Naalai Naalai Sad
From Uthaman · 1976
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Uthaman1976
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naalai naalai endrirundhen | I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow, |
| Nalla neram paarthu vandhen | I chose an auspicious time and arrived, |
| Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu | I came running with toddler steps, |
| Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen | I searched for a pearl-like smile, |
| Adhai ingae kanden | And I found it right here. |
| Female | |
| Ooril ulla pillaigatkkellaam | For all the children in this town, |
| Annaiyai paarthen | I saw a mother figure, |
| Naan oruvan mattum annai indri | How did I alone come to exist, |
| Eppadi vandhen | Without a mother? |
| Ooril ulla pillaigatkkellaam | For all the children in this town, |
| Annaiyai paarthen | I saw a mother figure, |
| Naan oruvan mattum annai indri | How did I alone come to exist, |
| Eppadi vandhen | Without a mother? |
| Female | |
| Koyil paarthu kanneerodu | Looking at the temple with tears in my eyes, |
| Kumbidu potten | I folded my hands in prayer, |
| En thaayai mattum kaattu endru | Asking God to show me my mother alone, |
| Saamiyai ketten | I pleaded with God, |
| Saamiyai ketten | I pleaded with God. |
| Male | |
| ……………………… | |
| Male | |
| Naalai naalai endrirundhen | I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow, |
| Nalla neram paarthu vandhen | I chose an auspicious time and arrived, |
| Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu | I came running with toddler steps, |
| Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen | I searched for a pearl-like smile, |
| Adhai ingae kanden | And I found it right here. |
| Male | |
| Veenai endru meetta vandhen | I came to play gentle strings like a Veena, |
| Mathalamaanaal | But she turned out to be a beating drum, |
| Medai pottu kaathirundhen | I set up a stage and waited for her, |
| Thatthuvamaanaal | She turned into a philosophical lesson, |
| Veenai endru meetta vandhen | I came to play gentle strings like a Veena, |
| Mathalamaanaal | But she turned out to be a beating drum, |
| Medai pottu kaathirundhen | I set up a stage and waited for her, |
| Thatthuvamaanaal | She turned into a philosophical lesson, |
| Male | |
| Imaiyai thandha paavai endhan | The maiden who gave me eyelids, |
| Vizhigalai kettaal | Asked for my eyes themselves, |
| Idhayam engum aani kondu | By hammering nails into my heart, |
| Siluvai vadithaal | She sculpted a cross, |
| Siluvai vadithaal | She sculpted a cross. |
| Male | |
| Naalai naalai endrirundhen | I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow, |
| Nalla neram paarthu vandhen | I chose an auspicious time and arrived, |
| Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu | I came running with toddler steps, |
| Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen | I searched for a pearl-like smile, |
| Adhai ingae kanden | And I found it right here. |
| Male | |
| Udhayamaagum neram endru | Thinking it was the time of sunrise, |
| Kizhakkinil nindren | I stood waiting in the east, |
| Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru | Thinking it was dusk, |
| Maerkkinil sendraal | She went away towards the west, |
| Udhayamaagum neram endru | Thinking it was the time of sunrise, |
| Kizhakkinil nindren | I stood waiting in the east, |
| Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru | Thinking it was dusk, |
| Maerkkinil sendraal | She went away towards the west, |
| Male | |
| Asthamana chooriyan endru | Should I call her, |
| Avalai chollavaa | A setting sun? |
| Naan avalai vella mudiyavillai | I could not win over her, |
| Vidhiyai vellavaa | Shall I win over fate instead? |
| Vidhiyai vellavaa | Shall I win over fate instead? |
| Male | |
| Naalai naalai endrirundhen | I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow, |
| Nalla neram paarthu vandhen | I chose an auspicious time and arrived, |
| Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu | I came running with toddler steps, |
| Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen | I searched for a pearl-like smile, |
| Adhai ingae kanden | And I found it right here. |
நாளை நாளை என்றிருந்தேன்
நல்ல நேரம் பார்த்து வந்தேன்
தத்தித் தத்தி ஓடி வந்து
முத்து முத்துப் புன்னகையைத் தேடினேன்
அதை இங்கே கண்டேன்
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
I came running with toddler steps,
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
And I found it right here.
ஊரிலுள்ள பிள்ளைக்கெல்லாம்
அன்னையை பார்த்தேன்
நான் ஒருவன் மட்டும் அன்னையின்றி
எப்படி வந்தேன்
ஊரிலுள்ள பிள்ளைக்கெல்லாம்
அன்னையை பார்த்தேன்
நான் ஒருவன் மட்டும் அன்னையின்றி
எப்படி வந்தேன்
For all the children in this town,
I saw a mother figure,
How did I alone come to exist,
Without a mother?
For all the children in this town,
I saw a mother figure,
How did I alone come to exist,
Without a mother?
கோயில் பார்த்து கண்ணீரோடு
கும்பிடு போட்டேன்
என் தாயை மட்டும் காட்டு என்று
சாமியை கேட்டேன்
சாமியை கேட்டேன்
Looking at the temple with tears in my eyes,
I folded my hands in prayer,
Asking God to show me my mother alone,
I pleaded with God,
I pleaded with God.
...........................
நாளை நாளை என்றிருந்தேன்
நல்ல நேரம் பார்த்து வந்தேன்
தத்தித் தத்தி ஓடி வந்து
முத்து முத்துப் புன்னகையைத் தேடினேன்
அதை இங்கே கண்டேன்
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
I came running with toddler steps,
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
And I found it right here.
