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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Nallavar

From Kattila Thottila · 1973

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Kattila Thottila
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
18 Oct 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa….aah…..aa…..aa….
Naan nallavar illaram nalamura vendukiraen
Naan mangala geethangal aayiram paadugiraen
Nadanthavai nadanthavaiyaagattum
Ini nadappavai nallavaiyaagattum
Naan nallavar illaram nalamura vendukiraen
Naan mangala geethangal aayiram paadugiraen
Naan paadugiraen
Pandiyan thirumagal vetkaththilae
Sokkanaadharum naayagi pakkathilae
Pandiyan thirumagal vetkaththilae
Sokkanaadharum naayagi pakkathilae
Iruvarum oonjalil aadugiraar
Kannil oruvarai oruvar thedugiraar
Adhu thaabathilaa….manasthaabathilaa
Naan nallavar illaram nalamura vendukiraen
Naan mangala geethangal aayiram paadugiraen
Naan paadugiraen
Moovarum moondru tamil polae endrum
Malarnthiruppom ungal vizhi melae
Moovarum moondru tamil polae endrum
Malarnthiruppom ungal vizhi melae
Vaazhvathum valarvathum yaaraalae
Neengal vaarththidum anbu neeraalae
Naan nallavar illaram nalamura vendukiraen
Naan mangala geethangal aayiram paadugiraen
Nadanthavai nadanthavaiyaagattum
Ini nadappavai nallavaiyaagattum
Nadanthavai nadanthavaiyaagattum
Ini nadappavai nallavaiyaagattum
Ah... aah... aa... aa...
I pray for the well-being of this good home,
I sing a thousand auspicious songs.
Let what has happened remain in the past,
and let everything that happens from now on be good.
I pray for the well-being of this good home,
I sing a thousand auspicious songs.
Yes, I sing.
The Pandyan princess blushes with shyness,
and Lord Chokkanathar is right beside his beloved.
The Pandyan princess blushes with shyness,
and Lord Chokkanathar is right beside his beloved.
Both of them sway upon the swing,
searching for one another with their eyes...
Is it out of longing, or from unspoken hurt?
I pray for the well-being of this good home,
I sing a thousand auspicious songs.
Yes, I sing.
Like the three branches of Tamil, may the three of us
always bloom before your eyes.
Like the three branches of Tamil, may the three of us
always bloom before your eyes.
Because of whom do we live and grow?
Only through the water of love you pour upon us...
I pray for the well-being of this good home,
I sing a thousand auspicious songs.
Let what has happened remain in the past,
and let everything that happens from now on be good.
Let what has happened remain in the past,
and let everything that happens from now on be good.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Kattila Thottila' expresses a deep, benevolent prayer for happiness and stability within a family. The singer offers auspicious wishes, encouraging everyone to let go of past bitterness and move forward into a harmonious future. Using references to Lord Shiva (Sokkanathar) and Goddess Meenakshi (Pandiyan Thirumagal), as well as comparing family unity to Mutthamizh (the three divisions of the Tamil language), the song highlights marital affection, forgiveness, and the sustaining power of unconditional love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Naan nallavar illaram nalamura vendukiraen

Repetition of the 'Na' sound at the beginning of words in 'Naan nallavar illaram nalamura', producing a smooth phonetic rhythm.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nadanthavai nadanthavaiyaagattum / Ini nadappavai nallavaiyaagattum

The second consonant sound 'da' matches across lines ('Nadanthavai' / 'nadappavai'), creating a balanced flow.

Upamai (Simile)

Moovarum moondru tamil polae endrum

The trio of family members is compared to 'Moondru Tamil' (Iyal, Isai, Nadagam), signifying completeness and intrinsic harmony.

Urvagam (Metaphor)

Neengal vaarththidum anbu neeraalae

Love is depicted as nourishing water ('anbu neer') that enables life and prosperity to bloom.

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Nadanthavai nadanthavaiyaagattum, ini nadappavai nallavaiyaagattum' written by lyricist Vaali became an iconic Tamil maxim widely quoted in popular culture, everyday discourse, and political speeches to advocate letting go of past conflicts for a better tomorrow.

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