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Aasai Mugam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naaloru Maedai Pozhudhoru Nadippu

From Aasai Mugam · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Aasai Mugam
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
14 Feb 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippu
Avan per manidhanalla
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippu
Avan per manidhanalla
Naavil ondru ninaivil ondru
Adhan per ullamalla
Naavil ondru ninaivil ondru
Adhan per ullamalla
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippu
Avan per manidhanalla
Ullathil vaithadhai udhattilum vaippavan
Evano avanae manidhan
Evano avanae manidhan
Ooraar vaervaiyil udalai valarppavan
Ulaghathil kozhaigal thalaivan…
Ulaghathil kozhaigal thalaivan…
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippu
Avan per manidhanalla
Kaattil nilavaai kadalil mazhaiyaai
Kaattil nilavaai kadalil mazhaiyaai
Pirandhaal yaarukku laabam…mmm…
Pirandhaal yaarukku laabam
Pagaiyil thunaiyaai pasiyil unavaai
Irundhaal oorukku laabam..mm…
Irundhaal oorukku laabam
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippu
Avan per manidhanalla
Kooraigal ellaam kooda valarndhaal
Gopuram aavadhillai…
Gopuram aavadhillai
Kuruvigal ellaam uyara parandhaal
Parundhugal aavadhillai…
Parundhugal aavadhillai
Naaloru maedai pozhudhoru nadippu
Avan per manidhanalla
A new stage each day, a new disguise every moment—
He does not deserve to be called human.
A new stage each day, a new disguise every moment—
He does not deserve to be called human.
Saying one thing on the lips while thinking another in the mind—
That cannot be called a true heart.
Saying one thing on the lips while thinking another in the mind—
That cannot be called a true heart.
A new stage each day, a new disguise every moment—
He does not deserve to be called human.
The one who speaks openly what lies in his heart,
Whoever he is, he alone is a true human.
Whoever he is, he alone is a true human.
The one who fattens himself on the sweat of others,
Is only the leader of cowards in this world...
Is only the leader of cowards in this world...
A new stage each day, a new disguise every moment—
He does not deserve to be called human.
Like moonlight in a deserted forest, like rain falling on the sea,
Like moonlight in a deserted forest, like rain falling on the sea,
If one is born like that, who gains anything? Mmm...
If one is born like that, who gains anything?
Standing as an ally in conflict, serving as food in hunger—
If one lives like that, the whole town benefits... mmm...
If one lives like that, the whole town benefits.
A new stage each day, a new disguise every moment—
He does not deserve to be called human.
Even if thatched roofs join and rise high together,
They can never become a temple tower...
They can never become a temple tower.
Even if little sparrows soar high into the sky,
They can never become mighty eagles...
They can never become mighty eagles.
A new stage each day, a new disguise every moment—
He does not deserve to be called human.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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