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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naaloru Maedai Pozhudhoru Nadippu

From Aasai Mugam · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Aasai Mugam1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippuA new stage every day, a new drama every moment
Avan per manidhanallaHis name is not truly that of a human being
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippuA new stage every day, a new drama every moment
Avan per manidhanallaHis name is not truly that of a human being
Naavil ondru ninaivil ondruOne thing on the tongue, another in the thought
Adhan per ullamallaThat cannot be called a true heart
Naavil ondru ninaivil ondruOne thing on the tongue, another in the thought
Adhan per ullamallaThat cannot be called a true heart
Male
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippuA new stage every day, a new drama every moment
Avan per manidhanallaHis name is not truly that of a human being
Male
Ullathil vaithadhai udhattilum vaippavanHe who utters on his lips what he holds in his heart
Evano avanae manidhanWhoever he is, he alone is a true human
Evano avanae manidhanWhoever he is, he alone is a true human
Ooraar vaervaiyil udalai valarppavanHe who nourishes his body on the sweat of others
Ulaghathil kozhaigal thalaivan…Is the leader of cowards in this world...
Ulaghathil kozhaigal thalaivan…Is the leader of cowards in this world...
Male
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippuA new stage every day, a new drama every moment
Avan per manidhanallaHis name is not truly that of a human being
Male
Kaattil nilavaai kadalil mazhaiyaaiLike moonlight in a forest, like rain over the ocean
Kaattil nilavaai kadalil mazhaiyaaiLike moonlight in a forest, like rain over the ocean
Pirandhaal yaarukku laabam…mmm…If one is born like that, who benefits from it?... mmm...
Pirandhaal yaarukku laabamIf one is born like that, who benefits from it?
Pagaiyil thunaiyaai pasiyil unavaaiBeing a companion in hardship and food during hunger
Irundhaal oorukku laabam..mm…If one lives like that, it benefits the world.. mm...
Irundhaal oorukku laabamIf one lives like that, it benefits the world
Male
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippuA new stage every day, a new drama every moment
Avan per manidhanallaHis name is not truly that of a human being
Male
Kooraigal ellaam kooda valarndhaalEven if all thatched roofs grow tall together
Gopuram aavadhillai…They do not become temple towers...
Gopuram aavadhillaiThey do not become temple towers
Kuruvigal ellaam uyara parandhaalEven if all sparrows fly high
Parundhugal aavadhillai…They do not become eagles...
Parundhugal aavadhillaiThey do not become eagles
Male
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippuA new stage every day, a new drama every moment
Avan per manidhanallaHis name is not truly that of a human being

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song from the movie 'Aasai Mugam' criticizes hypocrisy, dishonesty, and parasitism in human society. The lyricist Vaali defines a true human as someone whose speech directly mirrors their heart's true intent, while condemning those who pretend, deceive, or exploit the labor of others as cowards.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaaphora / Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Naavil ondru ninaivil ondru

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('N') across lines, creating rhythmic momentum ('Naaloru', 'Nadippu', 'Naavil', 'Ninaivil').

Simile and Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kaattil nilavaai kadalil mazhaiyaai

Compares a useless human existence to moonlight wasting in a uninhabited forest or rain falling needlessly over the ocean.

Antithesis / Contrast

Ullathil vaithadhai udhattilum vaippavan

Contrasts deceptive behavior (tongue vs thought) with genuine integrity (heart vs lips).

Analogy

Kuruvigal ellaam uyara parandhaal Parundhugal aavadhillai

Uses nature analogies (roofs vs temple towers, sparrows vs eagles) to explain that pretense cannot elevate a person beyond their core character.

Did you know?

Trivia

Though listed with unknown credits in some song contexts, 'Aasai Mugam' (1965) starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) features music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, with vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and lyrics penned by Vaali. Songs like this served as strong moral and political messaging tools for MGR's screen persona during the 1960s.

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