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Isaimozhi
Chembaruthi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nadanthal Irandadi

From Chembaruthi · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chembaruthi
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
18 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Paduthaal aaradi pothum
Intha nilamum antha vaanamum
Athu yellorkkum sondham
Adi solladi gnyana pennae
Unmai solladi gnyana pennae
Solladi gnyana pennae
Unmai solladi gnyana pennae
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Nadanthaal irandadi
Rekkai ulla kunju ithu
Koodu onnum thevai illai
Buthi ulla pillai ithu
Kettu nikka povathillai
Thaai oruthi irunthaa
Oru thanthai undu kelamma
Thanthai onnu irunthaa
Petha paatti indri poguma
Theruvoram kidanthum
Anaathai illai
Uravennai veruthaal thinam
Tharuven thollai
Kettaalum pattaalum
Un peran thaan
Ennadi gnyana pennae
Unmai solladi gnyana pennae
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Nadanthaal irandadi
Aanaikkatti poraditha
Appan subban kaanavillai
Andru mudhal indru varai
Akkaramum vaazhavillai
Vetta vetta vaazhaithaan
Adhu alli tharum vazhvai thaan
Vetti potta mannu thaan
Adai kattikaathaa ponnu thaan
Naam vaazhum vaazhvae
Adhu sila kaalam thaan
Uravodu vaazhnthaal
Athu pookkolam thaan
Kettaalum pattaalum
Un peran thaan
Ennadi gnyana pennae
Unmai solladi gnyana pennae
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Paduthaal aaradi pothum
Intha nilamum antha vaanamum
Athu yellorkkum sondham
Adi solladi gnyana pennae
Unmai solladi gnyana pennae
Solladi gnyana pennae
Unmai solladi gnyana pennae
Nadanthaal irandadi
Irunthaal naangadi
Nadanthaal irandadi
To walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
to walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
and to sleep, six feet is all you need.
This earth and that sky,
they belong to everyone!
Tell me, wise woman,
tell me the truth, wise woman!
Tell me, wise woman,
tell me the truth, wise woman!
To walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
to walk, two feet of space is enough.
A chick that has grown wings
has no need for a nest.
A child with good sense
will never go astray.
If a mother exists,
a father must be there too, listen woman!
And if a father exists,
could he be here without the grandmother who bore him?
Even if I lie on the street corner,
I am no orphan.
If my family rejects me,
I will pester them every single day!
Come what may, good or bad,
I am still your grandson!
What do you say, wise woman?
Tell me the truth, wise woman!
To walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
to walk, two feet of space is enough.
Those wealthy lords who once threshed grain with elephants,
none of them are around anymore.
From that day to this,
injustice has never truly thrived.
Even when chopped down, the banana plant sprouts again,
giving life abundantly.
Clay dug from the ground builds a shelter,
just like a woman who nurtures a home.
The life that we live
lasts only for a short time.
If we live surrounded by loved ones,
it is as beautiful as a carpet of flowers.
Come what may, good or bad,
I am still your grandson!
What do you say, wise woman?
Tell me the truth, wise woman!
To walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
to walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
and to sleep, six feet is all you need.
This earth and that sky,
they belong to everyone!
Tell me, wise woman,
tell me the truth, wise woman!
Tell me, wise woman,
tell me the truth, wise woman!
To walk, two feet of space is enough,
to sit, four feet,
to walk, two feet of space is enough.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Nadanthaal irandadi' from the movie Chembaruthi (1992) carries a profound philosophical message about contentment, human equality, and family bonds. The lyricist Vaali uses philosophical folk rhetoric, addressing a 'Gnyana Penne' (wise girl), to express that human needs are fundamentally simple—we only need two feet to walk, four feet to sit, and six feet to lie down. Nature, earth, and sky belong equally to all living beings without discrimination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Nadanthaal irandadi / Irunthaal naangadi”

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Nadanthaal' and 'Irunthaal', creating rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Vetta vetta vaazhaithaan / Adhu alli tharum vazhvai thaan”

Comparing a resilient human life to a banana plant ('Vetta vetta vaazhai') that sprouts back stronger when chopped.

Repetition (Anaphora / Adukku Thodar)

“Nadanthaal irandadi / Irunthaal naangadi”

Repetition of 'Nadanthaal irandadi / Irunthaal naangadi' serves as a rhythmic hook emphasizing minimalism.

Did you know?

Trivia

The composition is set to an energetic folk rhythm composed by Ilaiyaraaja, starring Prashanth and Bhanupriya. The philosophical motif 'two feet to walk, six feet to sleep' echoes ancient Siddhar poems and folk philosophical ballads of Tamil Nadu.

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