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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Patta Kadan

From Viswaroopam – 1980 · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Viswaroopam – 1980
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
8 Oct 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Boomiyil pirandhu
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Boomiyil pirandhu
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illai
Aayiram irundhu
Selvam aayiram irundhu
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Boomiyil pirandhu
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illai
Aayiram irundhu
Selvam aayiram irundhu
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
{Petha kadan thaai idathil
Baakki irukku
En valartha kadan thagappanidam
Valarndhu kedakku} (2)
Kalvi kattra kadan guruvinidam
Serndhu kedakku
Idhil mattra kadan anaithum
Enna amidhi irukku
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Boomiyil pirandhu
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illai
Aayiram irundhu
Selvam aayiram irundhu
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
{En kai pidithaval vandhaal
Vandha kadam theerpaeno
En kavalukku ival nindraal
Nindra kadan theerpaeno} (2)
Hooo
En thevaigal ival thandhaal
Thandha kadan theerpaeno
Pala sevaigal ival seidhaal
Seidha kadan theerpaeno
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Boomiyil pirandhu
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illai
Aayiram irundhu
Selvam aayiram irundhu
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
{En thaai pol pizhai poruthaal
Andha kadanthaeerapaeno
Ondrum theriyathaval pol ival nadithaal
Andha kadanthaeerapaeno} (2)
Hooo
Endha kadanilum miga peridhu
Nalla manaiviyin sevai
Adhai adaithida ennum podhu
Pala piravigal thevai
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo
Boomiyil pirandhu
Adaipatta kadan yedhum illai
Aayiram irundhu
Selvam aayiram irundhu
Oh, how many debts I have incurred,
being born on this earth!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred,
being born on this earth!
Not a single debt has been repaid,
even having thousands in hand,
even with thousands in wealth!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred,
being born on this earth!
Not a single debt has been repaid,
even having thousands in hand,
even with thousands in wealth!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred!
The debt of giving me birth
remains unpaid to my mother;
the debt of raising me
keeps mounting towards my father.
The debt for the education I received
has piled up with my teacher.
With all these debts weighing down,
how can my mind find peace?
Oh, how many debts I have incurred,
being born on this earth!
Not a single debt has been repaid,
even having thousands in hand,
even with thousands in wealth!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred!
She took my hand and came into my life;
can I ever repay the debt of her coming?
She stood as a shield to protect me;
can I ever repay the debt of her standing by me?
Oh...
She provided for all my needs;
can I ever repay the debt of what she gave?
She cared for me in countless ways;
can I ever repay the debt of her service?
Oh, how many debts I have incurred,
being born on this earth!
Not a single debt has been repaid,
even having thousands in hand,
even with thousands in wealth!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred!
Like a mother, she forgave my mistakes;
can I ever repay that debt?
She acted as though she knew nothing;
can I ever repay that debt?
Oh...
Far greater than any other debt
is the devotion of a good wife.
When I think of repaying it,
it would take many lifetimes!
Oh, how many debts I have incurred,
being born on this earth!
Not a single debt has been repaid,
even having thousands in hand,
even with thousands in wealth!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

In 'Naan Patta Kadan Ethanaiyo', the protagonist reflects deeply on the moral and spiritual debts incurred throughout life. Despite accumulating worldly riches, the singer acknowledges that human life comes with unpayable emotional and ethical debts owed to parents for birth and upbringing, to teachers for wisdom, and above all, to a devoted wife who gives endless care, forgiveness, and protection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni (Anaphora/Repetition)

“Naan patta kadan ethanaiyo”

Repetition of 'Naan patta kadan' and 'Adaipatta kadan' creates a rhythmical focus on the central theme of spiritual debt.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

“Petha kadan thaai idathil / En valartha kadan thagappanidam”

Rhyming of second letters in 'Petha' and 'En valartha' enhances the poetic cadence of the stanzas.

Metaphor (Uruvagim)

“Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illai Aayiram irundhu”

Life duties and human relationships are metaphorically framed as financial debts ('Kadan') that wealth cannot satisfy.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from Viswaroopam (1980) features a memorable collaboration between veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan, legendary playback singer T. M. Soundarajan, composer M. S. Vishwanathan, and acclaimed lyricist Vaali, exploring philosophical views on familial obligations.

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From the same album

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