Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naalukku Naal

From Sonthamadi Nee Enakku · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Sonthamadi Nee Enakku1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naanum neengalum vaazhura bhoomiThis earth where you and I live,
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naanum neengalum vaazhura bhoomiThis earth where you and I live.
Male
Neer vazhi ponaal odamIf a boat travels along the water's current,
Adhu nichayam karaiyai serumIt will certainly reach the shore.
Neer vazhi ponaal odamIf a boat travels along the water's current,
Adhu nichayam karaiyai serumIt will certainly reach the shore.
Oor vazhivittu thani vazhi pogumThose prominent people who stray from the town's common path into a solitary way,
Per vazhi ellaam paavamThey are all pitiable.
Male
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naanum neengalum vaazhura bhoomiThis earth where you and I live.
Male
Nallathu endru solluvathellaamAll that is spoken as good advice,
Puththiyil yaeraathu sila puththiyil yaeraathuDoes not enter the intellect; in some, it never enters.
Nallathu endru solluvathellaamAll that is spoken as good advice,
Puththiyil yaeraathu sila puththiyil yaeraathuDoes not enter the intellect; in some, it never enters.
Male
Pazham pallavi neenga paaduvathengaWhere are you singing that old refrain?
Aa…aa….aa…..aa….aa….a…a….Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... a... a...
Pazham pallavi neenga paaduvathengaWhere are you singing that old refrain?
Thaalaaththil seraathu ivangaThese people will not align with the rhythm,
Thaalaaththil seraathuThey will not align with the rhythm.
Male
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naanum neengalum vaazhura bhoomiThis earth where you and I live.
Male
Chandhiran sevvaai saamigal endruBelieving Moon and Mars to be gods,
Manthiram solveengaYou recite mantras,
Solli poojaiyum seiveengaYou recite mantras and perform rituals.
Chandhiran sevvaai saamigal endruBelieving Moon and Mars to be gods,
Manthiram solveengaYou recite mantras,
Solli poojaiyum seiveengaYou recite mantras and perform rituals.
Indru chandhiran sevvaai mandalam thediToday, searching for the spheres of Moon and Mars,
Indru chandhiran sevvaai mandalam thediToday, searching for the spheres of Moon and Mars,
Enthiram solluthunga rocketThe machine speaks, it is the rocket,
Enthiram solluthunga…..The machine speaks...
Male
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naanum neengalum vaazhura bhoomiThis earth where you and I live.
Male
Neer vazhi ponaal odamIf a boat travels along the water's current,
Adhu nichayam karaiyai serumIt will certainly reach the shore.
Oor vazhi vittu thani vazhi pogumThose prominent people who leave the town's path for a solitary road,
Per vazhi ellaam paavamThey are all pitiable.
Male
Naalukku naal maaruthu saamiDay by day, the world is changing, my friend.
Naanum neengalum vaazhura bhoomiThis earth where you and I live.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naalukku Naal Maaruthu Saami is a reflective and socially conscious song from the 1977 movie Sonthamadi Nee Enakku, composed by V. Kumar, written by Vaali, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan. The song reflects on how the world changes continuously with time. It highlights the contrast between traditional blind faith and scientific progress, pointing out how celestial bodies like the Moon and Mars—once revered solely as gods—are now being reached through technological marvels like rockets. Additionally, it offers a pragmatic commentary on human nature, advising people to follow wise pathways and adapt to evolving truths rather than clinging to outdated dogmas.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Analogy

Neer vazhi ponaal odam adhu nichayam karaiyai serum

The boat drifting along the water's flow to reach the shore serves as an analogy for leading a life aligned with natural order and wise direction.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Neer vazhi ponaal odam / Oor vazhivittu thani vazhi pogum

The second consonant sound 'r' rhymes across lines ('Neer' and 'Oor').

Monai (First-letter alliteration)

Pazham pallavi neenga paaduvathenga

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' sound ('Pazham', 'pallavi', 'paaduvathenga').

Irony / Social Commentary

Indru chandhiran sevvaai mandalam thedi enthiram solluthunga rocket

Contrasts ancient superstitious rituals worshipping planets as gods with modern science reaching those planets using rockets.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics composed by Vaali reflect the growing popularity of rationalism and scientific temper in 1970s Tamil cinema, referencing real-world scientific developments such as space exploration to Mars and the Moon.

Keep listening

More from Sonthamadi Nee Enakku