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Lyrics & meaning

Nalaiku Nam Kaalam Vellum

From Thalaivasal · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Mano
Music director
Bala Bharathi
Details
Thalaivasal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thath thagithaththa thath tharigida…Rhythmic solkattu syllables (Thath thagithaththa...)
Thath tharigida tharigida thaamRhythmic solkattu syllables (Thath tharigida...)
Thik thagithaththa… thath tharigidaRhythmic solkattu syllables (Thik thagithaththa...)
Thath tharigida tharigida thaamRhythmic solkattu syllables (Thath tharigida...)
Male
Yehae naalaikku nam kaalam vellumHey! Tomorrow our time will win!
Vendraal kaalangal nam perai sollumIf we win, time itself will echo our names!
Kaiyodu kaigalai serthu viduJoin hands with each other,
Meiyenna poiyenna paarthu viduFind out what is truth and what is falsehood!
Naalai ivvulagamTomorrow, this world...
Chorus :Unakku konjam enakku konjamChorus: A little for you, a little for me,
Male :Vaazhvil tholvi illai endrum…Male: There is never defeat in life...
Male
Yehae naalaikku nam kaalam vellumHey! Tomorrow our time will win!
Vendraal kaalangal nam perai sollumIf we win, time itself will echo our names!
Chorus
Thalak thina thalak thinaRhythmic vocal beat (Thalak thina...)
Thalak thalakRhythmic vocal beat (Thalak thalak)
Thalak thalak thalak thalakRhythmic vocal beat (Thalak thalak...)
Male
Orenna sonnalenna nam ullamthaanNo matter what the world says, our heart alone
Vazhi kaattum vilakkuIs the lamp that guides our path.
Megangal nidraalennaSo what if clouds block the sky?
Ada vidiyaamal pogaadhu kizhakkuHey, the east cannot remain without dawning!
Kaathirukka neramillai…There is no time to keep waiting...
Kaalangal eppodhum kaiyil illaiTime is never in our hands.
Pooparikka neramillai…There is no time to waste plucking flowers...
Poraattam illaamal vaazhkkai illaiThere is no life without struggle!
Kalloori ennum sorgathil vandhom…We came to this paradise called college...
Kanneerae inge illai….There are no tears here...
Chorus
Athigaaram than engal thollai…Authority alone is our trouble...
Aanaalum aagaayam than engal ellai…Yet, the sky alone is our limit!
Male
Yehae naalaikku nam kaalam vellumHey! Tomorrow our time will win!
Vendraal kaalangal nam perai sollumIf we win, time itself will echo our names!
Chorus
…………………………(Instrumental Interlude)
Male
Kalloori ellaikkullae..Within the college premises..
Sila sattangal thittangal irukkuThere are certain rules and regulations.
Yaarodum kutram illai…The fault lies with no one...
Idhu kadamaikkum urimaikkum vazhakkuThis is a dispute between duty and rights.
Neenthugindra kendaigalae…Oh swimming carp fish...
Neerodu thuthithaada paavam illaiThere is no sin in playing along with the water flow,
Neeraivittu karai kudhithaal…But if you jump out onto the shore leaving the water...
Neechalthaan therindhaalum laabam illaiEven if you know swimming, it won't be of any gain.
Naan sollum vaadham nadaipaadhai vedhamThe logic I present is the gospel of the common path,
Kelungal thunbam illaiListen to it, and there will be no grief.
Chorus
Eppodhum idhu thanae paattu…Isn't this always the same lecture/song...
Ippodhu kaadhukkum than venum poottuNow even our ears require a lock!
Male
Yehae naalaikku nam kaalam vellumHey! Tomorrow our time will win!
Vendraal kaalangal nam perai sollumIf we win, time itself will echo our names!
Kaiyodu kaigalai serthu viduJoin hands with each other,
Meiyenna poiyenna paarthu viduFind out what is truth and what is falsehood!
Naalai ivvulagamTomorrow, this world...
Chorus :Unakku konjam enakku konjamChorus: A little for you, a little for me,
Male :Vaazhvil tholvi illai endrum…Male: There is never defeat in life...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Naalaikku Nam Kaalam Vellum' from the movie Thalaivasal (1992) is an energetic youth anthem highlighting the spirit, struggles, and aspirations of college students. Written by Vairamuthu and composed by Bala Bharathi, the song balances youthful rebellion against authority with practical wisdom regarding duty and boundaries. It urges students to stay united, persevere through challenges, and dream big while recognizing the realities of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kalloori ennum sorgathil vandhom... / Athigaaram than engal thollai...

The second consonant 'll' is repeated across 'Kalloori' and 'Athigaaram' (lh/ll sounds) creating a rhythmic Tamil poetic symmetry.

Metaphor (Uruvagim)

Neenthugindra kendaigalae… Neerodu thuthithaada paavam illai

Comparing students to carp fish (kendaigal) and college discipline to water, emphasizing that freedom outside parameters can lead to destruction.

Anaphora / Repetition

Yehae naalaikku nam kaalam vellum

The optimistic refrain 'Naalaikku nam kaalam vellum' is repeated to reinforce hope and determination.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thalaivasal marked a significant turning point in Tamil cinema as a college-based drama, introducing actor 'Thalaivasal' Vijay (who got his moniker from this film). The soundtrack composed by Bala Bharathi was a massive hit among college youth in the early 1990s.

Keep listening

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