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Naalai Unathu Naal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Naal

From Naalai Unathu Naal · 1984

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Naalai Unathu Naal
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
26 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Perum paadupattu saerththu vachcha
Kaasaiyellaam
Un koodu vittu pona pinnae
Varumo sollu
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Aandavanthaan alanthu vaikkiraan
Aalukkoru naal kurikkiraan
Aandavanthaan alanthu vaikkiraan
Aalukkoru naal kurikkiraan
Porakkurappa nee nenaichchiyaa
Ippa porathaiyae yaen nenaikkirae
Porakkurappa nee nenaichchiyaa
Ippa porathaiyae yaen nenaikkirae
Naakku thinnu keezhae ponaa
Ellaam ingae onnuthaanae
Mookku mutta thinnupputtu yaeppam vidu
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Perum paadupattu saerththu vachcha
Kaasaiyellaam
Un koodu vittu pona pinnae
Varumo sollu
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Moochchukoru velaiyirukkuthaa
Oru muttaalukku selaiyirukkuthaa
Moochchukoru velaiyirukkuthaa
Oru muttaalukku selaiyirukkuthaa
Intha aachchi sollil nejamirukkuthu
Nee aadumvarai adi paarththudu
Intha aachchi sollil nejamirukkuthu
Nee aadumvarai adi paarththudu
Ingae aasai varum paasam varum
Naesam ellaam saernthu varum
Vaasal vittu pogum varai
Neeyae thorai
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Perum paadupattu saerththu vachcha
Kaasaiyellaam
Un koodu vittu pona pinnae
Varumo sollu
Nallaa naal parththukko
Naan sonnaa nee kettukko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Ada veguratha thinnupputtu
Pogum varai jolly pannikko
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
All that you worked so hard to save,
all of that money—
once you leave this body's nest,
tell me, will it come along with you?
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
God is the one who measures life out,
setting a date for each one of us.
God is the one who measures life out,
setting a date for each one of us.
Did you worry about it when you were born?
Why keep worrying about dying now?
Did you worry about it when you were born?
Why keep worrying about dying now?
Once food passes the tongue and goes down,
isn't everything just the same?
Eat until you are stuffed and let out a burp!
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
All that you worked so hard to save,
all of that money—
once you leave this body's nest,
tell me, will it come along with you?
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
Does a single breath have a price tag?
Does anyone ever build a statue for a fool?
Does a single breath have a price tag?
Does anyone ever build a statue for a fool?
There is real truth in what this old lady says,
so enjoy life and dance while you still can!
There is real truth in what this old lady says,
so enjoy life and dance while you still can!
Desire will come, affection will come,
and all kinds of love will come along.
Until you step out the final doorway,
you are the king!
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
All that you worked so hard to save,
all of that money—
once you leave this body's nest,
tell me, will it come along with you?
Look closely at your days,
and listen to what I say!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
Just eat whatever is cooked,
and have fun until your time comes!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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