Naalai Naalai
From 99 Songs · 2021
- Lyricist
- Vivek
- Singer
- Benny Dayal
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- 99 Songs2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pesi sirithom ingu thaan | It is here that we spoke and laughed |
| Nanban thozh meedhu sarindhom ingu thaan | It is here that we leaned on a friend's shoulder |
| Naalai namm meedhu por thodukkum | There is no sadness here |
| Endra sogamillai ingu thaan | That tomorrow will wage war upon us |
| Ye natpin kural mattum sangeetham | Oh, only the voice of friendship is music |
| Male | |
| Ninaivaai ini nam kooda varum | It will accompany us henceforth as a memory |
| Idhu pol engum illai veru idam | There is no other place like this anywhere |
| Vaazhkai edhuvendru kaatti vidum | It will reveal what life truly is |
| Oru ragasiya siraginai maatti vidum | It attaches a secret wing to us |
| Mudivu indri vara yengum kanavidhuvoo | Is this an endless dream that yearns to stretch on? |
| Male | |
| O naalai naalai naalai | Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Naalai naalai naalai | Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai | Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow? |
| Edhirkkaalam namakkae | "The future belongs to us" |
| Ena sollum andha kaalai | That morning which declares so |
| Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai | Its path is this college road |
| Male | |
| Indha suvargalil engal | On these walls, our |
| Peyar kalandhirukkum | Names will remain etched and blended |
| Andha kirukkalin pinnae | Behind those scribbles |
| Nooru kadhai irukkum | There will be a hundred stories |
| Vendaamae ingae edhumae | We don't need anything else here |
| Nanbargal podhumae | Friends are enough |
| Naangal unmaiyil vazhndhadhu | The time we truly lived |
| Indha sila kaalamae | Is only these few days |
| Male | |
| O naalai naalai naalai | Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Naalai naalai naalai | Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai | Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow? |
| Edhirkkaalam namakkae | "The future belongs to us" |
| Ena sollum andha kaalai | That morning which declares so |
| Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai | Its path is this college road |
| Male | |
| Maram thedi oru nizhalil | Seeking a tree, under a shade |
| Pagirndhomae unavai | We shared our food |
| Ariyaamal uyirum pagirndhom | Unknowingly, we even shared our souls |
| Vidumurai vandhaal | When holidays arrive |
| Manam dhinam yengum | The mind yearns every single day |
| Natpodu endru servomoo | Wondering when we will reunite in friendship |
| Male | |
| O naalai naalai naalai | Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Naalai naalai naalai | Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai | Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow? |
| Edhirkkaalam namakkae | "The future belongs to us" |
| Ena sollum andha kaalai | That morning which declares so |
| Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai | Its path is this college road |
| Male | |
| {Kaadhal kobam paasam ellam | Love, anger, affection—everything |
| Mazhaiyai polaa | Is like the pouring rain |
| Engal uravu endha uravin thuimaikkum mela | Our bond is pure, above the purity of any relationship |
| Male | |
| Neeye naanagadha yaara, Andha mudhal kaadhal | Who hasn't become one with the other? Ah, that first love! |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Namm thozhigalai | Our girl friends? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Indha naal | This very day? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Iravattangal | The late-night hangouts? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Librariyai | The library? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Canteenai | The canteen? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Cut aditha classgalai | The classes we bunked? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| Indha ninaivugalai | These precious memories? |
| Chorus :Marappoma | Chorus: Will we forget |
| Male | |
| O naalai naalai naalai | Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Naalai naalai naalai | Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow |
| Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai | Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow? |
| Edhirkkaalam namakkae | "The future belongs to us" |
| Ena sollum andha kaalai | That morning which declares so |
| Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai | Its path is this college road |
| Male | |
| Indha suvargalil engal | On these walls, our |
| Peyar kalandhirukkum | Names will remain etched and blended |
| Andha kirukkalin pinnae | Behind those scribbles |
| Nooru kadhai irukkum | There will be a hundred stories |
| Vendaamae ingae edhumae | We don't need anything else here |
| Nanbargal podhumae | Friends are enough |
| Naangal unmaiyil vazhndhadhu | The time we truly lived |
| Indha sila kaalamae | Is only these few days |
பேசி சிரித்தோம் இங்குதான்
நண்பன் தோள்மீது சரிந்தோம் இங்குதான்
நாளை நம்மீது போர் தொடுக்கும்
என்ற சோகமில்லை இங்குதான்
ஏ நட்பின் குரல் மட்டும் சங்கீதம்
It is here that we spoke and laughed
It is here that we leaned on a friend's shoulder
There is no sadness here
That tomorrow will wage war upon us
Oh, only the voice of friendship is music
நினைவாய் இனி நம் கூடவரும்
இதுபோல் எங்கும் இல்லை வேறு இடம்
வாழ்க்கை எதுவென்று காட்டிவிடும்
ஒரு ரகசிய சிறகினை மாட்டிவிடும்
முடிவின்றி வர ஏங்கும் கனவிதுவோ
It will accompany us henceforth as a memory
There is no other place like this anywhere
It will reveal what life truly is
It attaches a secret wing to us
Is this an endless dream that yearns to stretch on?
