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Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Oru Paadagan

From Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi · 1979

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
29 Oct 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
Naan naadhamendra kaattril uyir
Vaazhugindra paavalan….paadagan
Hae hae hae paavalan
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
……………..
Intha swarangalil undaana inbam
Ennai izhukkindrathu
Inba rasangalai kaadhodu paadi
Engu azhaikkindrathu ha haha
Intha manathinil ennenna raagam
Vanthu vizhugindrathu
Santham pudhiyathu santhosa thaalam
Nenjil ezhugindrathu
Paavangal aayiram en vedhangal aayiram
En paarvaiyinil thondruvathu
Paasamulla kodi manam
Paadum paadalaagum
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
Naan naadhamendra kaattril uyir
Vaazhugindra paavalan….paadagan
Hae hae hae paavalan
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
……………..
Thangaratham ena thallaadum maeni
Mangai paruvangalil
Pongi vazhinthidum ponnaana inbam
Kanni idhayangalil ha ha
Mottu malargalil munnooru vannam
Sokkum azhagugalil
Pattu idhazhgalil paaloorum kinnam
Kattum uravugalil
Aayiram raagangal vanthu aadidum kaalangal
Idhu vaalipaththu kaaviyangal
Paadugindra oviyangal
Paasam endru vendum
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
Naan naadhamendra kaattril uyir
Vaazhugindra paavalan….paadagan
Hae hae hae paavalan
Naan oru paadagan nallisai kadhalan
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
Living on the breath of melody,
I am a poet... a singer...
Hey... hey... hey... a poet...
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
...
The joy born from these musical notes
draws me close
Whispering sweet emotions into my ears,
it calls out to me everywhere, ha ha ha
So many different melodies
come flowing into my heart
A fresh rhythm, a joyful beat
rises in my chest
A thousand musical expressions, a thousand guiding verses,
what appears before my eyes
are millions of loving hearts
turning into songs to sing
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
Living on the breath of melody,
I am a poet... a singer...
Hey... hey... hey... a poet...
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
...
A graceful body swaying like a golden chariot
in the prime of youth,
golden happiness overflowing
in young hearts, ha ha
Three hundred colors in blooming buds,
in enchanting charms,
a bowl of sweet milk on silky lips
in the bonds of affection,
A season when a thousand melodies dance,
these are the poems of youth,
living paintings that sing,
calling out for love
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
Living on the breath of melody,
I am a poet... a singer...
Hey... hey... hey... a poet...
I am a singer, a lover of fine music
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Naan Oru Paadagan' from the 1979 film 'Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi' expresses the soulful identity of a passionate singer and poet. The protagonist describes himself as someone who breathes music as his vital air. The lyrics evoke how swaras (musical notes), beats, and ragas continuously awaken inside his heart, converting every human emotion and affectionate soul he observes into living melodies. The second stanza delves into the poetic appreciation of youth, beauty, and human connection, describing graceful maidens, budding flowers, and love as 'singing paintings' and 'epics of youth'. Through SPB's vibrant vocals and Gangai Amaran's evocative words and composition, the track celebrates the divine, intoxicating nature of artistic creation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Naan naadhamendra kaattril uyir Vaazhugindra paavalan”

Compares sound/melody to the very air required to live.

Simile (Uvamai)

“Thangaratham ena thallaadum maeni”

Compares a young woman's swaying physique to a golden chariot.

Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Paasamulla kodi manam Paadum paadalaagum”

Repetition of the 'P' sound across adjacent words in Tamil verse.

Personification

“Paadugindra oviyangal”

Attributes the human activity of singing to visual art forms (paintings).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi' (1979) was one of the early films where Gangai Amaran took on the mantle of sole composer alongside writing the lyrics. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, this song serves as an iconic example of Gangai Amaran's versatility as both a lyricist and music director during an era dominated by his brother, Ilaiyaraaja.

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