- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Marupadiyum
- Movie release year
- 1993
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Feb 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Nalam Vaazha is a heartfelt birthday and comfort song from the 1993 Tamil film Marupadiyum, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali. Sung with profound warmth by S. Janaki, the song acts as a message of solace and resilience to a friend facing emotional turmoil. The lyrics combine wishes of happiness and longevity with deep philosophical reflections on human relationships and life's unpredictable nature.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Viralgalai thaandi valarndhadhai kandu / Nagangalai naamum narukkuvadhundu”
Trimming nails that grow beyond fingertips is used as a metaphor for letting go of relationships or situations that have grown beyond healthy control.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ilavenil un vaasal vandhaadum / Ilanthendral un meedhu panpaadum”
The second consonant sound 'la' (ல/ள/ழ) rhymes across consecutive lines (Ilavenil / Ilanthendral).
Analogy / Symbolism
“Maraivadhum pinbu udhipadhum marabaanadhu / Vizhuvadhum pinbu ezhuvadhum iyalbaanadhu”
The rising and setting sun, and the crashing and rising ocean waves serve as natural analogies for life's inevitable ups and downs.
Did you know?
Trivia
Marupadiyum (1993) was directed by Balu Mahendra and is an adaptation of Mahesh Bhatt's Hindi classic Arth. This song, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki, remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous birthday songs as well as a popular philosophical anthem.
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