ஓ நாளை நாளை நாளை
நாளை நாளை நாளை
நீதானே என் நாளை நாளை நாளை
எதிர்காலம் நமக்கே
என சொல்லும் அந்த காலை
அதன் பாதை இந்த கல்லூரி சாலை
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
"The future belongs to us"
That morning which declares so
Its path is this college road
இந்த சுவர்களில் எங்கள்
பெயர் கலந்திருக்கும்
அந்த கிறுக்களின் பின்னே
நூறு கதை இருக்கும்
வேண்டாமே இங்கே எதுமே
நண்பர்கள் போதுமே
நாங்கள் உண்மையில் வாழ்ந்தது
இந்த சில காலமே
On these walls, our
Names will remain etched and blended
Behind those scribbles
There will be a hundred stories
We don't need anything else here
Friends are enough
The time we truly lived
Is only these few days
ஓ நாளை நாளை நாளை
நாளை நாளை நாளை
நீதானே என் நாளை நாளை நாளை
எதிர்காலம் நமக்கே
என சொல்லும் அந்த காலை
அதன் பாதை இந்த கல்லூரி சாலை
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
"The future belongs to us"
That morning which declares so
Its path is this college road
மரம் தேடி ஒரு நிழலில்
பகிர்ந்தோமே உணவை
அறியாமல் உயிரும் பகிர்ந்தோம்
விடுமுறை வந்தால்
மனம் தினம் ஏ ங்கும்
நட்போடு என்று சேர்வோமோ
Seeking a tree, under a shade
We shared our food
Unknowingly, we even shared our souls
When holidays arrive
The mind yearns every single day
Wondering when we will reunite in friendship
ஓ நாளை நாளை நாளை
நாளை நாளை நாளை
நீதானே என் நாளை நாளை நாளை
எதிர்காலம் நமக்கே
என சொல்லும் அந்த காலை
அதன் பாதை இந்த கல்லூரி சாலை
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
"The future belongs to us"
That morning which declares so
Its path is this college road
காதல் கோபம் பாசம் எல்லாம்
மழையைப் போலா
எங்கள் உறவு எந்த உறவின்
உரிமைக்கும் மேலா
Love, anger, affection—everything
Is like the pouring rain
Our bond is pure, above the purity of any relationship
அந்த முதல் காதல் ?
Who hasn't become one with the other? Ah, that first love!
Chorus: Will we forget
மறப்போமா
Our girl friends?
Chorus: Will we forget
நம் தோழிகளை
This very day?
Chorus: Will we forget
மறப்போமா
The late-night hangouts?
Chorus: Will we forget
இந்தநாள்
The library?
Chorus: Will we forget
மறப்போமா
The canteen?
Chorus: Will we forget
இரவாட்டங்கள்
The classes we bunked?
Chorus: Will we forget
மறப்போமா
These precious memories?
Chorus: Will we forget
லைப்ரரியை
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
"The future belongs to us"
That morning which declares so
Its path is this college road
மறப்போமா
On these walls, our
Names will remain etched and blended
Behind those scribbles
There will be a hundred stories
We don't need anything else here
Friends are enough
The time we truly lived
Is only these few days
கேன்டீனை
மறப்போமா
கட் அடித்த க்ளாஸ்களை
மறப்போமா
இந்த நினைவுகளை
மறப்போமா
ஓ நாளை நாளை நாளை
நாளை நாளை நாளை
நீதானே என் நாளை நாளை நாளை
எதிர்காலம் நமக்கே
என சொல்லும் அந்த காலை
அதன் பாதை இந்த கல்லூரி சாலை
இந்த சுவர்களில் எங்கள்
பெயர் கலந்திருக்கும்
அந்த கிறுக்களின் பின்னே
நூறு கதை இருக்கும்
வேண்டாமே இங்கே எதுமே
நண்பர்கள் போதுமே
நாங்கள் உண்மையில் வாழ்ந்தது
இந்த சில காலமே
Pesi sirithom ingu thaan
It is here that we spoke and laughed
Nanban thozh meedhu sarindhom ingu thaan
It is here that we leaned on a friend's shoulder
Naalai namm meedhu por thodukkum
There is no sadness here
Endra sogamillai ingu thaan
That tomorrow will wage war upon us
Ye natpin kural mattum sangeetham
Oh, only the voice of friendship is music
Ninaivaai ini nam kooda varum
It will accompany us henceforth as a memory
Idhu pol engum illai veru idam
There is no other place like this anywhere
Vaazhkai edhuvendru kaatti vidum
It will reveal what life truly is
Oru ragasiya siraginai maatti vidum
It attaches a secret wing to us
Mudivu indri vara yengum kanavidhuvoo
Is this an endless dream that yearns to stretch on?
