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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nagarum Nagarum

From Thozha · 2016

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Gopi Sundar
Movie name
Thozha
Movie release year
2016
Lyrics added on
23 Dec 2016

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nagarum nagarum nera mul
Namayum nagara solludhae
Manamo pinnae selludhae
Idhu yen idhu yen
Nagarum nagarum nera mul
Namayum nagara solludhae
Manamo pinnae selludhae
Idhu yen idhu yen
Unakena oru idam
Irundhadhai marakirai
Unarndhadhum thirakirai
Yen nenje yen nenje
Kasapugal inipadhum
Udainthathai enaipathum
Veruthathai anaipathum
Yen nenje yen nenje
Malarum uravum unmaiyae
Nigazhum pirivum unmaiyae
Manadhin ganamum unmaiyae
Adhu yen
Adhu.. yen vandhaai
Nee yaaro..
Nee ponaal naan yaaroooo
The moving hands of time
Tell us to move forward too,
Yet the heart wanders backwards...
Why is this? Why is this?
The moving hands of time
Tell us to move forward too,
Yet the heart wanders backwards...
Why is this? Why is this?
A place meant just for you—
You forget that it was ever there,
Yet open it the moment you realize...
Why, my heart? Why, my heart?
Turning bitter things sweet,
Piecing together what was broken,
Embracing what was once pushed away,
Why, my heart? Why, my heart?
The bond that blossoms is real,
The parting that happens is real,
The heaviness in the heart is also real...
Why is that?
That... why did you come?
You were just a stranger...
If you leave, who am I?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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