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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Naalai Naalai Sad

From Uthaman · 1976

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singers: T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director: K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name: Uthaman
Movie release year: 1976
Lyrics added on: 18 Feb 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Naalai naalai endrirundhen

Nalla neram paarthu vandhen

Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu

Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen

Adhai ingae kanden

Ooril ulla pillaigatkkellaam

Annaiyai paarthen

Naan oruvan mattum annai indri

Eppadi vandhen

Ooril ulla pillaigatkkellaam

Annaiyai paarthen

Naan oruvan mattum annai indri

Eppadi vandhen

Koyil paarthu kanneerodu

Kumbidu potten

En thaayai mattum kaattu endru

Saamiyai ketten

Saamiyai ketten

………………………

Naalai naalai endrirundhen

Nalla neram paarthu vandhen

Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu

Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen

Adhai ingae kanden

Veenai endru meetta vandhen

Mathalamaanaal

Medai pottu kaathirundhen

Thatthuvamaanaal

Veenai endru meetta vandhen

Mathalamaanaal

Medai pottu kaathirundhen

Thatthuvamaanaal

Imaiyai thandha paavai endhan

Vizhigalai kettaal

Idhayam engum aani kondu

Siluvai vadithaal

Siluvai vadithaal

Naalai naalai endrirundhen

Nalla neram paarthu vandhen

Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu

Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen

Adhai ingae kanden

Udhayamaagum neram endru

Kizhakkinil nindren

Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru

Maerkkinil sendraal

Udhayamaagum neram endru

Kizhakkinil nindren

Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru

Maerkkinil sendraal

Asthamana chooriyan endru

Avalai chollavaa

Naan avalai vella mudiyavillai

Vidhiyai vellavaa

Vidhiyai vellavaa

Naalai naalai endrirundhen

Nalla neram paarthu vandhen

Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu

Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen

Adhai ingae kanden

I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,

I waited for the right time and came,

Taking tiny, toddling steps and running,

I searched for that pearl-like smile,

And I found it right here.

For every child in this town,

I saw a mother,

How is it that I alone,

Was born without a mother?

For every child in this town,

I saw a mother,

How is it that I alone,

Was born without a mother?

Looking at the temple with tears in my eyes,

I prayed with folded hands,

Begging, "Please show me my mother,"

I pleaded with God.

I pleaded with God.

...

I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,

I waited for the right time and came,

Taking tiny, toddling steps and running,

I searched for that pearl-like smile,

And I found it right here.

I came to play her gently like a veena (Indian lute),

But she turned into a loud drum.

I set the stage and waited for her,

But she turned into cold philosophy.

I came to play her gently like a veena (Indian lute),

But she turned into a loud drum.

I set the stage and waited for her,

But she turned into cold philosophy.

The woman who gave me eyelids to protect me,

Demanded my very eyes.

Driving nails deep into my heart,

She shaped a cross...

She shaped a cross...

I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,

I waited for the right time and came,

Taking tiny, toddling steps and running,

I searched for that pearl-like smile,

And I found it right here.

Thinking it was the hour of dawn,

I stood in the east.

Thinking the daylight was fading,

She walked away to the west.

Thinking it was the hour of dawn,

I stood in the east.

Thinking the daylight was fading,

She walked away to the west.

Should I speak of her

As the setting sun?

I could not win her over,

Can I ever win against fate?

Can I ever win against fate?

I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,

I waited for the right time and came,

Taking tiny, toddling steps and running,

I searched for that pearl-like smile,

And I found it right here.

Female

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Female

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song is a poignant expression of heartbreak, grief, and emotional longing. The protagonist begins by recounting an aching search for maternal warmth and love, questioning why destiny deprived them of a mother while everyone else had one. The lyrics then shift to painful reflections on romantic disillusionment, where gentleness and hope were met with harsh reality and anguish. Through vivid imagery, the narrator feels like a victim of cruel irony—standing at sunrise while the lover retreats to sunset—and ponders whether it is possible to conquer fate when human relationships fail.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Naalai naalai endrirundhen”

Words like 'Naalai naalai', 'Thatthi thatthi', and 'Muthu muthu' are repeated sequentially to evoke rhythmic movement, innocence, and emotional intensity.

Contrast / Metaphor

“Veenai endru meetta vandhen Mathalamaanaal”

Contrasts the gentle string instrument (Veenai) representing delicacy with a harsh percussion instrument (Mathalam), symbolizing the unexpected harshness of reality.

Spatial Imagery & Juxtaposition

“Udhayamaagum neram endru Kizhakkinil nindren / Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru Maerkkinil sendraal”

Contrasts East (sunrise/hope) with West (dusk/endings) to highlight how two individuals are moving in opposite life directions.

Symbolism

“Idhayam engum aani kondu Siluvai vadithaal”

The cross ('siluvai') crafted with nails driven into the heart serves as a powerful symbol of deep suffering, sacrifice, and unbearable emotional pain.

Did you know?

Trivia

This melancholic song is from the 1976 Tamil movie 'Uthaman', starring Sivaji Ganesan. The lyrics were penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, set to music by K. V. Mahadevan, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, reflecting Kannadasan's signature philosophical melancholy on life and destiny.

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