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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadaiya Idhu Nadaiya

From Annai Illam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Annai Illam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
4 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nadaiyaa idhu nadiayaa
Oru nadagamandro nadakkudhu
Idaiyaa idhu idaiyaa
Adhu illaadhadhu pol irukkudhu
Nadaiyaa idhu nadiayaa
Oru nadagamandro nadakkudhu
Idaiyaa idhu idaiyaa
Adhu illaadhadhu pol irukkudhu
Kadarkarai kaathu adikkudhu
Kaathula saelai nadikkudhu
Kadarkarai kaathu adikkudhu
Kaathula saelai nadikkudhu
Munnaalae vara cholli azhaikkudhu
Mugathilae kadugu vedikkudhu
Velli kannu meena
Veedhi vazhi ponaa
Thaiya thakka thaiya thakka uiyaa
Nadaiyaa idhu nadiayaa
Oru nadagamandro nadakkudhu
Idaiyaa idhu idaiyaa
Adhu illaadhadhu pol irukkudhu
Kannunu irundhaa imai venum
Kazhuthunu irundhaa nagai venum
Kannunu irundhaa imai venum
Kazhuthunu irundhaa nagai venum
Ponnunu irundhaa thunai venum
Onnum puriyalaiyaa innum theriyalaiyaa
Nadaiyaa idhu nadiayaa
Oru nadagamandro nadakkudhu
Idaiyaa idhu idaiyaa
Adhu illaadhadhu pol irukkudhu
Thaerottum kannanuku raadha
Singaara raamanukku seethaa
Thaerottum kannanuku raadha
Singaara raamanukku seethaa
Caarottum enakkoru geethaa
Kalyaanam panni kolla thodha
Nadaiyaa idhu nadiayaa
Oru nadagamandro nadakkudhu
Idaiyaa idhu idaiyaa
Adhu illaadhadhu pol irukkudhu
Velli kannu meena
Veedhi vazhi ponaa
Thaiya thakka thaiya thakka uiyaa
Is this just a walk? Is this really a walk?
A whole drama is playing out!
Is this a waist? Is this really a waist?
It seems as if it is not even there!
Is this just a walk? Is this really a walk?
A whole drama is playing out!
Is this a waist? Is this really a waist?
It seems as if it is not even there!
The seashore breeze is blowing,
and her sari flutters playfully in the wind.
The seashore breeze is blowing,
and her sari flutters playfully in the wind.
It invites me to step up in front,
yet her face is crackling with annoyance!
Meena with sparkling silver eyes
walks along the street,
Stepping to the rhythm, thaiya thakka uyya!
Is this just a walk? Is this really a walk?
A whole drama is playing out!
Is this a waist? Is this really a waist?
It seems as if it is not even there!
If there are eyes, they need eyelids;
if there is a neck, it needs jewels;
if there are eyes, they need eyelids;
if there is a neck, it needs jewels;
and if there is a girl, she needs a companion!
Don't you understand at all? Don't you know by now?
Is this just a walk? Is this really a walk?
A whole drama is playing out!
Is this a waist? Is this really a waist?
It seems as if it is not even there!
For chariot-driving Krishna, there was Radha;
for handsome Rama, there was Sita;
for chariot-driving Krishna, there was Radha;
for handsome Rama, there was Sita;
for car-driving me, what about a Geetha,
perfectly matched to marry?
Is this just a walk? Is this really a walk?
A whole drama is playing out!
Is this a waist? Is this really a waist?
It seems as if it is not even there!
Meena with sparkling silver eyes
walks along the street,
Stepping to the rhythm, thaiya thakka uyya!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful track from Annai Illam (1963) portrays a playful teasing session between the lead lovers. The male protagonist playfully admires the heroine's graceful walk and slender waist, comparing her striking presence to a theatrical performance. He uses witty analogies, pointing out how natural pairings exist across legend and life—like eyelids to eyes, jewelry to a neck, Radha to chariot-driving Krishna, and Sita to Rama—concluding that a car driver like him naturally belongs with a girl like Geetha.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme) / Rhyme

“Nadaiyaa idhu nadiayaa / Idaiyaa idhu idaiyaa”

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythmic flow.

Hyperbole (Atisayokti)

“Adhu illaadhadhu pol irukkudhu”

Exaggerated description of a woman's waist as so slim that it appears non-existent, a classic motif in classical Tamil poetry (Kodi idai / Illadha idai).

Idiom / Vivid Imagery

“Mugathilae kadugu vedikkudhu”

Using 'kadugu vedikkudhu' (mustard seeds popping) as a visual and tactile metaphor for extreme anger or fiery annoyance visible on the face.

Analogy / Parallels

“Thaerottum kannanuku raadha ... Caarottum enakkoru geethaa”

Drawing romantic parallels from classical mythology (Krishna-Radha, Rama-Sita) to everyday modern life (Car driver - Geetha).

Did you know?

Trivia

Annai Illam (1963) features music by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics by Kannadasan. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, this song highlights Kannadasan's signature ability to blend ancient Tamil poetic conventions (like hyperbole around a woman's waist) with modern colloquial humour.

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From the same album

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Annai IllamRomantic
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