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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanoru Nadodi

From Neeya Naana – 1962 Film · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Neeya Naana – 1962 Film1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanoru naadodi naadodiI am a nomad, a nomad
Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododiI came running upon hearing about your good character
Naanoru naadodi naadodiI am a nomad, a nomad
Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododiI came running upon hearing about your good character
Male
Paarkaadha oorillai palagadha aalillaiThere is no town I haven't seen, no person I haven't known
Paarvaikkum nadathaikkum sammadham illaiThere is no harmony between outward appearance and behavior
Paarkaadha oorillai palagadha aalillaiThere is no town I haven't seen, no person I haven't known
Paarvaikkum nadathaikkum sammadham illaiThere is no harmony between outward appearance and behavior
Pasikkadha vayir illai pusikkadha vaayillaiThere is no stomach that doesn't hunger, no mouth that doesn't eat
Pagaiendrum uravendrum paarpadhum illaiI do not view anyone as an enemy or a relative
Male
Humming …[Humming]
Naanoru…I am a...
Ahaa naanoru naadodi naadodiAha, I am a nomad, a nomad
Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododiI came running upon hearing about your good character
Male
Padikaadha arivaalar silarai kandenI have seen a few uneducated wise people
Metha padithum muttaalaga palarai kandenI have seen many fools despite being highly educated
Padikaadha arivaalar silarai kandenI have seen a few uneducated wise people
Metha padithum muttaalaga palarai kandenI have seen many fools despite being highly educated
Nadippaalae sila pergal vaazhnthida kandenI have seen some people thrive through acting and pretense
Nadippaalae sila pergal vaazhnthida kandenI have seen some people thrive through acting and pretense
Palar nadikkavum theriyaamal thaalndhida kandenI have seen many fall low because they do not even know how to act
Male
Humming …[Humming]
Naanoru…I am a...
Ahaa naanoru naadodi naadodiAha, I am a nomad, a nomad
Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododiI came running upon hearing about your good character
Male
Kattunda kaadhalar palarai kandenI have seen many bound lovers
Oruvan kattaya kaadhalum purindhida kandenI have seen someone forcing love upon another
Kattunda kaadhalar palarai kandenI have seen many bound lovers
Oruvan kattaya kaadhalum purindhida kandenI have seen someone forcing love upon another
Ettadha pazhathukku kottavi vittaalumEven if one yawns for an unreachable fruit
Ettadha pazhathukku kottavi vittaalumEven if one yawns for an unreachable fruit
Kittadhu endru naan solli kondenI told myself that it will never be attained
Male
Humming …[Humming]
Naanoru…I am a...
Ahaa naanoru naadodi naadodiAha, I am a nomad, a nomad
Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododiI came running upon hearing about your good character
Naanoru naadodi naadodiI am a nomad, a nomad
Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododiI came running upon hearing about your good character
Male
Humming …[Humming]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naanoru Naadodi' is a philosophical narration sung from the perspective of a wandering traveler who observes the raw realities of human society. The lyrics reflect on how people's appearances rarely match their true nature, how formal education does not equal wisdom, and how deceit often brings success while honesty goes unrewarded. Through these observations, the narrator expresses a detached, impartial worldview, viewing all humans equally without bias, enmity, or kinship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

Padikaadha arivaalar silarai kanden / Metha padithum muttaalaga palarai kanden

Contrasting uneducated wise men with educated fools to highlight the difference between real wisdom and formal schooling.

Iyaiybu (End Rhyme)

Naanoru naadodi naadodi / Unga nalla gunam kettu vandhenae ododi

Matching end sounds with 'naadodi' and 'ododi' to create rhythmic melodic flow.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paarkaadha oorillai palagadha aalillai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in 'Paarkaadha' and 'palagadha'.

Metaphor

Ettadha pazhathukku kottavi vittaalum

Using the 'unreachable fruit' as a metaphor for unattainable desires or forced affections.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by legendary lyricist A. Maruthakasi and set to music by 'Thirai Isai Thilagam' K. V. Mahadevan, this song exemplifies the classic philosophical wanderer trope in mid-20th-century Tamil cinema, rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan.

Keep listening

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