Innadu Nam Naadu
From Vaaimai · 2015
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Auggath
- Details
- Vaaimai2015
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Innaadu namm naadu | This country is our country |
| Vizhundhu pochu vellaikkaaran valaiyilae | It fell into the trap of the white man |
| Vandhaargal vendraargal | They came, they conquered |
| Alaigal thavazhum madharaasin karaiyilae | On the wave-caressed shores of Madras |
| Male | |
| Panpaadu ellaamae maaripochu | All our culture changed completely |
| Namma vaazhkai muraiyilae | In our very way of life |
| Vellaiyoo vellaiyae | Oh white man, white man |
| Kollaiyoo kollaiyae | Oh plunder, sheer plunder |
| Thunbathai yaarumae sollavae illaiyae | No one even spoke of the suffering |
| Male | |
| Pudhu saalai vasathigal adainthom | We gained new road facilities |
| Thandavaala rayilgalai adainthom | We gained railway tracks |
| Minsaara vazhithadam adainthom adainthom | We gained electric power grids, we gained |
| Male | |
| Em koottai kodi maram izhandhom | We lost our fort and flag pole |
| Em kolgai manamadhai izhandhom | We lost our principles and mind |
| Pon kodi selvangal izhandhom izhandhom | We lost golden wealth, we lost, we lost |
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | |
| Male | |
| En vaanum mannum vanigamaai ponadhae | My sky and earth turned into commerce |
| Engal arumaiyum perumaiyum arasiyal aanadhae | Our dignity and pride became political games |
| Male | |
| Ezhai dhesam endraargalae | They called us a poor nation |
| Kozhai dhesam endraanadhae | It became known as a cowardly nation |
| Velum vaalum yendhi vazhndha | A race that once lived wielding spears and swords |
| Inam viraiyaaga ponadhae | Wasted away so rapidly |
| Male | |
| Sindhum vervai ingae ingae | The sweat shed is right here, right here |
| Selvam ellaam angae angae | All the wealth goes over there, over there |
| Kizhakkin maarbil kurudhi kudithu kondu | Drinking blood from the chest of the East |
| Merkku valarkiragathae | The West continues to thrive and grow |
| Male | |
| Ada vellai nari singangalai aandathennavo | Why did the white fox rule over lions? |
| Siru vetil koottam | Why did a swarm of small insects |
| Engal koottai meindhadhennavoo | Graze upon our fortress? |
| Paarukkum oorukkum thangathai kodutha inam | A race that gave gold to the world and towns |
| Parukkaikku alaivadhenna | Why is it wandering for a single morsel of food? |
| Male | |
| Kadalgalin meenai mattum naam padithom | We only caught fish from the seas |
| Kadalaiyum karaiyaiyum avan pidithaan | He captured both the sea and the shore |
| Karaigalil manidharkku valai virithaan | On the shores, he spread nets for human beings |
| Chennaiyil madharas cityai amaithaan | In Chennai, he established Madras city |
| Male | |
| Em dhesam meendum theeviram kaanuma | Will our nation witness passionate fervor again? |
| Engal adimaiyin thazhumbugal muzhumaiyaai maaruma | Will the scars of our slavery completely heal? |
| Male | |
| Paalum thaenum aaraaguma | Will milk and honey flow like rivers? |
| Paazhum kanneer aaraaguma | Or will wasted tears flow like rivers? |
| Nammai naamae aazhum dhesam idhu | This is a nation where we rule ourselves |
| Indru uyir peruma | Will it gain new life today? |
| Male | |
| Ooran aatchi oor ponadhum | Once the foreigner's rule left for home |
| Oozhal oozhal oor aazhudhae | Corruption upon corruption rules the land |
| Nammai naamae aazhum dhesamidhu | This is a nation where we rule ourselves |
| Naalai valam peruma | Will it become prosperous tomorrow? |
| Male | |
| Vanjagamum poimaigalum pogattumae | Let deceit and falsehood depart |
| Vaaimai enum thaaimai mannai aazhattumae | Let motherly truth rule this land |
| Indhiya indhiya ezhundhu nimirnthadhendru | That India, India has stood tall and upright |
| Ivvulagam vaazhthattumae | Let this entire world praise it |
| Male | |
| Jana gana mana enum dhesakkuralae | Oh national voice named Jana Gana Mana |
| Janagalin kural endru olikattumae | Let it resound as the voice of the people |
| Saritharam perumaigal thirumbattumae | Let history and historic glories return |
| Brittanum namadhu perumai pesumae | Even Britain shall speak of our glory |
இந்நாடு நம் நாடு விழுந்து போச்சு
வெள்ளைக்காரன் வலையிலே
வந்தார்கள் வென்றார்கள்
அலைகள் தவழும் மதராசின் கரையிலே
This country is our country
It fell into the trap of the white man
They came, they conquered
On the wave-caressed shores of Madras
பண்பாடு எல்லாமே மாறிப்போச்சு
நம்ம வாழ்க்கை முறையிலே
வெள்ளையோ வெள்ளையே
கொள்ளையோ கொள்ளையே
துன்பத்தை யாருமே சொல்லவே இல்லையே
All our culture changed completely
In our very way of life
Oh white man, white man
Oh plunder, sheer plunder
No one even spoke of the suffering
புதுச் சாலை வசதிகள் அடைந்தோம்
தண்டவாள ரயில்களை அடைந்தோம்
மின்சார வழித்தடம் அடைந்தோம்...அடைந்தோம்
We gained new road facilities
We gained railway tracks
We gained electric power grids, we gained
எம் கோட்டைக் கொடி மரம் இழந்தோம்
எம் கொள்கை மனமதை இழந்தோம்
பொன் கோடி செல்வங்கள் இழந்தோம்...இழந்தோம்
We lost our fort and flag pole
We lost our principles and mind
We lost golden wealth, we lost, we lost
.
