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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Yaar Ne Yaar

From Kudiyirundha Koyil · 1968

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kudiyirundha Koyil1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaar } (2)Who are you? Who are you? (Repeated)
Naalum therindhavarWho is the one who knows
Yaar yaarEverything truly?
Male
{ Thaai yaarWho is the mother?
Magan yaar theriyaarWho is the son? It is unknown!
Thandhai yenbaarThe one called father,
Avar yaar yaar } (2)Who is he? Who is he? (Repeated)
Male
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaarWho are you? Who are you?
Male
{ Ohho hohoho } (2)Ohho hohoho (Repeated)
AhhahahahaaAhhahahahaa
Male
{ Uravaar pagaiyaarWho is a relative? Who is an enemy?
Unmaiyai unaraarThey do not realize the truth!
Unakae nee yaaro } (2)To your own self, who are you? (Repeated)
Male
Varuvaar irupaarSome will come, some will stay,
Povaar nilaiyaaiSome will leave; permanently,
Vaazhvaar yaar yaaroWho lives, who is who?
Male
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaar naalumWho are you? Who are you? Who is
Therindhavar yaar yaarThe one who knows everything truly?
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaarWho are you? Who are you?
Male
{ Ullaar pusipaarThose who have will feast,
Illaar pasipaarThose who lack will starve,
Udhaviku yaar yaaro } (2)Who will come to help, who is who? (Repeated)
Male
Nallaar theeyaarThe good ones and the evil ones,
Uyarndhaar thaazhndhaarThe high and the low,
Namakul yaar yaaroWho are they among us?
Male
Adipaar valiyaarThe strong will strike,
Thudipaar meliyaarThe weak will tremble,
Thadupaar yaar yaaroWho will stop it, who is who?
Male
Edupaar siripaarThose who take will laugh,
Izhapaar azhuvaarThose who lose will weep,
{ Edhirpaar yaar yaaro } (2)Who expects what, who is who? (Repeated)
Male
Oooooo…………..Oooooo..............
Male
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaar naalumWho are you? Who are you? Who is
Therindhavar yaar yaarThe one who knows everything truly?
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaarWho are you? Who are you?
Male
{ Piniyaar varuvaarThe diseased will come,
Marundhaar tharuvaarWho will give medicine?
Pizhaipaar yaar yaaro } (2)Who will survive, who is who? (Repeated)
Male
Uyiraar parapaarThe soul will fly away,
Udalaar kidapaarThe body will lie helpless,
Thunai yaar varuvaaroWill anyone come as a companion?
Male
Nariyaar naayaarLike foxes and dogs,
Kadipaar mulipaarBiting and glaring,
Naalaiku yaar yaaroWho knows what tomorrow holds, who is who?
Male
Pirandhaar irundhaarThey were born, they lived,
Nadandhaar kidandhaarThey walked, they lay down,
{ Mudindhaar yaar yaaro } (2)Who has finished their life, who is who? (Repeated)
Male
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaar naalumWho are you? Who are you? Who is
Therindhavar yaar yaarThe one who knows everything truly?
Male
Thaai yaarWho is the mother?
Magan yaar theriyaarWho is the son? It is unknown!
Thandhai yenbaarThe one called father,
Avar yaar yaarWho is he? Who is he?
Male
Naan yaar naanWho am I? Who am I?
Yaar nee yaarWho are you? Who are you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical inquiry into the nature of human existence, relationships, and mortal reality. Written in a questioning tone, the lyrics challenge superficial human identity and social constructs, repeatedly asking 'Who am I? Who are you?' and contemplating how worldly ties like parents, relatives, and enemies are fleeting illusions in the grand scheme of time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinah)

Naan yaar naan / Yaar nee yaar

The entire lyric relies on relentless existential questions asking 'Yaar' (Who) to evoke introspection on life, death, and human bonds.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Ullaar pusipaar / Illaar pasipaar

Classical Tamil rhyme scheme where the second letter of consecutive words/lines match, such as 'Ullaar' and 'Illaar'.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Nallaar theeyaar / Uyarndhaar thaazhndhaar

Contrasting pairs are juxtaposed to highlight social and human disparities (e.g., feasting vs starving, good vs evil, winners vs losers).

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Pulamaipithan for the 1968 film 'Kudiyirundha Koyil' starring M.G. Ramachandran, this song served as a breakthrough hit for the lyricist. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan with music composed by the legendary duo M.S. Viswanathan - Ramamoorthy (MSV), the track remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous philosophical songs.

Keep listening

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