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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadu Nalla Nadu

From Rasigan Oru Rasigai · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
Music director
Raveendran
Details
Rasigan Oru Rasigai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………………….....
Chorus :………………………………..Chorus :...
Male
Naadu nalla naaduThe country is a good country
Aanaakka nadappu seri illaeBut the conduct and affairs here are not right
Chorus :Aamamdaa nadappu seri illaChorus: Yes brother, the conduct is not right
Male :Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkkaMale: If one speaks of the suffering of the poor
Edhuvum puriyallaeNothing is understood by anyone
Chorus :Aamaandaa edhuvum puriyallaeChorus: Yes brother, nothing is understood
Male :Hooo ooo evandaa ippodhu nalla manushanMale: Oh, who is a good human being nowadays?
Evanumae illaThere is no one at all
Chorus :Aamaanda evanumae illaChorus: Yes brother, there is no one at all
Male
Hae hae naadu nalla naaduHae hae, the country is a good country
Aanaakka nadappu seri illaeBut the conduct and affairs here are not right
Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkkaIf one speaks of the suffering of the poor
Edhuvum puriyallaeNothing is understood by anyone
Male
Hoo hoo ooo ooo ooo oooHoo hoo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Irukkum idatha terinja piragum edukka marukkadheEven after knowing where wealth lies, do not hesitate to take it
Chorus :Aamaanda edukka marukkadhaeChorus: Yes brother, do not refuse to take it
Male :Ezha veetta paathu neeyum eduthu thingaathaeMale: Do not snatch away and eat from a poor man's home
Chorus :Aamandaa eduthu thingaathaeChorus: Yes brother, do not snatch and eat
Male :Uthaman pola irukku nenacha soru kidaikkathuMale: If you think of living as an honest man, you won't even get food
Chorus :Aamaanda soru kidaikkadhuChorus: Yes brother, you won't get food
Male
Haa haa naadu nalla naaduHaa haa, the country is a good country
Aanaakka nadappu seri illaeBut the conduct and affairs here are not right
Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkkaIf one speaks of the suffering of the poor
Edhuvum puriyallae…hae ae hae aeNothing is understood by anyone... hae ae hae ae
Male
Hooo hoo oo ooo oo hooooHooo hoo oo ooo oo hoooo
Karnan kuda kadaisi varaikkum kasta pattaan daaEven Karna suffered until the very end, man
Chorus :Aamaanda kastapattaan daaChorus: Yes brother, he suffered till the end
Male :Gaandhi pola aala kooda oruthan konnaan daaMale: Someone even killed a person like Mahatma Gandhi, man
Chorus :Aamaanda oruthan konnaandaaChorus: Yes brother, someone killed him
Male :Ada ethana arijan poranthum koodaMale: Hey, no matter how many great souls are born
Thirunthavae illa ulagamThis world never reform or changes itself
Chorus :Thirunthavae illaChorus: It never reforms
Male
Naadu nalla naaduThe country is a good country
Aanaakka nadappu seri illaeBut the conduct and affairs here are not right
Chorus :Aamamdaa nadappu seri illaChorus: Yes brother, the conduct is not right
Male :Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkkaMale: If one speaks of the suffering of the poor
Edhuvum puriyallaeNothing is understood by anyone
Chorus :Aamaandaa edhuvum puriyallaeChorus: Yes brother, nothing is understood
Male :Hooo ooo evandaa ippodhu nalla manushanMale: Oh, who is a good human being nowadays?
Evanumae illaThere is no one at all
Chorus :Aamaanda evanumae illaChorus: Yes brother, there is no one at all
Male
Hae hae naadu nalla naaduHae hae, the country is a good country
Aanaakka nadappu seri illaeBut the conduct and affairs here are not right
Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkkaIf one speaks of the suffering of the poor
Edhuvum puriyallaeNothing is understood by anyone

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naadu Nalla Naadu' from 'Rasigan Oru Rasigai' (1986), written by Vaali, offers a sharp satirical commentary on society and moral decay. The protagonist laments that while the land itself is inherently good and blessed, the actions, ethics, and administration of the people living in it are deeply flawed. He highlights the plight of the poor, whose hardships go ignored by the insensitive masses and those in power. Through historical and mythological references—such as the noble Karna who suffered despite his righteousness and Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated despite his ideals of peace—the song reflects cynical realism. It argues that absolute honesty often leaves a person starving in an unjust society, and despite the advent of great leaders and reformers, the world stubbornly refuses to change for the better.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Naadu nalla naadu / Aanaakka nadappu seri illae

The second consonant sound 'da' matches across lines: 'Naadu' and 'Aanaakka nadappu'.

Monaai (Alliteration / First letter matching)

Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkka / Edhuvum puriyallae

Repetition of the starting letter 'E' in 'Ezha' and 'Edhuvum'.

Historical & Mythological Allusions

Karnan kuda kadaisi varaikkum kasta pattaan daa / Gaandhi pola aala kooda oruthan konnaan daa

References to Mahabharata's Karna and Mahatma Gandhi to illustrate how society mistreats virtuous individuals.

Refrain and Call-and-Response

Chorus :Aamamdaa nadappu seri illa

The lead singer delivers social commentary lines, followed immediately by chorus affirmations ('Aamaandaa'), reflecting a traditional folk philosophy storytelling style.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rasigan Oru Rasigai' (1986) featured music composed by Raveendran, starring Sathyaraj and Ambika. Lyricist Vaali employed simple, conversational Tamil folk rhythms (Dappan Kuthu style philosophical songs) to convey heavy socio-political themes, making complex moral critiques accessible to the general audience.

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