Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Enna Paada

From Ullathil Nalla Ullam · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Ullathil Nalla Ullam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
8 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Or veetu kuruvigal
Podatha maedaiyil
Paadalaagumo nilai maaralaagumo
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Or veetu kuruvigal
Podatha maedaiyil
Paadalaagumo nilai maaralaagumo
Paadhai maari ponathu enna
Paadal kooda maaruvathenna
Aayiram vaesham poduvathenna
Aangalil kaalama
Kaalam maara kandathum enna
Kaaval kaathu kondathum enna
Gnyangal thaedum nilavaram enna
Nizhal nijam aanatho
Neeyum naalai maara vaendum
Podhum naadagam
Nilai maarum naal varum
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Female :Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Or veetu kuruvigal
Podatha maedaiyil
Female :Paadalaagumo
Nilai maaralaagumo
Poovai vanthu vaeliyai pottal
Pootu kooda pon vilangaagum
Irudhayam endra ragasiya veetil
Dhinasari naadagam
Naeril vanthu paavaiyai paarthaal
Nilamum kooda nilamena aagum
Nilai thadumaari vazhi adhu maarum
Nilai vara vaendumaa
Paarthu paarthu nenjil
Maatram aagi ponathae
Vazhi maari ponathae
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Male :Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Or veetu kuruvigal
Podatha maedaiyil
Male :Paadalaagumo
Nilai maaralaagumo
Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
Male :Naan enna paada
Thaalangal poda
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
For the house sparrows,
on an unbuilt stage,
can this become a song? Can circumstances change?
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
For the house sparrows,
on an unbuilt stage,
can this become a song? Can circumstances change?
Why has the path gone astray?
Why is even the song changing?
Why put on a thousand disguises?
Is this the way of men today?
What did we see as the times changed?
Why were we keeping guard?
What is this state of searching for justice?
Has a shadow turned into reality?
You too must change tomorrow,
enough of this drama!
The day will come when the situation changes.
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
Female: What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
For the house sparrows,
on an unbuilt stage,
Female: Can this become a song?
Can circumstances change?
If a fence is built around a flower,
even a lock becomes golden shackles.
In the secret house of the heart,
a drama plays out every day.
When looking at the maiden face to face,
even the solid ground feels shaken,
one stumbles and loses the way,
must such a state of mind come?
From watching and watching, inside the heart,
everything has changed,
and the path has gone astray.
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
Male: What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
For the house sparrows,
on an unbuilt stage,
Male: Can this become a song?
Can circumstances change?
What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
Male: What can I sing?
To what beat shall I keep time?
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Naan Enna Paada' from 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' (1988) is a poignant duet that reflects on emotional turmoil, societal facades, and shifting life circumstances. Using the metaphor of sparrows attempting to perform on an unbuilt stage, the song captures the helplessness of individuals trapped in unpredictable situations and forced emotional pretense. The lyrics express a yearning for truth, stability, and authentic resolution amidst confusion and life's dramatic twists.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

“Or veetu kuruvigal / Podatha maedaiyil”

Comparing human hearts and domestic lives to sparrows ('kuruvigal') trying to perform on an unmade stage ('podatha maedaiyil').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Paadhai maari ponathu enna / Paadal kooda maaruvathenna”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'P' in 'Paadhai' and 'Paadal'.

Esuba / Anthesis (Contrast)

“Nizhal nijam aanatho”

Contrasting 'Nizhal' (shadow/illusion) with 'Nijam' (reality/truth).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and written by Gangai Amaran, 'Ullathil Nalla Ullam' features dynamic vocal chemistry between S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki. The song showcases Gangai Amaran's signature style of blending conversational philosophy with expressive melodies.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Maaney Mayanguvathu1992
Thanga ManasukkaranMelancholicSeparation
Mannava2020
Vaanam KottattumMelancholicSeparation
Ilaya Nilave1999
Ponnu VeettukkaranMelancholicSeparation
Appodhu Nalla Thangaa1987
Vaazhga ValargaGriefLoss
Manamadura Thanthen (Sad)1988
Irandil OndruGriefFate
Kadhal Polladhu1988
Thambi Thanga KambiImpermanenceFate

From the same album

More songs from Ullathil Nalla Ullam

View album
Vettuna Thappu Illa1988
Ullathil Nalla UllamCalm
Pottalum Yerala En Puthi1988
Ullathil Nalla UllamMelancholic
Ponnu Pakka Vaarigala1988
Ullathil Nalla UllamCelebratory
Tholil Vizhum Malaiye1988
Ullathil Nalla UllamRomantic

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.