O naalai naalai naalai
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Naalai naalai naalai
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
Edhirkkaalam namakkae
"The future belongs to us"
Ena sollum andha kaalai
That morning which declares so
Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai
Its path is this college road
Indha suvargalil engal
On these walls, our
Peyar kalandhirukkum
Names will remain etched and blended
Andha kirukkalin pinnae
Behind those scribbles
Nooru kadhai irukkum
There will be a hundred stories
Vendaamae ingae edhumae
We don't need anything else here
Nanbargal podhumae
Friends are enough
Naangal unmaiyil vazhndhadhu
The time we truly lived
Indha sila kaalamae
Is only these few days
O naalai naalai naalai
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Naalai naalai naalai
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
Edhirkkaalam namakkae
"The future belongs to us"
Ena sollum andha kaalai
That morning which declares so
Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai
Its path is this college road
Maram thedi oru nizhalil
Seeking a tree, under a shade
Pagirndhomae unavai
We shared our food
Ariyaamal uyirum pagirndhom
Unknowingly, we even shared our souls
Vidumurai vandhaal
When holidays arrive
Manam dhinam yengum
The mind yearns every single day
Natpodu endru servomoo
Wondering when we will reunite in friendship
O naalai naalai naalai
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Naalai naalai naalai
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
Edhirkkaalam namakkae
"The future belongs to us"
Ena sollum andha kaalai
That morning which declares so
Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai
Its path is this college road
{Kaadhal kobam paasam ellam
Love, anger, affection—everything
Mazhaiyai polaa
Is like the pouring rain
Engal uravu endha uravin thuimaikkum mela
Our bond is pure, above the purity of any relationship
Neeye naanagadha yaara, Andha mudhal kaadhal
Who hasn't become one with the other? Ah, that first love!
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Namm thozhigalai
Our girl friends?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Indha naal
This very day?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Iravattangal
The late-night hangouts?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Librariyai
The library?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Canteenai
The canteen?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Cut aditha classgalai
The classes we bunked?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
Indha ninaivugalai
These precious memories?
Chorus :Marappoma
Chorus: Will we forget
O naalai naalai naalai
Oh tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Naalai naalai naalai
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow
Needhaanae en naalai naalai naalai
Aren't you my tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow?
Edhirkkaalam namakkae
"The future belongs to us"
Ena sollum andha kaalai
That morning which declares so
Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai
Its path is this college road
Indha suvargalil engal
On these walls, our
Peyar kalandhirukkum
Names will remain etched and blended
Andha kirukkalin pinnae
Behind those scribbles
Nooru kadhai irukkum
There will be a hundred stories
Vendaamae ingae edhumae
We don't need anything else here
Nanbargal podhumae
Friends are enough
Naangal unmaiyil vazhndhadhu
The time we truly lived
Indha sila kaalamae
Is only these few days
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Naalai Naalai from '99 Songs' is a high-energy yet poignant youth anthem celebrating college life, deep-rooted friendship, and the bitter-sweet transition into the future. The lyrics capture the carefree innocence of student days—sharing meals under tree shades, scribbling on classroom walls, bunking lectures, and creating unforgettable memories. It portrays college not merely as an educational institution, but as the foundational stepping stone where lifelong bonds are forged and life's true meaning is discovered. Despite the underlying anxiety of stepping out into the competitive world ('tomorrow waging war'), the song maintains an optimistic and triumphant outlook. It emphasizes that the future belongs to youth who walk down these college corridors together. Through nostalgic roll-calls of iconic campus spots like the canteen, library, and late-night hangouts, lyricist Vivek and composer A. R. Rahman capture the universal emotional experience of graduation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Epizeuxis (Repetition)
“O naalai naalai naalai”
The word 'Naalai' (Tomorrow) is repeated multiple times continuously to emphasize anticipation, hope, and the inevitability of entering the future.
Upamai (Simile)
“Mazhaiyai polaa”
The chaotic mix of emotions like love, anger, and affection experienced during college days is directly compared to rain using the explicit comparative word 'polaa'.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Adhan paadhai indha kalloori saalai”
The college road is metaphorically equated to the literal path leading towards the future.
Metaphor
“Ye natpin kural mattum sangeetham”
The sound of friends talking and laughing together is elevated to the level of pure music.
Rhetorical Question
“Chorus :Marappoma”
The chorus repeatedly poses the question 'Will we forget?' to highlight the unforgettable nature of college memories.
Did you know?
Trivia
'99 Songs' (2021) marks A. R. Rahman's debut as a film producer and co-writer. 'Naalai Naalai' serves as the quintessential college graduation song of the album, rendered with boundless youthful energy by Benny Dayal.
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