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Isaimozhi
Kaadhale Nimmadhi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Gangai Nathiye Female

From Kaadhale Nimmadhi · 1998

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
Swarnalatha
Music director
Deva
Movie name
Kaadhale Nimmadhi
Movie release year
1998
Lyrics added on
15 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Laali laali
Laali laali laaliii…eee
Laali laali…laali laali
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Kaaindhu pogaathae
Veesum kaatrae veesum kaatrae
Oindhu pogaathae
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Kaaindhu pogaathae
Veesum kaatrae veesum kaatrae
Oindhu pogaathae
Kaanbathellaam kaatchi alla
Kangal ariyaadhae
Ulagam muzhudhum thoongum pozhuthum
Unmai thoongaathae
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamaa
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Kaaindhu pogaathae
Veesum kaatrae veesum kaatrae
Oindhu pogaathae
Thaeril irundhaayae ippodhu
Theruvil vizhundhaayae
Siragai izhandhaayae nenjodu
Siluvai summandhaaiyae
Unmai pesiyadhaal indrae nee
Vaarthai izhandhaayae
Kangal ariyaamal kanneril
Kannam nanainthaaiyae
Kaalam oru naal
Nyaayam ketkkum
Ullam kalangaadhae
Soganagalae….vaazhkaiyin vedhamaa
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Kaaindhu pogaathae
Veesum kaatrae veesum kaatrae
Oindhu pogaathae
Laali laali…laali laali
Iravu mudiyaatha ippodhu
Velicham pirakkaadha
Kadhavu thirakkaadha kilithaan
Siragai virikkaadha
Thavaru varum munnae
Deivam thaan thadukka ninakaadha
Idhayam thottru vittaal ippodhu
Mirugam jeyikkaadha
Needhikku intha
Thandanai endraal
Nenjam valikaadha
Soganagalae….vaazhkaiyin vedhamaa
Aarari rari rari rararoo
Aarari raroo aarararoo
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Kaaindhu pogaathae
Veesum kaatrae veesum kaatrae
Oindhu pogaathae
Kaanbathellaam kaatchi alla
Kangal ariyaadhae
Ulagam muzhudhum thoongum pozhuthum
Unmai thoongaathae
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamaa
Lullaby, lullaby,
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
Lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby.
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
Do not dry up.
O flowing breeze, O flowing breeze,
Do not fade away.
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
Do not dry up.
O flowing breeze, O flowing breeze,
Do not fade away.
Not everything you see is real;
The eyes do not know this truth.
Even when the whole world falls asleep,
The truth never sleeps.
Are sorrows the only sacred truth of life?
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
Do not dry up.
O flowing breeze, O flowing breeze,
Do not fade away.
You once rode high in a chariot, but now
You have fallen to the street.
You lost your wings, and upon your heart,
You carry a heavy cross.
Just because you spoke the truth,
Have you lost your voice today?
Without your eyes even knowing it,
Your cheeks are soaked in tears.
One day, time itself
Will demand justice,
So do not lose heart.
Are sorrows... the only sacred truth of life?
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
Do not dry up.
O flowing breeze, O flowing breeze,
Do not fade away.
Lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby.
When this night refuses to end,
Will the daylight never dawn?
If the cage door never opens,
Will the parrot never spread its wings?
Before a wrong is ever committed,
Will God not think to stop it?
If the gentle heart is defeated now,
Won't the cruel beast win?
If this is the punishment
Given to justice,
Won't the heart ache in pain?
Are sorrows... the only sacred truth of life?
Aarari raari raari raaraaroo,
Aarari raaroo aaraararoo...
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
Do not dry up.
O flowing breeze, O flowing breeze,
Do not fade away.
Not everything you see is real;
The eyes do not know this truth.
Even when the whole world falls asleep,
The truth never sleeps.
Are sorrows the only sacred truth of life?
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Gangai Nadhiyae' from *Kaadhale Nimmadhi* is a deeply philosophical and melancholic song styled as a lullaby. The singer addresses a suffering soul, urging them not to lose hope or let their spirit dry up like a parched river. The lyrics express anguish over the injustice of life, where a noble person who once held high status has fallen onto the streets and must carry a heavy cross simply for speaking the truth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae / Kaaindhu pogaathae”

Compares the noble and resilient human spirit to the sacred Ganges river, imploring it not to dry up under pressure.

Muran (Antithesis)

“Thaeril irundhaayae ippodhu / Theruvil vizhundhaayae”

Contrasts the high status of sitting on a chariot ('Thaer') with the low state of falling onto the street ('Theru').

Personification

“Ulagam muzhudhum thoongum pozhuthum / Unmai thoongaathae”

Personifies 'Truth' as an entity that stays awake vigilant even when the entire world falls asleep.

Metaphor

“Siluvai summandhaaiyae”

Uses the image of bearing a cross ('Siluvai') as a metaphor for taking on immense suffering for the sake of truth.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Thaeril irundhaayae ippodhu / Theruvil vizhundhaayae”

The initial sound 'Thae'/'The' matches at the start of both consecutive lines.

Keep listening

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