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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naiyandi Melaththa Kelu

From Needhiyin Nizhal · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vivek Sarathy
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Needhiyin Nizhal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Haei………………Hey!
Male
Haei naiyaandi maelatha keluHey, listen to the Naiyandi drum beat!
Naan thaanae thenpaandi aaluI am indeed the man from the southern land!
Annaachi ellaam onnaachuAll the elder brothers have united as one!
Vandhaaraiyaa chaerikkullaeHe has arrived inside the hamlet!
Ellaarukkum chella pillaeHe is the beloved child to everyone!
Male
Naiyaandi maelatha keluListen to the Naiyandi drum beat!
Naan thaanae thenpaandi aaluI am indeed the man from the southern land!
Annaachi ellaam onnaachuAll the elder brothers have united as one!
Vandhaaraiyaa chaerikkullaeHe has arrived inside the hamlet!
Ellaarukkum chella pillae…haeHe is the beloved child to everyone... hey!
Chorus
Thaamthalakkadi dheemthalakkadiThaamthalakkadi dheemthalakkadi (rhythmic folk syllables)
Thaitthalakkadi thalukku thalukkuThaitthalakkadi thalukku thalukku (rhythmic folk syllables)
Thaamthalakkadi dheemthalakkadiThaamthalakkadi dheemthalakkadi (rhythmic folk syllables)
Thaitthalakkadi thalukku thalukkuThaitthalakkadi thalukku thalukku (rhythmic folk syllables)
Male
Paarunga aalaLook at this man!
Chorus
Haehae haehaeHaehae haehae!
Male
Podunga maalaPut a garland on him!
Chorus
Haehae haehaeHaehae haehae!
Male
Pulikku thaan porandhadhuBorn to a tiger,
Perumaiyaa valandhadhuRaised with great pride,
Madha yaana pola thaan nadakkumHe walks like a majestic wild elephant!
Pokkiringa adhigaaram pannaalae adakkumIf rogues try to rule with power, he will suppress them!
Paarunga aalaLook at this man!
Chorus
Haehae haehaeHaehae haehae!
Male
Podunga maalaPut a garland on him!
Chorus
Haehae haehaeHaehae haehae!
Male
Pulikku thaan porandhadhuBorn to a tiger,
Perumaiyaa valandhadhuRaised with great pride,
Madha yaana pola thaan nadakkumHe walks like a majestic wild elephant!
Pokkiringa adhigaaram pannaalae adakkumIf rogues try to rule with power, he will suppress them!
Mukkulathu kannae minnum pasum ponnaeO precious eye of the community, shining pure gold!
Mukkulathu kannae minnum pasum ponnaeO precious eye of the community, shining pure gold!
Pallaandu thaan nee vaazhanum paatteduthu chonnaenMay you live for many long years, I sing to tell you!
Male
Naiyaandi maelatha keluListen to the Naiyandi drum beat!
Naan thaanae thenpaandi aaluI am indeed the man from the southern land!
Chorus
Annaachi ellaam onnaachuAll the elder brothers have united as one!
Vandhaaraiyaa chaerikkullaeHe has arrived inside the hamlet!
Ellaarukkum chella pillae…He is the beloved child to everyone...
Male
Hahahaa…Hahaha...
Male
Malayaala paattu college maettuMalayalam songs and college hill slopes,
Male
Thaedikkittu paadikkittu kadhakali koodikkittuSearching, singing, and gathering for Kathakali,
Oru naalum piriyaadha chaettanThe elder brother who never separates,
Paattezhudhum vallathol thaanae en paattanThe poet Vallathol who writes songs is my elder generation!
Male
Malayaala paattu college maettuMalayalam songs and college hill slopes,
Male
Thaedikkittu paadikkittu kadhakali koodikkittuSearching, singing, and gathering for Kathakali,
Oru naalum piriyaadha chaettanThe elder brother who never separates,
Paattezhudhum vallathol thaanae en paattanThe poet Vallathol who writes songs is my elder generation!
Ividae thaan njaanum avidae thaan neeyumHere am I, and there are you,
Ividae thaan njaanum avidae thaan neeyumHere am I, and there are you,
Ninnaal thannae ennaalumae jeevichidum snaehamBecause of you, this love will live on forever!
Male
Haei naiyaandi maelatha keluHey, listen to the Naiyandi drum beat!
Naan thaanae thenpaandi aaluI am indeed the man from the southern land!
Chorus
Annaachi ellaam onnaachuAll the elder brothers have united as one!
Vandhaaraiyaa chaerikkullaeHe has arrived inside the hamlet!
Ellaarukkum chella pillae..He is the beloved child to everyone...
Male
Hoi….hahaha..haei…haehaehaeiHoi... hahaha... hey... haehaehaei!
Haehaehaeiiii……………..Haehaehaeiiii...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This high-energy folk celebration song highlights the grand arrival of a heroic, beloved leader into a local community. Set to the lively rhythms of traditional Naiyandi drum beats, the song praises his courage, stature, and protective nature. He is described as someone born to a tiger and walking like a wild elephant, always ready to crush oppressive villains and stand up for the common folk. In the second half, lyricist Vaali incorporates Malayalam linguistic elements and cultural touchstones like Kathakali and the renowned poet Vallathol, emphasizing cross-border harmony, warmth, and enduring affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Madha yaana pola thaan nadakkum

Compares the hero's powerful walk to that of a majestic elephant using the comparison marker 'pola'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pulikku thaan porandhadhu

Refers to the hero as being 'born to a tiger' and 'shining pure gold' to highlight bravery and noble character.

Rhythmic Onomatopoeia (Sandha Sol)

Thaamthalakkadi dheemthalakkadi

Uses rhythmic percussion-like vocables to build celebration and musical energy characteristic of Tamil folk dance.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Mukkulathu kannae minnum pasum ponnae

Matching second consonants ('kku') in 'Mukkulathu' and 'nikkum'/'minnum' for melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

In this song from Needhiyin Nizhal (1985), lyricist Vaali cleverly blends southern Tamil folk flavors ('Naiyaandi Maelam') with Malayalam words ('Chaettan', 'Ividae', 'Avidae', 'Jeevichidum', 'Snaeham') and references Mahakavi Vallathol Narayana Menon, showcasing cultural unity across Tamil Nadu and Kerala borders.

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