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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadigai Paarkkum

From Oru Nadigai Nadagam Parkiral · 1978

Lyricist
Jayakanthan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oru Nadigai Nadagam Parkiral1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nadigai paarkkum naadagamThe play that the actress watches
Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiramIn this, all the fans are characters
Female
Nadigai paarkkum naadagamThe play that the actress watches
Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiramIn this, all the fans are characters
Mudivillaatha thuyarilumEven in endless sorrow
Suba mudivu kaanum ival manamHer heart sees a happy ending
Male
Nallathenbathu theeyathenpathuWhat is good and what is evil
Naamaninthidum vedamaeAre merely the roles we wear
Nallathenbathu theeyathenpathuWhat is good and what is evil
Naamaninthidum vedamaeAre merely the roles we wear
Female
Idhil velvathennadi tholviyennadiIn this, what is victory and what is defeat?
Medaiyil orr vilaiyaadalilIn a game played on the stage
Naam medaiyil orr vilaiyaadalilAs we play a game on the stage
Female
Sirakodintha paravaigalBirds with broken wings
Urimai poril velvathoDo they win in the fight for rights?
Sirakodintha paravaigalBirds with broken wings
Urimai poril velvathoDo they win in the fight for rights?
Uravu indri piriviu ondraiWithout a relationship, accepting a separation
Ullam yaetru kolvathoDoes the heart accept it?
Ullam yaetru kolvathoDoes the heart accept it?
Female
Nadigai paarkkum naadagamThe play that the actress watches
Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiramIn this, all the fans are characters
Mudivillaatha thuyarilumEven in endless sorrow
Suba mudivu kaanum ival manamHer heart sees a happy ending
Male
Nadigai paarkkum naadagamThe play that the actress watches
Male
Kallamenbathum karaigal enbathumDeceit and flaws
Kadhalin oru paagamaeAre all part of love
Female :Vallal pondrival anbu ondraiyaeLike a generous benefactor, love alone
Vaari vaari vazhanginaalShe showered abundantly
Vaari vaari vazhanginaalShe showered abundantly
Female
Veenai meettidum pothilaeWhile playing the Veena
Vithi siriththathor paadhaiyilOn a path where fate laughed
Veenai meettidum pothilaeWhile playing the Veena
Vithi siriththathor paadhaiyilOn a path where fate laughed
Naadagam vaazhkkai aavathoDoes drama become real life?
Oru nadigai enna seiguvaalWhat can an actress do?
Nadigai enna seiguvaalWhat can an actress do?
Male
Kuraigal enbana iyalpendrumFlaws are natural in life
Gunamadaivathae anupavamGaining maturity and healing is the experience
Iraivan amaththa medaiyilOn the stage set by God
Thirai vizhaatha naadagamIt is a play where the curtain never falls
Thirai vizhaatha naadagamIt is a play where the curtain never falls

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song explores the blurred boundaries between real life and theatrical drama. In a role reversal, the actress becomes an observer of life's drama while the audience members become the unwitting actors. The song reflects on human suffering, morality, and the disguises people wear in society, questioning whether broken individuals can triumph over fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Role Reversal / Paradox

Nadigai paarkkum naadagam / Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiram

The opening lines invert the traditional dynamic between performer and spectator by making the actress the viewer and the audience the actors.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sirakodintha paravaigal / Urimai poril velvatho

Compares helpless human beings fighting cruel destiny to birds with broken wings trying to fight for survival.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Vaari vaari vazhanginaal

The word 'Vaari' is repeated sequentially to emphasize boundless generosity and unconditional love.

Extended Metaphor

Iraivan amaththa medaiyil / Thirai vizhaatha naadagam

Life is presented as an endless play orchestrated by God where the curtain never drops.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is the title track from the 1978 film adapted directly from acclaimed writer Jayakanthan's famous Tamil novel of the same name. Uniquely, Jayakanthan penned the lyrics himself, translating his complex narrative themes of human dignity and philosophy into MS Viswanathan's soulful musical arrangement.

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