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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanum Kooda

From Irumbu Pookkal · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Irumbu Pookkal1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Hae yaayayaa… yaayaayaa…Hey yaayayaa… yaayaayaa…
Hae yaayayaa yaayaayaaHey yaayayaa yaayaayaa
Yaayaayaa yaayaayaa yaayaayaa…Yaayaayaa yaayaayaa yaayaayaa…
Male
Naanum kooda mannan thaanI am a king as well
Baanam podum kannan thaanI am Lord Krishna shooting arrows
Naanum paadum isai paattuThe musical song that I sing
Ketkkum nenjai valai pottuCasts a net over the listening heart
Nottam podum aattam podumObserves and dances along
Koottam koodum ingaeA crowd gathers here
Male
Naanum kooda mannan thaanI am a king as well
Baanam podum kannan thaanI am Lord Krishna shooting arrows
Chorus
Haa…aaa…aaa…haaa…aaa..aaa…Haa…aaa…aaa…haaa…aaa..aaa…
Male :Sattam illaiMale: There is no law
Chorus :IllaiChorus: No
Male :Maedai meedhu vattam illaiMale: There are no strict bounds on stage
Chorus :IllaiChorus: No
Male :Kattum mullaiMale: The tied jasmine flowers
Chorus :MullaiChorus: Jasmine
Male :Thottu paarkka ishtam illaiMale: Have no wish to be touched
Chorus :IllaiChorus: No
Male
Paattukkendru vaeli illaiThere is no boundary wall for a song
Ketkkum nenjil baedham illaiThere is no discrimination in the listening heart
Vegam maarum vegam illaiThere is no speed that alters its momentum
Dhaagam theerum dhaagam illaiThere is no thirst that is completely quenched
Naalai endru thalli podumPostponing things to tomorrow
Naalai naanum illaiI am not someone who delays until tomorrow
Male
Naanum kooda mannan thaanI am a king as well
Baanam podum kannan thaanI am Lord Krishna shooting arrows
Naanum paadum isai paattuThe musical song that I sing
Ketkkum nenjai valai pottuCasts a net over the listening heart
Nottam podum aattam podumObserves and dances along
Koottam koodum ingaeA crowd gathers here
Male
Naanum kooda mannan thaanI am a king as well
Baanam podum kannan thaanI am Lord Krishna shooting arrows
Chorus
………………………………………...............................
Male
Innal kanduSeeing the distress
Chorus :KanduChorus: Seeing it
Male :Yengum ezhai jannal kanduMale: Seeing the window of a longing poor soul
Chorus :KanduChorus: Seeing it
Male :Inbam konduMale: Bringing joy
Female :KonduFemale: Bringing it
Male :Endrum paadum nenjam unduMale: There is a heart that forever sings
Chorus :UnduChorus: Yes, there is
Male
Kaala dhevan naan thaanammaaI am the god of time, my dear
Kaaval kaakka vandhenammaaI came to stand guard and protect, my dear
Kaattu theeyai paattil vaithuCarrying a forest fire inside the song
Naatrai maatra vandhenammaaI came to transform the future generation, my dear
Paadhai ondru paadam ondruOne path, one lesson
Paadum naalai ondruOne day that sings
Male
Naanum kooda mannan thaanI am a king as well
Baanam podum kannan thaanI am Lord Krishna shooting arrows
Naanum paadum isai paattuThe musical song that I sing
Ketkkum nenjai valai pottuCasts a net over the listening heart
Nottam podum aattam podumObserves and dances along
Koottam koodum ingaeA crowd gathers here
Male
Naanum kooda mannan thaanI am a king as well
Baanam podum kannan thaanI am Lord Krishna shooting arrows

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory, high-energy declaration of artistic freedom and the power of music. The singer proclaims himself a king of music and a divine figure like Krishna whose melodic 'arrows' captivate audiences. He asserts that music transcends rules, stages, social barriers, and prejudice, acting as an equalizer that brings joy to everyone, especially the poor and downtrodden.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Naanum kooda mannan thaan / Baanam podum kannan thaan

The second consonant sound 'na' rhymes across lines, creating rhythm and flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ketkkum nenjai valai pottu

Comparing the melody of a song to a net ('valai') thrown over listening hearts to captivate them.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Kaala dhevan naan thaanammaa / Kaaval kaakka vandhenammaa / Kaattu theeyai paattil vaithu

Repetition of the initial 'Kaa' sound across multiple lines to build poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Irumbu Pookkal' (1991) is notable in Tamil cinema history for being one of the rare films featuring musical compositions by both legendary composers Ilaiyaraaja and M. S. Viswanathan.

Keep listening

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