Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Naal

From Naalai Unathu Naal · 1984

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Naalai Unathu Naal1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart
Female
Perum paadupattu saerththu vachchaAll the money that you accumulated
KaasaiyellaamWith great struggle
Un koodu vittu pona pinnaeOnce your life leaves this body
Varumo solluTell me, will it come with you?
Female
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart
Female
Aandavanthaan alanthu vaikkiraanGod alone measures out life
Aalukkoru naal kurikkiraanHe marks a designated day for each person
Aandavanthaan alanthu vaikkiraanGod alone measures out life
Aalukkoru naal kurikkiraanHe marks a designated day for each person
Female
Porakkurappa nee nenaichchiyaaDid you plan anything when you were born?
Ippa porathaiyae yaen nenaikkiraeWhy do you keep thinking about leaving now?
Porakkurappa nee nenaichchiyaaDid you plan anything when you were born?
Ippa porathaiyae yaen nenaikkiraeWhy do you keep thinking about leaving now?
Female
Naakku thinnu keezhae ponaaOnce the food passes down the tongue
Ellaam ingae onnuthaanaeEverything here becomes the same
Mookku mutta thinnupputtu yaeppam viduEat until your belly is full and burp cheerfully
Female
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart
Female
Perum paadupattu saerththu vachchaAll the money that you accumulated
KaasaiyellaamWith great struggle
Un koodu vittu pona pinnaeOnce your life leaves this body
Varumo solluTell me, will it come with you?
Female
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart
Female
Moochchukoru velaiyirukkuthaaDoes breath have a fixed price tag?
Oru muttaalukku selaiyirukkuthaaDoes a fool get a statue erected?
Moochchukoru velaiyirukkuthaaDoes breath have a fixed price tag?
Oru muttaalukku selaiyirukkuthaaDoes a fool get a statue erected?
Female
Intha aachchi sollil nejamirukkuthuThere is profound truth in what this old woman says
Nee aadumvarai adi paarththuduWatch your step while you dance through life
Intha aachchi sollil nejamirukkuthuThere is profound truth in what this old woman says
Nee aadumvarai adi paarththuduWatch your step while you dance through life
Female
Ingae aasai varum paasam varumHere desire comes, affection comes
Naesam ellaam saernthu varumAll kinds of love gather together
Vaasal vittu pogum varaiUntil you step out of the doorway of life
Neeyae thoraiYou are the master of your own realm
Female
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart
Female
Perum paadupattu saerththu vachchaAll the money that you accumulated
KaasaiyellaamWith great struggle
Un koodu vittu pona pinnaeOnce your life leaves this body
Varumo solluTell me, will it come with you?
Female
Nallaa naal parththukkoPick a good day
Naan sonnaa nee kettukkoListen to what I say
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart
Ada veguratha thinnupputtuHey, eat whatever is cooked
Pogum varai jolly pannikkoAnd make merry until you depart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nallaa Naal Parththukko is a philosophical yet lighthearted folk track from the 1984 Tamil film Naalai Unathu Naal. The song serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of human existence and the futility of endlessly hoarding wealth or stressing about the future. It encourages listeners to embrace the present moment, enjoy simple pleasures like home-cooked meals, and live life joyfully before death inevitably arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nallaa naal parththukko / Naan sonnaa nee kettukko

The second letters of 'Nallaa' and 'Naan' rhyme, providing a rhythmic cadence to the opening chorus.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nallaa naal parththukko / Naan sonnaa nee kettukko

Endings like 'parththukko' and 'kettukko' use matching end rhymes to reinforce the musicality.

Metaphor

Un koodu vittu pona pinnae

Comparing the human physical body to a temporary nest ('koodu') from which the soul eventually departs.

Assonance / Rhyme Scheme

Ingae aasai varum paasam varum / Naesam ellaam saernthu varum

Repetition of internal ending sounds 'varum' creates a smooth, musical flow in the stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naalai Unathu Naal (1984) is a Tamil thriller/drama film starring Vijayakanth and Nalini, directed by A. Jagannathan. The lyrics for this song were written by famous screenwriter and lyricist Avinasi Mani.

Keep listening

More from Naalai Unathu Naal