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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gangai Nathiye (Male)

From Kaadhale Nimmadhi · 1998

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Deva
Details
Kaadhale Nimmadhi1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Laali laaliLullaby, lullaby
Laali laali laaliii…eeeLullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
Laali laali…laali laaliLullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
Male
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyaeO River Ganges, O River Ganges
Pogum vazhi ennaWhat is your path forward?
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyaeO little bird, all alone
Paadum mozhi ennaWhat is the language you sing?
Male
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyaeO River Ganges, O River Ganges
Pogum vazhi ennaWhat is your path forward?
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyaeO little bird, all alone
Paadum mozhi ennaWhat is the language you sing?
Male
Paavamindri pazhiyai sumakkumBearing blame without committing any sin
Undhan nilai ennaWhat is your plight?
Eeram indri idhayam thudikkumA heart beating without warmth
Indha uravennaWhat kind of bond is this?
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamoIs sorrow the scripture of life?
Male
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyaeO River Ganges, O River Ganges
Pogum vazhi ennaWhat is your path forward?
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyaeO little bird, all alone
Paadum mozhi ennaWhat is the language you sing?
Male
Mullai rasithirukkumHaving admired the jasmine bud
Ulagam poovai ariyaathaeThe world fails to know the full flower
Irulil vasikthirukkumResiding in total darkness
Idhayam nizhalai ariyaathaeThe heart does not recognize its own shadow
Male
Moodupaniyinilae ippodhuIn this dense fog right now
Vazhigal teriyaadhaeThe paths ahead are invisible
Veesum puyalinilae ammamaaIn this howling storm, oh dear
Deepam eriyaathaeThe lamp cannot remain lit
Male
Paasam thullum nenjil indruIn the heart overflowing with affection today
Oosai kedaiyaathaeThere is no sound left
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamoIs sorrow the scripture of life?
Male
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyaeO River Ganges, O River Ganges
Pogum vazhi ennaWhat is your path forward?
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyaeO little bird, all alone
Paadum mozhi ennaWhat is the language you sing?
Chorus
Laali laali…laali laaliLullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
Male
Vidhiyin vilaiyaattuThis game played by fate
Eppodhu mudiyum theriyaathaeWhen it will end, no one knows
Vidiyum thisai ennaIn which direction dawn will break
Ippodhu adhuvum theriyaathaeEven that is unknown now
Male
Naalai ethu vaazhkaiWhatever life brings tomorrow
Anbae nee solli nadappaayooMy dear, will you live accordingly?
Paasam thaalaamal angaeyumUnable to bear such deep love, even there
Ullam thudipaayooWill your heart ache in pain?
Male
Kaalam seidha kolam endruAccepting it as a design drawn by time
Thunbam poruppaayooWill you endure this suffering?
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamoIs sorrow the scripture of life?
Female
Aarari rari rari rararooLullaby refrain (Aarari rari rari rararoo)
Aarari raroo aarararooLullaby refrain (Aarari raroo aarararoo)
Male
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyaeO River Ganges, O River Ganges
Pogum vazhi ennaWhat is your path forward?
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyaeO little bird, all alone
Paadum mozhi ennaWhat is the language you sing?
Male
Paavamindri pazhiyai sumakkumBearing blame without committing any sin
Undhan nilai ennaWhat is your plight?
Eeram indri idhayam thudikkumA heart beating without warmth
Indha uravennaWhat kind of bond is this?
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamoIs sorrow the scripture of life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Gangai Nadhiyae' from 'Kaadhale Nimmadhi' is a deeply emotional lullaby-style ballad that laments the tragic hand of fate dealt to an innocent soul. Framed with gentle lullaby refrains ('Laali', 'Aararoo'), the speaker addresses an innocent person as a lonely river flowing without direction and a solitary little bird singing in solitude. The lyrics poignantly express the agony of being unfairly blamed without guilt and struggling through an uncertain journey veiled by fog and storms. Throughout the track, the repeated rhetorical question 'Is sorrow the scripture of life?' underscores the overwhelming grief and helplessness felt when observing a loved one endure relentless hardships. The song captures a quiet resilience amidst dark times, pondering whether one must simply endure the cruel patterns drawn by time and destiny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae / Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyae

The subject is metaphorically compared to the sacred Ganges river and a solitary little bird to emphasize purity, isolation, and aimless wandering.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paavamindri pazhiyai sumakkum

The repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound ('Paavamindri', 'pazhiyai') creates a rhythmic auditory harmony.

Rhetorical Question

Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamo

Asking if sorrows are the holy scripture of life expresses deep existential grief without expecting a direct answer.

Imagery

Veesum puyalinilae ammamaa / Deepam eriyaathae

The image of an oil lamp struggling to stay lit in a severe storm vividly portrays vulnerability and lost hope.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Gangai Nadhiyae' features in the 1998 Tamil romantic drama film 'Kaadhale Nimmadhi', starring Suriya, Prashanth, and Sangeetha. The music for the movie was composed by Deva, with poignant lyrics penned by Pazhani Bharathi. The song uses traditional lullaby phonetics ('Laali', 'Aararoo') contrasted with melancholic thematic elements to convey deep empathetic grief.

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