Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Thaan Da Ippo Devadas

From Thanikattu Raja · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thanikattu Raja1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan puratchi thalaivarum illaeI am not the Revolutionary Leader (Puratchi Thalaivar),
Naan doctor kalaingjarum illaeI am not Doctor Kalaignar either.
Verum manushan ungha paarvaiyilJust an ordinary human in your eyes,
Naan oruthan indha paettaiyilI am just one person in this neighborhood.
Ungha thozhan enakkendaa poo maalaYour friend; why do I need a flower garland?
Male
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhasI am Devadas right now, my friend!
Iththodu serththu naalu glassCounting this, it's four glasses.
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhasI am Devadas right now, my friend!
Iththodu serththu naalu glassCounting this, it's four glasses.
Male
Ada pala per undu paarvathiAh, many women are named Parvathi,
Ava pirinjaa adhu yaar vidhiIf she separates, whose fate is it?
Ada kazhudha …aaa…Ah, donkey... aaa...
Adhu kadakkattum podaaLet it be, go man!
Male
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhasI am Devadas right now, my friend!
Iththodu serththu naalu glassCounting this, it's four glasses.
Male
Adidaa milli en per solliPour a shot in my name,
Adhu dhaan romba jollyThat is truly joyful!
Thorandhaan kadaiya eduthaan thadaiyaHe opened the shop and removed the barrier,
Inimel enna veliWhat fence or boundary is there anymore?
Male
Hey adidaa milli en per solliHey, pour a shot in my name,
Adhu dhaan romba jollyThat is truly joyful!
Thorandhaan kadaiya eduthaan thadaiyaHe opened the shop and removed the barrier,
Inimel enna veliWhat fence or boundary is there anymore?
Male
Venaannu sonnaaru gandhiGandhi said 'don't drink',
Seri dhaan appo seri dhaanAlright then, that was then!
Veredhu ezhaikku saanthiWhat else gives peace to the poor man?
Idhu dhaan ippo idhu dhaanOnly this now, only this!
Idhu pottaalae adhu sandhoshamIf you take a drink, that is happiness,
Idhu venaanaa adhu un dhoshamIf you refuse it, that is your fault!
Male
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhasI am Devadas right now, my friend!
Iththodu serththu naalu glassCounting this, it's four glasses.
Male
Ada pala per undu paarvathiAh, many women are named Parvathi,
Ava pirinjaa adhu yaar vidhiIf she separates, whose fate is it?
Ada kazhudha …aaa…Ah, donkey... aaa...
Adhu kadakkattum podaa…deiLet it be, go man... hey!
Male
Kudichaa kooda kushiyaa aadaEven after drinking, to dance happily,
Padippaen naanum paattuI too will sing a song!
Idaiyil konjam irumbhal unduThere might be a cough in between,
Adhuvum thaalam pottuEven that will keep the rhythm!
Male
Koovaama ponaalum kozhiEven if the rooster doesn't crow,
Vidiyum pozhudhu vidiyumDawn will still break!
Veesaadhu ponaalum kaaththuEven if the wind doesn't blow,
Malarum poovum malarumThe flower will still bloom!
Male
Ada theeraadhuAh, it never runs out,
Idhuthean thaan daaThis is pure honey, my friend!
Indha thanneerilIn this water,
Naanum meen thaan daI am a fish, my friend!
Iththodu Indha Bottle CloseWith this, this bottle is closed!
Male
Iththodu serththu naalu glassCounting this, it's four glasses.
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhasI am Devadas right now, my friend!
Male
Ada pala per undu paarvathiAh, many women are named Parvathi,
Ava pirinjaa adhu yaar vidhiIf she separates, whose fate is it?
Ada kazhudha …aaa…Ah, donkey... aaa...
Adhu kadakkattum podaaLet it be, go man!
Male
Naan dhaan da ippo devadhasI am Devadas right now, my friend!
Iththodu intha bottle closeWith this, this bottle is closed!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naan Puratchi Thalaivarum Illae' from Thanikattu Raja (1982) is a lighthearted, self-deprecating drunkard's song performed by Rajinikanth's character. He humbly disclaims being a grand political icon like M.G. Ramachandran (Puratchi Thalaivar) or M. Karunanidhi (Doctor Kalaignar), identifying instead as a simple, ordinary local guy who is playing the role of a modern-day Devadas over a few drinks. Through witty lyrics by Vaali, the song brushes off romantic heartbreak, playfully references Gandhi's prohibition stances vs. a working man's comfort, and asserts that life keeps moving forward regardless of small setbacks. It combines humor, local slang, and street philosophy into a memorable track.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion

Naan puratchi thalaivarum illae / Naan doctor kalaingjarum illae

References real-life iconic political figures of Tamil Nadu, M.G. Ramachandran ('Puratchi Thalaivar') and M. Karunanidhi ('Doctor Kalaignar').

Metaphor / Archetype

Naan dhaan da ippo devadhas

Compares himself to Devadas, the tragic romantic hero known for turning to alcohol after heartbreak.

Metaphor

Indha thanneeril / Naan meen thaan da

Compares himself to a fish swimming happily in alcohol/water.

Ethukai (Assonance / Second-letter Rhyming)

Kudichaa kooda kushiyaa aada / Padippaen naanum paattu

Tamil poetic device where the second consonant of consecutive lines matches (e.g., Kudichaa / Padippaen / Idaiyil).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown metadata in the prompt, this popular track from Thanikattu Raja (1982) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and lyrics by Vaali. The reference to MGR and Karunanidhi reflects the dominant cultural and political figures of Tamil Nadu in the early 1980s.

Keep listening

More from Thanikattu Raja