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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naadu Enbadhu

From Roshakkari · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Chorus
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Roshakkari1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naadu enbathu naangal kadanthu paadupattadhappaA nation is where we endured and labored, my friend
Paadupattavar vaazhavumYet for those who labored to live
Oru veedum illaiyappaThere is not even a home, my friend
Chorus :Naadu enbathu naangal kadanthu paadupattadhappaChorus :A nation is where we endured and labored, my friend
Paadupattavar vaazhavumYet for those who labored to live
Oru veedum illaiyappaThere is not even a home, my friend
Male
Sathiya thathuvam ethanaiHow many philosophies of truth
Sonnadhu bharatha boomiyappaThe land of Bharath has proclaimed, my friend!
Sathiya thathuvam ethanaiHow many philosophies of truth
Sonnadhu bharatha boomiyappaThe land of Bharath has proclaimed, my friend!
Samadharmam enbadhu varuvadharkkuYet for true social equality to arrive
Vazhiyum illaiyappaThere seems to be no way at all, my friend
Male
Naadu enbathu naangal kadanthu paadupattadhappaA nation is where we endured and labored, my friend
Paadupattavar vaazhavumYet for those who labored to live
Oru veedum illaiyappaThere is not even a home, my friend
Male
Paadhai irukku padukka naamThere is the roadside path for us to sleep on
Paippu thanniyai kudikkaAnd public tap water for us to drink
Chorus :Paadhai irukku padukka naamChorus :There is the roadside path for us to sleep on
Paippu thanniyai kudikkaAnd public tap water for us to drink
Male :Kaigal irukku uzhaikkaMale :There are hands to work
Edhir kaalam irukku pizhaikkaThere is a future ahead to survive
Male
Pasikku koduthu padikkaWe gave food for hunger and money for education
Koduthu valarthuvittomaeWe raised and supported them
Avan panathai nambiRelying on his wealth
Gunathai izhandhu uravai vittanaeHe lost his character and abandoned his family
Ada uravai vittanaeOh, he abandoned his relationships
Chorus
{Ada raamaiyaa somaiyaa{Hey Ramaiya, Somaiya
Krishnaiyaa kannaiyaaKrishnaya, Kannaiya
Kadhaiyai kelungaiyaaListen to this story, my friends
Nalla samayam kidaikkumWhen the right time comes
Thiruppi adichaIf you strike back
Pizhaithu kollungaiyaa} (2)You can survive, my friends} (2)
Male
Naadu enbathu naangal kadanthu paadupattadhappaA nation is where we endured and labored, my friend
Paadupattavar vaazhavumYet for those who labored to live
Oru veedum illaiyappaThere is not even a home, my friend
Male
Ezhai manasu neruppu adhuA poor person's heart is a fire
Eriyum niramum sivappuAnd its burning color is red
Chorus :Ezhai manasu neruppu adhuChorus :A poor person's heart is a fire
Eriyum niramum sivappuAnd its burning color is red
Male :Valarndhu vittadhu veruppuMale :Hatred has grown deep
Adharkku naangal illai poruppuAnd we are not to blame for it
Male
Makkal panathai vettaiyaadumThere are leaders who plunder
Thalaivanum unduThe money of the common people
Ingae manivi panathilAnd here, there are husbands who party
Attam podum purushanum unduUsing their wife's money
Chorus
Ada raamaiyaa somaiyaaHey Ramaiya, Somaiya
Krishnaiyaa kannaiyaaKrishnaya, Kannaiya
Kadhaiyai kelungaiyaaListen to this story, my friends
Nalla samayam kidaikkumWhen the right time comes
Thiruppi adichaIf you strike back
Pizhaithu kollungaiyaaYou can survive, my friends
Male
Maadi muludhum kaasuMoney fills his whole upper mansion
Avan manadhil mattravar dhoosuIn his mind, everyone else is just dust
Chorus :Maadi muludhum kaasuChorus :Money fills his whole upper mansion
Avan manadhil mattravar dhoosuIn his mind, everyone else is just dust
Male :Kadantha naalai marandhuMale :Forgetting the days gone by
Thalai kanathu vittadhai pesuHe talks with a head swollen with arrogance
Male
Aandi kooda aalaiEven a beggar, with public support
Pidithu arasanavadhu unduCan rise to become a king
Avan arasanaagi nandri kettaalIf he becomes king and turns ungrateful
Adimai aavathu unduHe will eventually become a slave again
Chorus
Ada raamaiyaa somaiyaaHey Ramaiya, Somaiya
Krishnaiyaa kannaiyaaKrishnaya, Kannaiya
Kadhaiyai kelungaiyaaListen to this story, my friends
Nalla samayam kidaikkumWhen the right time comes
Thiruppi adichaIf you strike back
Pizhaithu kollungaiyaaYou can survive, my friends
Male
Naadu enbathu naangal kadanthu paadupattadhappaA nation is where we endured and labored, my friend
Paadupattavar vaazhavumYet for those who labored to live
Oru veedum illaiyappaThere is not even a home, my friend

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a socio-political anthem highlighting the plight, resilience, and latent revolutionary power of the working class. The narrator laments that despite the working class building the nation through sweat and toil, they remain homeless, sleeping on streets and drinking tap water. The lyrics critically juxtapose India's rich spiritual philosophies of equality with the stark reality of economic disparity, political corruption, and social arrogance displayed by the wealthy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Ezhai manasu neruppu adhu / Eriyum niramum sivappu

The line compares the oppressed poor man's heart to fire and associates its burning anger with the color red, symbolizing socialist revolution.

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

Maadi muludhum kaasu / Avan manadhil mattravar dhoosu

The end-rhyming words 'kaasu' (money) and 'dhoosu' (dust) emphasize the moral contrast between material wealth and absolute disdain for human dignity.

Apostrophe / Direct Address

Ada raamaiyaa somaiyaa / Krishnaiyaa kannaiyaa / Kadhaiyai kelungaiyaa

Addressing common folk names (Ramaiya, Somaiya, Krishnaya, Kannaiya) serves as a direct call to consciousness and solidarity for the working masses.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legend Kannadasan and set to tune by M. S. Vishwanathan for the 1974 film Roshakkari, this track reflects the strong socialist and reformist lyrical trends prevalent in Tamil film music during the 1970s. Sung vibrantly by T. M. Soundararajan, it served as a popular working-class awareness song.

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