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Lyrics & meaning

Nadakkum Enbar

From Thayai Katha Thanayan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thayai Katha Thanayan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhuWhat people say will happen, will not happen
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidumWhat people say will not happen, will end up happening
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhuWhat people say will be obtained, will not be obtained
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidumWhat people say will not be obtained, will end up being obtained
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhuWhat people say will happen, will not happen
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidumWhat people say will not happen, will end up happening
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhuWhat people say will be obtained, will not be obtained
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidumWhat people say will not be obtained, will end up being obtained
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhuWhat people say will happen, will not happen
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidumWhat people say will not happen, will end up happening
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhuWhat people say will be obtained, will not be obtained
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidumWhat people say will not be obtained, will end up being obtained
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu…uu….What people say will happen, will not happen...
Male
Thodutha pandhal azhagu paarthuLooking at the beauty of the erected wedding canopy
Thullum oruvan manam ingaeHere is a man whose heart leaps with joy
Thodutha pandhal azhagu paarthuLooking at the beauty of the erected wedding canopy
Thullum oruvan manam ingaeHere is a man whose heart leaps with joy
Male
Piriththa pandhal kolam kanduSeeing the state of the dismantled canopy
Pedhai konda thuyar ingaeHere is the sorrow felt by an innocent woman
Piriththa pandhal kolam kanduSeeing the state of the dismantled canopy
Pedhai konda thuyar ingae..aeHere is the sorrow felt by an innocent woman...
Thuyar ingaeSorrow here
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu..uu..What people say will happen, will not happen...
Male
Arundhu pona uravariyaamalUnaware that the relationship has severed
Azhaippu kodukkum manam ingaeHere is a mind that extends an invitation
Arundhu pona uravariyaamalUnaware that the relationship has severed
Azhaippu kodukkum manam ingaeHere is a mind that extends an invitation
Male
Aasai kaiyuru arundhadhaalaeBecause the thread of hope and desire has snapped
Adaindhu kidakkum pen ingaeHere is a woman lying confined in grief
Aasai kaiyuru arundhadhaalaeBecause the thread of hope and desire has snapped
Adaindhu kidakkum pen ingaeHere is a woman lying confined in grief
Pen ingaeA woman here
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhuWhat people say will happen, will not happen
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidumWhat people say will not happen, will end up happening
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhuWhat people say will be obtained, will not be obtained
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidumWhat people say will not be obtained, will end up being obtained
Male
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu..uu..What people say will happen, will not happen...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic philosophical song from 'Thayai Katha Thanayan' reflects on the unpredictable nature of fate, destiny, and human life. Lyricist Kannadasan masterfully captures how human expectations often crumble while unexpected turns of fate take place. The chorus underlines the universal truth that human certainty is often overthrown by divine or situational reality. The verses highlight poignant situational ironies in human relationships: while one person rejoices at the sight of a decorated marriage canopy, an innocent woman grieves over its dismantling. It explores the tragedy of severed ties where one heart continues to invite unaware of the rupture, while another lies broken as the thread of hope snaps.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Edhirinai)

Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu / Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidum

Direct contrast of opposing conditions ('Nadakkum' vs 'Nadakkaadhu', 'Kidaikkum' vs 'Kidaikkaadhu') to emphasize the uncertainty of destiny.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu / Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhu

The second consonant 'da' matches across lines ('Nadakkum' and 'Kidaikkum'), building rhythmic cadence in Tamil prosody.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thodutha pandhal azhagu paarthu / Thullum oruvan manam ingae

The repetition of initial sounds like 'Th' ('Thodutha' / 'Thullum') creates harmonious musicality.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Aasai kaiyuru arundhadhaalae

'Aasai kaiyuru' compares hope and desire to a protective sacred thread bound to the hand that has now snapped.

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Trivia

'Thayai Katha Thanayan' (1962) was a popular M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) film with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung soulfully by T. M. Soundararajan, this song remains one of Kannadasan's celebrated philosophical masterworks on human destiny.

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