- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Nadodi
- Movie release year
- 1966
- Lyrics added on
- 15 Jun 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic patriotic song from the 1966 movie Nadodi revolves around the deep love and duty towards one's homeland. Using brilliant wordplay on 'Naadu' (which means both nation and to seek), the lyrics emphasize that a personal home has no value without a safe and respected nation. The song celebrates the land's landscape, the valor of its people, their high moral character, and their generosity toward the hungry. Furthermore, it delivers a stern warning to aggressors: while the nation is welcoming and honorable, it will fiercely crush anyone who opposes its sovereignty.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Yamakam / Polysemy (Wordplay)
“Naadu adhai naadu”
The word 'Naadu' is ingeniously used as both a noun meaning 'country' and an imperative verb meaning 'seek' or 'desire'.
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Naadu adhai naadu / Adhai naadaavittaal / Yedhu veedu…”
The second consonant sound 'd' ('da'/ 'du') rhymes across 'Naadu', 'Adhai', and 'Veedu'.
Personification / Metaphor
“Vettri thirumaadhu / Nadai podum ellai”
Victory is personified as a goddess ('Vettri thirumaadhu') walking upon the borders of the nation.
Simile / Metaphor
“Pagaivar mugam paarthu / Puliyaaga seerum ... Edhirthu varuvorai / Uramaaga podum”
The nation/people are compared to a tiger fiercely confronting enemies, and enemies are metaphorically turned into 'fertilizer' for the soil.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Naadu Adhai Naadu' features lyrics written by Vaali and was composed by the duo M. S. Viswanathan - T. K. Ramamoorthy (or M. S. Viswanathan), sung by T. M. Soundararajan for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song's heavy patriotic theme and emphasis on moral integrity doubled as a political message closely aligned with MGR's public image during the mid-1960s.
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