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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naalai Mudhal Kudikka

From Needhi · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Needhi
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
31 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Laalaa… laalaalaa laa…
Laalaalaa… laa… laalaalaa… laa…
Naalai mudhal kudikka maattaen
Sathiyamadi thangam
Innikki raathirikku thoonga vaenum
Ootthikkiren konjam
Naalai mudhal kudikka maattaen
Sathiyamadi thangam
Innikki raathirikku thoonga vaenum
Ootthikkiren konjam
Aadu maadu kooda konjam
Sondham kollumae…
Aadu maadu kooda konjam
Sondham kollumae
Naam aasaiyodu paarkkum paarvai
Paesavillaiyae
Bodhai vandha podhu buthi illaiyae
Buthi vandha podhu nanbar illaiyae
Naalai mudhal kudikka maattaen
Sathiyamadi thangam
Innikki raathirikku thoonga vaenum
Ootthikkiren konjam
Mudhal vaazhvu vaazha oru vedu
Maru vaazhvu vaazha maru veedu
Idai kaala paadhai manal maedu
Yaedhu vandha podhum avalodu
Bodhai vandha podhu buthi illaiyae
Buthi vandha podhu nanbar illaiyae
Naalai mudhal kudikka maattaen
Sathiyamadi thangam
Innikki raathirikku thoonga vaenum
Ootthikkiren konjam
Aahaa… laalaalaa laa…
Aahaa… laalaalaa laa…
Laalaalaa… laa… laalaalaa… laa…
Kadavul yen vaazhvil kadankaaran
Kavalaigal theerthaal kadan theerum
Ezhaighal vaazhvil vilaiyaadum
Iraivaa nee kooda kudigaaran
Bodhai vandha podhu buthi illaiyae
Buthi vandha podhu nanbar illaiyae
Naalai mudhal kudikka maattaen
Sathiyamadi thangam
Innikki raathirikku thoonga vaenum
Ootthikkiren konjam
Ootthikkiren konjam
Ootthikkiren konjam…
Lala.....lalala la....
Lalala....la....lalala.....la....
From tomorrow, I won't drink,
I swear to you, my darling!
Tonight, I need to sleep,
so I'll just pour myself a little.
From tomorrow, I won't drink,
I swear to you, my darling!
Tonight, I need to sleep,
so I'll just pour myself a little.
Even cattle and goats
show some bond of kinship,
Even cattle and goats
show some bond of kinship,
yet the eyes we look at with longing
refuse to speak to us.
When drunkenness took over, there was no sense;
when sense returned, there were no friends left.
From tomorrow, I won't drink,
I swear to you, my darling!
Tonight, I need to sleep,
so I'll just pour myself a little.
One home to live this first life,
another home to live the next life,
the road in between is only a house of sand.
Whatever comes your way, keep it in moderation.
When drunkenness took over, there was no sense;
when sense returned, there were no friends left.
From tomorrow, I won't drink,
I swear to you, my darling!
Tonight, I need to sleep,
so I'll just pour myself a little.
Aaha.....lalala la....
Aaha.....lalala la....
Lalala la....lalala la....
God is a debtor in my life;
once my troubles end, his debt is cleared.
You who toy with the lives of the poor,
O God, even you are a drunkard!
When drunkenness took over, there was no sense;
when sense returned, there were no friends left.
From tomorrow, I won't drink,
I swear to you, my darling!
Tonight, I need to sleep,
so I'll just pour myself a little.
I'll just pour myself a little.
I'll just pour myself a little.....
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Naalai Mudhal Kudikka Maattaen' from the 1972 movie 'Needhi' is a deeply poignant, philosophical exploration of addiction, regret, and human vulnerability. Sung from the perspective of a man trapped in alcoholism, he repeatedly promises his loved one that he will quit tomorrow, yet offers the tragic excuse of needing 'just a little' tonight to get to sleep. The song highlights the loneliness of addiction, noting how cattle show more affection than distant humans, and how fake friends disappear once true wisdom dawns. In typical Kannadasan fashion, the lyrics escalate from personal addiction to a broader existential critique. The protagonist addresses God, accusing Him of playing recklessly with the lives of the poor, calling God himself a 'drunkard' for creating such an unjust world. Through melancholic rhythm and sharp lyricism, the song captures the classic human trap of procrastinating change while reflecting on lost relationships and life's harsh realities.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony

“Naalai mudhal kudikka maattaen ... Innikki raathirikku thoonga vaenum Ootthikkiren konjam”

The protagonist promises to quit drinking 'starting tomorrow' while simultaneously pouring another drink for tonight, capturing the tragic delusion of addiction.

Antimetabole / Antithesis

“Bodhai vandha podhu buthi illaiyae / Buthi vandha podhu nanbar illaiyae”

Inversion of words and concepts ('Bodhai'/Intoxication vs 'Buthi'/Wisdom) to highlight the tragedy of losing wisdom while drunk and losing companions once sober.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Mudhal vaazhvu vaazha oru vedu / Maru vaazhvu vaazha maru veedu”

Rhyming of the second letter ('d' in Mudhal / Maru / Idai) to create rhythm in describing life's stages.

Metaphor / Blasphemous Personification

“Iraivaa nee kooda kudigaaran”

Comparing God to a drunkard who plays frivolously with the fate of poor people.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics by Kannadasan, this iconic track was sung by T. M. Soundararajan for Sivaji Ganesan in the film 'Needhi' (1972). Kannadasan's couplet 'Bodhai vandha podhu buthi illaiyae / Buthi vandha podhu nanbar illaiyae' remains one of the most quoted philosophical quotes in Tamil popular culture regarding alcoholism and fake friendships.

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