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Kaadhale Nimmadhi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Gangai Nathiye (Male)

From Kaadhale Nimmadhi · 1998

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Deva
Movie name
Kaadhale Nimmadhi
Movie release year
1998
Lyrics added on
31 Dec 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Laali laali
Laali laali laaliii…eee
Laali laali…laali laali
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Pogum vazhi enna
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyae
Paadum mozhi enna
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Pogum vazhi enna
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyae
Paadum mozhi enna
Paavamindri pazhiyai sumakkum
Undhan nilai enna
Eeram indri idhayam thudikkum
Indha uravenna
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamo
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Pogum vazhi enna
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyae
Paadum mozhi enna
Mullai rasithirukkum
Ulagam poovai ariyaathae
Irulil vasikthirukkum
Idhayam nizhalai ariyaathae
Moodupaniyinilae ippodhu
Vazhigal teriyaadhae
Veesum puyalinilae ammamaa
Deepam eriyaathae
Paasam thullum nenjil indru
Oosai kedaiyaathae
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamo
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Pogum vazhi enna
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyae
Paadum mozhi enna
Laali laali…laali laali
Vidhiyin vilaiyaattu
Eppodhu mudiyum theriyaathae
Vidiyum thisai enna
Ippodhu adhuvum theriyaathae
Naalai ethu vaazhkai
Anbae nee solli nadappaayoo
Paasam thaalaamal angaeyum
Ullam thudipaayoo
Kaalam seidha kolam endru
Thunbam poruppaayoo
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamo
Aarari rari rari rararoo
Aarari raroo aarararoo
Gangai nadhiyae gangai nadhiyae
Pogum vazhi enna
Chinna kiliyae thannanthaniyae
Paadum mozhi enna
Paavamindri pazhiyai sumakkum
Undhan nilai enna
Eeram indri idhayam thudikkum
Indha uravenna
Sogangalae vaazhkaiyin vedhamo
Lullaby, lullaby
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby...
Lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
which way are you heading?
O little parrot, all alone,
what is the language of your song?
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
which way are you heading?
O little parrot, all alone,
what is the language of your song?
Bearing the blame without committing any sin,
what a painful state you are in?
With a heart beating without any warmth,
what kind of bond is this?
Is sorrow the only scripture of life?
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
which way are you heading?
O little parrot, all alone,
what is the language of your song?
The world that enjoys the jasmine
does not truly understand the flower.
A heart that lives in darkness
does not even know its own shadow.
In this thick mist right now,
no paths can be seen.
In this raging storm, oh alas,
a lamp cannot stay lit.
In a heart once full of affection,
there is no sound today.
Is sorrow the only scripture of life?
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
which way are you heading?
O little parrot, all alone,
what is the language of your song?
Lullaby, lullaby... lullaby, lullaby
When this game of fate will end,
no one really knows.
In which direction dawn will break,
even that is not known now.
What will life bring tomorrow?
My dear, will you find your way and walk on?
Unable to bear the ache of love,
will your heart still weep even there?
Accepting it as the cruel design of time,
will you endure this pain?
Is sorrow the only scripture of life?
Aarari rari rari rararoo
Aarari raroo aarararoo
O River Ganga, O River Ganga,
which way are you heading?
O little parrot, all alone,
what is the language of your song?
Bearing the blame without committing any sin,
what a painful state you are in?
With a heart beating without any warmth,
what kind of bond is this?
Is sorrow the only scripture of life?
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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