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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadodi Mannargale

From Vaaname Ellai · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Maragadha Mani
Details
Vaaname Ellai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaaaaaaaa ahahaaAaaaaaaaa ahahaa (vocalizing)
Aaaaaaaaa ahahaaAaaaaaaaa ahahaa (vocalizing)
Aaaaa aaaaa aaa ahaahaaAaaaa aaaaa aaa ahaahaa (vocalizing)
Female
Naadodi mannargale vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings to the nomadic kings!
Naan paadum mellisaiyo inikkum inikkumThe soft music I sing will be sweet and sweet!
Nilavai pidiththu…Even if you catch the moon...
Tharayil sirai vaithaalumAnd imprison it on the ground...
Velicham kodukkum adhuthaan enakkumIt will still give light, and that same nature belongs to me too.
Velicham kodukkum adhuthaan enakkumIt will still give light, and that same nature belongs to me too.
Female
Naadodi mannargale vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings to the nomadic kings!
Naan paadum mellisaiyo inikkum inikkumThe soft music I sing will be sweet and sweet!
Nilavai pidiththu…Even if you catch the moon...
Tharayil sirai vaithaalumAnd imprison it on the ground...
Velicham kodukkum adhuthaan enakkumIt will still give light, and that same nature belongs to me too.
Velicham kodukkum adhuthaan enakkumIt will still give light, and that same nature belongs to me too.
Female
Kaanbadhenna idhu maayamaIs what I see an illusion?
Male :NoMale: No
Female :Kaanbadhenna idhu maayamaFemale: Is what I see an illusion?
En rasigaril pala vagaiThere are many types among my fans,
Idhu oru pudhu vagaiThis is a brand new type!
Ungal nesam vaazhgaLong live your affection!
Female
Aada sonnal adhu nyaayamaIf you ask me to dance, is that fair?
Female :PleaseFemale: Please
Female :Aada sonnal adhu nyaayamaFemale: If you ask me to dance, is that fair?
Ada yamunaiyai sirai konduHey, capturing the Yamuna river,
Kuvalaikkul adaikiraAnd confining it inside a pot,
Unga veeram vaazhgaLong live your bravery!
Female
Ada kaasugal pottadhumAh, I am a flowering plant that blooms
Pookkira poochedi naanWhen money is thrown,
Indru kaithattum osaiyilBut today, in the sound of applause,
pookira poochedi thaanI am a flowering plant that blooms purely for appreciation!
Male
Super….Super...!
Female
Rasanai vaazhgaLong live artistic appreciation!
Male
Thank you…Thank you...
Female
Rasigan vaazhgaLong live the fan!
Female
Rasanai vaazhga…Long live artistic appreciation!
Rasigan vaazhga…Long live the fan!
Female
Naadodi mannargale vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings to the nomadic kings!
Naan paadum mellisaiyo inikkum inikkumThe soft music I sing will be sweet and sweet!
Female
Vesham pottu naan aadinaalWhen I danced wearing makeup and costumes,
En ravikayil irukira malarukku thavikiraYearning for the flower on my blouse,
Aangal koottam angaeThere was a crowd of men over there.
Males :Aangal koottam angaeMales: A crowd of men over there!
Female
Vesham indri indru aadinenToday I danced without any disguise,
En nagampatta idam thottuAnd touching the place where my fingernail touched,
Kovil katta thudikkiraEager to build a temple,
Nanbar koottam ingaeHere is a group of true friends!
Females :Nanbar koottam ingaeFemales: A group of true friends here!
Female
Ada naanmugan thalayilaeAh, what the four-headed Brahma wrote on my head
Pottadhu poi ezhuthuWas a false destiny!
Naan rasiganin netriyilWhat I write on the forehead of my fan
Iduvadhu kai ezhuthuIs a true signature of heart!
Rasanai vaazhga…Long live artistic appreciation!
Rasigan vaazhga…Long live the fan!
Rasanai vaazhga…Long live artistic appreciation!
Rasigan vaazhga…Long live the fan!
Female
Naadodi mannargale vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings to the nomadic kings!
Naan paadum mellisaiyo inikkum inikkumThe soft music I sing will be sweet and sweet!
Nilavai pidiththu…Even if you catch the moon...
Tharayil sirai vaithaalumAnd imprison it on the ground...
Velicham kodukkum adhuthaan enakkumIt will still give light, and that same nature belongs to me too.
Chorus
Nadanam vaazhga nadigai vaazhgaLong live dance, long live the actress!
Nalamaai vaazhga naalum vaazhgaLive well, live forever every day!
Vaazhga vaazhga valamudan vaazhgaLive long, live long with prosperity!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Naadodi Mannargale is an uplifting song from K. Balachander's 1992 movie Vaaname Ellai, featuring music composed by Maragathamani (M. M. Keeravani) and lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song serves as a powerful tribute to performing arts, self-worth, and the bond between an artist and true art lovers. The protagonist compares her inner creative light to the moon, asserting that no matter how much society tries to constrain her, her spirit will continue to radiate light. Throughout the track, the lyricist contrasts superficial lust and commercial performance with genuine artistic appreciation. While commercial shows attract crowds interested only in glamour, true art connects directly with the audience's soul, rewriting destiny itself. The song concludes with a joyous celebration of art, dancing, and the mutually respectful relationship between performers and their admirers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uvamaani)

Nilavai pidiththu… Tharayil sirai vaithaalum Velicham kodukkum adhuthaan enakkum

The artist compares her artistic soul to the moon; even if jailed on earth, the moon cannot stop giving light.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Ada yamunaiyai sirai kondu Kuvalaikkul adaikira

Exaggerating the idea of capturing an entire river inside a small container to mock unrealistic demands.

Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

Nadanam vaazhga nadigai vaazhga / Nalamaai vaazhga naalum vaazhga

Repetition of the 'Na' sound across consecutive lines creating a rhythmic musical effect.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Vesham pottu naan aadinaal... / Vesham indri indru aadinen...

Contrasting male crowds looking for superficial charm when wearing disguise vs. true well-wishers when performing authentically without disguise.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vaaname Ellai (1992) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander. The soundtrack was composed by Maragathamani, who is famously known across India as M. M. Keeravani (composer of Baahubali and RRR). The song prominently features the playback singing of K. S. Chithra along with chorus voices.

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