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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Aanaiyittal Adhu

From Naan – 1967 Film · 1967

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Naan – 1967 Film1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan aanaiyittalIf I command,
Indha kulandhagalThese children
Vedhanai pada mattaarWill not suffer in pain.
Uyir ulla varaiAs long as there is life in me,
Vida povadhillaiI will not give up.
Kanneerilae thalla vida mattomWe will not let them be pushed into tears.
Ini kanneerilae thalla vida mattomFrom now on, we will not let them be pushed into tears.
Female
Paartha gyabagam illaiyooDon't you remember seeing this?
Paavi unnalae thollaiyooYou sinner, is all this trouble because of you?
Madindhar avar endra ennamooIs it your thought that he has perished?
Vaazhkai unakkae sondhamoIs life meant only for you?
Male
Caru melae eri vandhuClimbing atop a car and coming here,
Moonji melae moodi potta soomariYou lazy fellow covering your face,
Hello hello come on come on sombaeriHello hello, come on, come on, you slacker!
Baaki pottu odi vandhu thimireduthuRunning up arrogantly wearing a jacket,
Aadi nirkkum koomaaliYou clown standing and dancing,
Hello hello come on come on yemaaliHello hello, come on, come on, you fool!
Female
Unga ponnana udambu punnagalaamaShould your golden body get wounded?
Vambhuku varalamoIs it right to come looking for a fight?
Kannathil tharavo innondru tharavaShall I give a slap on your cheek, or give another?
Male
Kathiya theettadhaeDo not sharpen the knife,
Undhan buthiya theettuSharpen your intellect!
Kathiya theettadhaeDo not sharpen the knife,
Undhan buthiya theettuSharpen your intellect!
Adhu kaaliyaagi vittaalIf that intellect becomes drained/empty,
Neeyum kambiyai neettuYou too will end up fleeing behind bars.
Male
Yemaara sonnadhu naanoWas it I who told you to get cheated?
En meedhu kobam thaanoIs your anger really directed at me?
Pinam pola nadithadhum naanaeIt was I who acted like a corpse,
Ennai nee yemattra mudiyathuYou cannot deceive me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This collection of lyrical lines reflects themes of social justice, protection of the vulnerable, moral advice, and bold confrontation. The protagonist asserts a protective duty towards suffering children and issues a stern warning against arrogance, deceit, and foolish violence. Rather than resorting to physical aggression (sharpening a knife), the lyrics advocate for intellectual sharpness and moral integrity, cautioning that deceit and mindless aggression lead only to ruin and imprisonment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antimetabole / Contrast

Kathiya theettadhae / Undhan buthiya theettu

Contrasts physical weapon sharpening with mental acuity to emphasize wisdom over brute force.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Hello hello come on come on sombaeri / ... koomaali / ... yemaali

Uses matching end sounds ('sombaeri', 'koomaali', 'yemaali') to give a catchy, rhythmic, and sarcastic cadence.

Metaphor

Unga ponnana udambu punnagalaama

Uses 'golden body' (ponnana udambu) as a metaphor for precious physical well-being that shouldn't be wasted on senseless fights.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Naan' (1967) marked T. K. Ramamoorthy's independent musical work after his separation from the iconic Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo. The song sequences showcase Vaali's trademark blend of philosophical advice and witty rhythm.

Keep listening

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