..........................
என் வானும் மண்ணும் வணிகமாய்ப் போனதே
எங்கள் அருமையும் பெருமையும் அரசியல் ஆனதே
My sky and earth turned into commerce
Our dignity and pride became political games
ஏழை தேசம் என்றார்களே
கோழை தேசம் என்றானதே
வேலும் வாளும் ஏந்தி வாழ்ந்த இனம்
விரையாகப் போனதே
They called us a poor nation
It became known as a cowardly nation
A race that once lived wielding spears and swords
Wasted away so rapidly
சிந்தும் வேர்வை இங்கே இங்கே
செல்வம் எல்லாம் அங்கே அங்கே
கிழக்கின் மார்பில் குருதி குடித்துக் கொண்டு
மேற்கு வளர்கிறதே.......
The sweat shed is right here, right here
All the wealth goes over there, over there
Drinking blood from the chest of the East
The West continues to thrive and grow
அட வெள்ளை நரி சிங்கங்களை
ஆண்டதென்னவோ
சிறு விட்டில் கூட்டம்
எங்கள் காட்டை மேய்ந்ததென்னவோ
பாருக்கும் ஊருக்கும் தங்கத்தைக் கொடுத்த இனம்
பருக்கைக்கு அலைவதென்ன
Why did the white fox rule over lions?
Why did a swarm of small insects
Graze upon our fortress?
A race that gave gold to the world and towns
Why is it wandering for a single morsel of food?
கடல்களின் மீனை மட்டும் நாம் பிடித்தோம்
கடலையும் கரையையும் அவன் பிடித்தான்
கரைகளில் மனிதர்க்கு வலை விரித்தான்
சென்னையில் மதராஸ் சிட்டியை அமைத்தான்
We only caught fish from the seas
He captured both the sea and the shore
On the shores, he spread nets for human beings
In Chennai, he established Madras city
எம் தேசம் மீண்டும் தீவிரம் காணுமா
எங்கள் அடிமையின் தழும்புகள் முழுமையாய் மாறுமா
Will our nation witness passionate fervor again?
Will the scars of our slavery completely heal?
பாலும் தேனும் ஆறாகுமா
பாழும் கண்ணீர் ஆறாகுமா
நம்மை நாமே ஆளும் தேசமிது
இன்று உயிர் பெறுமா
Will milk and honey flow like rivers?
Or will wasted tears flow like rivers?
This is a nation where we rule ourselves
Will it gain new life today?
ஊரான் ஆட்சி ஊர் போனதும்
ஊழல் ஊழல் ஊர் ஆளுதே
நம்மை நாமே ஆளும் தேசமிது
நாளை வளம் பெறுமா
Once the foreigner's rule left for home
Corruption upon corruption rules the land
This is a nation where we rule ourselves
Will it become prosperous tomorrow?
வஞ்சகமும் பொய்மைகளும் போகட்டுமே
வாய்மை எனும் தூய்மை மண்ணை ஆளட்டுமே
இந்தியா இந்தியா எழுந்து நிமிர்ந்ததென்று
இவ்வுலகம் வாழ்த்தட்டுமே
Let deceit and falsehood depart
Let motherly truth rule this land
That India, India has stood tall and upright
Let this entire world praise it
ஜன கண மண எனும் தேசக்குரலே
ஜனங்களின் குரல் என்று ஒலிக்கட்டுமே
சரித்திரம் பெருமைகள் திரும்பட்டுமே
பிரிட்டன்னும் நமது பெருமை பேசுமே
Oh national voice named Jana Gana Mana
Let it resound as the voice of the people
Let history and historic glories return
Even Britain shall speak of our glory
இந்தியா இந்தியா இந்தியா இந்தியா
Innaadu namm naadu
This country is our country
Vizhundhu pochu vellaikkaaran valaiyilae
It fell into the trap of the white man
Vandhaargal vendraargal
They came, they conquered
Alaigal thavazhum madharaasin karaiyilae
On the wave-caressed shores of Madras
Panpaadu ellaamae maaripochu
All our culture changed completely
Namma vaazhkai muraiyilae
In our very way of life
Vellaiyoo vellaiyae
Oh white man, white man
Kollaiyoo kollaiyae
Oh plunder, sheer plunder
Thunbathai yaarumae sollavae illaiyae
No one even spoke of the suffering
Pudhu saalai vasathigal adainthom
We gained new road facilities
Thandavaala rayilgalai adainthom
We gained railway tracks
Minsaara vazhithadam adainthom adainthom
We gained electric power grids, we gained
Em koottai kodi maram izhandhom
We lost our fort and flag pole
Em kolgai manamadhai izhandhom
We lost our principles and mind
Pon kodi selvangal izhandhom izhandhom
We lost golden wealth, we lost, we lost
…………………..
