance Music (EDM).

The Signature Sound: Synth Brass, Chorus, and Glitz

The genre exploded globally in the late 70s. In India, Bappi Lahiri was the pioneer who brought this wave, even stating that his track 'Mausam Hai Gaane Ka' was the first pure Disco single in Indian cinema.

Coming back to 'Unnai Azhaithadhu Kan,' let's look at its unique sounds:

1. The Synth Brass: The true energy really starts to pop with the Synth Brass section heard in the song's interlude. These sounds are proudly synthetic, sharp, and punchy. They don't try to imitate real trumpets. Instead, they function like the Hype Man of the track, playing short, confident stabs. This feeling of fanfare and confidence is perfect for the larger-than-life screen presence of a star like Rajinikanth!

2. The Chorus: The "Zoho Zoho" chorus is very distinctive. It’s structured in a Call-and-Response style, with the Synth Strings answering the vocals, making it incredibly lively and catchy.

3. The Visuals: Disco clubs featured colored lights, sparkling Disco Balls, and dancers in glittery outfits. This song's accompanying visuals perfectly capture this essential aesthetic—a feature you can see in almost every Indian disco song.

The Mystery Solved: Bappi Lahiri’s Hidden Effort

Now for the big reveal: Who is the true music director for Thaai Veedu?

This film was a bilingual project, shot simultaneously in Tamil (Thaai Veedu) and Hindi (Jeet Hamaari).

The Credit Swap: The music was composed by Bappi Lahiri (credited in the Hindi version, Jeet Hamaari). However, the producers knew that for the Tamil market, Bappi Lahiri's name didn't carry the same instant local appeal as the established local giants. To boost the market value and ensure local acceptance, the music was credited to Shankar-Ganesh.

This is a business practice known as "White Labeling": taking a product made by one party and labelling it under another name to suit the market. This was an accepted industry practice in that era to satisfy local market demands.

The Superstar Revelation: Style Trumps Steps

I mentioned that watching the full dance sequence of this song changed a mistaken perception I held about Superstar Rajinikanth.

The general opinion is that Rajinikanth "can’t dance," especially when compared to Kamal Haasan. But watch him in this pure dance track. Rajini might not execute complicated, technical steps, but he performs them with immense grace and style. He looks comfortable and natural, never disrupting the energy of the co-dancers.

The secret to Rajinikanth's success isn't technical proficiency; it's his unmatched style and screen presence. His unique grace compensates for any technical shortcomings, making the entire song sequence entertaining and iconic.

The Final Groove

The vocals were rendered by the legendary SPB and S Janaki. The fact that this enjoyable Disco song continues to thrill audiences even after more than 40 years—and is trending again now—tells you something special about the genius of Bappi Lahiri’s vision.

Want to hear the specific Synth Brass punches, the infectious bassline, and the stylish moves we discussed?

📺 Watch the full video on our channel now to hear and see the magic!

What is your favorite Disco song? Let us know in the comments below!