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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ellorum Nalam Vaazha

From Enga Mama · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Enga Mama1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ellorum nalam vaazhaI will sing so that everyone lives well
Naan paaduvenI will sing
Naan vaazha yaar paaduvaarWho will sing for me to live?
En paadal naan paada palar aaduvaarMany dance when I sing my song
Ini ennodu yaar aaduvaarWho will dance with me now?
Male
Poo pondra en ullamMy flower-like heart
Yaar kandhadhuWho has seen it?
Pollaadha manamendruA reputation as a wicked heart
Per vandhadhuHas come upon me
Vazhiyillaadha ezhai yedhuWhatever a helpless poor person
Sonnaalum paavamSays is considered a sin
En nenjum ennodu pagaiyaanadhuEven my own heart has become my enemy
Male
Ellorum nalam vaazhaI will sing so that everyone lives well
Naan paaduvenI will sing
Naan vaazha yaar paaduvaarWho will sing for me to live?
En paadal naan paada palar aaduvaarMany dance when I sing my song
Ini ennodu yaar aaduvaarWho will dance with me now?
Male
Kanneerai naan enguWhere can I borrow
Kadan vaanguvenTears from?
Adhu kadanaaga vandhaalumEven if it comes as a loan
Thadai poduvenI will block it
Nyaayangal thelivaaga naalaagalaamJustice may take days to become clear
Naan yaar endru appodhu nee kaanalaamYou may see who I am at that time
Male
Ellorum nalam vaazhaI will sing so that everyone lives well
Naan paaduvenI will sing
Naan vaazha yaar paaduvaarWho will sing for me to live?
En paadal naan paada palar aaduvaarMany dance when I sing my song
Ini ennodu yaar aaduvaarWho will dance with me now?
Male
Un paarvai en nenjil vizhugindradhuYour gaze falls upon my heart
Un ennam edhuvendru therigindradhuI understand what your thoughts are
Naan ippodhu oomai mozhi illaadha pillaiRight now I am a mute child without words
Edraenum or naalil naan pesalaamSomeday I might speak
Male
Un paadhai nee kandu nee vaazhalaamYou may find your path and live well
Ini en paadhai naan kandu naan pogalaamFrom now on I may find my path and go
Engae nee sendraalum sugamaagalaamWherever you go, may you be happy
Naan eppodhum nee vaazha isai paadalaamI will always sing music so that you live well
Male
Ellorum nalam vaazhaI will sing so that everyone lives well
Naan paaduvenI will sing
Naan vaazha yaar paaduvaarWho will sing for me to live?
En paadal naan paada palar aaduvaarMany dance when I sing my song
Ini ennodu yaar aaduvaarWho will dance with me now?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from the film Enga Mama (1970) expresses the inner anguish, loneliness, and unconditional benevolence of the protagonist. Although he brings happiness to the world around him through his actions and music, he receives misunderstanding, solitude, and grief in return. He laments that society misjudges his noble heart, yet he remains selflessly dedicated to wishing well for everyone else.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Poo pondra en ullam

Compares the delicate, pure nature of the protagonist's heart to a gentle flower.

Rhetorical Question

Naan vaazha yaar paaduvaar

Highlights the protagonist's emotional isolation by questioning if anyone truly cares for his life.

Irony / Antithesis

En paadal naan paada palar aaduvaar / Ini ennodu yaar aaduvaar

Juxtaposes the crowd dancing to his song with his own complete loneliness.

Metaphor

Kanneerai naan engu kadan vaanguven

Uses the concept of borrowing tears on loan to convey immense grief and proud self-restraint.

Did you know?

Trivia

Enga Mama (1970) is a Tamil remake of the 1968 Hindi hit movie Brahmachari. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan, 'Ellorum Nalam Vaazha' became one of the most famous emotional anthems of Tamil cinema.

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