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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanum Neeyum

From Meendum Mahaan · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Malaysia Vasudevan, T. L. Maharajan, Ram Surendar
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Meendum Mahaan
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
6 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaalam kai koodalaam kanavu nanavaagalaam
Male :Pookkal kaayaakalaam kaayum kaniyaagalaam
Male :Naamellaam paravaikal namakku yaen kavalaigal
Male :Aalukkor latchiyam velvathu nichchayam
All :Ninaiththathai mudiththidum manam
Vaazhnthae paarpom….
Paattu naan paada aattam naan poda
Koottam koodaatho vaazhththu kooraatho
Male :Nadigan naanaaga oru neram thaanaaga varum
Rasigan yearaalam ena tholil poomaalai vizhum
Palavitha kuththusandai niththam poduven
Mohammed aliyena perum sooduven
Male :Palikattum jeyikkattum ungal Ennamthaan
Male :Udhvikku iruppavan ungal nanban naan
Vizhunthithidum pozhuthugal varum
All :Vaazhnthae paarpom
Naanga munnera yaeni neeyaachchu
Male :Karaikku poi saera thoni neeyaachchu
Male :Naangal poraadum varai vaazha needhaanae thunai
Male :Thunbam vaaraamal dhinam thaduththu kaappattrum anai
Nadappathu nadakkattum onnaa vaazhalaam
Ketpathu kidaiththidum kannaal paarkkalaam
Male :Thuyaraththil sirikanum aonnaan valluvan
Porumaiyil irukkanum ullam ullavan
Male :Varuththangal namakkillai ini….
Kaalam kai koodalaam kanavu nanavaagalaam
Male :Pookkal kaayagalaam kaayum kaniyaagalam
Male :Naamellam paravaigal namakku yaen kavalaikal
Male :Aalukkor latchiyam velvathu nichchayam
The right time may arrive, and our dreams may come true.
Flowers can turn into fruit, and raw fruit can ripen.
We are all like birds, so why should we have worries?
Each of us has a goal, and victory is certain.
With a heart determined to achieve whatever it dreams...
Let us live and see!
When I sing a song and dance along,
Won't a crowd gather and shower their cheers?
The time will come on its own for me to become an actor.
With countless fans, flower garlands will rest on my shoulders.
I will step into boxing matches every single day,
And make a name for myself like Muhammad Ali.
May your wishes bear fruit and triumph!
I am your friend, always standing by to help.
Hard times may come our way,
Let us live and see!
You have become the ladder for us to rise,
You have become the boat to carry us to shore.
As long as we fight to live, you are our true support,
Like a dam holding back sorrow every day to protect us.
Come what may, let us live as one,
We will see with our own eyes that we get what we ask for.
'Smile even in sorrow,' said Valluvar (the ancient Tamil philosopher),
A person with a steadfast heart must remain patient.
There are no more sorrows for us from now on...
The right time may arrive, and our dreams may come true.
Flowers can turn into fruit, and raw fruit can ripen.
We are all like birds, so why should we have worries?
Each of us has a goal, and victory is certain.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kaalam kai koodalaam from Meendum Mahaan (1987) is an inspiring, upbeat motivational song penned by Vaali. It celebrates optimism, resilience, and the natural progression of growth in life. Using metaphors like flowers maturing into ripe fruit, the lyrics encourage listeners to live carefree like birds and work steadfastly toward their individual goals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Pookkal kaayaakalaam kaayum kaniyaagalaam”

Life's personal growth and timing are metaphorically described through nature's process of a flower blossoming into raw fruit and eventually a ripe fruit.

Metaphor

“Naanga munnera yaeni neeyaachchu / Karaikku poi saera thoni neeyaachchu”

A supportive companion or mentor is compared to a ladder ('yaeni') to climb up in life and a boat ('thoni') to reach the shore.

Allusion

“Mohammed aliyena perum sooduven”

References world boxing icon Muhammad Ali to represent ultimate success, power, and glory in sports.

Allusion

“Thuyaraththil sirikanum aonnaan valluvan”

Refers to classical sage Thiruvalluvar and his famous Thirukkural teachings on smiling in the face of adversity ('Idukkan Varungaal Naguga').

Iyaibu (Rhyming)

“Paattu naan paada aattam naan poda”

Uses internal end-rhyming with 'paada' and 'poda' to create a rhythmic, catchy musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali brilliantly blends classical ancient Tamil philosophy (referencing Thiruvalluvar) alongside modern global pop culture (referencing world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali) within the same song structure.

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