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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Medaiyil Naane

From Nandri Meendum Varuga · 1982

Lyricist
Udhayanan
Singer
H. P. Haran
Music director
Shyam
Details
Nandri Meendum Varuga1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maedaiyil naanae innaattu rajaOn the stage, I am the king of this land
Odum pallaakkilaeEven if I arrive in a moving palanquin
Vanthaalum pandaaramae….In reality, I am just a penniless mendicant...
Maedaiyil naanae innaattu rajaOn the stage, I am the king of this land
Odum pallaakkilaeEven if I arrive in a moving palanquin
Vanthaalum pandaaramae….In reality, I am just a penniless mendicant...
Male
Varuvaar pugazhvaar sila kaalangalaePeople will come and praise for a brief time
Sirippaar marappaar adhi nerangalaeThey will laugh and forget most of the time
Kalai ulagam tharum pugazh idhuthaanThis is the nature of fame given by the art world
Male
Maedaiyil naanae innaattu rajaOn the stage, I am the king of this land
Odum pallaakkilaeEven if I arrive in a moving palanquin
Vanthaalum pandaaramae….In reality, I am just a penniless mendicant...
Male
Dhinam oru vagai en sonthangalEvery day brings a different set of relations
Narai tharum thirai en thottarangalScreen makeup that bestows fake grey hair and appearances
Naalum maarum paasangalAffections that change with every passing day
Male
Dhinam oru vagai en sonthangalEvery day brings a different set of relations
Narai tharum thirai en thottarangalScreen makeup that bestows fake grey hair and appearances
Naalum maarum paasangalAffections that change with every passing day
Male
Theruvilum suvarilum nidham nidhamOn the streets and on the walls every day
Pudhuvagai vilambaram varum varumNew varieties of advertisements keep appearing
Oru sila vaaram nilai marumIn just a few weeks, the status and fame shift
Paar paar rasiganae…Look and behold, oh fan...
Kalai ulagam tharum pugazh idhuthaanThis is the nature of fame given by the art world
Male
Maedaiyil naanae innaattu rajaOn the stage, I am the king of this land
Odum pallaakkilaeEven if I arrive in a moving palanquin
Vanthaalum pandaaramae….In reality, I am just a penniless mendicant...
Male
Parisugal tharum un ennangalYour thoughts that bestow gifts upon me
Adhu tharu sugam en yaekkangalThe pleasure it gives satisfies my inner longings
Azhaiththaal varuvaen maedaiyilIf you call, I will appear on the stage
Male
Thoduvathum izhuppathum idham idhamBeing touched and drawn close feels pleasant
Rasippathil idhu oru vidham vidhamThis is a unique way of expressing appreciation
Neeyae engal vazhigaatti vaa rasiganaeYou are our guiding light, come oh fan
Kalai ulagam tharum pugazh idhuthaanThis is the nature of fame given by the art world
Male
Maedaiyil naanae innaattu rajaOn the stage, I am the king of this land
Odum pallaakkilaeEven if I arrive in a moving palanquin
Vanthaalum pandaaramae….In reality, I am just a penniless mendicant...
Male
Varuvaar pugazhvaar sila kaalangalaePeople will come and praise for a brief time
Sirippaar marappaar adhi nerangalaeThey will laugh and forget most of the time
Kalai ulagam tharum pugazh idhuthaanThis is the nature of fame given by the art world
Male
Maedaiyil naanae innaattu rajaOn the stage, I am the king of this land
Odum pallaakkilaeEven if I arrive in a moving palanquin
Vanthaalum pandaaramae….In reality, I am just a penniless mendicant...
Male
……………….....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maedaiyil Naanae' from the 1982 Tamil film Nandri Meendum Varuga reflects upon the fleeting nature of stardom, theatrical performance, and artistic glory. The protagonist acknowledges that while he plays grand roles on stage and is treated like royalty in fiction, in truth he remains an ordinary, humble seeker once the curtains fall. The song highlights how fan adoration, publicity posters, and theatrical relationships are transient, lasting only until the next act or advertisement comes along. Despite the temporary nature of fame, the artist expresses deep affection for the audience and fans who validate his craft. The lyricist Udhayanan beautifully captures the duality of an actor's existence—the grand illusion created for the stage versus the humble reality of human life. The track serves as a poignant commentary on show business and the bond between performers and their admirers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Maedaiyil naanae innaattu raja / Vanthaalum pandaaramae

The contrast between playing a 'raja' (king) on stage and being a 'pandaaram' (monk/beggar) in reality symbolizes the illusory nature of acting versus real life.

Emoni / Rhyme (Monorhyme & Anaphora)

Dhinam oru vagai en sonthangal / Narai tharum thirai en thottarangal / Naalum maarum paasangal

Repetition of rhyming end sounds such as 'sonthangal', 'thottarangal', and 'paasangal' creates rhythmic symmetry.

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Theruvilum suvarilum nidham nidham / Pudhuvagai vilambaram varum varum

Words like 'nidham nidham', 'varum varum', and 'vidham vidham' are repeated for emphasis and poetic tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nandri Meendum Varuga (1982) was directed by Mouli and featured a satirical look at public life and cinema culture. The song highlights the philosophical side of stage performance and audience enthusiasm common in early 1980s Tamil cinema.

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