- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Movie name
- Nadodi Raja
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a iconic meta-lyrical creation penned by lyricist Vaali for the film Nadodi Raja (1982), composed by Shankar-Ganesh and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The entire lyric is cleverly constructed by weaving together the titles of famous movies starring the legendary Tamil actor and politician M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Despite being composed of movie titles, the lines flow smoothly into a cohesive moral narrative. Thematically, the song serves as an inspiring anthem celebrating hard work, honesty, brotherhood, and devotion to the nation. It encourages individuals to bow down to justice, serve the working class, live with affection, and perform charitable deeds that ultimately protect one's honor and legacy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Intertextuality / Title Woven Lyricism
“Engal veettu pillai needhaanaiyyaa... Kalangarai vilakkam neeyaagu”
Vaali uses titles of classic MGR movies (Engal Veettu Pillai, En Annan, Thirudaathae, Padagotti, Kalangarai Vilakkam, Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, etc.) as full thematic units to build meaningful poetic lines.
Metaphor
“Un idhaya veenaithaan paasam endroru Raagam paada vendum nee”
Compares the human heart to a musical instrument (Veena) capable of playing a melody of love and affection.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Nee naadodiyaanaalum thirudaathae thambi”
Repetition of the 'N' sound in initial syllables ('Nee', 'Naadodiyaanaalum') creating rhythmic harmony.
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Trivia
This entire lyric is a brilliant stylistic feat by Vaali, composed almost entirely using movie titles starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Movie titles featured include: 'Engal Veettu Pillai', 'En Annan', 'Un Thalaivan', 'Nettru Indru Naalai', 'Oru Thaai Makkal', 'Naadodi', 'Thirudaathae', 'Needhikku Thalaivanangu', 'Kaanji Thalaivan', 'Nallavan Vaazhvaan', 'Oorukku Uzhaippavan', 'Thozhilali', 'Padagotti', 'Uzhaikkum Karangal', 'Kalangarai Vilakkam', 'Idhaya Veena', 'Ulagam Sutrum Valiban', 'Naan Yaen Piranthan', 'Nam Naadu', 'Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga', and 'Dharmam Thalaikaakkum'.
Keep listening
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