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Isaimozhi
Nizhalgal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Madai Thiranthu

From Nizhalgal · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nizhalgal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
25 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Laalalalalalaa…..
Madai thiranthu thaavum nadhi alai naan
Manam thirandhu koovum siru kuyil naan
Isai kalaignan en aasaigal aayiram
Ninaithathu palithathu hoo..
Laalalalalalaa…..
Paabappa paa paaa…..
Kaalam kanindhadhu
Kadhavugal thirandhadhu
Gnanam vilaindhadhu nallisai pirandhadhu
Pudhu raagam padaipathaalae
Naanum iraivanae
Pudhu raagam padaipathaalae
Naanum iraivanae
Viralilum kuralilum swarangalin naattiyam
Amaithaen naan
Madai thiranthu thaavum nadhi alai naan
Manam thirandhu koovum siru kuyil naan
Isai kalaignan en aasaigal aayiram
Ninaithathu palithathu hoo..
…………………….
Naetrin arangilae
Nizhalgalin naadagam
Indrin edhirilae nijangalin dharisanam
Varungaalam vasantha kaalam
Naalum mangalam
Varungaalam vasantha kaalam
Naalum mangalam
Isaikkena isaigindra rasigargal raajjiyam
Enakkae dhaan
Madai thiranthu thaavum nadhi alai naan
Manam thirandhu koovum siru kuyil naan
Isai kalaignan en aasaigal aayiram
Ninaithathu palithathu hoo..
Laalalalalalaa…..
La la la la la la...
I am a river wave leaping through an open floodgate
I am a little cuckoo singing with an open heart
I am a musician with a thousand dreams
What I dreamed has come true, ooh...
La la la la la la...
Pa pa pa pa pa...
The time is ripe
The doors have opened
Wisdom has bloomed, and fine music is born
Because I create new melodies
I too am a god
Because I create new melodies
I too am a god
Through my fingers and voice, a dance of musical notes
I have created
I am a river wave leaping through an open floodgate
I am a little cuckoo singing with an open heart
I am a musician with a thousand dreams
What I dreamed has come true, ooh...
...
On yesterday's stage
Was a play of shadows
Before today's eyes is the sight of reality
The future is springtime
Every day is blessed with joy
The future is springtime
Every day is blessed with joy
The kingdom of fans who live for music
Belongs only to me
I am a river wave leaping through an open floodgate
I am a little cuckoo singing with an open heart
I am a musician with a thousand dreams
What I dreamed has come true, ooh...
La la la la la la...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Madai Thiranthu is an iconic Tamil song celebrating artistic freedom, divine creativity, and the triumphant realization of long-held dreams. The protagonist compares his unleashed musical talents to a river breaking free from a sluice gate and a cuckoo singing without restraint. Through the act of creating fresh, soulful ragas, the artist feels elevated to the status of a creator god, mastering notes both in voice and instrument. The song reflects a shift from past struggles (shadows) to present triumphs (realities). Looking ahead to a bright, prosperous future filled with admiring listeners, the artist expresses immense joy and supreme confidence in his musical realm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Madai thiranthu thaavum nadhi alai naan”

Compares the sudden release of creative music to a river rushing out when a sluice gate is opened.

Metaphor & Imagery

“Manam thirandhu koovum siru kuyil naan”

Compares the artist to a cuckoo bird singing freely from an open heart.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kaalam kanindhadhu / Kadhavugal thirandhadhu”

Repetition of the initial letter sounds 'Ka' ('Kaalam' / 'Kadhavugal') creating rhythmic harmony.

Contrast (Antithesis)

“Naetrin arangilae Nizhalgalin naadagam / Indrin edhirilae nijangalin dharisanam”

Contrasts past illusions ('Nizhalgal' - shadows) with present truth ('Nijangal' - reality).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Madai Thiranthu' from the 1980 film Nizhalgal was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by Vaali, and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The song's title played on the movie's title 'Nizhalgal' (Shadows) with the line 'Nizhalgalin naadagam / Indrin edhirilae nijangalin dharisanam'.

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