Naagareegama Idhu Naagareegama
From Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari · 1954
- Lyricist
- K. D. Santhanam
- Singer
- T. V. Rathnam
- Music director
- T. G. Lingappa
- Details
- Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Is this culture? Is this civilization? |
| Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Is this culture? Is this civilization? |
| Poga poga verum poli azhagaiyae | As time goes on, pursuing mere fake beauty, |
| Poga poga verum poli azhagaiyae | As time goes on, pursuing mere fake beauty, |
| Pudhumaiyaaga ennum mathiyillaatha seyal | And considering it modern novelty is a mindless act. |
| Female | |
| Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Is this culture? Is this civilization? |
| Female | |
| Ulla thooimaiyodu nalla pengalaai | With inner purity, as virtuous women, |
| Ozhukkaththai valarppathu naagareegamaa verum | Is cultivating moral conduct civilization? Or is merely |
| Udaigalinaalae udalai minukkiyae | Adorning the body with glamorous clothes, |
| Udaigalinaalae udalai minukkiyae | Adorning the body with glamorous clothes, |
| Oorai suttruvathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | And roaming around the town civilization? Is this civilization? |
| Female | |
| Mangalakaramaai manjalai poosi | Applying turmeric auspiciously, |
| Kungumam anivathu naagareegamaa adhu naagareegamaa | And wearing vermillion—that is culture, that is civilization! |
| Mangalakaramaai manjalai poosi | Applying turmeric auspiciously, |
| Kungumam anivathu naagareegamaa | And wearing vermillion—that is culture! |
| Maida maavai pola face powderai mugaththil | Smearing face powder like refined flour (maida) on the face, |
| Maida maavai pola face powderai mugaththil | Smearing face powder like refined flour (maida) on the face, |
| Poosik kolvathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Is applying that on oneself civilization? Is this civilization? |
| Female | |
| Paadupattu panam thedum kanavanukku | To a husband who works hard to earn money, |
| Panividai seivathu naagareegamaa athu naagareegamaa | Serving him with care—that is culture, that is civilization! |
| Paadupattu panam thedum kanavanukku | To a husband who works hard to earn money, |
| Panividai seivathu naagareegamaa athu naagareegamaa | Serving him with care—that is culture, that is civilization! |
| Avar veedu thedi varum maalai velaiyil | When he reaches home tired in the evening, |
| Ulaava povathu naagareegamaa | Going out for a casual stroll—is that civilization? |
| Avar veedu thedi varum maalai velaiyil | When he reaches home tired in the evening, |
| Ulaava povathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Going out for a casual stroll—is that civilization? Is this civilization? |
| Female | |
| Thaan pettra kuzhanthaiyai thaalaatti paalootti | Singing lullabies, nursing, and raising one's own child, |
| Thaanae valarppathu naagareegamaa | Raising the child oneself—that is civilization! |
| Thaan pettra kuzhanthaiyai thaalaatti paalootti | Singing lullabies, nursing, and raising one's own child, |
| Thaanae valarppathu naagareegamaa | Raising the child oneself—that is civilization! |
| Adhu thaanae valarppathu naagareegamaa | Raising them oneself is true civilization! |
| Adhai thaayattra pillai pol aayaalidaththilae | Handing the child over to a nanny like a motherless orphan, |
| Adhai thaayattra pillai pol aayaalidaththilae | Handing the child over to a nanny like a motherless orphan, |
| Thaarai vaarppathu nagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Surrendering them like that—is that civilization? Is this civilization? |
| Male | |
| Achcham naanam madam payirppu | Fear, modesty, unpretentiousness, and delicacy— |
| Amaintha thanmai naagareegamaa | Embodying these virtues is true civilization! |
| Achcham naanam madam payirppu | Fear, modesty, unpretentiousness, and delicacy— |
| Amaintha thanmai naagareegamaa | Embodying these virtues is true civilization! |
| Aringayargal pirantha naattil pengal | In the land where great wise scholars were born, if women |
| Azhagai pottrinaal naagareegamaa | Praise superficial outer beauty—is that civilization? |
| Aringayargal pirantha naattil pengal | In the land where great wise scholars were born, if women |
| Azhagai pottrinaal naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Praise superficial outer beauty—is that civilization? Is this civilization? |
| Idhu naagareegamaa | Is this civilization? |
| Female | |
| Kanni tamilnaattin panpai ennaalum | Protecting the sacred culture of Tamil Nadu at all times |
| Kann pol kaappathu naagareegamaa | Like one's own eyes—that is true civilization! |
| Verum kannmoodithanamaai menaattu muraiyai | Blindly adopting Western culture, |
| Kannmoodithanamaai menaattu muraiyai | Blindly adopting Western culture, |
| Copy adippathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | And copying it—is that civilization? Is this civilization? |
| Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa | Is this culture? Is this civilization? |
நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
போக போக வெறும் போலி அழகையே
போக போக வெறும் போலி அழகையே
புதுமையாக எண்ணும் மதியில்லாத செயல்
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
As time goes on, pursuing mere fake beauty,
As time goes on, pursuing mere fake beauty,
And considering it modern novelty is a mindless act.
நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா...
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
உள்ள தூய்மையோடு நல்ல பெண்களாய்
ஒழுக்கத்தை வளர்ப்பது நாகரீகமா வெறும்
உடைகளினாலே உடலை மினுக்கியே
உடைகளினாலே உடலை மினுக்கியே
ஊரைச் சுற்றுவது நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
With inner purity, as virtuous women,
Is cultivating moral conduct civilization? Or is merely
Adorning the body with glamorous clothes,
Adorning the body with glamorous clothes,
And roaming around the town civilization? Is this civilization?
மங்களகரமாய் மஞ்சளைப் பூசி
குங்குமம் அணிவது நாகரீகமா அது நாகரீகமா
மங்களகரமாய் மஞ்சளைப் பூசி
குங்குமம் அணிவது நாகரீகமா
மைதா மாவைப் போல பேஸ் பௌடரை முகத்தில்
மைதா மாவைப் போல பேஸ் பௌடரை முகத்தில்
பூசிக் கொள்வது நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
Applying turmeric auspiciously,
And wearing vermillion—that is culture, that is civilization!
Applying turmeric auspiciously,
And wearing vermillion—that is culture!
Smearing face powder like refined flour (maida) on the face,
Smearing face powder like refined flour (maida) on the face,
Is applying that on oneself civilization? Is this civilization?
பாடுபட்டு பணம் தேடும் கணவனுக்கு
பணிவிடை செய்வது நாகரீகமா அது நாகரீகமா
பாடுபட்டு பணம் தேடும் கணவனுக்கு
பணிவிடை செய்வது நாகரீகமா அது நாகரீகமா
அவர் வீடு தேடி வரும் மாலை வேளையில்
உலாவப் போவது நாகரீகமா
அவர் வீடு தேடி வரும் மாலை வேளையில்
உலாவப் போவது நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
To a husband who works hard to earn money,
Serving him with care—that is culture, that is civilization!
To a husband who works hard to earn money,
Serving him with care—that is culture, that is civilization!
When he reaches home tired in the evening,
Going out for a casual stroll—is that civilization?
When he reaches home tired in the evening,
Going out for a casual stroll—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
தான் பெற்ற குழந்தையை தாலாட்டி பாலூட்டி
தானே வளர்ப்பது நாகரீகமா
தான் பெற்ற குழந்தையை தாலாட்டி பாலூட்டி
தானே வளர்ப்பது நாகரீகமா
அது தானே வளர்ப்பது நாகரீகமா
அதை தாயற்ற பிள்ளைப் போல் ஆயாளிடத்திலே
அதை தாயற்ற பிள்ளைப் போல் ஆயாளிடத்திலே
தாரை வார்ப்பது நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
Singing lullabies, nursing, and raising one's own child,
Raising the child oneself—that is civilization!
Singing lullabies, nursing, and raising one's own child,
Raising the child oneself—that is civilization!
Raising them oneself is true civilization!
Handing the child over to a nanny like a motherless orphan,
Handing the child over to a nanny like a motherless orphan,
Surrendering them like that—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
அச்சம் நாணம் மடம் பயிர்ப்பு
அமைந்த தன்மை நாகரீகமா
அச்சம் நாணம் மடம் பயிர்ப்பு
அமைந்த தன்மை நாகரீகமா
அறிஞர்கள் பிறந்த நாட்டில் பெண்கள்
அழகை போற்றினால் நாகரீகமா
அறிஞர்கள் பிறந்த நாட்டில் பெண்கள்
அழகை போற்றினால் நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
இது நாகரீகமா
Fear, modesty, unpretentiousness, and delicacy—
Embodying these virtues is true civilization!
Fear, modesty, unpretentiousness, and delicacy—
Embodying these virtues is true civilization!
In the land where great wise scholars were born, if women
Praise superficial outer beauty—is that civilization?
In the land where great wise scholars were born, if women
Praise superficial outer beauty—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
Is this civilization?
கன்னித் தமிழ்நாட்டின் பண்பை எந்நாளும்
கண் போல் காப்பது நாகரீகமா
வெறும் கண்மூடித்தனமாய் மேனாட்டு முறையை
ண்மூடித்தனமாய் மேனாட்டு முறையை
காப்பி அடிப்பது நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
நாகரீகமா இது நாகரீகமா
Protecting the sacred culture of Tamil Nadu at all times
Like one's own eyes—that is true civilization!
Blindly adopting Western culture,
Blindly adopting Western culture,
And copying it—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
Poga poga verum poli azhagaiyae
As time goes on, pursuing mere fake beauty,
Poga poga verum poli azhagaiyae
As time goes on, pursuing mere fake beauty,
Pudhumaiyaaga ennum mathiyillaatha seyal
And considering it modern novelty is a mindless act.
Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
Ulla thooimaiyodu nalla pengalaai
With inner purity, as virtuous women,
Ozhukkaththai valarppathu naagareegamaa verum
Is cultivating moral conduct civilization? Or is merely
Udaigalinaalae udalai minukkiyae
Adorning the body with glamorous clothes,
Udaigalinaalae udalai minukkiyae
Adorning the body with glamorous clothes,
Oorai suttruvathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
And roaming around the town civilization? Is this civilization?
