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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Padithaen Kaanjiyilae Naettru

From Netru Indru Naalai · 1974

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Netru Indru Naalai
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
28 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan
Peeppi pippi peeppi pippi peeppee
Thannae laalalla laalae thaalalaalae laallaa
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru
Endrum nallavarukku vaazhvu varum naalai
Idhu arinjar annaa ezhudhi vaitha olai
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru
Indhiyaavin thandhai endru gandhi irundhaar
Avar idaiyinilae ezhaiyai pol kandhai anindhaar
Indhiyaavin thandhai endru gandhi irundhaar
Avar idaiyinilae ezhaiyai pol kandhai anindhaar
Yaeniyaaga thaazhdhavarukku udhavi purindhaar
Indru yaesuvorgal avaraal thaan padhavi adaindhaar…
Indru yaesuvorgal avaraal thaan padhavi adaindhaar
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru
Naattukkaaga uzhaippadharkkae annaa pirandhaar
Podhu nalathil thaanae naal muzhukka kannaa irundhaar
Naattukkaaga uzhaippadharkkae annaa pirandhaar
Podhu nalathil thaanae naal muzhukka kannaa irundhaar
Yaettru konda padhavikkellaam perumaiyai thandhaar
Than iniya kudumbam ondrukku thaan varumaiya thandhaar
Than iniya kudumbam ondrukku thaan varumaiya thandhaar
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru
Endrum nallavarukku vaazhvu varum naalai
Idhu arinjar annaa ezhudhi vaitha olai
Theru theruvaai koottuvadhu podhu nala thondu
Ooraar therindhu kolla paadam pidithaal suyanalam undu
Theru theruvaai koottuvadhu podhu nala thondu
Ooraar therindhu kolla paadam pidithaal suyanalam undu
Makkal nalam makkal nalam endrae solluvaar
Tham makkal nalam ondrae thaan manadhil kolluvaar…
Tham makkal nalam ondrae thaan manadhil kolluvaar
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru
Veettukkellaam velicham poda kodutha panathilae
Thaangal velicham pottu vaazhndhu vittaar nagara sabaiyilae
Veettukkellaam velicham poda kodutha panathilae
Thaangal velicham pottu vaazhndhu vittaar nagara sabaiyilae
Ezhaikkellaam veedu endru thittam theettinaar
Thaangal vaazhvadharkku oor panathil veedu kattinaar…
Thaangal vaazhvadharkku oor panathil veedu kattinaar
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru
Yaeippavarkkae kaalam endru enni vidaadhae
Poi ethanai naal kai kodukum marandhu vidaadhae
Yaeippavarkkae kaalam endru yenni vidaadhae
Poi ethanai naal kai kodukum marandhu vidaadhae
Oru naal indha nilamaikkellaam maarudhal undu
Andha maarudhalai seivadharkku thaerudhal undu
Andha maarudhalai seivadharkku thaerudhal undu
Oru sambavam enbadhu naettru
Naettru
Adhu sarithiram enbadhu indru
Indru
Adhu saadhanai aavadhu naalai
Naalai
Varum sodhanai thaan idai vaelai…
Jinjikka jikkan jinjikka jikkan
Jinjikka jikkan jinjikka jikkan
Jinjikka jikkan jinjikka jikkan
Jinjikka jikkan jinjikka jikkan
Peepee pippi peepee pippipeepee
Thanne laalalla laale thaalalaale laalla
Little brother, I learned a lesson in Kanchi yesterday
Shall I share it with you today?
A better tomorrow will always come for good people
This is the written message left by scholar Anna
Little brother, I learned a lesson in Kanchi yesterday
Shall I share it with you today?
Gandhi lived as the father of India
He wore simple rags around his waist like a poor man
Gandhi lived as the father of India
He wore simple rags around his waist like a poor man
He served as a ladder to lift up the downtrodden
Today, those who insult him gained power only because of him
Today, those who insult him gained power only because of him
Little brother, I learned a lesson in Kanchi yesterday
Shall I share it with you today?
Anna was born only to work for the country
All day long, his eyes were fixed on the public good
Anna was born only to work for the country
All day long, his eyes were fixed on the public good
He brought honor to every position he held
Leaving poverty only for his own beloved family
Leaving poverty only for his own beloved family
Little brother, I learned a lesson in Kanchi yesterday
Shall I share it with you today?
A better tomorrow will always come for good people
This is the written message left by scholar Anna
Sweeping every street is selfless public service
But taking photos of it for the town to see is selfishness
Sweeping every street is selfless public service
But taking photos of it for the town to see is selfishness
They will chant, "Welfare of the people! Welfare of the people!"
Yet in their hearts, they only care for their own children's welfare
Yet in their hearts, they only care for their own children's welfare
Little brother, I learned a lesson in Kanchi yesterday
Shall I share it with you today?
With the money given to light up every home
They lived in luxury in the town council
With the money given to light up every home
They lived in luxury in the town council
They created schemes promising homes for the poor
But built houses for themselves with public money
But built houses for themselves with public money
Little brother, I learned a lesson in Kanchi yesterday
Shall I share it with you today?
Do not think the times will always favor those who cheat
Never forget that lies will not help for very long
Do not think the times will always favor those who cheat
Never forget that lies will not help for very long
One day, this whole situation is bound to change
And to bring about that change, there are elections
And to bring about that change, there are elections
What is just an event yesterday...
Yesterday...
Becomes history today...
Today...
And turns into an achievement tomorrow...
Tomorrow...
The trials that come are only an intermission...
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Chorus
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic political socio-propaganda song from 'Netru Indru Naalai' serves as a direct message from the protagonist to the common people (addressed affectionately as 'Thambi' or younger brother). It pays homage to selfless leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and C. N. Annadurai (Arignar Anna), highlighting their humility and dedication to public welfare above personal gain. The song sharply critiques corrupt politicians who misuse public resources, exploit social service for publicity, and prioritize nepotism over true public service. It offers a hopeful message that deception is temporary and that democratic elections ('thaerudhal') are the ultimate tool for the people to bring about political change.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Double Entendre (Sleidai)

Makkal nalam makkal nalam endrae solluvaar / Tham makkal nalam ondrae thaan manadhil kolluvaar

The word 'Makkal' is used with two distinct meanings: 'Makkal nalam' (welfare of the public) versus 'Tham makkal nalam' (welfare of their own children/offspring), exposed in lines 37-38.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettru / Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indru

The song structures its refrain around temporal progression using rhyming time markers: 'naettru' (yesterday), 'indru' (today), and 'naalai' (tomorrow).

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Yaeniyaaga thaazhdhavarukku udhavi purindhaar

Comparing Mahatma Gandhi to a ladder ('Yaeniyaaga') that elevated the downtrodden to power.

Did you know?

Trivia

This famous track was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, sung by T. M. Soundararajan, and written by Pulamaipithan for the 1974 movie starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The reference to 'Kaanji' (Kanchipuram) points directly to the birthplace of MGR's political mentor, C. N. Annadurai (Arignar Anna).

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