Enge Nimmadhi Enge Nimmadhi
From Nadigan · 1990
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nadigan1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Male | |
| Yaaraaro vanthaanga | All kinds of people came, |
| Ennaennavo sonnaanga | They said all kinds of things. |
| Enna solli ennaththa panna | What is the point of saying or doing anything? |
| Nimmathi illae manusanukku nimmathi illae | There is no peace, for a human being there is no peace of mind. |
| Male | |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Male | |
| Pallikkodam padikkum pothu | While studying at school, |
| Paadaththilae nimmathi illae | There is no peace of mind in lessons. |
| Paadamindri vidumurai endraal | If it is a holiday with no lessons, |
| Kaasu indri nimmathi illae | Without money, there is no peace of mind. |
| Male | |
| Kaasukkaaga melae padikka | To study further for money, |
| Kallooriyil seettum illa | There is no seat available in college. |
| Seettum kidaichchu pattamum kidaichchaa | Even if one gets a seat and earns a degree, |
| Velaiyindri nimmathi illae | Without a job, there is no peace of mind. |
| Male | |
| Thunbam marakka veliyae sendraal | If one goes outside to forget sorrows, |
| Penni kanndu nimmathi illae | Seeing a woman brings no peace of mind. |
| Pennai ninaiththai paduppom endraal | If one sleeps thinking of that woman, |
| Kanavinilum nimmathi illae | Even in dreams, there is no peace of mind. |
| Alai pola alainthaadum manathukku ingae | For a mind that wanders restlessly like a wave, |
| Konjam nimmathi varumaa | Will even a little peace ever come? |
| Male | |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Male | |
| Thaayin thunabam theerppom endru | Thinking of solving my mother's sorrows, |
| Velaikkaaga vesham pottaen | I put on a disguise to get a job. |
| Vaayil vantha poiyai solli | By uttering whatever lies came to my mouth, |
| Nalla perum vaangi kondaen | I earned a good name. |
| Male | |
| Vantha idaththil vaalipa vayathu | In the place I arrived, my youthful age |
| Vazhakkam pola velaiyai kaatta | Began showing its natural inclinations as usual. |
| Manthakaasa punnaigaiyaalae | With a gentle, radiant smile, |
| Kanniyavalum kadhalai solla | A young maiden confessed her love. |
| Male | |
| Nonthu pona manathukkullae | Inside my deeply pained mind, |
| Vanthu vanthu pogum kizhavi | The old woman disguise keeps coming and going. |
| Intha nilaiyil evan irunthaalum | In such a state, whoever finds himself, |
| Aaga vendumavanae thuravi | Is bound to become an ascetic monk. |
| Irunthaalum ponaalum nimmathi varumaa | Whether staying or leaving, will peace ever come? |
| Manushanukku nimmathi varumaa | Will peace ever come to a human being? |
| Male | |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Male | |
| Yaaraaro vanthaanga | All kinds of people came, |
| Ennaennavo sonnaanga | They said all kinds of things. |
| Enna solli ennaththa panna | What is the point of saying or doing anything? |
| Nimmathi illae manusanukku nimmathi illae | There is no peace, for a human being there is no peace of mind. |
| Male | |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
| Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru | Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus, |
| Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa | I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found. |
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
யாராரோ வந்தாங்க
என்னென்னவோ சொன்னாங்க
என்ன சொல்லி என்னத்த பண்ண
நிம்மதி இல்லே மனுசனுக்கு நிம்மதி இல்லே
All kinds of people came,
They said all kinds of things.
What is the point of saying or doing anything?
There is no peace, for a human being there is no peace of mind.
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
பள்ளிக்கூடம் படிக்கும் போது
பாடத்திலே நிம்மதி இல்லே
பாடமின்றி விடுமுறை என்றால்
காசு இன்றி நிம்மதி இல்லே
While studying at school,
There is no peace of mind in lessons.
If it is a holiday with no lessons,
Without money, there is no peace of mind.
காசுக்காக மேலே படிக்க
கல்லூரியில் சீட்டும் இல்ல
சீட்டும் கிடைச்சு பட்டமும் கிடைச்சா
வேலையின்றி நிம்மதி இல்லே
To study further for money,
There is no seat available in college.
Even if one gets a seat and earns a degree,
Without a job, there is no peace of mind.
துன்பம் மறக்க வெளியே சென்றால்
பெண்ணைக் கண்டு நிம்மதி இல்லே
பெண்ணை நினைத்து படுப்போம் என்றால்
கனவினிலும் நிம்மதி இல்லே
அலைப்போல அலைந்தாடும் மனதுக்கு இங்கே
கொஞ்சம் நிம்மதி வருமா
If one goes outside to forget sorrows,
Seeing a woman brings no peace of mind.
If one sleeps thinking of that woman,
Even in dreams, there is no peace of mind.
For a mind that wanders restlessly like a wave,
Will even a little peace ever come?
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
தாயின் துன்பம் தீர்ப்போம் என்று
வேலைக்காக வேஷம் போட்டேன்
வாயில் வந்த பொய்யைச் சொல்லி
நல்ல பேரும் வாங்கிக் கொண்டேன்
Thinking of solving my mother's sorrows,
I put on a disguise to get a job.
By uttering whatever lies came to my mouth,
I earned a good name.
வந்த இடத்தில் வாலிப வயது
வழக்கம் போல வேலையைக் காட்ட
மந்தகாசப் புன்னகையாலே
கன்னியவளும் காதலைச் சொல்ல
In the place I arrived, my youthful age
Began showing its natural inclinations as usual.
