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Thayai Katha Thanayan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nadakkum Enbar

From Thayai Katha Thanayan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thayai Katha Thanayan
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
12 May 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidum
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhu
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidum
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidum
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhu
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidum
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidum
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhu
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidum
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu…uu….
Thodutha pandhal azhagu paarthu
Thullum oruvan manam ingae
Thodutha pandhal azhagu paarthu
Thullum oruvan manam ingae
Piriththa pandhal kolam kandu
Pedhai konda thuyar ingae
Piriththa pandhal kolam kandu
Pedhai konda thuyar ingae..ae
Thuyar ingae
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu..uu..
Arundhu pona uravariyaamal
Azhaippu kodukkum manam ingae
Arundhu pona uravariyaamal
Azhaippu kodukkum manam ingae
Aasai kaiyuru arundhadhaalae
Adaindhu kidakkum pen ingae
Aasai kaiyuru arundhadhaalae
Adaindhu kidakkum pen ingae
Pen ingae
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu
Nadakkaadhenbaar nadanthuvidum
Kidaikkum enbaar kidaikkaadhu
Kidaikkaadhenbaar kidaithuvidum
Nadakkum enbaar nadakkaadhu..uu..
They say it will happen, but it does not happen;
They say it will not happen, but it surely happens.
They say you will get it, but you do not get it;
They say you will not get it, but you surely get it.
They say it will happen, but it does not happen;
They say it will not happen, but it surely happens.
They say you will get it, but you do not get it;
They say you will not get it, but you surely get it.
They say it will happen, but it does not happen;
They say it will not happen, but it surely happens.
They say you will get it, but you do not get it;
They say you will not get it, but you surely get it.
They say it will happen, but it does not happen.
Looking at the beauty of the wedding canopy raised,
here leaps a man's joyful heart.
Looking at the beauty of the wedding canopy raised,
here leaps a man's joyful heart.
Seeing the state of that canopy torn down,
here lies the sorrow of an innocent woman.
Seeing the state of that canopy torn down,
here lies the sorrow of an innocent woman.
Sorrow is here...
They say it will happen, but it does not happen.
Not knowing that the bond is broken,
here is a heart sending out an invitation.
Not knowing that the bond is broken,
here is a heart sending out an invitation.
Because the cord of hope has snapped,
here is a woman shut away in grief.
Because the cord of hope has snapped,
here is a woman shut away in grief.
A woman is here...
They say it will happen, but it does not happen;
They say it will not happen, but it surely happens.
They say you will get it, but you do not get it;
They say you will not get it, but you surely get it.
They say it will happen, but it does not happen.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Did you know?

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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