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Lyrics & meaning

Nadu Nalla Nadu

From Rasigan Oru Rasigai · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
Music director
Raveendran
Movie name
Rasigan Oru Rasigai
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
21 Apr 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………………………..
Chorus :………………………………..
Naadu nalla naadu
Aanaakka nadappu seri illae
Chorus :Aamamdaa nadappu seri illa
Male :Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkka
Edhuvum puriyallae
Chorus :Aamaandaa edhuvum puriyallae
Male :Hooo ooo evandaa ippodhu nalla manushan
Evanumae illa
Chorus :Aamaanda evanumae illa
Hae hae naadu nalla naadu
Aanaakka nadappu seri illae
Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkka
Edhuvum puriyallae
Hoo hoo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Irukkum idatha terinja piragum edukka marukkadhe
Chorus :Aamaanda edukka marukkadhae
Male :Ezha veetta paathu neeyum eduthu thingaathae
Chorus :Aamandaa eduthu thingaathae
Male :Uthaman pola irukku nenacha soru kidaikkathu
Chorus :Aamaanda soru kidaikkadhu
Haa haa naadu nalla naadu
Aanaakka nadappu seri illae
Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkka
Edhuvum puriyallae…hae ae hae ae
Hooo hoo oo ooo oo hoooo
Karnan kuda kadaisi varaikkum kasta pattaan daa
Chorus :Aamaanda kastapattaan daa
Male :Gaandhi pola aala kooda oruthan konnaan daa
Chorus :Aamaanda oruthan konnaandaa
Male :Ada ethana arijan poranthum kooda
Thirunthavae illa ulagam
Chorus :Thirunthavae illa
Naadu nalla naadu
Aanaakka nadappu seri illae
Chorus :Aamamdaa nadappu seri illa
Male :Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkka
Edhuvum puriyallae
Chorus :Aamaandaa edhuvum puriyallae
Male :Hooo ooo evandaa ippodhu nalla manushan
Evanumae illa
Chorus :Aamaanda evanumae illa
Hae hae naadu nalla naadu
Aanaakka nadappu seri illae
Ezha padura paadu sonnaakkka
Edhuvum puriyallae
...
Chorus: ...
This country is a good country,
But the way things are run is not right!
Chorus: That's right, friend, the way things are run is not right!
Male: Even if you tell them the hardships of the poor,
Nobody understands a thing!
Chorus: That's right, friend, nobody understands a thing!
Male: Oh... who is a truly good person these days?
There is nobody at all!
Chorus: That's right, friend, there is nobody at all!
Hey hey, this country is a good country,
But the way things are run is not right!
Even if you tell them the hardships of the poor,
Nobody understands a thing!
Ho ho oh oh oh oh!
Once you know where the wealth is, do not hesitate to take it!
Chorus: That's right, friend, do not hesitate to take it!
Male: But do not rob a poor man's house and take his food!
Chorus: That's right, friend, do not take his food!
Male: If you try to live as a strictly honest man, you will not even get a meal!
Chorus: That's right, friend, you will not get a meal!
Ha ha, this country is a good country,
But the way things are run is not right!
Even if you tell them the hardships of the poor,
Nobody understands a thing... hey hey!
Oh ho oh oh oh ho!
Even the noble Karna suffered until the very end, man!
Chorus: That's right, man, he suffered until the end!
Male: Someone even killed a great man like Gandhi, man!
Chorus: That's right, man, someone killed him!
Male: Ah, no matter how many pure souls are born,
This world has never changed for the better!
Chorus: It has never changed for the better!
This country is a good country,
But the way things are run is not right!
Chorus: That's right, friend, the way things are run is not right!
Male: Even if you tell them the hardships of the poor,
Nobody understands a thing!
Chorus: That's right, friend, nobody understands a thing!
Male: Oh... who is a truly good person these days?
There is nobody at all!
Chorus: That's right, friend, there is nobody at all!
Hey hey, this country is a good country,
But the way things are run is not right!
Even if you tell them the hardships of the poor,
Nobody understands a thing!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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