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Thaai Naadu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Mudhan Mudhal

From Thaai Naadu · 1989

Lyricist
Aabavanan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Movie name
Thaai Naadu
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
5 Feb 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………..
Female :…………………
Naan mudhan mudhal paadiya paattu
Ingu yaezhaiyin azhugural kettu
Iravil vanthathaal irundu ponathaal
Irunda vaazhvum ini maarum….
Naan mudhan mudhal paadiya paattu
Ingu yaezhaiyin azhugural kettu
Iravil vanthathaal irundu ponathaal
Irunda vaazhvum ini maarum….
……………..
Poraadum nenjangal sorvaaga koodaathammaa
Poradi paaraamal thunbangal theeraathammaa
Kelvigal vidai pera vendum
Antha vidaigalil pudhuyugam thondrum
Ketka marantha manithaa
Un oomai vaazhvum inithaa
Female :Azhuthavan siriththida vendum
Antha sirippinil samaththuvam thondrum
Sirikka marantha manithaa
Nee sumakkum paaram perithaa
Female :Thaangaathu ini thaangaathu
Pudhu poraattam kaana nee
Naan mudhan mudhal paadiya paattu
Ingu yaezhaiyin azhugural kettu
Iravil vanthathaal irundu ponathaal
Irunda vaazhvum ini maarum….
Poraadum nenjangal sorvaaga koodaathammaa
Poradi paaraamal thunbangal theeraathammaa
Kanavugal uyir pera vendum
Adhu uyir pera porida vendum
Female :Kaalam meendum varumaa
Adhu kanavai meettu tharumaa
Siraigalum udai padavendum
Adhai udaiththida thuivugal vendum
Female :Thunaiyum meendum varumaa
Adhu thunivai meettu tharumaa
Male :Pothaathu idhu pothaathu nee poraada odi vaa
Naan mudhan mudhal paadiya paattu
Female :Aa….aa…aa…
Male :Ingu yaezhaiyin azhugural kettu
Female :Aa….aa…aa…
Male :Iravil vanthathaal irundu ponathaal
Irunda vaazhvum ini maarum….
...
Female: ...
The very first song I ever sang
was upon hearing the cry of the poor here.
Though it arrived in the dark of night,
even this dark life will change from now on...
The very first song I ever sang
was upon hearing the cry of the poor here.
Though it arrived in the dark of night,
even this dark life will change from now on...
...
Fighting hearts must never grow weary, mother,
for without putting up a fight, our sorrows will never end, mother.
Questions must find their answers,
and through those answers, a new era will be born.
O man who forgot to question,
is your voiceless life really sweet?
Female: The ones who wept must smile,
and in that smile, equality will be born.
O man who forgot to smile,
is the burden you carry truly that heavy?
Female: We cannot bear it any longer, no more,
come forward to face a new struggle!
The very first song I ever sang
was upon hearing the cry of the poor here.
Though it arrived in the dark of night,
even this dark life will change from now on...
Fighting hearts must never grow weary, mother,
for without putting up a fight, our sorrows will never end, mother.
Dreams must come alive,
and to bring them alive, we must fight.
Female: Will that lost time ever return?
Will it bring our dreams back to us?
The prisons must be broken down,
and to shatter them, we need true resolve.
Female: Will our support return again?
Will it restore our courage?
Male: This is not enough, never enough—run forward to fight!
The very first song I ever sang,
Female: Aah... aah... aah...
Male: Was upon hearing the cry of the poor here,
Female: Aah... aah... aah...
Male: Though it arrived in the dark of night,
even this dark life will change from now on...
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Chorus
Female
Male
Male
Female
Chorus
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the film 'Thaai Naadu' is an evocative revolution song calling for social justice, equality, and action against oppression. It highlights the plight of the poor and downtrodden, urging people not to remain silent or passive in the face of suffering, but to stand up and demand answers for a better future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

“Iravil vanthathaal irundu ponathaal”

Repetition of the vowel sound 'I' at the beginning of words in the line for rhythmic resonance.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Azhuthavan siriththida vendum”

Contrasting 'azhuthavan' (the one who cried) with 'siriththida' (to laugh/smile) to express social elevation and hope.

Rhetorical Question

“Ketka marantha manithaa / Un oomai vaazhvum inithaa”

Challenging the listener's silence and submissiveness by asking if staying mute is truly pleasant.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thaai Naadu' (1989) featured music composed by the duo Manoj–Gyan with lyrics written by multi-talented filmmaker Aabavanan. It stands out as one of the notable late-80s duet collaborations between veteran playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) and P. Susheela.

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