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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Manasukku Nanma

From Oppantham · 1983

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oppantham1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day
Vedha poda maram aachuThe seed that was sown has become a tree
Nezhal kulurura naeramNow is the time when the shade feels cool
Veyil yaedhum theriyaama vaeraedhum ariyaamaUnaware of any scorching heat, unaware of anything else
Paadi parandhiruppaen aadi sirichiruppaenI would have sung and flown, danced and laughed
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day
Female
Malliga thottatthu poova killikkittuPlucking flowers in the jasmine garden
Kaatthu sirikkira naeram idhuThis is the time when the wind smiles
Female
Melliya ponnukku maeni vekka pattuFor the delicate girl, shy blushes cover her frame
Kaatthu kedakkura kaalam idhuThis is the era of waiting with longing
Dhenam thorum pudhu raagamEvery day brings a new melody
Niruthaamae manam paadumWithout stopping, my heart sings
Female
Ini mael ennaalum inimai undaagumFrom now on, every day will bring sweetness
Ini mael ennaalum inimai undaagumFrom now on, every day will bring sweetness
Adha thaanae nenachenaeThat is indeed what I envisioned
Adhukkaaga thavichaenaeThat is what I yearned for
Aasaiya cholli puttaen aatthi mara kuyilaeI have spoken my desire, O cuckoo on the Bauhinia tree!
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day
Female
Nellu kalathula mullai vanathulaIn the paddy field, in the forest of jasmine
Thulli nadakkudhu chinna ponnuThe young girl skips and walks merrily
Female
Kanni paruvatha ponnu uruvathaBeholding her youthful form and beauty
Kaana thavikkudhu nooru kannuA hundred eyes yearn to gaze upon her
Vazhinjodum nadhi pola velaiyaadum radhi polaLike an overflowing river, like the playful goddess Rathi
Female
Iruppaen naan thaanae inikkum senthaenaeI will remain as myself, sweet as pure honey
Iruppaen naan thaanae inikkum senthaenaeI will remain as myself, sweet as pure honey
Nadhiyaattam nadandhaenae jathi pottu padichaenaeI walked like a flowing river, dancing to rhythmic beats
Pottu vecha maanae thulli thirinjaenaeO adorned deer, I pranced around in joy
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day
Vedha poda maram aachuThe seed that was sown has become a tree
Nezhal kulurura naeramNow is the time when the shade feels cool
Veyil yaedhum theriyaama vaeraedhum ariyaamaUnaware of any scorching heat, unaware of anything else
Paadi parandhiruppaen aadi sirichiruppaenI would have sung and flown, danced and laughed
Female
Nalla manasukku nanma varum endruBelieving that goodness comes to a good heart
Nambikkai vechirundhaenI had kept my faith
Naalum nenachirundhaenI thought about it every day

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is an upbeat, innocent expression of hope, moral optimism, and youthful joy. The central theme centers on the belief that a good heart will always be rewarded with goodness. The protagonist celebrates the fulfillment of patience, metaphorically comparing her life's journey to a sown seed that has grown into a shady tree offering comfort.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Nalla manasukku nanma varum endru / Nambikkai vechirundhaen / Naalum nenachirundhaen

Repetition of the initial 'Na' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Simile (Upamai)

Vazhinjodum nadhi pola velaiyaadum radhi pola

Compares the protagonist's free-spirited movement and grace to an overflowing river and the beauty of goddess Rathi.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vedha poda maram aachu / Nezhal kulurura naeram

Uses the image of a sown seed growing into a shade-giving tree to symbolize hope growing into sweet fruition.

Personification

Kaatthu sirikkira naeram idhu

Attributes human traits like smiling to the wind.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the prominent modern Tamil poet Na. Kamarasan, this song from 'Oppantham' (1983) reflects his signature style of blending folk simplicity with deep philosophical truths about human optimism.

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