En vaanum mannum vanigamaai ponadhae
My sky and earth turned into commerce
Engal arumaiyum perumaiyum arasiyal aanadhae
Our dignity and pride became political games
Ezhai dhesam endraargalae
They called us a poor nation
Kozhai dhesam endraanadhae
It became known as a cowardly nation
Velum vaalum yendhi vazhndha
A race that once lived wielding spears and swords
Inam viraiyaaga ponadhae
Wasted away so rapidly
Sindhum vervai ingae ingae
The sweat shed is right here, right here
Selvam ellaam angae angae
All the wealth goes over there, over there
Kizhakkin maarbil kurudhi kudithu kondu
Drinking blood from the chest of the East
Merkku valarkiragathae
The West continues to thrive and grow
Ada vellai nari singangalai aandathennavo
Why did the white fox rule over lions?
Siru vetil koottam
Why did a swarm of small insects
Engal koottai meindhadhennavoo
Graze upon our fortress?
Paarukkum oorukkum thangathai kodutha inam
A race that gave gold to the world and towns
Parukkaikku alaivadhenna
Why is it wandering for a single morsel of food?
Kadalgalin meenai mattum naam padithom
We only caught fish from the seas
Kadalaiyum karaiyaiyum avan pidithaan
He captured both the sea and the shore
Karaigalil manidharkku valai virithaan
On the shores, he spread nets for human beings
Chennaiyil madharas cityai amaithaan
In Chennai, he established Madras city
Em dhesam meendum theeviram kaanuma
Will our nation witness passionate fervor again?
Engal adimaiyin thazhumbugal muzhumaiyaai maaruma
Will the scars of our slavery completely heal?
Paalum thaenum aaraaguma
Will milk and honey flow like rivers?
Paazhum kanneer aaraaguma
Or will wasted tears flow like rivers?
Nammai naamae aazhum dhesam idhu
This is a nation where we rule ourselves
Indru uyir peruma
Will it gain new life today?
Ooran aatchi oor ponadhum
Once the foreigner's rule left for home
Oozhal oozhal oor aazhudhae
Corruption upon corruption rules the land
Nammai naamae aazhum dhesamidhu
This is a nation where we rule ourselves
Naalai valam peruma
Will it become prosperous tomorrow?
Vanjagamum poimaigalum pogattumae
Let deceit and falsehood depart
Vaaimai enum thaaimai mannai aazhattumae
Let motherly truth rule this land
Indhiya indhiya ezhundhu nimirnthadhendru
That India, India has stood tall and upright
Ivvulagam vaazhthattumae
Let this entire world praise it
Jana gana mana enum dhesakkuralae
Oh national voice named Jana Gana Mana
Janagalin kural endru olikattumae
Let it resound as the voice of the people
Saritharam perumaigal thirumbattumae
Let history and historic glories return
Brittanum namadhu perumai pesumae
Even Britain shall speak of our glory
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful patriotic song written by lyricist Vairamuthu reflects on India's colonial history, the exploitation by British rulers, and the post-independence state of the nation. The song captures the tragic transition from a self-sufficient, proud civilization to a colony exploited for its resources, contrasting the physical infrastructure built by the British (roads, railways) with the immense loss of cultural identity, wealth, and freedom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Contrast (Edhirmurai)
“Sindhum vervai ingae ingae / Selvam ellaam angae angae”
Contrasts the sweat shed by Indians locally with the wealth accumulated by the Western rulers.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kizhakkin maarbil kurudhi kudithu kondu / Merkku valarkiragathae”
Metaphorically describes Western colonial growth as drinking blood from the chest of the East.
Metaphor & Imagery
“Ada vellai nari singangalai aandathennavo / Siru vetil koottam engal koottai meindhadhennavoo”
Compares British colonizers to 'white foxes' ruling over Indian 'lions' and 'small insects' grazing on a fort.
Ethirai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Innaadu namm naadu / Vizhundhu pochu vellaikkaaran valaiyilae”
The second letters of 'Innaadu' and 'Vizhundhu' or 'Vandhaargal' and 'Alaigal' align according to Tamil poetic meter principles.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics are written by legendary Tamil poet Vairamuthu for the movie 'Vaaimai' (2016), directed by A. Senthil Kumar. The song acts as a historical commentary on British rule in Madras (Chennai) and transitions into a call against modern corruption.
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