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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadu nanainchichaam

From Aadugal Nanaikindrana · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Aadugal Nanaikindrana1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Appa sonnaar paarthaathungaFather told us this story back then.
Ippa kannaal paarpomungaNow we witness it directly with our own eyes.
Appa sonnaar paarthaathungaFather told us this story back then.
Ippa kannaal paarpomungaNow we witness it directly with our own eyes.
Female
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Chorus
Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindranaThe sheep are getting drenched, while the wolves shed crocodile tears.
Female
Aadu puli aattamIt is a game of predator and prey (goat and tiger game).
Naam andraadam kaangindraThat we witness every single day...
Maanidar koottam...among the crowds of human beings.
Thedi varum sonthamKinsfolk who come seeking you...
Karunthealaaga dhinma maari...turn daily into black scorpions...
Aaduthu aattam...and play their venomous game.
Female
Munpuraththil vanthu ninnuStanding right in front of your face...
Punnagai seiyyum...they give a fake smile.
Pin puraththil aayiramaai pesi sirikkumBehind your back, they talk endlessly and mock you.
Female
Munpuraththil vanthu ninnuStanding right in front of your face...
Punnagai seiyyum...they give a fake smile.
Pin puraththil aayiramaai pesi sirikkumBehind your back, they talk endlessly and mock you.
Chorus
Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindranaThe sheep are getting drenched, while the wolves shed crocodile tears.
Female
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Female
Yaezhai magal vaazhvilIn the life of a poor woman...
Aval eppothu ellorukkum pontaattiyaam...how is she treated like everyone's wife?
Edrum aval kadhil ketkumAlways echoing in her ears...
Sangeethamthaan intha vaippaattiyaam...is the humiliating label of being called a mistress.
Female
Thaaliyillaa pengalaiTo call women who do not have a sacred marital thread (Taali)...
En thaai endru azhaikkum...hypocritically as 'mother'...
Thaayagththil ippadi orr naayum irukkum...such vile dogs exist even in this motherland!
Female
Thaaliyillaa pengalaiTo call women who do not have a sacred marital thread (Taali)...
En thaai endru azhaikkum...hypocritically as 'mother'...
Thaayagththil ippadi orr naayum irukkum...such vile dogs exist even in this motherland!
Chorus
Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindranaThe sheep are getting drenched, while the wolves shed crocodile tears.
Female
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Appa sonnaar paarthaathungaFather told us this story back then.
Ippa kannaal paarpomungaNow we witness it directly with our own eyes.
Appa sonnaar paarthaathungaFather told us this story back then.
Ippa kannaal paarpomungaNow we witness it directly with our own eyes.
Female
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Chorus
Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindranaThe sheep are getting drenched, while the wolves shed crocodile tears.
Female
Aangal vidum kanneerThe tears shed by deceitful men...
Adhu appavi penn vaazhkkaiyai thappaagavae...wrongfully ruin an innocent woman's life.
Penmai vidum kanneerWhile the tears shed by righteous womanhood...
Adhu peyaaga vaazhvorai thaan maattravae...are meant to transform those who live like demonic beings.
Female
Naadhiyatra pengalukku kaavalumillaiDestitute and helpless women have no protection.
Nallavarai kaappatharkku orr kovilumillaiThere is no sanctuary or temple to safeguard good people.
Naadhiyatra pengalukku kaavalumillaiDestitute and helpless women have no protection.
Nallavarai kaappatharkku orr kovilumillaiThere is no sanctuary or temple to safeguard good people.
Chorus
: Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindranaThe sheep are getting drenched, while the wolves shed crocodile tears.
Female
Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaamThey say the sheep got drenched, and the wolf wept fake tears.
Chorus
Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindranaThe sheep are getting drenched, while the wolves shed crocodile tears.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Aadugal Nanaikindrana' uses vivid allegorical metaphors to critique societal hypocrisy and the exploitation of vulnerable women. Using the classic Tamil proverb of a wolf crying crocodile tears when sheep get drenched in rain, Kannadasan exposes two-faced relatives and social predators who pretend to care while secretly ruining innocent lives. The lyrics highlight the harsh realities faced by destitute women who lack social standing or protection, lamenting how society dishonors them while maintaining a facade of morality. Ultimately, the song serves as a poignant commentary on deceit, human cruelty, and the suffering of the helpless in a hypocritical world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory & Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)

Aadugal nanaigindrana onaaigal azhugindrana

'Aadu' (sheep) represents innocent, vulnerable people (especially poor women), while 'Onaai' (wolf) symbolizes deceptive predators shedding crocodile tears.

Rhyme / Monai (மோனை - Initial Rhyming)

Aangal vidum kanneer / Penmai vidum kanneer

Matching initial consonant sounds in line-pairs (e.g., 'Aangala' / 'Adhu' and 'Penmai' / 'Adhu').

Contrast / Antithesis (முரண்)

Munpuraththil vanthu ninnu punnagai seiyyum / Pin puraththil aayiramaai pesi sirikkum

Juxtaposes front-facing smiles ('Munpuraththil punnagai') with backstabbing mockery ('Pin puraththil pesi sirikkum').

Iyaibu (இயைபு - Ending Rhyme)

Naadhiyatra pengalukku kaavalumillai / Nallavarai kaappatharkku orr kovilumillai

Rhyming ends of phrases like 'kaavalumillai' and 'kovilumillai'.

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Trivia

This song originates from the 1981 Tamil film 'Aadugal Nanaikindrana' featuring lyrics by legendary poet Kannadasan. The main refrain 'Aadu nanainjuchaam onaai azhthuchaam' is adapted from a famous Tamil folk proverb used to describe fake sympathy or crocodile tears.

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