வீணை என்று மீட்ட வந்தேன்
மத்தளமானாள்
மேடை போட்டு காத்திருந்தேன்
தத்துவமானாள்
வீணை என்று மீட்ட வந்தேன்
மத்தளமானாள்
மேடை போட்டு காத்திருந்தேன்
தத்துவமானாள்
I came to play gentle strings like a Veena,
But she turned out to be a beating drum,
I set up a stage and waited for her,
She turned into a philosophical lesson,
I came to play gentle strings like a Veena,
But she turned out to be a beating drum,
I set up a stage and waited for her,
She turned into a philosophical lesson,
இமையை தந்த பாவை எந்தன்
விழிகளை கேட்டாள்
இதயமெங்கும் ஆணிக் கொண்டு
சிலுவை வடித்தாள்.........
சிலுவை வடித்தாள்..........
The maiden who gave me eyelids,
Asked for my eyes themselves,
By hammering nails into my heart,
She sculpted a cross,
She sculpted a cross.
நாளை நாளை என்றிருந்தேன்
நல்ல நேரம் பார்த்து வந்தேன்
தத்தித் தத்தி ஓடி வந்து
முத்து முத்துப் புன்னகையைத் தேடினேன்
அதை இங்கே கண்டேன்
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
I came running with toddler steps,
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
And I found it right here.
உதயமாகும் நேரம் என்று
கிழக்கினில் நின்றேன்
அவள் பொழுதுபோகும் நேரம் என்று
மேற்கினில் சென்றாள்
உதயமாகும் நேரம் என்று
கிழக்கினில் நின்றேன்
அவள் பொழுதுபோகும் நேரம் என்று
மேற்கினில் சென்றாள்
Thinking it was the time of sunrise,
I stood waiting in the east,
Thinking it was dusk,
She went away towards the west,
Thinking it was the time of sunrise,
I stood waiting in the east,
Thinking it was dusk,
She went away towards the west,
அஸ்தமன சூரியன் என்று
அவளை சொல்லவா
நான் அவளை வெல்ல முடியவில்லை
விதியை வெல்லவா
விதியை வெல்லவா
Should I call her,
A setting sun?
I could not win over her,
Shall I win over fate instead?
Shall I win over fate instead?
நாளை நாளை என்றிருந்தேன்
நல்ல நேரம் பார்த்து வந்தேன்
தத்தித் தத்தி ஓடி வந்து
முத்து முத்துப் புன்னகையைத் தேடினேன்
அதை இங்கே கண்டேன்
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
I came running with toddler steps,
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
And I found it right here.
Naalai naalai endrirundhen
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
Nalla neram paarthu vandhen
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu
I came running with toddler steps,
Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
Adhai ingae kanden
And I found it right here.
Ooril ulla pillaigatkkellaam
For all the children in this town,
Annaiyai paarthen
I saw a mother figure,
Naan oruvan mattum annai indri
How did I alone come to exist,
Eppadi vandhen
Without a mother?
Ooril ulla pillaigatkkellaam
For all the children in this town,
Annaiyai paarthen
I saw a mother figure,
Naan oruvan mattum annai indri
How did I alone come to exist,
Eppadi vandhen
Without a mother?
Koyil paarthu kanneerodu
Looking at the temple with tears in my eyes,
Kumbidu potten
I folded my hands in prayer,
En thaayai mattum kaattu endru
Asking God to show me my mother alone,
Saamiyai ketten
I pleaded with God,
Saamiyai ketten
I pleaded with God.
………………………
Naalai naalai endrirundhen
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
Nalla neram paarthu vandhen
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu
I came running with toddler steps,
Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
Adhai ingae kanden
And I found it right here.
Veenai endru meetta vandhen
I came to play gentle strings like a Veena,
Mathalamaanaal
But she turned out to be a beating drum,
Medai pottu kaathirundhen
I set up a stage and waited for her,
Thatthuvamaanaal
She turned into a philosophical lesson,
Veenai endru meetta vandhen
I came to play gentle strings like a Veena,
Mathalamaanaal
But she turned out to be a beating drum,
Medai pottu kaathirundhen
I set up a stage and waited for her,
Thatthuvamaanaal
She turned into a philosophical lesson,
Imaiyai thandha paavai endhan
The maiden who gave me eyelids,
Vizhigalai kettaal
Asked for my eyes themselves,
Idhayam engum aani kondu
By hammering nails into my heart,
Siluvai vadithaal
She sculpted a cross,
Siluvai vadithaal
She sculpted a cross.
Naalai naalai endrirundhen
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
Nalla neram paarthu vandhen
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu
I came running with toddler steps,
Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
Adhai ingae kanden
And I found it right here.
Udhayamaagum neram endru
Thinking it was the time of sunrise,
Kizhakkinil nindren
I stood waiting in the east,
Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru
Thinking it was dusk,
Maerkkinil sendraal
She went away towards the west,
Udhayamaagum neram endru
Thinking it was the time of sunrise,
Kizhakkinil nindren
I stood waiting in the east,
Aval pozhudhu pogum neram endru
Thinking it was dusk,
Maerkkinil sendraal
She went away towards the west,
Asthamana chooriyan endru
Should I call her,
Avalai chollavaa
A setting sun?
Naan avalai vella mudiyavillai
I could not win over her,
Vidhiyai vellavaa
Shall I win over fate instead?
Vidhiyai vellavaa
Shall I win over fate instead?
Naalai naalai endrirundhen
I kept waiting for tomorrow and tomorrow,
Nalla neram paarthu vandhen
I chose an auspicious time and arrived,
Thatthi thatthi odi vandhu
I came running with toddler steps,
Muthu muthu punnagaiyai thaedinen
I searched for a pearl-like smile,
Adhai ingae kanden
And I found it right here.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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