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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanga Pudhusa

From Oli Vilakku · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oli Vilakku1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naanga pudhusaa…We are newly...
Naanga pudhusaa kattikkittaWe are a newly wedded
Jodi thaanungaCouple, sir
Nalla paattu padikkumSinging sweet songs,
Vaanambaadi thaanungaLike skylarks, sir
Male
Naanga pudhusaa kattikkittaWe are a newly wedded
Jodi thaanungaCouple, sir
Nalla paattu padikkumSinging sweet songs,
Vaanambaadi thaanungaLike skylarks, sir
Male
Ae singee…Hey Singee...
Female :Ae singhaa…Female: Hey Singhaa...
Male :Ae singee…Male: Hey Singee...
Female :Ae singhaa…Female: Hey Singhaa...
Male
Kannalae ragasiyamWith our eyes, secrets
PesikkittomWe spoke to each other
Naanga rendu perumBoth of us
Kaadhal valai veesipputtomCast the net of love
Female
Sikkanamaa kannaalamFrugally, a wedding
MudichikkittomWe tied together
Adhai seerthiruttha muraiyilaIn a modern reformed manner
NadathiputtomWe conducted it
Male
Pethaalum onnu renduEven if we have children, one or two
Peththu poduvomChildren we will give birth to
Adhukku otthhumaiyaaFor that, in complete unity
Rendu paerum paadu paduvomBoth of us will labor hard
Female
Oodhaari pullaingalaiWasted and irresponsible children
Pekka maattomWe will not bring into the world
Adhu ooru vambai vaangum badiSo as to invite trouble from the town
Vaikka maattomWe will not let them become
Male
Naanga pudhusaa…We are newly...
Female
Ooru vittu ooru maariMoving from town to town
PovomunghaWe will travel, sir
Aanaa unghalaattamBut unlike people like you
Peru kettu poga maattomWe will not lose our good name
Male
Ellaarkkum nallavaraaGood people to everyone
IruppomunghaWe will remain, sir
Engha kolgaiyilae ennaalumIn our core principles, forever
Maara maattomWe will never compromise
Female
Nari kombu viththaalumEven if jackal horns (trinkets)
VippomunghaWe sell, sir
Aanaa nari pola vanjanaigalUnlike a fox, cunning deceit
Seiya maattomWe will never practice
Male
Paasi mani oosi yellaamBeads and needles and all
VippomunghaWe sell, sir
Aanaa kaasukkaagaBut for the sake of money
Maanatthaiyae vikka maattomOur self-respect and honor, we won't sell
Female
Padi arisi kedaikkiraWhen affordable rationed rice is available
KaalathilaeIn these modern times
Naanga padiyeriWe, going up doorsteps
Picha ketka povadhillaeWill never go begging
Male
Kudisaiyellaam veedaagumWhen all huts are turning into houses
NerathilaeIn these changing times
Naanga theruvoramWe, by the roadside
Kudiyera thevaiyillaeHave no need to live
Female
Sarkkaaru ezhai pakkamWhen the government stands on the side of the poor
IrukkaiyilaeIn these supportive times
Naanga satta thittamWe, breaking laws and regulations
Meeri ingu nadappadhillaeWill not act here
Male
Ellaarum onnaagaWhen everyone thinks as one
NinaikkaiyilaeIn these united times
Naanga yedhaiyum yeppavumWe, anything, anytime
Inghu maraippadhillaeWill never hide here
Male
Ae singee…Hey Singee...
Female :Ae singhaa…Female: Hey Singhaa...
Male :Ae singee…Male: Hey Singee...
Female :Ae singhaa…Female: Hey Singhaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Oli Vilakku' (1968) features a street performer couple (traditionally modeled on Kuravan-Kurathi folk theater stock characters, Singan and Singi) declaring their proud, principled approach to life. Despite their humble economic state as nomadic traders selling beads, needles, and trinkets, they sing of their deep affection, commitment to family planning, simple living, and unwavering honesty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kannalae ragasiyam / Naanga rendu perum

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Kannalae' and 'Naanga' or 'Pethaalum' and 'Adhukku'.

Metaphor & Imagery (Kaadhal valai)

Kaadhal valai veesipputtom

Comparing the falling in love to casting a fishing net ('Kaadhal valai veesipputtom').

Simile & Animal Imagery (Nari)

Aanaa nari pola vanjanaigal / Seiya maattom

Comparing deceitful behavior to a sly fox/jackal ('nari pola vanjanaigal').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Oli Vilakku' was M. G. Ramachandran's landmark 100th film, produced by Anjugam Pictures. The song reflects DMK political ideology of the late 1960s, promoting reformist marriages (Seerthirutha Thirumanam), family planning ('pethaalum onnu rendu'), and social welfare policies introduced by the government.

Keep listening

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