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Lyrics & meaning

Naan Dhinanthorum

From Thalaivasal · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Chandrabose
Music director
Bala Bharathi
Details
Thalaivasal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan dhinam dhorumEvery single day, I...
Naan dhinam dhorum rickshaw ootti pozhaikkirenEvery single day, I pull a rickshaw to make a living.
Patta sarayathula sambarichathai azhikkirenAnd I waste everything I earn on local arrack.
Naan dhinam dhorum rickshaw ootti pozhaikkirenEvery single day, I pull a rickshaw to make a living.
Patta sarayathula sambarichathai azhikkirenAnd I waste everything I earn on local arrack.
Chorus
………………….....
Male
Pedalu kattai midhikkum bothuWhen I press down on the wooden pedal...
Maru elumbhu valikkudhuMy ribs ache painfully.
Pedalu kattai midhikkum bothuWhen I press down on the wooden pedal...
Maru elumbhu valikkudhuMy ribs ache painfully.
Aiyooo kodalum odalum…Oh dear, my guts and body...
Aiyooo kodalum odalum serndhu ippoOh dear, my guts and body together now...
Raavula thanni kekkudhuCrave liquor at night.
Male
Naan kudikaamaIf I don't drink...
Naan kudikaama irunthaakka vaiyuru eriyudhuIf I don't drink, my stomach burns.
Patta pottaathaanOnly when I drink alcohol...
Patta pottaathaan rickshaw vandi thaana parakkudhuOnly when I drink alcohol does the rickshaw fly effortlessly on its own.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the tragic cycle of addiction and physical strain experienced by a daily wage-earning rickshaw puller. He pushes his body to the limit through strenuous physical labor, which causes severe chronic pain in his bones and muscles. To numb this physical agony, he turns to cheap liquor, spending all his daily earnings on it. Ultimately, his body becomes dependent on alcohol—without it, he experiences withdrawal pains like a burning stomach, but with it, he gains the temporary sensation of energy to pull his vehicle again. Vairamuthu's lyrics poignantly capture the harsh reality of urban working-class struggle and dependence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Emoni/Internal Rhyme)

Aiyooo kodalum odalum serndhu ippo

The words 'kodalum' (guts) and 'odalum' (body) rhyme internally, creating a natural acoustic rhythm that emphasizes physical suffering.

Hyperbole

Patta pottaathaan rickshaw vandi thaana parakkudhu

Exaggerating that the rickshaw flies on its own when drunk, conveying the psychological illusion of ease and lightness brought by intoxication.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Naan dhinam dhorum / Patta pottaathaan

Repeating opening phrases like 'Naan dhinam dhorum' and 'Patta pottaathaan' emphasizes the monotonous, inescapable cycle of daily labor and drinking.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song was rendered by Chandrabose, a popular composer-singer in Tamil cinema known for his distinctive rustic voice, which perfectly suited working-class folk numbers. The movie 'Thalaivasal' (1992), directed by Selva with music composed by Bala Bharathi, was a breakthrough film for several actors including Prakash Raj and Comedy actor Vadivelu.

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Naan Dhinanthorum Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi