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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Paada Varuvai

From Uthiri Pookkal · 1979

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Uthiri Pookkal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………….....
Female
Naan paada varuvaaiCome so that I may sing
Thamizhae inimai tharuvaaiOh Tamil language, bestow your sweetness upon me
Pala raagam panpaadidum senthaen kaliyaeOh pure honey-like joy that cultivates various ragas
Naan paada varuvaaiCome so that I may sing
Thamizhae inimai tharuvaaiOh Tamil language, bestow your sweetness upon me
Pala raagam panpaadidum senthaen kaliyaeOh pure honey-like joy that cultivates various ragas
Female
Kadhiroli vilaiyaada ponnalai oodaiA stream of golden waves where sunlight dances
Pala vanna vandaada poomuga maedaiA flower-faced stage where colorful beetles dance
Ponnaalai odai poomuga maedaiA stream with golden waves, a flower-faced stage
Swaram ezhum sathiraadum ye bale balaeMusical notes arise and dance, oh splendid!
Female
Swaram ezhum sathiraadum sugamaana raagamA soothing raga where musical notes arise and dance
Inimai mozhiyal kavidhai pozhiyaAs poetry pours forth in sweet language
Devaril moolavan naadhathilae nadamaada ezhuvaaiArise to dance in the sound of the supreme divine presence
Naan paada varuvaai thamizhae inimai tharuvaaiCome so that I may sing, Oh Tamil, grant me sweetness
Pala raagam panpaadidum senthaen kaliyaeOh pure honey-like joy that cultivates various ragas
Female
Naan paada varuvaai…….Come so that I may sing...
…………………………….....
Female
Panimugil pennada paal madhi paadumAs the misty cloud-maiden dances, the milky moon sings
Kavimanam panpaada kodimalar aadumAs the poet's heart is refined, the creeper flowers sway
Paal madhi paadum kodimalar aadumThe milky moon sings, the creeper flowers sway
Pudhiraana sangeetham….durrrrrrrrA mysterious music... (rhythmic sound)
Female
Pudhiraana sangeetham sugamaana geethamA mysterious music, a pleasant song
Iyarkkai rasikkum ilamai isaiyaeOh youthful music enjoyed by nature itself
Naanmuga naayagi naavinilae nalam paada ezhuvaaiArise to sing well-being upon the tongue of the four-faced Creator's consort
Naan paada varuvaai thamizhae inimai tharuvaaiCome so that I may sing, Oh Tamil, grant me sweetness
Pala raagam panpaadidum senthaen kaliyaeOh pure honey-like joy that cultivates various ragas
Female
Naan paada varuvaai….Come so that I may sing...
Vaasingoo nalla vaasingoo…..Play on, play nicely...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a soul-stirring invocation to the Tamil language, music, and Goddess Saraswati (the divine consort of the four-faced Brahma). The singer pleads for artistic inspiration and sweet verse to express profound melodies. Nature serves as the primary backdrop, with golden streams, dancing beetles, misty cloud-maidens, and the singing moon symbolizing the deep harmony between natural beauty and musical art.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Panimugil pennada paal madhi paadum

Human traits are given to nature, describing the milky moon as singing ('paal madhi paadum') and misty clouds as a dancing maiden ('panimugil pennada').

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Pala vanna vandaada poomuga maedai

The flower surface is metaphorically described as a stage ('maedai') for vibrant beetles.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Naanmuga naayagi naavinilae nalam paada ezhuvaai

Repetition of the 'Na' sound across words creates a musical rhythmic cadence.

Emona / Ethirukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Panimugil pennada / Kavimanam panpaada

Matching the second consonant sound 'ni' / 'vi' across consecutive poetic lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naan Paada Varuvaai' is a featured track from J. Mahendran's acclaimed 1979 film 'Uthiri Pookkal', with music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Muthulingam. Sung by S. Janaki and S. P. Sailaja, the track is renowned for its lush classical melody and evocative nature imagery.

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