Mangalakaramaai manjalai poosi
Applying turmeric auspiciously,
Kungumam anivathu naagareegamaa adhu naagareegamaa
And wearing vermillion—that is culture, that is civilization!
Mangalakaramaai manjalai poosi
Applying turmeric auspiciously,
Kungumam anivathu naagareegamaa
And wearing vermillion—that is culture!
Maida maavai pola face powderai mugaththil
Smearing face powder like refined flour (maida) on the face,
Maida maavai pola face powderai mugaththil
Smearing face powder like refined flour (maida) on the face,
Poosik kolvathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Is applying that on oneself civilization? Is this civilization?
Paadupattu panam thedum kanavanukku
To a husband who works hard to earn money,
Panividai seivathu naagareegamaa athu naagareegamaa
Serving him with care—that is culture, that is civilization!
Paadupattu panam thedum kanavanukku
To a husband who works hard to earn money,
Panividai seivathu naagareegamaa athu naagareegamaa
Serving him with care—that is culture, that is civilization!
Avar veedu thedi varum maalai velaiyil
When he reaches home tired in the evening,
Ulaava povathu naagareegamaa
Going out for a casual stroll—is that civilization?
Avar veedu thedi varum maalai velaiyil
When he reaches home tired in the evening,
Ulaava povathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Going out for a casual stroll—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
Thaan pettra kuzhanthaiyai thaalaatti paalootti
Singing lullabies, nursing, and raising one's own child,
Thaanae valarppathu naagareegamaa
Raising the child oneself—that is civilization!
Thaan pettra kuzhanthaiyai thaalaatti paalootti
Singing lullabies, nursing, and raising one's own child,
Thaanae valarppathu naagareegamaa
Raising the child oneself—that is civilization!
Adhu thaanae valarppathu naagareegamaa
Raising them oneself is true civilization!
Adhai thaayattra pillai pol aayaalidaththilae
Handing the child over to a nanny like a motherless orphan,
Adhai thaayattra pillai pol aayaalidaththilae
Handing the child over to a nanny like a motherless orphan,
Thaarai vaarppathu nagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Surrendering them like that—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
Achcham naanam madam payirppu
Fear, modesty, unpretentiousness, and delicacy—
Amaintha thanmai naagareegamaa
Embodying these virtues is true civilization!
Achcham naanam madam payirppu
Fear, modesty, unpretentiousness, and delicacy—
Amaintha thanmai naagareegamaa
Embodying these virtues is true civilization!
Aringayargal pirantha naattil pengal
In the land where great wise scholars were born, if women
Azhagai pottrinaal naagareegamaa
Praise superficial outer beauty—is that civilization?
Aringayargal pirantha naattil pengal
In the land where great wise scholars were born, if women
Azhagai pottrinaal naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Praise superficial outer beauty—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
Idhu naagareegamaa
Is this civilization?
Kanni tamilnaattin panpai ennaalum
Protecting the sacred culture of Tamil Nadu at all times
Kann pol kaappathu naagareegamaa
Like one's own eyes—that is true civilization!
Verum kannmoodithanamaai menaattu muraiyai
Blindly adopting Western culture,
Kannmoodithanamaai menaattu muraiyai
Blindly adopting Western culture,
Copy adippathu naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
And copying it—is that civilization? Is this civilization?
Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa
Is this culture? Is this civilization?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa' from the 1954 film Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari is a humorous and satirical critique of modern Westernized lifestyles adopted by contemporary women. Lyricist K. D. Santhanam contrasts core Tamil cultural values with modern vanity by asking rhetorical questions about what truly constitutes 'civilization' (Naagareegam). The singer argues that true civilization lies in inner purity, moral conduct, traditional adornments like turmeric and kumkum, loving care for one's working husband, personally nurturing one's children, and preserving Tamil cultural identity. Conversely, superficial practices such as excessive makeup, strolling out when the husband returns home tired, leaving children to nannies, and blindly copying Western mannerisms are questioned as mere mindless imitation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Maida maavai pola face powderai mugaththil”
Compares face powder to 'maida' flour using the comparative marker 'pola' to highlight heavy makeup humorously.
Rhetorical Question
“Naagareegamaa idhu naagareegamaa”
Repeated use of 'Naagareegamaa' (Is this civilization?) throughout the song to challenge modern trends.
Enumeration / Cultural Allusion
“Achcham naanam madam payirppu”
Lists the four classical Tamil virtues attributed to women: Achcham (fear/shyness), Naanam (modesty), Madam (simplicity), and Payirppu (delicacy).
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Paadupattu panam thedum kanavanukku”
Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sound 'Pa' across consecutive words.
Did you know?
Trivia
This satirical track from 'Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari' (1954) features English words like 'face powder' and 'copy' seamlessly integrated into Tamil lyrics to highlight early post-independence social debates on Westernization. Played alongside comic interactions in the movie, it was rendered by legendary playback singer T. V. Rathnam under the music direction of T. G. Lingappa.
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