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Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naadirukkum Nilamaiyila

From Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan · 1987

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
10 Feb 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Saa… paa… saa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Naadirukkum nelamaiyila
Naadirukkum nelamaiyila
Paattu romba thaeva thaeva
Sangeedhathil ennudaiya
Saevai ingu thaeva thaeva
Paattil ulla sangadhiya
Maanae maanae maanae
Ketta pinbu badhila chollu
Thaenae thaenae thaenae
Paattil ulla sangadhiya
Maanae maanae maanae
Ketta pinbu badhila chollu thaenae
Naadirukkum nelamaiyila
Paattu romba thaeva thaeva
Naadirukkum nelamaiyila
Pennae guru endraal
Thannaal paattu varum
Sonnaal purinjidum suvai therinjidum
Suvai valarndhu varum
Ellaa raagathaiyum
Ariyum thiran irukku
Nalla jathiyilum endha sudhiyilum
Paadum kural irukku
Oru veeram adhai paadavaa
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Edhu karunai adhai chollavaa
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Saani dhaapa saani dhaapa…
Reesa needha reesa needha…
Saani dhaapa saani dhaapa
Reesa needha reesa needha
Saani dhaapa maaga reesa
Naadirukkum nelamaiyila
Paattu romba thaeva thaeva
Sangeedhathil ennudaiya
Saevai ingu thaeva thaeva
Paattil ulla sangadhiya
Maanae maanae maanae
Ketta pinbu badhila chollu
Thaenae thaenae thaenae
Thamizhil paasuramaa
Thelungil keertthanaiyaa
Dhinam maaridum
Mel naattinarin pudhu isaiyaa
Rumbum bumbum…
Thora thora thoratho…
Yaehae haehae… saagaa paadhaa
Ellaam paadattumaa
Thalai keezh aakkattumaa
Solla inithidum suvai kalaigalai
Ingu serkkattumaa
Indha thaervil kanmani
Vetri enakkaa sollu nee
Saani dhaapa saani dhaapa…
Reesa needha reesa needha…
Saani dhaapa saani dhaapa
Reesa needha reesa needha
Saani dhaapa maaga reesa
Naadirukkum nelamaiyila
Paattu romba thaeva thaeva
Sangeedhathil ennudaiya
Saevai ingu thaeva thaeva
Paattil ulla sangadhiya
Maanae maanae maanae
Ketta pinbu badhila chollu
Thaenae thaenae thaenae
Paattil ulla sangadhiya
Maanae maanae maanae
Ketta pinbu badhila chollu thaenae
Sa... Pa... Sa... Aa... Aa...
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa...
In the state this country is in,
In the state this country is in,
Songs are truly, desperately needed!
In the world of music,
My service is truly needed here!
The musical nuances in this song,
My gentle deer, my dear,
Hear them first and then give your reply,
My sweet honey!
The musical nuances in this song,
My gentle deer, my dear,
Hear them first and give your answer, my honey!
In the state this country is in,
Songs are truly, desperately needed!
In the state this country is in...
If a woman becomes my teacher,
Music will flow effortlessly on its own!
If explained, it makes sense and the beauty is felt;
That rich taste will only keep growing!
Every single melody and raga,
I have the talent to master!
To any rhythmic beat and at any pitch,
I have a voice ready to sing!
Shall I sing of heroism and courage?
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa...
Shall I express what compassion is?
Aa... Aa... Aa... Aa...
Sa Ni Dha Pa, Sa Ni Dha Pa...
Ri Sa Ni Dha, Ri Sa Ni Dha...
Sa Ni Dha Pa, Sa Ni Dha Pa,
Ri Sa Ni Dha, Ri Sa Ni Dha,
Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa!
In the state this country is in,
Songs are truly, desperately needed!
In the world of music,
My service is truly needed here!
The musical nuances in this song,
My gentle deer, my dear,
Hear them first and then give your reply,
My sweet honey!
Is it a Pasuram (devotional hymn) in Tamil?
Or a Keerthanam (classical song) in Telugu?
Or the ever-changing,
Modern music from the Western world?
Ram bam bam bam...
Tho-ro-th tho-rath tho-rath-tho...
Ehey hey hey... Sa Ga Pa Dha!
Shall I sing it all?
Shall I turn everything upside down?
These sweet, delightful musical arts,
Shall I bring them all together here?
In this musical test, my darling,
Tell me, does the victory belong to me?
Sa Ni Dha Pa, Sa Ni Dha Pa...
Ri Sa Ni Dha, Ri Sa Ni Dha...
Sa Ni Dha Pa, Sa Ni Dha Pa,
Ri Sa Ni Dha, Ri Sa Ni Dha,
Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa!
In the state this country is in,
Songs are truly, desperately needed!
In the world of music,
My service is truly needed here!
The musical nuances in this song,
My gentle deer, my dear,
Hear them first and then give your reply,
My sweet honey!
The musical nuances in this song,
My gentle deer, my dear,
Hear them first and give your answer, my honey!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Naadirukkum Nelamaiyila' is a lively and humorous musical monologue from the 1987 Tamil film 'Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan'. Written by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, the song playfully addresses how desperately society needs music as an uplifting distraction given the state of affairs. The singer showcases his versatility across genres, blending Tamil Pasurams, Telugu Kritis, Western rhythms, and intricate swara improvisations to impress his beloved teacher/critic. Throughout the track, the protagonist humorously challenges musical conventions, blending classical solfege with scatting and pop elements while seeking validation from his beloved ('Maanae' / 'Thaenae'). It reflects Ilaiyaraaja's trademark musical wit, weaving technical music mastery with casual, catchy, conversational lyricism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

End Rhyme (Eybhu / இயைபு)

“Paattu romba thaeva thaeva... Saevai ingu thaeva thaeva”

Repetition of 'thaeva thaeva' at the end of lines creates a lighthearted, catchy rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor (Uvamaani / உவமை)

“Maanae maanae maanae... Thaenae thaenae thaenae”

Terms of endearment like 'Maanae' (deer-like lady) and 'Thaenae' (sweet honey) metaphorically address the loved one/evaluator.

Contrast / Juxtaposition (Muran / முரண்)

“Thamizhil paasuramaa... Mel naattinarin pudhu isaiyaa”

Juxtaposing sacred classical genres (Tamil Pasuram, Telugu Kirtana) with western pop beats (Mel naattinarin pudhu isai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja is world-renowned primarily as a composer, he wrote the lyrics for several songs himself, including this quirky comedic song from 'Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan' (1987).

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