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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Kaariyam Onnu

From Vayilla Poochi · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Vayilla Poochi1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nalla kaariyam onnu nadakuminnuHoping that a good event will happen
Veedhiyil ninnu aadudhu ponnuThis girl is dancing in the street
Kaiyai paiyila vittu podungha thuttuPut your hand in your pocket and drop some money
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Female
Nalla kaariyam onnu nadakuminnuHoping that a good event will happen
Veedhiyil ninnu aadudhu ponnuThis girl is dancing in the street
Kaiyai paiyila vittu podungha thuttuPut your hand in your pocket and drop some money
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Female
Kaalum kaiyum nalla irunthaAs long as your legs and hands are in good health
Naalum nadakkum ingaeEverything will proceed well every day here
Kaalum kaiyum nalla irunthaAs long as your legs and hands are in good health
Naalum nadakkum ingaeEverything will proceed well every day here
Adhu koni kurugi kundri kidanthaIf one lies bent, shrunk, and weakened
Katti kappaar engaeWhere is the person who will hold and save them?
Female
Maadum manaiyum ullavaraikkumAs long as you possess cattle and property
Kooda irukkum sondhamRelationships will stay close to you
Nilai maari ponaa odi pogumIf your status changes, it will run away
Makkal konda bandhamThe bond that people hold with you
Female
Nalla kaariyam onnu nadakuminnuHoping that a good event will happen
Veedhiyil ninnu aadudhu ponnuThis girl is dancing in the street
Kaiyai paiyila vittu podungha thuttuPut your hand in your pocket and drop some money
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Female
Theemai seiyum pechai vidaRather than speaking words that cause evil
Oomai pirappu melaeBeing born mute is far better
Oru kallamilla pillai poaleLike an innocent child
Ullam ullathanaalaeBecause of possessing a pure heart
Female
Vaayillatha poochigalukumEven for harmless, voiceless creatures
Thaayaai nirpathu saamiGod stands as a loving mother
Vaayillatha poochigalukumEven for harmless, voiceless creatures
Thaayaai nirpathu saamiGod stands as a loving mother
Ada vaanam enbadhau koorai endraalIf the vast sky is considered a roof
Veedaai nirpathu boomiThe earth stands as a shelter home
Female
Nalla kaariyam onnu nadakuminnuHoping that a good event will happen
Veedhiyil ninnu aadudhu ponnuThis girl is dancing in the street
Kaiyai paiyila vittu podungha thuttuPut your hand in your pocket and drop some money
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Aiyaa punniyam kodiSir, you will gain millions of virtues
Hoo oo oo ho oo oo ..(2)Hoo oo oo ho oo oo ..(2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-style song from the 1977 film 'Vayilla Poochi' is sung from the perspective of a street dancer begging for alms while offering profound life lessons. She urges passersby to show charity, assuring them of divine blessings. The lyrics reflect on the transience of human relationships, noting how people only stick around when one is healthy, wealthy, and prosperous, but abandon those who become weak or poor. In the second half, the song praises innocence and silence over harmful speech, stating that being mute is better than using words to hurt others. It concludes with an uplifting philosophical message: just as a mother protects her helpless child, God cares for voiceless creatures ('vayillatha poochigal'), making the earth a welcoming home under the roof of the sky for everyone.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Adhu koni kurugi kundri kidantha

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'k' across words in the line ('koni', 'kurugi', 'kundri', 'kidantha').

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Ada vaanam enbadhau koorai endraal / Veedaai nirpathu boomi

The sky is poetically conceptualized as a roof and the earth as a house, symbolizing nature's universal shelter for the homeless and helpless.

Moral Contrast / Antithesis

Theemai seiyum pechai vida / Oomai pirappu melae

Contrasts the negativity of evil speech with the purity of muteness, highlighting that silence is superior to harm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vayilla Poochi' (1977) featured music composed by T. R. Pappa, a veteran violinist and composer known for his classic carnatic-infused film scores. Lyricist Vaali crafted this street-performance song with simple colloquial dialect mixed with profound moral philosophy, beautifully brought to life by Vani Jayaram's vocal expression.

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