With a gentle, radiant smile,
A young maiden confessed her love.
நொந்து போன மனதுக்குள்ளே
வந்து வந்து போகும் கிழவி
இந்த நிலையில் எவன் இருந்தாலும்
ஆக வேண்டும் அவனே துறவி
இருந்தாலும் போனாலும் நிம்மதி வருமா
மனுசனுக்கு நிம்மதி வருமா
Inside my deeply pained mind,
The old woman disguise keeps coming and going.
In such a state, whoever finds himself,
Is bound to become an ascetic monk.
Whether staying or leaving, will peace ever come?
Will peace ever come to a human being?
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
யாராரோ வந்தாங்க
என்னென்னவோ சொன்னாங்க
என்ன சொல்லி என்னத்த பண்ண
நிம்மதி இல்லே மனுசனுக்கு நிம்மதி இல்லே
All kinds of people came,
They said all kinds of things.
What is the point of saying or doing anything?
There is no peace, for a human being there is no peace of mind.
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
எங்கே நிம்மதி நிம்மதி என்று
தேடிப் பார்த்தேன் அது எங்கேயும் இல்ல
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Yaaraaro vanthaanga
All kinds of people came,
Ennaennavo sonnaanga
They said all kinds of things.
Enna solli ennaththa panna
What is the point of saying or doing anything?
Nimmathi illae manusanukku nimmathi illae
There is no peace, for a human being there is no peace of mind.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Pallikkodam padikkum pothu
While studying at school,
Paadaththilae nimmathi illae
There is no peace of mind in lessons.
Paadamindri vidumurai endraal
If it is a holiday with no lessons,
Kaasu indri nimmathi illae
Without money, there is no peace of mind.
Kaasukkaaga melae padikka
To study further for money,
Kallooriyil seettum illa
There is no seat available in college.
Seettum kidaichchu pattamum kidaichchaa
Even if one gets a seat and earns a degree,
Velaiyindri nimmathi illae
Without a job, there is no peace of mind.
Thunbam marakka veliyae sendraal
If one goes outside to forget sorrows,
Penni kanndu nimmathi illae
Seeing a woman brings no peace of mind.
Pennai ninaiththai paduppom endraal
If one sleeps thinking of that woman,
Kanavinilum nimmathi illae
Even in dreams, there is no peace of mind.
Alai pola alainthaadum manathukku ingae
For a mind that wanders restlessly like a wave,
Konjam nimmathi varumaa
Will even a little peace ever come?
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Thaayin thunabam theerppom endru
Thinking of solving my mother's sorrows,
Velaikkaaga vesham pottaen
I put on a disguise to get a job.
Vaayil vantha poiyai solli
By uttering whatever lies came to my mouth,
Nalla perum vaangi kondaen
I earned a good name.
Vantha idaththil vaalipa vayathu
In the place I arrived, my youthful age
Vazhakkam pola velaiyai kaatta
Began showing its natural inclinations as usual.
Manthakaasa punnaigaiyaalae
With a gentle, radiant smile,
Kanniyavalum kadhalai solla
A young maiden confessed her love.
Nonthu pona manathukkullae
Inside my deeply pained mind,
Vanthu vanthu pogum kizhavi
The old woman disguise keeps coming and going.
Intha nilaiyil evan irunthaalum
In such a state, whoever finds himself,
Aaga vendumavanae thuravi
Is bound to become an ascetic monk.
Irunthaalum ponaalum nimmathi varumaa
Whether staying or leaving, will peace ever come?
Manushanukku nimmathi varumaa
Will peace ever come to a human being?
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Yaaraaro vanthaanga
All kinds of people came,
Ennaennavo sonnaanga
They said all kinds of things.
Enna solli ennaththa panna
What is the point of saying or doing anything?
Nimmathi illae manusanukku nimmathi illae
There is no peace, for a human being there is no peace of mind.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru
Where is peace of mind, where is peace, asking thus,
Thedi paarththaen adhu engaeyum illa
I searched for it, but it was nowhere to be found.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Engae Nimmathi from the movie Nadigan (1990) is a humorous, energetic, yet reflective song exploring the eternal human search for peace of mind (nimmathi). The protagonist traces the anxieties of every stage of life—school pressure, lack of money, college admissions, unemployment, and romantic distractions—concluding that peace remains tantalizingly out of reach regardless of one's circumstances.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai Ani)
“Alai pola alainthaadum manathukku ingae”
Compares the restless human mind wandering aimlessly to restless sea waves using the comparative marker 'pola'.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thaayin thunabam theerppom endru”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Th' across 'Thaayin', 'thunabam', and 'theerppom'.
Irony / Paradox (Muran)
“Vaayil vantha poiyai solli / Nalla perum vaangi kondaen”
The irony of earning a positive reputation and praise through telling spun-up falsehoods.
Epizeuxis (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Engae nimmathi nimmathi endru”
The word 'nimmathi' is repeated immediately to emphasize the intense, obsessive search for peace.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track was composed and penned by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja himself for the film Nadigan (1990), directed by P. Vasu. The song's title 'Engae Nimmathi' nods ironically to the famous sad classic of the same name from Pudhiya Paravai (1964) starring Sivaji Ganesan, reinterpreting the existential gloom through Sathyaraj's signature comedic rhythm and disguise plot line.
Keep listening
More from Nadigan
Nadigan
Nadigan
Nadigan