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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadai Alangaram

From Sujatha · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sujatha1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………….
Male
Nadaiyalangaaram nattiyamappaaThe elegance of her walk is dance, my friend
Idaiyalangaaram poongodiyappaaThe elegance of her waist is like a flowering creeper, my friend
Nadaiyalangaaram nattiyamappaaThe elegance of her walk is dance, my friend
Idaiyalangaaram poongodiyappaaThe elegance of her waist is like a flowering creeper, my friend
Male
Udaiyalangaaram oorvalamappaaThe elegance of her attire is like a grand procession, my friend
Mudiyalangaaram mogamappaaThe elegance of her hair styling is pure passion, my friend
Udaiyalangaaram oorvalamappaaThe elegance of her attire is like a grand procession, my friend
Mudiyalangaaram mogamappaaThe elegance of her hair styling is pure passion, my friend
Male
Nadaiyalangaaram nattiyamappaaThe elegance of her walk is dance, my friend
Idaiyalangaaram poongodiyappaaThe elegance of her waist is like a flowering creeper, my friend
Chorus
Thaathaa thaththathaa thaathaa thaththathaaThaathaa thaththathaa thaathaa thaththathaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Male :Thagathinathagina thananananannaa[Male] Thagathinathagina thananananannaa (Rhythmic beats)
Thinathina thananananannaaThinathina thananananannaa
Thinathina thananananannaaThinathina thananananannaa
Thinathina thananananannaaThinathina thananananannaa
Male
Aal uyaram ainthadi azhagu koonthal aaradiHeight of five feet, beautiful hair of six feet
Kannagalam yaezhadi kanni pennaeEye-width of seven feet, O maiden!
Keladi aal uyaram ainthadi azhagu koonthal aaradiListen, height of five feet, beautiful hair of six feet
Kannagalam yaezhadi kanni pennaeEye-width of seven feet, O maiden!
Male
Haa aa….Intha rendu kannai kanduHaa aa... Seeing these two eyes
Eththani per sokkinaarHow many people were spellbound?
Chinna ponnu pinnalilaeBehind this young girl
Eththani per sokkinaarHow many people were spellbound?
Male
Aanavaththil rani sinthanai engaeWhere is the wisdom of this queen of arrogance?
Aadi vantha aattam ponathum engaeWhere did all her dance of pride vanish?
Male
Nadaiyalangaaram nattiyamappaaThe elegance of her walk is dance, my friend
Idaiyalangaaram poongodiyappaaThe elegance of her waist is like a flowering creeper, my friend
Chorus
…………………
Male
Hoi kambanukku theriyalaeHoi, even poet Kamban did not know
Kanni unthan koondhalaeAbout the hair of you, young maiden
Ambigaiyai adakkavaeTo tame Ambikai
Ambigaapathi naanillaeI am not Ambigaapathi
Male
Haa kambanukku theriyalaeHaa, even Kamban did not know
Kanni unthan koondhalaeAbout the hair of you, young maiden
Ambigaiyai adakkavaeTo tame Ambikai
Ambigaapathi naanillaeI am not Ambigaapathi
Male
Haa kattumasthaa neeyirunthaalHaa, even if you are well-built and muscular
Engalukku ennammaaWhat difference does it make to us, lady?
Katti kolla poravanthaanOnly the man who marries you
Ista paduvaanammaa haa kattumasthaaWill like it, lady! Haa, well-built...
Male
Naagareega nangai keladiyammaaO modern woman, listen to me
Naalu kunam engae ponathu summaaWhere did the traditional four virtues vanish, just like that?
Male
Nadaiyalangaaram nattiyamappaaThe elegance of her walk is dance, my friend
Idaiyalangaaram poongodiyappaaThe elegance of her waist is like a flowering creeper, my friend
Chorus
………………….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nadaiyalangaaram Nattiyamappaa is a lively, satirical song composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by Kannadasan for the 1980 film Sujatha. Sung with high energy and vocal dynamism by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the song lightheartedly teases a proud, modern woman about her vanity, appearance, and changing social attitudes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Etukai & Monai (Rhyme & Initial Alliteration)

Nadaiyalangaaram nattiyamappaa / Idaiyalangaaram poongodiyappaa

The internal rhyme using the suffix '-alangaaram' (Nadaiyalangaaram, Idaiyalangaaram, Udaiyalangaaram, Mudiyalangaaram) builds a melodic and rhythmic cadence.

Hyperbole (Athiyukthi)

Aal uyaram ainthadi azhagu koonthal aaradi / Kannagalam yaezhadi kanni pennae

Comical exaggeration of physical dimensions—5 feet height, 6 feet long hair, and 7 feet wide eyes—used for playful satire.

Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Ambigaiyai adakkavae / Ambigaapathi naanillae

References the classical poet Kamban and the famous legendary lover Ambigaapathi to contrast classical romantic ideals with modern pride.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features rhythmic 'Solkattu' scatting performed by SPB, blending traditional rhythm mnemonics with upbeat film music arrangement characteristic of M. S. Viswanathan's late-1970s and 1980s style.

Keep listening

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