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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
Details
Netru Indru Naalai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan(Rhythmic vocal percussion)
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan(Rhythmic vocal percussion)
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan(Rhythmic vocal percussion)
Jinjikka chikkaan jinjikka chikkaan(Rhythmic vocal percussion)
Peeppi pippi peeppi pippi peeppee(Horn sound vocalization)
Thannae laalalla laalae thaalalaalae laallaa(Melodic hum and refrain)
Male
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettruBrother, I studied in Kanchipuram yesterday
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indruShall I tell that to you today?
Endrum nallavarukku vaazhvu varum naalaiGood people will always prosper tomorrow
Idhu arinjar annaa ezhudhi vaitha olaiThis is the message written by scholar Anna
Male
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettruBrother, I studied in Kanchipuram yesterday
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indruShall I tell that to you today?
Male
Indhiyaavin thandhai endru gandhi irundhaarGandhi lived as the father of India
Avar idaiyinilae ezhaiyai pol kandhai anindhaarHe wore rags around his waist like a poor man
Indhiyaavin thandhai endru gandhi irundhaarGandhi lived as the father of India
Avar idaiyinilae ezhaiyai pol kandhai anindhaarHe wore rags around his waist like a poor man
Yaeniyaaga thaazhdhavarukku udhavi purindhaarHe acted as a ladder to help the downtrodden
Indru yaesuvorgal avaraal thaan padhavi adaindhaar…Those who abuse him today gained power only because of him...
Indru yaesuvorgal avaraal thaan padhavi adaindhaarThose who abuse him today gained power only because of him
Male
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettruBrother, I studied in Kanchipuram yesterday
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indruShall I tell that to you today?
Male
Naattukkaaga uzhaippadharkkae annaa pirandhaarAnna was born to work for the nation
Podhu nalathil thaanae naal muzhukka kannaa irundhaarHe kept his eyes fixed solely on public welfare all day long
Naattukkaaga uzhaippadharkkae annaa pirandhaarAnna was born to work for the nation
Podhu nalathil thaanae naal muzhukka kannaa irundhaarHe kept his eyes fixed solely on public welfare all day long
Yaettru konda padhavikkellaam perumaiyai thandhaarHe brought honor to all the positions he held
Than iniya kudumbam ondrukku thaan varumaiya thandhaarHe left only poverty for his own dear family
Than iniya kudumbam ondrukku thaan varumaiya thandhaarHe left only poverty for his own dear family
Male
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettruBrother, I studied in Kanchipuram yesterday
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indruShall I tell that to you today?
Endrum nallavarukku vaazhvu varum naalaiGood people will always prosper tomorrow
Idhu arinjar annaa ezhudhi vaitha olaiThis is the message written by scholar Anna
Male
Theru theruvaai koottuvadhu podhu nala thonduSweeping street by street is public service
Ooraar therindhu kolla paadam pidithaal suyanalam unduPosing for photos while doing it so people notice is selfishness
Theru theruvaai koottuvadhu podhu nala thonduSweeping street by street is public service
Ooraar therindhu kolla paadam pidithaal suyanalam unduPosing for photos while doing it so people notice is selfishness
Makkal nalam makkal nalam endrae solluvaarThey will claim to care for the welfare of the people
Tham makkal nalam ondrae thaan manadhil kolluvaar…But they only care for the welfare of their own children...
Tham makkal nalam ondrae thaan manadhil kolluvaarBut they only care for the welfare of their own children
Male
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettruBrother, I studied in Kanchipuram yesterday
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indruShall I tell that to you today?
Male
Veettukkellaam velicham poda kodutha panathilaeWith the money given to light up every home
Thaangal velicham pottu vaazhndhu vittaar nagara sabaiyilaeThey lit up their own lives in the municipal council
Veettukkellaam velicham poda kodutha panathilaeWith the money given to light up every home
Thaangal velicham pottu vaazhndhu vittaar nagara sabaiyilaeThey lit up their own lives in the municipal council
Ezhaikkellaam veedu endru thittam theettinaarThey devised housing schemes for the poor
Thaangal vaazhvadharkku oor panathil veedu kattinaar…And built houses for themselves using the public's money...
Thaangal vaazhvadharkku oor panathil veedu kattinaarAnd built houses for themselves using the public's money
Male
Thambi naan padithaen kaanjiyilae naettruBrother, I studied in Kanchipuram yesterday
Adhai naan unakku sollattumaa indruShall I tell that to you today?
Male
Yaeippavarkkae kaalam endru enni vidaadhaeDo not think that time always favors the deceivers
Poi ethanai naal kai kodukum marandhu vidaadhaeDo not forget how long lies can actually support you
Yaeippavarkkae kaalam endru yenni vidaadhaeDo not think that time always favors the deceivers
Poi ethanai naal kai kodukum marandhu vidaadhaeDo not forget how long lies can actually support you
Oru naal indha nilamaikkellaam maarudhal unduOne day, a change will surely come to this condition
Andha maarudhalai seivadharkku thaerudhal unduAnd elections are there to bring about that change
Andha maarudhalai seivadharkku thaerudhal unduAnd elections are there to bring about that change
Male
Oru sambavam enbadhu naettruAn event belongs to yesterday
Chorus
NaettruYesterday
Male
Adhu sarithiram enbadhu indruIt becomes history today
Chorus
IndruToday
Male
Adhu saadhanai aavadhu naalaiIt turns into an achievement tomorrow
Chorus
NaalaiTomorrow
Male
Varum sodhanai thaan idai vaelai…The trials that come are merely an interval...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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