Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nagarum Nagarum

From Thozha · 2016

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Gopi Sundar
Details
Thozha2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nagarum nagarum nera mulThe moving hand of time
Namayum nagara solludhaeAsks us to move forward as well.
Manamo pinnae selludhaeBut the heart travels backward.
Idhu yen idhu yenWhy is this so? Why is this so?
Male
Nagarum nagarum nera mulThe moving hand of time
Namayum nagara solludhaeAsks us to move forward as well.
Manamo pinnae selludhaeBut the heart travels backward.
Idhu yen idhu yenWhy is this so? Why is this so?
Male
Unakena oru idamA place reserved for you,
Irundhadhai marakiraiYou forget that it existed.
Unarndhadhum thirakiraiOnce realized, you open it up.
Yen nenje yen nenjeWhy, oh my heart, why?
Male
Kasapugal inipadhumBitterness turning sweet,
Udainthathai enaipathumMending what was broken,
Veruthathai anaipathumEmbracing what was once despised,
Yen nenje yen nenjeWhy, oh my heart, why?
Male
Malarum uravum unmaiyaeThe blossoming relationship is real,
Nigazhum pirivum unmaiyaeThe inevitable separation is real,
Manadhin ganamum unmaiyaeThe heavy weight on the heart is real,
Adhu yenWhy is that?
Adhu.. yen vandhaaiThat... why did you come?
Nee yaaro..Who are you...
Nee ponaal naan yaarooooIf you leave, who am I...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful track from the movie Thozha explores themes of deep emotional bonding, nostalgia, and the pain of impending separation. The speaker contemplates the paradox of time: while the clock continuously moves forward, human emotions often anchor us back into memories and shared moments. The song reflects how an unexpected friendship can heal brokenness, soften past bitterness, and give life a newfound purpose. As the bond deepens, the fear of separation brings a profound existential crisis, leaving the speaker questioning their own identity without the companion who transformed their life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Nagarum nagarum nera mul / Namayum nagara solludhae

The hands of the clock (nera mul) are personified as a entity urging human beings to march forward in life alongside time.

Antithesis / Contrast

Kasapugal inipadhum

Juxtaposes bitterness ('Kasapugal') with sweetness ('inipadhum') to illustrate emotional healing through companionship.

Epiphora (End Rhyme)

Malarum uravum unmaiyae / Nigazhum pirivum unmaiyae / Manadhin ganamum unmaiyae

The word 'unmaiyae' (is true/real) is repeated at the end of successive lines to reinforce immutable philosophical truths about life, bonding, and grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thozha (2016) is the official Indian adaptation of the 2011 French comedy-drama 'The Intouchables'. The film's music was composed by Gopi Sundar, with lyrics written by Madhan Karky, capturing the core emotional dynamic between a wealthy quadriplegic man and his ex-convict caregiver.

Keep listening

More from Thozha