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Lyrics & meaning

Nadigai Paarkkum

From Oru Nadigai Nadagam Parkiral · 1978

Lyricist
Jayakanthan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Oru Nadigai Nadagam Parkiral
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
23 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nadigai paarkkum naadagam
Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiram
Nadigai paarkkum naadagam
Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiram
Mudivillaatha thuyarilum
Suba mudivu kaanum ival manam
Nallathenbathu theeyathenpathu
Naamaninthidum vedamae
Nallathenbathu theeyathenpathu
Naamaninthidum vedamae
Idhil velvathennadi tholviyennadi
Medaiyil orr vilaiyaadalil
Naam medaiyil orr vilaiyaadalil
Sirakodintha paravaigal
Urimai poril velvatho
Sirakodintha paravaigal
Urimai poril velvatho
Uravu indri piriviu ondrai
Ullam yaetru kolvatho
Ullam yaetru kolvatho
Nadigai paarkkum naadagam
Idhil rasigarellaam paaththiram
Mudivillaatha thuyarilum
Suba mudivu kaanum ival manam
Nadigai paarkkum naadagam
Kallamenbathum karaigal enbathum
Kadhalin oru paagamae
Female :Vallal pondrival anbu ondraiyae
Vaari vaari vazhanginaal
Vaari vaari vazhanginaal
Veenai meettidum pothilae
Vithi siriththathor paadhaiyil
Veenai meettidum pothilae
Vithi siriththathor paadhaiyil
Naadagam vaazhkkai aavatho
Oru nadigai enna seiguvaal
Nadigai enna seiguvaal
Kuraigal enbana iyalpendrum
Gunamadaivathae anupavam
Iraivan amaththa medaiyil
Thirai vizhaatha naadagam
Thirai vizhaatha naadagam
A play watched by an actress,
Where the audience are the characters.
A play watched by an actress,
Where the audience are the characters.
Even in endless sorrow,
Her heart looks for a happy ending.
What is good and what is evil
Are only the roles we put on.
What is good and what is evil
Are only the roles we put on.
What is victory and what is defeat, my dear,
In a game played on the stage?
In our game played on the stage?
Can birds with broken wings
Win the struggle for their rights?
Can birds with broken wings
Win the struggle for their rights?
Without any bond, can such a parting
Be accepted by the heart?
Be accepted by the heart?
A play watched by an actress,
Where the audience are the characters.
Even in endless sorrow,
Her heart looks for a happy ending.
A play watched by an actress.
Deceit and stained flaws
Are only a part of love.
Like a generous soul, she gave only love,
Pouring it out with open hands.
Pouring it out with open hands.
Just as the veena was being played,
Fate smiled mockingly along the path.
Just as the veena was being played,
Fate smiled mockingly along the path.
When a play turns into real life,
What can an actress do?
What can an actress do?
Flaws are only natural,
And healing from them is true experience.
On this stage created by God,
It is a play where the curtain never falls.
It is a play where the curtain never falls.
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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