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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
Details
Meendum Mahaan1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaalam kai koodalaam kanavu nanavaagalaamTime may come together, dreams may come true
Male :Pookkal kaayaakalaam kaayum kaniyaagalaamFlowers may become raw fruits, raw fruits may turn into ripe fruits
Male :Naamellaam paravaikal namakku yaen kavalaigalWe are all birds, why should we have worries?
Male :Aalukkor latchiyam velvathu nichchayamEveryone has a goal, winning is certain
All :Ninaiththathai mudiththidum manamA mind that accomplishes what it conceives
Vaazhnthae paarpom….We shall live and see!
Male
Paattu naan paada aattam naan podaAs I sing a song, as I dance a dance
Koottam koodaatho vaazhththu kooraathoWon't a crowd gather? Won't they offer their blessings?
Male :Nadigan naanaaga oru neram thaanaaga varumA time will automatically come for me to become an actor
Rasigan yearaalam ena tholil poomaalai vizhumWith countless fans, flower garlands will fall on my shoulders
Male
Palavitha kuththusandai niththam poduvenI will engage in various boxing fights daily
Mohammed aliyena perum sooduvenI will earn a great name like Muhammad Ali
Male :Palikattum jeyikkattum ungal EnnamthaanMay your thoughts succeed and yield results
Male :Udhvikku iruppavan ungal nanban naanI am your friend who is here to help
Vizhunthithidum pozhuthugal varumMoments of falling will come
All :Vaazhnthae paarpomWe shall live and see!
Male
Naanga munnera yaeni neeyaachchuYou became the ladder for us to move forward
Male :Karaikku poi saera thoni neeyaachchuYou became the boat for us to reach the shore
Male :Naangal poraadum varai vaazha needhaanae thunaiYou are our only support as long as we fight and live
Male :Thunbam vaaraamal dhinam thaduththu kaappattrum anaiA dam that daily prevents sorrow from coming and protects us
Male
Nadappathu nadakkattum onnaa vaazhalaamLet whatever happens happen, let us live together
Ketpathu kidaiththidum kannaal paarkkalaamWhat we ask for will be received, we will see it with our eyes
Male :Thuyaraththil sirikanum aonnaan valluvanOne should laugh in times of sorrow, so said Valluvar
Porumaiyil irukkanum ullam ullavanOne who has a noble heart should possess patience
Male :Varuththangal namakkillai ini….We have no regrets anymore...
Male
Kaalam kai koodalaam kanavu nanavaagalaamTime may come together, dreams may come true
Male :Pookkal kaayagalaam kaayum kaniyaagalamFlowers may become raw fruits, raw fruits may turn into ripe fruits
Male :Naamellam paravaigal namakku yaen kavalaikalWe are all birds, why should we have worries?
Male :Aalukkor latchiyam velvathu nichchayamEveryone has a goal, winning is certain

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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