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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanaga Naan Irunthen

From Gambeeram · 2004

Lyricist
Kabilan
Singers
Sujatha, Vijay Yesudas
Music director
Mani Sharma
Details
Gambeeram2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
{Laiyo laiyo laiyo laiyoLaiyo laiyo laiyo laiyo
Laiyo laiyo laiyoloLaiyo laiyo laiyolo
Laiyo laiyo laiyo laiyoLaiyo laiyo laiyo laiyo
Laiyo laiyo laiyolo} (2)Laiyo laiyo laiyolo
Female
Naanaga naan irrunthenI was myself, as I was
Nee vanthai neeyanenYou came, and I became you
Female
Naanaga naan irrunthenI was myself, as I was
Nee vanthai neeyanenYou came, and I became you
Viralaley vizhakku yaetra vantheney….ae….I came to light the lamp with my fingers...
Vizhiyaley velicham paarka sonneney….ae…..I asked you to see the light with your eyes...
Male
Kottang kuchikkulley renduInside a coconut shell, two
Pattampoochi naanthaneyButterflies, I am one of them
Noolai thottu kaalaiTouching the thread and brushing past the feet
Orasum Selaiyaka MoodavanthenI came to drape myself like a saree
Female
Chinna chinna pookal naanI am tiny little flowers
Malarmalai neeYou are the flower garland
Naan kangal thiranthu paarkindraThe early morning I gaze at
Athigalai neeWhen I open my eyes, is you
Male
Aalamaram polavey irrunthenadiI used to be like a sturdy banyan tree, my dear
Oru vaazhai maram SaainthathalBecause a gentle banana tree leaned on me
ValainthenadiI bent down, my dear
Female
Naanaga naan irrunthenI was myself, as I was
Nee vanthai neeyanenYou came, and I became you
Viralaley vizhakku yaetra vantheney….I came to light the lamp with my fingers...
Vizhiyaley velicham paarka sonneney….I asked you to see the light with your eyes...
Chorus
………………..(Music interlude)
Female
Oru yaasagam kettuAsking for the alms of your love
Unthan vaasal vanthu kaathu nindrenI came to your doorway and stood waiting
Siru paarvaiyai paarthuWith just a single glance
Ennai serthu kolvaayo….Will you accept me into your life?
Male
Kuruthu olaiyaai naanumLike a tender palm leaf ribbon
Unthan vaasal vanthu oonjal aadaI came to your doorway to swing like a cradle
Maavilai ena vanthuComing like a decorative mango leaf
Nee serthu kolvaayoWill you embrace and unite with me?
Female
Thoorigai uthadu neethanYou are the paintbrush lips
Kaakitham kannam naanthanI am the paper cheek
Iruvum pagalum eluthendaaWrite on it day and night, my love
Male
Vaanathai paarkum poo neeYou are the flower looking at the sky
Bhoomiyil vaazhum ver naanI am the root living in the earth
Verum poovum veru illaiThe flower and the root are not separate
Female
Kinatril thanner edukkaiyilWhen drawing water from the well
Pin vaasal neeYou are the back doorway
Naan kolam podum velaiyilWhen I draw rangoli patterns
Mun vaasal neeYou are the front doorway
Male
Nirgum pothu ketkkintraThe sound of laughter heard
Siripu osai naanWhen I stand still, is me
Nee nadakkum pothu KektkintraThe sound of anklets heard
Kolusosai NaanWhen you walk, is me
Chorus
Laiyo laiyo laiyo laiyoLaiyo laiyo laiyo laiyo
Laiyo laiyo laiyoloLaiyo laiyo laiyolo
Laiyo laiyo laiyo laiyoLaiyo laiyo laiyo laiyo
Laiyo laiyo laiyoloLaiyo laiyo laiyolo
Male
Oru vaalipa singamA youthful brave lion
Athan kaattukkulley odi vanthuRunning inside its forest
Siru punnagai seithaaiYou gave a simple smile
Naan poonai aaneneyAnd I turned into a humble cat
Female
Oru thamarai poo naanI am a lotus flower
Athil ulla ithal athanaiumAnd all the petals on it
Un perinai pesumWhisper your name
Antha osai kettaiyo….oo…..Did you hear that sound?
Male
Sathangal kooda intruEven random noises today
Sangeetham aagumadiTurn into sweet music, my dear
Valai osai sonneneyI spoke of the jingling of bangles
Female
Yaelu vanna vaanavilA seven-colored rainbow
Mann meethu vaazuthadaLives on this earth, my dear
Unthan kaiyin rekai sonneneyI spoke of the lines on your palm
Male
Nirgum pothu ketkkintraThe sound of laughter heard
Siripu osai naanWhen I stand still, is me
Nee nadakkum pothu KektkintraThe sound of anklets heard
Kolusosai NaanWhen you walk, is me
Female
Kinatril thanner edukkaiyilWhen drawing water from the well
Pin vaasal neeYou are the back doorway
Naan kolam podum velaiyilWhen I draw rangoli patterns
Mun vaasal neeYou are the front doorway
Female
Naanaga naan irrunthenI was myself, as I was
Nee vanthai neeyanenYou came, and I became you
Viralaley vilakku yaetra vantheney….ae….I came to light the lamp with my fingers...
Vizhiyaley velicham paarka sonneney….ae….I asked you to see the light with your eyes...
Male
Kottang kuchikkulley renduInside a coconut shell, two
Pattampoochi naanthaneyButterflies, I am one of them
Noolai thottu kaalaiTouching the thread and brushing past the feet
Orasum Selaiyaka MoodavanthenI came to drape myself like a saree
Female
Chinna chinna pookal naanI am tiny little flowers
Malarmalai neeYou are the flower garland
Naan kangal thiranthu paarkindraThe early morning I gaze at
Athigalai neeWhen I open my eyes, is you
Male
Aalamaram polavey irrunthenadiI used to be like a sturdy banyan tree, my dear
Oru vaazhai maram SaainthathalBecause a gentle banana tree leaned on me
Valainthenadi….I bent down, my dear...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naanaga Naan Irundhen is a romantic duet expressing complete surrender and emotional transformation brought about by love. The lovers describe how their independent identities merge into oneness upon falling in love. Through vivid Tamil folk and poetic imagery—comparing themselves to roots and flowers, banyan and banana trees, bangles, anklets, and doorway decorations—the song captures how love softens rigid pride and makes every mundane aspect of life musical and bright.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Thoorigai uthadu neethan / Kaakitham kannam naanthan

The lover's lips are compared directly to a paintbrush ('Thoorigai uthadu') and cheeks to paper ('Kaakitham kannam').

Simile (Uvamai)

Aalamaram polavey irrunthenadi / Oru vaazhai maram Saainthathal / Valainthenadi

The hero compares his former rigid self to a banyan tree ('Aalamaram polavey') that softened and bent when a tender banana tree leaned against it.

Contrast / Hyperbole

Oru vaalipa singam... Siru punnagai seithaai / Naan poonai aaneney

The imagery contrasts a fierce lion in the forest turning into a docile cat upon seeing a beloved's smile.

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic track is from the 2004 Tamil action film 'Gambeeram' starring Sarathkumar and Laila. The music was composed by Mani Sharma, with lyrics penned by Kabilan, and sung by Unnikrishnan and Anuradha Sriram.

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