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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Patta Kadan Sad

From Viswaroopam – 1980 · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Viswaroopam – 19801980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
En thaai pol pizhai poruthaalIf she forgives my mistakes like my mother does,
Andha kadanthaeerapaenoWill I ever be able to clear that debt?
Ondrum theriyathaval pol ival nadithaalIf she acts as though she knows nothing of my faults,
Andha kadanthaeerapaenoWill I ever be able to clear that debt?
Male
En thaai pol pizhai poruthaalIf she forgives my mistakes like my mother does,
Andha kadanthaeerapaenoWill I ever be able to clear that debt?
Ondrum theriyathaval pol ival nadithaalIf she acts as though she knows nothing of my faults,
Andha kadanthaeerapaenoWill I ever be able to clear that debt?
Male
HoooHooo
Endha kadanilum miga peridhuGreater than any other debt in the world,
Nalla manaiviyin sevaiIs the selfless service of a good wife.
Adhai adaithida ennum podhuWhen contemplating how to repay it,
Pala piravigal thevaiMany lifetimes would be required.
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoOh, how many debts have I incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuHaving been born on this earth!
Adaipatta kadan yedhum illaiYet no debt has truly been cleared or settled,
Aayiram irundhuEven though I possess thousands,
Selvam aayiram irundhuEven though I possess thousands of riches.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This moving song expresses a husband's profound gratitude and humility toward his noble wife. He compares her magnanimity and forgiving nature to that of a mother, who turns a blind eye to her child's mistakes. Recognizing her selfless devotion, he reflects that the debt of love and service owed to a virtuous wife is far greater than any financial obligation, requiring multiple lifetimes to repay. Ultimately, he realizes that despite acquiring immense worldly wealth, the emotional and moral debt to his wife remains entirely unpaid.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

En thaai pol pizhai poruthaal

Compares the wife's forgiving nature to the unconditional forgiveness of a mother ('thaai pol').

Refrain / Repetition

Andha kadanthaeerapaeno

The rhetorical question asking if the speaker can ever repay the debt is repeated to emphasize emotional weight and guilt.

Contrast / Irony

Adaipatta kadan yedhum illai / Selvam aayiram irundhu

Highlights the contrast between possessing immense material wealth ('Selvam aayiram') and yet being morally/emotionally bankrupt in repaying debts ('Adaipatta kadan yedhum illai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Viswaroopam (1980) starred legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan alongside Sujatha. The song highlights the iconic combination of M. S. Vishwanathan's soulful composition, Vaali's profound philosophical lyrics, and T. M. Soundararajan's emotional vocal delivery.

Keep listening

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