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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naadala Vandhaaru

From Thaai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thaai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naadaala vanthaaru naadaala vanthaaru hoiHe came to rule the land, he came to rule the land, hoi!
Female :Naadaala vanthaaru naadaala vanthaaruFemale: He came to rule the land, he came to rule the land!
Both :Rajangam kandaarammaaBoth: He established his reign, oh mother!
Female :Kallaamai kandaaru illaamai kandaaruFemale: He saw illiteracy, he saw poverty,
Both :Kalloori thanthaarammaa ammammaaBoth: He gave us colleges, oh mother, oh mother!
Kalloori thanthaarammaa…..He gave us colleges...
Female
Pandiya nattu seemaiyilaeIn the realm of the Pandyan land,
Oru pachai kuzhanthai azhuthathadiAn innocent child wept, oh dear!
Paalukkaga azhavillaiIt did not cry for milk,
Adhu padippukkaga azhuthathadiIt cried for education, oh dear!
Male
Maadu meikkum siruvanai kanduSeeing a young boy grazing cattle,
Manathum udalum padhaiththathadiHis mind and body trembled with sorrow, oh dear!
Maadu meikkum siruvanai kanduSeeing a young boy grazing cattle,
Manathum udalum padhaiththathadiHis mind and body trembled with sorrow, oh dear!
Valarum pillai tharkuriyaanaalIf a growing child remains illiterate,
Vaazhvathu eppadi endrathadiHow can they live their life, it asked!
Chorus
Naadaala vanthaaru naadaala vanthaaruHe came to rule the land, he came to rule the land,
Rajangam kandaarammaaHe established his reign, oh mother!
Male
Petra thaaiyaiyum maranthathadiHe forgot even the mother who gave birth to him,
Adhu pirantha ponnaattai ninaiththathadiHe thought only of the golden land of his birth, oh dear!
Petra thaaiyaiyum maranthathadiHe forgot even the mother who gave birth to him,
Adhu pirantha ponnaattai ninaiththathadiHe thought only of the golden land of his birth, oh dear!
Uttraar uravinar yaaraiyum maranthuForgetting all kith and kin,
Ulagam kaakka thuninthathadiHe dared to protect the world, oh dear!
Male
Kalyaanam seiyyavum ennamillaiHe had no desire to get married,
Oru kaasukkum panaththukkum aasaiyillaiHe had no longing for money or wealth,
Kalyaanam seiyyavum ennamillaiHe had no desire to get married,
Oru kaasukkum panaththukkum aasaiyillaiHe had no longing for money or wealth,
Both :Ellaarkkum ellaamum vendumendraeBoth: Wishing that everyone should have everything,
Dhinam ennuvathallaal yaedhumillaiHe had no other thoughts daily!
Male
Pirappinil pachai thamizhanadiHe is a pure Tamilian by birth,
Avar periyavar enpom naangaladiWe call him a great leader, oh dear!
Pirappinil pachai thamizhanadiHe is a pure Tamilian by birth,
Avar periyavar enpom naangaladiWe call him a great leader, oh dear!
Karma veeranai kaalaa GandhiThe hero of karma, the Black Gandhi,
Endrazhaippar india makkaladiSo the people of India call him, oh dear!
Female
Avarai azhaippom vaangaladiCome, let us call him, oh friends!
Orr arasae amaippom vaangaladiCome, let us form a government, oh friends!
Avarai azhaippom vaangaladiCome, let us call him, oh friends!
Orr arasae amaippom vaangaladiCome, let us form a government, oh friends!
Male
Viruthu koduththu nagarvalam varuvomLet us honor him with awards and parade through the town,
Vettri muzhangida koodungadiGather together to sound the trumpet of victory, oh friends!
Chorus :Vettri muzhangida koodungadiChorus: Gather together to sound the trumpet of victory, oh friends!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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