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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Vaazhndhadhum

From Vidivelli · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Jikki
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Vidivelli1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naan vaazhnthathum unnaalaeIt was because of you that I lived,
Nilai thaazhnthathum unnaalaeAnd because of you that my status fell.
Knneerinil aadumDancing in tears,
Vaazhvinil vaethanai soozhanthathum unnaalaeIt was because of you that pain surrounded my life.
Female
Naan vaazhnthathum unnaalaeIt was because of you that I lived,
Nilai thaazhnthathum unnaalaeAnd because of you that my status fell.
Knneerinil aadumDancing in tears,
Vaazhvinil vaethanai soozhanthathum unnaalaeIt was because of you that pain surrounded my life.
Female
Vinveli methae vennilavai neeYou made the white moon above the sky
Vilangavum vaiththaayaeShine brightly,
Vilangavum vaiththaayaeShine brightly.
Vinveli methae vennilavai neeYou made the white moon above the sky
Vilangavum vaiththaayaeShine brightly,
Vilangavum vaiththaayaeShine brightly.
Female
Oli vilangidum velai paniththiraiyaalaeJust when the light shone, with a screen of mist
Paadhaiyai maraiththaayaeYou hid the path.
Vaazhvenum odam aadidum velaiyilWhen the boat of life was swaying,
Moolgavum seithaayaeYou caused it to sink.
Female
Naan vaazhnthathum unnaalaeIt was because of you that I lived.
Female
Kavalaiyinaalae vaadiya malaraiA flower withered due to sorrow,
Kaikalil eduththaayaeYou picked up in your hands,
Kaikalil eduththaayae…..yae…..Picked up in your hands...
Malar uthumanam veesi magizhthidum velaiWhen that flower bloomed and spread fragrance, bringing joy,
Bhomiyil erinthaayae…..yae…..You threw it onto the ground...
Saevaiyil naan vaazhnthirunthaen enaiI lived my life in service, yet me
Sothanai seithaayaeYou put to test.
Female
Ennuyir dheivam enai maranthaalumEven if my life's deity forgets me,
Naan unai maraveanae…I will never forget you...
Naan unai maraveanae…I will never forget you...
Iru kangalai kaakkum imaigalai polaeLike eyelids that protect the two eyes,
Kaaththiruppen maganaeI will guard you, my son.
En aasaigal yaavum neeyena naanRealizing that all my desires are you,
Ini vaazhvanthum unnaalaeMy living hereafter is also because of you.
Female
Naan vaazhnthathum unnaalaeIt was because of you that I lived.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naan Vaazhnthathum Unnaalae from Vidivelli (1960) is an emotionally charged Tamil song penned by the legendary Kannadasan. The lyrics capture the bittersweet journey of a mother whose life's fortunes, suffering, and ultimate purpose are completely intertwined with her son. She expresses how his presence brought immense joy and hope like a shining moon, yet destiny brought severe heartbreaks and hardships that tore her life apart. Despite enduring relentless trials and feeling abandoned by fate, her maternal love remains steadfast and unconditional. In the concluding lines, she vows to protect her child like eyelids guarding the eyes, finding a renewed sense of devotion and declaring that her future existence remains solely dedicated to him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Naan vaazhnthathum unnaalae / Nilai thaazhnthathum unnaalae

The second consonant sound matches between adjacent lines, creating a rhythmic harmony (e.g., 'vaazhnthathum' and 'thaazhnthathum').

Monai (Initial-letter alliteration)

Vinveli methae vennilavai nee / Vilangavum vaiththaayae

The starting letter 'Vi' is repeated across words in the same line, producing visual and phonetic symmetry.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Vaazhvenum odam aadidum velaiyil / Moolgavum seithaayae

Life is metaphorically described as a swaying boat ('Vaazhvenum odam') navigating through tumultuous waters.

Uvamaani (Simile)

Iru kangalai kaakkum imaigalai polae / Kaaththiruppen maganae

The singer compares her protective maternal instinct to eyelids safeguarding the eyes ('imaigalai polae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Vidivelli (1960) featured music composed by A. M. Rajah with lyrics written by Kannadasan. The song beautifully showcases Kannadasan's signature style of blending personal grief with profound philosophical reflection.

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