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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aaraaro Naan Paadavo

From Nallavan (1988) · 1988

Lyricist
Kalaipuli S. Thanu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vanitha
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Nallavan (1988)1988

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Male
Neruppaattril dhinamum naan kulikkindraenaeEvery day, I bathe in a river of fire.
Erimalaiyil kuzhambil naan nadakkindraenaeI am walking on the molten lava of a volcano.
Male
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Male
Pottathu veshamthaan kaaranam paasamthaanThe disguise I wear is a mask, but love is the reason for it.
Endruthaan theerumo intha nilai maarumoWhen will this end? Will this condition ever change?
Pottathu veshamthaan kaaranam paasamthaanThe disguise I wear is a mask, but love is the reason for it.
Endruthaan theerumo intha nilai maarumoWhen will this end? Will this condition ever change?
Male
Sonthame paaramaa ponathai paarammaaHas affection become a heavy burden? Look at what has transpired, my dear.
Sogamae ragamaa aanathai kelammaaListen to how deep sorrow has become my life song.
Iru thalai kolli erumpaaga thavippathu naanamaaAm I suffering like an ant trapped on a stick burning at both ends?
Male
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Male
Neruppaattril dhinamum naan kulikkindraenaeEvery day, I bathe in a river of fire.
Erimalaiyil kuzhambil naan nadakkindraenaeI am walking on the molten lava of a volcano.
Male
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Male
Thaayaaga ninaippavalai thaaramaaga nadaththuvathaaMust I treat as a wife someone whom I revere as a mother?
Iraivaa iraivaa idhu enna sodhanaiOh Lord, Oh Lord! What cruel ordeal is this?
Thaayaaga ninaippavalai thaaramaaga nadaththuvathaaMust I treat as a wife someone whom I revere as a mother?
Iraivaa iraivaa idhu enna sodhanaiOh Lord, Oh Lord! What cruel ordeal is this?
Male
Anal patta puzhuvaaga thudikkindraenaeI writhe in pain like a worm scorched by intense heat.
Aalaiyitta karumpaaga azhugindraenaeI weep like sugarcane crushed in a grinding mill.
Orr uruvil iruvaraiyum padaiththathu neeyandroWas it not you who created two distinct roles in a single form?
Male
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Aaraaro naan paadavoShall I sing a lullaby?
Naan yaarunnuthaan sollavoShall I tell you who I really am?
Female
Padhi maari vilaiyaadum vidhiyil vasamaaiCaught helplessly in the cruel hands of destiny shifting paths,
Karai kaanaa padakaa naan thavikkindraenaeI suffer helpless like a boat unable to find the shore.
Female
Aaraaro naan paaduraenI am singing a lullaby now.
Nee yaarunnu naan solluraenI am going to tell you who you are.
Aaraaro naan paaduraenI am singing a lullaby now.
Nee yaarunnu naan solluraenI am going to tell you who you are.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Nallavan (1988) expresses deep anguish, dilemma, and emotional turmoil. The protagonist laments the tragic circumstance where his true identity is hidden behind a mask for the sake of love and bond. He feels trapped between complex familial relationships and duties, comparing his daily agony to walking on volcanic lava or bathing in a river of fire. Toward the end of the song, the response shifts from a questioning tone to a definitive declaration as the lullaby concludes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole / Metaphor

“Neruppaattril dhinamum naan kulikkindraenae / Erimalaiyil kuzhambil naan nadakkindraenae”

Compares extreme mental agony to bathing in a river of fire and walking on molten lava.

Simile (Upamai)

“Iru thalai kolli erumpaaga thavippathu naanamaa”

Uses 'erumpaaga' (like an ant), 'puzhuvaaga' (like a worm), and 'karumpaaga' (like sugarcane) to depict extreme helplessness and distress.

Rhyme (Iyaibu & Ethirai)

“Pottathu veshamthaan kaaranam paasamthaan”

End rhymes like 'veshamthaan' / 'paasamthaan' and 'kulikkindraenae' / 'nadakkindraenae' create rhythm and heighten poetic melancholy.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nallavan' (1988) starred Vijayakanth and had music composed by Chandrabose. The song lyrics were written by prominent Tamil film producer and lyricist Kalaipuli S. Thanu.

Keep listening

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