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Lyrics & meaning

Naadodi Mannan

From Vaathi · 2022

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Anthony Daasan
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Vaathi2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naadodi mannanA nomadic king,
Naanpora paadhayillaeOn the path I walk,
Ponaalae sedhamillaeThere is no harm along the way.
ThaalaelooLullaby (Thaalaloo)...
Male
Aathaava andhaWith that mother-like
Aagasam kooda varaSky walking along with me,
Vera yeadhum thevai illaI need nothing else.
ThaalaelooLullaby (Thaalaloo)...
Male
Pallathila kaal irundhumEven though my feet are down in a pit,
Pallakkula yen pousuMy stature is regal like sitting in a palanquin.
Panjam passi paakayillumEven when experiencing famine and hunger,
Alli tharum poo manasuMy flower-like heart gives generously to all.
Male
Paththuthala raavanaananLike the ten-headed Ravana,
Paanju varum poarmurassuA rushing war drum of energy,
Metteduthu paadayilaeWhen I compose a melody and sing,
Naanum kavi pear-arasuI too am a supreme emperor of poetry.
Male
Thonnaiyila soruRice served in a leaf cup,
Thottiyila neeruWater stored in a simple trough,
Yenna nadandhaalumNo matter what happens,
Illa illa kanneeruThere are no tears, no tears at all.
Male
Nethiyila nooruA hundred shining stars
Natchathiram paaruLook at the stars on my forehead!
Vandha vali ponaaIf you move forward along your path,
Vambae illa munneruWithout getting into trouble, you will progress.
Male
Hey seema pooravumHey, across this whole land,
Suththi varum kaataaruLike a roaring mountain stream,
Yenga ninnalumWherever I stand,
Andha yedam en ooruThat place becomes my home village.
Male
Saathi paarkathaWithout looking at caste differences,
Sanamae en kootuThe common people are my community.
Modhi parthalaeIf anyone comes to clash with me,
Mudipen poli pottuI will finish them off with a decisive blow.
Male
Konjam kidachaalumEven if I receive just a little,
Pangu vaikkum aalaeI am one who shares it with everyone.
Kooda irunthaaalaeAs long as good people stand together,
Ella naalum nannaaleEvery day will be a glorious day.
Male
Kuttu patta ezhaiThe oppressed poor who have been beaten down
Kotaiyilae yeraaWill rise and conquer the fort.
Eppoluthum naamaeAlways, we ourselves
Nippom nippom munnaleWill stand, stand at the very front!
Male
Paththu thala ravanan..aaaaTen-headed Ravana... ah!
Male
Naadodi mannanA nomadic king,
Naanpora paadhayillaeOn the path I walk,
Poanaale saedhamilaeThere is no harm along the way.
ThaalaelooLullaby (Thaalaloo)...
Male
Aathaava andhaWith that mother-like
Aagasam kooda varaSky walking along with me,
Vera yeadhum thevai illaI need nothing else.
Thaalaeloo..Lullaby (Thaalaloo)...
Male
Thaalaeloo..Lullaby (Thaalaloo)...
Male
Pallathila kaal irundhumEven though my feet are down in a pit,
Pallakkula yen pousuMy stature is regal like sitting in a palanquin.
Panjam passi paakayillumEven when experiencing famine and hunger,
Alli tharum poo manasuMy flower-like heart gives generously to all.
Male
Paththuthala raavananaaLike ten-headed Ravana,
Paanju varum poarmurassuA rushing war drum of energy,
Metteduthu paadayilaeWhen I compose a melody and sing,
Naanum kavi pear-arasuI too am a supreme emperor of poetry.
Male
Paththuthala raavananaaLike ten-headed Ravana,
Paanju varum poarmurassuA rushing war drum of energy,
Metteduthu paadayilaeeeeeeee…When I compose a melody and sing...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-infused, energetic track celebrates self-respect, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of the working-class nomadic hero. Despite facing hardship, poverty, and humble origins (represented by eating from leaf cups and standing in pits), the speaker carries himself with royal dignity, generosity, and pride. He views the sky as a maternal guardian and treats all people as his family regardless of caste. The song serves as an anthem of empowerment, declaring that those who are oppressed will break through barriers, scale the forts of power, and lead from the front with courage, song, and unity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil prosody)

Pallathila kaal irundhum / Pallakkula yen pousu

Matching of the second consonant sound 'll' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Moonaai (Initial letter alliteration)

Thonnaiyila soru / Thottiyila neeru

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound in adjacent lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Alli tharum poo manasu / Naanum kavi pear-arasu

Comparing a soft, generous heart directly to a tender flower ('poo manasu') and describing oneself as an emperor of poetry ('kavi pear-arasu').

Personification / Simile

Aathaava andha / Aagasam kooda vara

Personifying the expanse of the sky as a caring mother walking alongside the singer.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track 'Naadodi Mannan' features vocals by popular Tamil folk-rock singer Anthony Daasan. Set to tunes by G. V. Prakash Kumar with lyrics by Yugabharathi, the title references the iconic 1958 M. G. Ramachandran movie 'Nadodi Mannan', evoking themes of a wandering hero who fights for the rights of the common people.

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