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Panthayam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Iravu Nadakindrathu

From Panthayam · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Panthayam
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
21 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Iravu nadakindrathu
En idhayam malargindrathu
Un varavu theringindrathu
Vaazhndha vaazhkai puringindrathu
Iravu nadakindrathu
En idhayam malargindrathu
Un varavu theringindrathu
Vaazhndha vaazhkai puringindrathu
Saalaigal irandum pirinthu
Meendum sandhikkum velaiyilae
Saalaigal irandum pirinthu
Meendum sandhikkum velaiyilae
Avai thanukkul pesum aaiyiram pechu
Aanandha bodhaiyilae
Naalai poluthu yaarukku vidiyum
Iruvarin vaazhkaiyilae
Naalai poluthu yaarukku vidiyum
Iruvarin vaazhkaiyilae
Indha nadagathil vetri yaarukkendru
Theriyum serkaiyilae
Iravu nadakindrathu
En idhayam malargindrathu
Un varavu theringindrathu
Vaazhndha vaazhkai puringindrathu
Vanjaga ulagai vanjagathalae
Vendrathu en manamae
Vanjaga ulagai vanjagathalae
Vendrathu en manamae
En vaazhkaiyai kettaal
Idhudhaan seriyena varuvaai ennudanae
Nee varuvaai ennudanae
Sattam dharmam needhi
Sattam dharmam needhikku
Ennai thandhu vitten manamae
Sattam dharmam needhikku
Ennai thandhu vitten manamae
Naam sandhithavudanae
Idhudhaan seriyena varuvaai ennudanae
Nee varuvaai ennudanae
Iravu nadakindrathu
En idhayam malargindrathu
Un varavu theringindrathu
Vaazhndha vaazhkai puringindrathu
Poluthae poluthae poi vidu poividu
Yen innum thayangugiraai
Poluthae poluthae poi vidu poividu
Yen innum thayangugiraai
Anbu pongum engal idhayathai kandu
Nee yen mayangugiraai
Vidiyum poluthae vidiyum poluthae
Viraivil vandhu vidu
Vidiyum poluthae vidiyum poluthae
Viraivil vandhu vidu
Engal pirivin thuyarai pesi mudikka
Nanbanai thandhu vidu nanbanai thandhu vidu
The night moves on
My heart is blossoming
I can sense you coming
The life I have lived makes sense now
The night moves on
My heart is blossoming
I can sense you coming
The life I have lived makes sense now
When two roads that parted
meet each other once again,
When two roads that parted
meet each other once again,
they share a thousand words between them
in a rush of joy.
For which of us will tomorrow dawn bright
in the lives of the two of us?
For which of us will tomorrow dawn bright
in the lives of the two of us?
Who will win in this drama
will be known when we reunite.
The night moves on
My heart is blossoming
I can sense you coming
The life I have lived makes sense now
In this deceitful world, by its own trickery,
my heart has triumphed.
In this deceitful world, by its own trickery,
my heart has triumphed.
If you hear the story of my life,
you will see it is right and come with me,
you will come with me.
Law, righteousness, and justice—
to law, righteousness, and justice,
I have given myself over, my heart.
To law, righteousness, and justice,
I have given myself over, my heart.
As soon as we meet,
you will see it is right and come with me,
you will come with me.
The night moves on
My heart is blossoming
I can sense you coming
The life I have lived makes sense now
Oh night, pass away, pass away,
why do you still hesitate?
Oh night, pass away, pass away,
why do you still hesitate?
Seeing our hearts brimming with love,
why are you lingering spellbound?
Oh dawn, oh dawning day,
arrive quickly!
Oh dawn, oh dawning day,
arrive quickly!
To talk away the sorrow of our separation,
bring back my friend, bring back my friend!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Iravu nadakindrathu from Panthayam (1967) presents a philosophical and dramatic musical duel between two characters standing on opposing sides of life's principles. One perspective argues that a deceitful world must be met with cunning and strategy, while the opposing perspective upholds absolute devotion to law, moral righteousness, and justice. Set against the passage of night into dawn, the lyricism ponders who will ultimately prevail in the drama of life. Kannadasan uses the imagery of diverging roads meeting again to signify crossroad moments in human destiny. As night turns into day, both speakers urge time to pass quickly so that truth, understanding, and reconciliation can prevail, emphasizing that ultimate victory is determined when lives intersect and righteousness is tested.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Iravu nadakindrathu”

Attributing human movement to the night ('Iravu nadakindrathu' - the night walks/moves) to emphasize the gradual passage of time.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“En idhayam malargindrathu”

Consistent end rhyming suffix (-gindrathu) across consecutive lines to create a rhythmic, melodic cadence.

Extended Metaphor

“Saalaigal irandum pirinthu”

Comparing human life paths, choices, and destiny to two roads that diverge and intersect.

Repetition / Anaphora

“Poluthae poluthae poi vidu poividu”

Doubling words ('Poluthae poluthae', 'poi vidu poividu') to build urgency and dramatic intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Panthayam (1967) features a notable duet composition by T. R. Pappa, bringing together two titan vocalists of Tamil cinema—T. M. Soundarajan and Seerkazhi Govindarajan—to represent conflicting moral philosophies written by Kannadasan.

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