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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanae Endrum Raja

From Polladhavan (1980 Film) · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Polladhavan (1980 Film)
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
10 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ah ha ha…
Ho ho ho…
Ah ha ha la la la
Hey hey hey
Naanae endrum raaja
Aanaal mullil roja
Onna renda enthan paadhai
Penna ennai vellakkoodum
Naanae endrum raaja
Aanaal mullil roja
Onna renda enthan paadhai
Penna ennai vellakkoodum
{Kannai katti ennai kaattil vittaal
Angae kallai meththai aakki kollum
Vanmai undu
Selai kattum indha pennai kandu
Anjum kozhai alla pedhai alla
Veeram undu} (2)
Poo polae kaiyai kondu
Ponaalae nanmai undu
Poo polae kaiyai kondu
Ponaalae nanmai undu
Naanae endrum raaja
Aanaal mullil roja
Onna renda enthan paadhai
Penna ennai vellakkoodum
{Mannai kondu chinna
Veettai katti
Angae maadi meththai
Kattil podum maayam enna
Vaanai keeri andha vaikundaththai
Intha oona kannil kaattum
Undhan leelai enna} (2)
Thallaadum pedhai pennae
Vellaadu vengai alla
Thallaadum pedhai pennae
Vellaadu vengai alla
Naanae endrum raaja
Aanaal mullil roja
Onna renda enthan paadhai
Penna ennai vellakkoodum
Naanae endrum raaja
Aanaal mullil roja
Onna renda enthan paadhai
Penna ennai vellakkoodum
Aaha ha...
Ho ho ho...
Aaha ha la la la
Hey hey hey
I am always the king,
yet a rose among thorns.
Are the paths before me just one or two?
Can a woman ever conquer me?
I am always the king,
yet a rose among thorns.
Are the paths before me just one or two?
Can a woman ever conquer me?
Even if you blindfold me and leave me in a forest,
to turn the stones there into a soft bed,
I have the strength!
Looking at this saree-wearing woman,
I am no coward or fool to fear her;
I have true courage!
Taking your flower-soft hands and walking away
is the best thing for you.
Taking your flower-soft hands and walking away
is the best thing for you.
I am always the king,
yet a rose among thorns.
Are the paths before me just one or two?
Can a woman ever conquer me?
Building a little house
out of simple clay,
and making a cushioned bed on an upper floor—
what kind of magic is this?
Tearing open the sky to show heaven (Vaikuntha)
to these mortal eyes,
what playful game of yours is this?
Oh staggering, foolish girl,
a harmless goat is no fierce tiger!
Oh staggering, foolish girl,
a harmless goat is no fierce tiger!
I am always the king,
yet a rose among thorns.
Are the paths before me just one or two?
Can a woman ever conquer me?
I am always the king,
yet a rose among thorns.
Are the paths before me just one or two?
Can a woman ever conquer me?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song 'Naanae Endrum Raaja' expresses the protagonist's supreme confidence, resilience, and pride. He proclaims himself to be an absolute king who thrives even amidst extreme hardships, comparing himself to a delicate rose surviving surrounded by sharp thorns. He boasts of his adaptability, declaring that even if abandoned in a dark forest, he has the grit to turn hard rocks into a soft mattress.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvamai)

Aanaal mullil roja

Comparing himself to a rose among thorns ('Aanaal mullil roja') to illustrate resilience and beauty surviving amidst adversity.

Rhetorical Question

Penna ennai vellakkoodum

Using questions like 'Penna ennai vellakkoodum' (Can a woman ever conquer me?) to assert dominance and invulnerability.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Naanae endrum raaja / Aanaal mullil roja

The second letters 'naa' match in 'Naanae' and 'Aanaal', creating auditory rhythm across lines.

Contrast / Antithesis

Vellaadu vengai alla

Contrasting 'Vellaadu' (a gentle goat) with 'Vengai' (a fierce tiger) to emphasize inequality in power.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from the 1980 action hit 'Polladhavan' features Superstar Rajinikanth in his prime. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and lyrics by Kannadasan, creating an unforgettable swagger anthem.

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