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Lyrics & meaning

Naalvarin Kazhuthile Naanitta

From Jagathalaprathaban – 1961 Film · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Jagathalaprathaban – 1961 Film1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naalvarin kaluthilaeBy the garland I placed
Naanitta maalaiyaalAround four of their necks
Naalvaren thunaiviyanaarAll four became my wives
Naduvilae nirpavarThe one standing in the middle
Yaarendra podhilumWhen asked who she is
Ezhai en annaiandroIs she not my poor mother?
Male
Pillaiyai sodhikkaTo test her son
Manaivi pol maarinaalShe transformed like a wife
Penmaikku muraimaiyaamooIs this righteous for womanhood?
Ammaiyae deivamaeO Mother, O Goddess!
Annaiyae sattru neeO Mother, can you briefly
Appuram nagaralaamoMove to the side?
Selvamae vaazhkendruSaying 'Prosper, my precious child'
Annai un kaigalaalWith your maternal hands
Ennai nee vaazhthalaamo..Will you bless me?
Ha..aaaa…aa..haaa.aaa..aaa..Vocal improvisations
Male
Kannukku oruvaraaiThough you appear as separate individuals
Kaatchi thandhaalum neerTo our eyes
Pen makkal naalvarandroAre you not four women?
Ammaiyaam paarvathiMother Parvathi herself
Pillaikku parisaagaAs a gift to her child
Alithavar neeveerandro..00Are you not the ones given?
Male
Penmaiyin karppodumWith the chastity of womanhood
Pathini panpodumAnd the virtue of a devoted wife
Pirandhadhae unmaiyaanaalIf it is true that you were born
Male
Penmaiyin karppodumWith the chastity of womanhood
Pathini panpodumAnd the virtue of a devoted wife
Pirandhadhae unmaiyaanaalIf it is true that you were born
Unmaiyaam vadivathaiYour true divine form
Kanavanin edhirilaeIn front of your husband
Ulagukku kaattuveeroo…ooooWill you reveal to the world?
Haa..aaa…haa..aaa..haa..aa….Vocal improvisations

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this mythological dramatic song from Jagathalaprathaban (1961), the protagonist addresses four divine ladies, discovering that Mother Goddess Parvathi has disguised herself to test her devotee and son. He expresses awe, respect, and slight grief over the confusing nature of this divine trial, asking how a mother could take a bride-like role to test her offspring. He appeals to her maternal affection, asking her to step aside from the bridal lineup, bestow her motherly blessings upon him, and reveal her true virtuous form to the world in front of her divine husband.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance/Alliteration)

Naalvarin kaluthilae / Naanitta maalaiyaal

The repetition of the 'Na' sound across consecutive lines ('Naalvarin', 'Naanitta', 'Naalvaren') creates rhythmic cohesion.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Penmaikku muraimaiyaamoo

The protagonist uses rhetorical questioning to challenge the divine illusion and question the fairness of a mother testing her son as a wife.

Anaphora / Repetition

Penmaiyin karppodum / Pathini panpodum / Pirandhadhae unmaiyaanaal

Repetition of full lines emphasizing 'karppu' (chastity) and 'panpu' (virtue) to stress the sacred nature of womanhood and truth.

Did you know?

Trivia

Jagathalaprathaban (1961) was a mythological film starring PU Chinnappa in earlier retellings, while this 1961 version featured music by Pendyala Nageswara Rao with grand renditions by TM Soundararajan and lyrics by Kannadasan.

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