Nalla Nalla Nilam
From Vivasayee · 1967
- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vivasayee1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nalla nalla nilam paarthu | Selecting good, fertile lands, |
| Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum | We must sow the seeds. |
| Nalla nalla nilam paarthu | Selecting good, fertile lands, |
| Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum | We must sow the seeds. |
| Naattu makkal managalilae | In the minds of the people of our country, |
| Naanayathai valarkkanum | We must cultivate honesty and integrity. |
| Male | |
| Palli endra nilangalilae | In the fields called schools, |
| Kalvithanai vidahikkanum | We must sow the seeds of education. |
| Pillaigalai seerthiruthi | By reforming and guiding children, |
| Periyavargal aakkanum | We must mold them into great adults. |
| Nalla nalla nilam paarthu | Selecting good, fertile lands, |
| Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum | We must sow the seeds. |
| Male | |
| Kanniyarkkum kaalaiyarkkum | For young women and young men, |
| Kattupattai vidhaithu | Sowing self-discipline, |
| Karppu nilai thavaraadhu | Without deviating from chastity and morality, |
| Kaadhal payir valarthu | Cultivating the crop of love. |
| Kanniyarkkum kaalaiyarkkum | For young women and young men, |
| Kattupattai vidhaithu | Sowing self-discipline, |
| Karppu nilai thavaraadhu | Without deviating from chastity and morality, |
| Kaadhal payir valarthu | Cultivating the crop of love. |
| Male | |
| Annai thandhai aanavarkku | For those who have become mothers and fathers, |
| Tham poruppai vidhaithu | Sowing a sense of responsibility in them, |
| Pinn varum sandhidhiyai | For the future generations to come, |
| Paenum murai valarthu | Nurturing proper care and upbringing. |
| Male | |
| Iruppavargal idhayathilae | In the hearts of the wealthy, |
| Irakkamadhai vidhaikkanum | We must sow compassion. |
| Illaadhor vaazhkaiyilae | In the lives of the underprivileged, |
| Inba payir valarkkanum | We must nurture the crop of happiness. |
| Nalla nalla nilam paarthu | Selecting good, fertile lands, |
| Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum | We must sow the seeds. |
| Naattu makkal managalilae | In the minds of the people of our country, |
| Naanayathai valarkkanum | We must cultivate honesty and integrity. |
| Male | |
| Paar muludhum manidha kula | Across the world, for all humanity, |
| Panbudhanai vidhaithu | Sowing noble human values, |
| Paamarargal nenjathilae | In the hearts of common folk, |
| Pagutharivai valarthu | Cultivating rational thinking. |
| Paar muludhum manidha kula | Across the world, for all humanity, |
| Panbudhanai vidhaithu | Sowing noble human values, |
| Paamarargal nenjathilae | In the hearts of common folk, |
| Pagutharivai valarthu | Cultivating rational thinking. |
| Male | |
| Por muraiyai kondavarkku | For those inclined toward conflict, |
| Nermuraiyai vidhaithu | Sowing the paths of righteousness, |
| Seer valara dhinamum veghamadhai valarthu | Accelerating daily progress so prosperity flourishes. |
| Male | |
| Pettra thirunaattinilae | In our revered motherland, |
| Pattruthanai vidhaikkanum | We must sow devotion and patriotism. |
| Pattruthanai vidhaithu vittu | After sowing deep devotion, |
| Nalla ottrumaiyai valarkkanum | We must nurture noble unity. |
| Nalla nalla nilam paarthu | Selecting good, fertile lands, |
| Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum | We must sow the seeds. |
| Naattu makkal managalilae | In the minds of the people of our country, |
| Naanayathai valarkkanum | We must cultivate honesty and integrity. |
| Naanayathai valarkkanum | We must cultivate honesty and integrity. |
நல்ல நல்ல நிலம் பார்த்து
நாமும் விதை விதைக்கணும்
நல்ல நல்ல நிலம் பார்த்து
நாமும் விதை விதைக்கணும்
நாட்டு மக்கள் மனங்களிலே
நாணயத்தை வளர்க்கணும்
Selecting good, fertile lands,
We must sow the seeds.
Selecting good, fertile lands,
We must sow the seeds.
In the minds of the people of our country,
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
பள்ளி என்ற நிலங்களிலே
கல்விதனை விதைக்கணும்
பிள்ளைகளை சீர்திருத்தி
பெரியவர்கள் ஆக்கணும்
நல்ல நல்ல நிலம் பார்த்து
நாமும் விதை விதைக்கணும்
In the fields called schools,
We must sow the seeds of education.
