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Isaimozhi
Thaai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naadala Vandhaaru

From Thaai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Thaai
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
13 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naadaala vanthaaru naadaala vanthaaru hoi
Female :Naadaala vanthaaru naadaala vanthaaru
Both :Rajangam kandaarammaa
Female :Kallaamai kandaaru illaamai kandaaru
Both :Kalloori thanthaarammaa ammammaa
Kalloori thanthaarammaa…..
Pandiya nattu seemaiyilae
Oru pachai kuzhanthai azhuthathadi
Paalukkaga azhavillai
Adhu padippukkaga azhuthathadi
Maadu meikkum siruvanai kandu
Manathum udalum padhaiththathadi
Maadu meikkum siruvanai kandu
Manathum udalum padhaiththathadi
Valarum pillai tharkuriyaanaal
Vaazhvathu eppadi endrathadi
Naadaala vanthaaru naadaala vanthaaru
Rajangam kandaarammaa
Petra thaaiyaiyum maranthathadi
Adhu pirantha ponnaattai ninaiththathadi
Petra thaaiyaiyum maranthathadi
Adhu pirantha ponnaattai ninaiththathadi
Uttraar uravinar yaaraiyum maranthu
Ulagam kaakka thuninthathadi
Kalyaanam seiyyavum ennamillai
Oru kaasukkum panaththukkum aasaiyillai
Kalyaanam seiyyavum ennamillai
Oru kaasukkum panaththukkum aasaiyillai
Both :Ellaarkkum ellaamum vendumendrae
Dhinam ennuvathallaal yaedhumillai
Pirappinil pachai thamizhanadi
Avar periyavar enpom naangaladi
Pirappinil pachai thamizhanadi
Avar periyavar enpom naangaladi
Karma veeranai kaalaa Gandhi
Endrazhaippar india makkaladi
Avarai azhaippom vaangaladi
Orr arasae amaippom vaangaladi
Avarai azhaippom vaangaladi
Orr arasae amaippom vaangaladi
Viruthu koduththu nagarvalam varuvom
Vettri muzhangida koodungadi
Chorus :Vettri muzhangida koodungadi
He came to rule the land, he came to rule the land, hoy!
Female: He came to rule the land, he came to rule the land!
Both: He established good governance, my friends!
Female: He saw illiteracy, he saw poverty,
Both: And he gave us colleges, oh friends!
He gave us colleges...
In the ancient land of the Pandyas,
A tender little child cried, my friends!
It did not cry for milk,
It cried for an education!
Seeing a young boy herding cattle,
His heart and body trembled with pain!
Seeing a young boy herding cattle,
His heart and body trembled with pain!
"If a growing child remains illiterate,
How will he make a living?" he asked!
He came to rule the land, he came to rule the land,
He established good governance, my friends!
Putting aside even his own mother,
He thought only of his beloved golden land!
Putting aside even his own mother,
He thought only of his beloved golden land!
Forgetting all his kith and kin,
He stepped forward to protect his people!
He had no thought of getting married,
He had no desire for money or wealth;
He had no thought of getting married,
He had no desire for money or wealth;
Both: "Everyone should have everything they need"—
Was all he ever thought of each day!
A pure-hearted Tamil by birth,
We proudly call him a great leader, my friends!
A pure-hearted Tamil by birth,
We proudly call him a great leader, my friends!
A tireless man of action, the Black Gandhi—
That is what the people of India call him, my friends!
Come, let us invite him,
Come, let us form a government!
Come, let us invite him,
Come, let us form a government!
Let us honor him and take him in procession through the town,
Gather together and sound the roar of victory!
Chorus: Gather together and sound the roar of victory!
Male
Female
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a grand eulogy paying tribute to the selfless legacy, visionary administration, and noble character of K. Kamaraj, the legendary former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The lyrics highlight his relentless effort to eliminate illiteracy ('Kallaamai') and poverty ('Illaamai') through mass schooling and educational infrastructure across the state. It touchingly narrates how Kamaraj was deeply moved upon seeing young children grazing cattle instead of studying, inspiring his iconic educational reforms and free mid-day meal scheme.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kallaamai kandaaru illaamai kandaaru”

In 'Kallaamai kandaaru illaamai kandaaru', the second consonant sound 'll' (ல்) rhymes in both Kallaamai and Illaamai, creating rhythm.

Monai (Initial-letter Alliteration)

“Maadu meikkum siruvanai kandu / Manathum udalum padhaiththathadi”

In 'Maadu meikkum siruvanai kandu / Manathum udalum padhaiththathadi', the repetition of the 'Ma' sound produces a musical cadence.

Epithet / Metaphor

“Karma veeranai kaalaa Gandhi”

Kamaraj is honored with popular epithets such as 'Karma Veeran' (The Hero of Action) and 'Kaalaa Gandhi' (Black Gandhi) reflecting his dedicated service and Gandhian values.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song directly honors K. Kamaraj (1903–1975), the iconic leader of Tamil Nadu known for revolutionary social welfare policies like free education and the Midday Meal Scheme. Lyricist Kannadasan eloquently captured Kamaraj's ascetic public devotion, emphasizing that he lived a simple life without wealth, family, or self-interest, completely dedicated to public service.

Keep listening

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