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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Enge

From Aalan · 2024

Lyricist
Karthik Netha
Singer
Shankar Mahadevan
Music director
Manoj Krishna
Details
Aalan2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Om nama sivayaOm Namah Shivaya
Om nama sivayaOm Namah Shivaya
Om nama sivayaOm Namah Shivaya
Om nama sivaya omOm Namah Shivaya Om
Male
Naan enum naan engeWhere is the 'I' that I claim to be?
Ada yaar nizhal naan ingeWhose shadow am I here?
Thee thazhal thaan ingeHere, there is only fire and flame,
Ada oon uyir dhaan engeAh, where is the soul in this body of flesh?
Male
Idhuvae nilaiyaaIs this state permanent?
Pudhirae vidaiyaaIs the riddle itself the answer?
Agamae idharkaa alaindhaai..aaaOh soul, is it for this that you wandered?
Male
Nee yaaro ada naan yaaroWho are you? Who am I?
Pini noiyaadum kudilaaIs this body merely a hut plagued by disease?
Yedhedho kadhai ketaalumNo matter how many stories we hear,
Verum neer aagum kadalaaIs the ocean ultimately reduced to mere water?
Male
Theeraamal thuyar thurathiduthaeEndless grief continues to chase me,
Poraadum manam kadhariduthaeThe struggling mind cries out in distress,
Yaavum pogum endraalIf everything is bound to perish,
Yen dhaan pirappum ingeWhy then were we born here?
Vidai nee pagarvaai vimalaaMay you grant the answer, Oh pure divine Shiva!
Male
Om hara omkaaraaOm Hara Omkara!
Thaka dheem idum shankaraOh Shankara, who dances to rhythmic beats!
Nee urai naadhaanthaaAre you the supreme sound that speaks?
Idhu thaan irai vilaiyaattaIs this life merely a divine play?
Idhuvae nilaiyaaIs this state permanent?
Pudhirae vidaiyaaIs the riddle itself the answer?
Ulage perumper kanavaaIs this entire world just one grand dream?
Male
Om…nama shivaayaaaa….Om Namah Shivaya!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song explores profound philosophical inquiries about human existence, identity, and impermanence through a devotional invocation of Lord Shiva. The protagonist questions the nature of the self, the physical body, human suffering, and the ultimate purpose of life. Through introspective lyrics, the singer questions whether life is an illusion, a grand dream, or a divine play (Irai Vilaiyaattu). Seeking liberation and spiritual clarity, the seeker turns to Lord Shiva, pleading for answers to these existential riddles. The sacred chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya' serves as a powerful spiritual anchor throughout this quest for ultimate truth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Naan enum naan enge

The lyrics rely heavily on rhetorical questions to convey existential introspection into the nature of self and reality.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pini noiyaadum kudilaa

The mortal body is metaphorically compared to a temporary, frail hut plagued by diseases.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ulage perumper kanavaa

The entire worldly existence is compared to a massive, fleeting dream.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Idhuvae nilaiyaa / Pudhirae vidaiyaa

Consecutive lines share matching ending sounds ('nilaiyaa' and 'vidaiyaa') creating rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Manoj Krishna for the 2024 film 'Aalan', this track showcases powerful spiritual vocals by Shankar Mahadevan set to deeply introspective Tamil lyrics penned by Karthik Netha.

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