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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
Details
Viswaroopam – 19801980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuBeing born on this earth
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuBeing born on this earth
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illaiNone of these debts have been cleared
Aayiram irundhuEven having thousands
Selvam aayiram irundhuEven having thousands of riches
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuBeing born on this earth
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illaiNone of these debts have been cleared
Aayiram irundhuEven having thousands
Selvam aayiram irundhuEven having thousands of riches
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Male
{Petha kadan thaai idathil{The debt of birth to my mother
Baakki irukkuRemains unpaid
En valartha kadan thagappanidamThe debt of upbringing to my father
Valarndhu kedakku} (2)Has grown over time} (2)
Male
Kalvi kattra kadan guruvinidamThe debt of education learned from my teacher
Serndhu kedakkuLies accumulated
Idhil mattra kadan anaithumAmong these, with all other debts
Enna amidhi irukkuWhat peace is there?
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuBeing born on this earth
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illaiNone of these debts have been cleared
Aayiram irundhuEven having thousands
Selvam aayiram irundhuEven having thousands of riches
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Male
{En kai pidithaval vandhaal{When she who held my hand arrived
Vandha kadam theerpaenoCan I repay the debt of her coming?
En kavalukku ival nindraalWhen she stood for my protection
Nindra kadan theerpaeno} (2)Can I repay the debt of her stance?} (2)
Male
HoooHooo
En thevaigal ival thandhaalIf she fulfilled my needs
Thandha kadan theerpaenoCan I repay the debt of her giving?
Pala sevaigal ival seidhaalIf she rendered so much service
Seidha kadan theerpaenoCan I repay the debt of her service?
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuBeing born on this earth
Adaipatta kadan yedhuvum illaiNone of these debts have been cleared
Aayiram irundhuEven having thousands
Selvam aayiram irundhuEven having thousands of riches
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Male
{En thaai pol pizhai poruthaal{If she forgave my faults like a mother
Andha kadanthaeerapaenoCan I repay that debt?
Ondrum theriyathaval pol ival nadithaalIf she acted as though she knew nothing
Andha kadanthaeerapaeno} (2)Can I repay that debt?} (2)
Male
HoooHooo
Endha kadanilum miga peridhuGreater than any other debt
Nalla manaiviyin sevaiIs the devotion of a good wife
Adhai adaithida ennum podhuWhen thinking of clearing it
Pala piravigal thevaiMany lifetimes are required
Male
Naan patta kadan ethanaiyoHow many debts I have incurred
Boomiyil pirandhuBeing born on this earth
Adaipatta kadan yedhum illaiNone of these debts have been cleared
Aayiram irundhuEven having thousands
Selvam aayiram irundhuEven having thousands of riches

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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