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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Kaatrilae

From Dharmadurai · 2016

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Dharmadurai2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan kaatrilae alaigira kaagidhamI am a piece of paper wandering in the wind.
Naan kadavulin kaigalil kaaviyamI am an epic poem in the hands of God.
Endrum punnagai ondruthaan en balamA smile is always my only strength.
Vaazhvil pookalo mutkaloWhether life brings flowers or thorns,
Sammadham endrumae sammadhamIt is acceptable, forever acceptable.
Naan kaatrilae alaigira kaagidham.. eehhh..I am a piece of paper wandering in the wind.. eehhh..
Male
En udalukku jananam angeThe birth of my physical body was there,
En arivukku jananam ingeThe birth of my knowledge is here.
Ingu pattangalaAllaI came here not merely to earn degrees,
Vaazhkai vaanga vandhenaeI came here to gain life itself.
Moodi maraitha dhegamThe body that was kept covered and hidden,
Thirandhu paarthom nerilaeWe opened and examined up close in person.
Moodi maraikkum nenjaiYet the hidden heart inside,
Thirandhu paarka theriyalaeWe do not know how to open and understand.
Male
Naan kaatrilae alaigira kaagidhamI am a piece of paper wandering in the wind.
Naan kadavulin kaigalil kaaviyamI am an epic poem in the hands of God.
Male
Ingu mudhal mudhal kaadhalum unduHere there is first love,
Sila moondraam kaadhalum unduAnd for some, even a third love.
Ingu vaangiya kaayamWon't the wounds suffered here
Vaazhvil nyayam aagathoBecome meaningful justice in life?
Kadaisi aasai enna endru ketal soluvenoooIf asked what my last wish is, I will say,
Mudhumai vayadhil meendumIn my old age, once again,
Indha college seruvenI want to join this college!
Male
Naan maanavan maruthuva maanavanI am a student, a medical student.
En thonduthaan thulirena aanavanI am one whose service blossoms like a tender sprout.
Vaalum udalgalai kovilai kaapavanI protect living bodies as if guarding a sacred temple.
Andha kadavulin thavarugal theerpavanI am the one who rights the mistakes made by God.
Theerpavan kaapavanOne who rights mistakes, one who protects.
Naan maanavan maruthuva maanavan eyyyy..I am a student, a medical student eyyyy..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful track from the movie Dharmadurai (2016) encapsulates the journey, philosophy, and noble calling of a medical student. The protagonist reflects on his life with humility, viewing himself as a piece of paper carried by fate, yet feeling destined as a masterpiece created by God. He embraces life's ups and downs with an unwavering smile, highlighting that while medical school taught him to dissect human anatomy, understanding human emotions remains a deeper mystery. The song celebrates the noble duty of doctors who treat human bodies as sacred temples, fixing the physical flaws or illnesses that fate inflicts, and conveys a profound nostalgia for medical college life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Naan kaatrilae alaigira kaagidham

Compares human life to a light piece of paper wandering in the wind, symbolizing surrender to destiny and humility.

Metaphor

Naan kadavulin kaigalil kaaviyam

Compares human existence to an epic literary work sculpted by the divine.

Antithesis / Contrast

Vaazhvil pookalo mutkalo

Uses contrasting imagery of flowers (pookal) and thorns (mutkal) to represent joy and adversity in life.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

En udalukku jananam ange / En arivukku jananam inge

Repetition of the initial sound 'En' creating rhythm across adjacent lines.

Hyperbole / Poetic Conceit

Andha kadavulin thavarugal theerpavan

Describes a doctor's role elevated to divine proportions, claiming to fix errors created by God.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the music for 'Dharmadurai' was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu and sung by Karthik. The song poetically depicts the transformation of a medical student into a compassionate doctor, serving as a pivotal thematic track in the film starring Vijay Sethupathi.

Keep listening

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