By reforming and guiding children,
We must mold them into great adults.
Selecting good, fertile lands,
We must sow the seeds.
கன்னியர்க்கும் காளையர்க்கும்
கட்டுப்பாட்டை விதைத்து
கற்பு நிலை தவறாது
காதல் பயிர் வளர்த்து
கன்னியர்க்கும் காளையர்க்கும்
கட்டுப்பாட்டை விதைத்து
கற்பு நிலை தவறாது
காதல் பயிர் வளர்த்து
For young women and young men,
Sowing self-discipline,
Without deviating from chastity and morality,
Cultivating the crop of love.
For young women and young men,
Sowing self-discipline,
Without deviating from chastity and morality,
Cultivating the crop of love.
அன்னை தந்தை ஆனவர்க்கு
தம் பொறுப்பை விதைத்து
பின் வரும் சந்ததியை
பேணும் முறை வளர்த்து
For those who have become mothers and fathers,
Sowing a sense of responsibility in them,
For the future generations to come,
Nurturing proper care and upbringing.
இருப்பவர்கள் இதயத்திலே
இரக்கமதை விதைக்கணும்
இல்லாதார் வாழ்க்கையிலே
இன்பப் பயிர் வளர்க்கணும்
நல்ல நல்ல நிலம் பார்த்து
நாமும் விதை விதைக்கணும்
நாட்டு மக்கள் மனங்களிலே
நாணயத்தை வளர்க்கணும்
In the hearts of the wealthy,
We must sow compassion.
In the lives of the underprivileged,
We must nurture the crop of happiness.
Selecting good, fertile lands,
We must sow the seeds.
In the minds of the people of our country,
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
பார் முழுதும் மனிதக்குலப்
பண்புதனை விதைத்து
பாமரர்கள் நெஞ்சத்திலே
பகுத்தறிவை வளர்த்து
பார் முழுதும் மனிதக்குலப்
பண்புதனை விதைத்து
பாமரர்கள் நெஞ்சத்திலே
பகுத்தறிவை வளர்த்து
Across the world, for all humanity,
Sowing noble human values,
In the hearts of common folk,
Cultivating rational thinking.
Across the world, for all humanity,
Sowing noble human values,
In the hearts of common folk,
Cultivating rational thinking.
போர் முறையை கொண்டவர்க்கு
நேர்முறையை விதைத்து
சீர் வளர தினமும் வேகமதை வளர்த்து
For those inclined toward conflict,
Sowing the paths of righteousness,
Accelerating daily progress so prosperity flourishes.
பெற்ற திருநாட்டினிலே
பற்றுதனை விதைக்கணும்
பற்றுதனை விதைத்துவிட்டு
நல்ல ஒற்றுமையை வளர்க்கணும்
நல்ல நல்ல நிலம் பார்த்து
நாமும் விதை விதைக்கணும்
நாட்டு மக்கள் மனங்களிலே
நாணயத்தை வளர்க்கணும்
நாணயத்தை வளர்க்கணும்
In our revered motherland,
We must sow devotion and patriotism.
After sowing deep devotion,
We must nurture noble unity.
Selecting good, fertile lands,
We must sow the seeds.
In the minds of the people of our country,
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
Nalla nalla nilam paarthu
Selecting good, fertile lands,
Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum
We must sow the seeds.
Nalla nalla nilam paarthu
Selecting good, fertile lands,
Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum
We must sow the seeds.
Naattu makkal managalilae
In the minds of the people of our country,
Naanayathai valarkkanum
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
Palli endra nilangalilae
In the fields called schools,
Kalvithanai vidahikkanum
We must sow the seeds of education.
Pillaigalai seerthiruthi
By reforming and guiding children,
Periyavargal aakkanum
We must mold them into great adults.
Nalla nalla nilam paarthu
Selecting good, fertile lands,
Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum
We must sow the seeds.
Kanniyarkkum kaalaiyarkkum
For young women and young men,
Kattupattai vidhaithu
Sowing self-discipline,
Karppu nilai thavaraadhu
Without deviating from chastity and morality,
Kaadhal payir valarthu
Cultivating the crop of love.
Kanniyarkkum kaalaiyarkkum
For young women and young men,
Kattupattai vidhaithu
Sowing self-discipline,
Karppu nilai thavaraadhu
Without deviating from chastity and morality,
Kaadhal payir valarthu
Cultivating the crop of love.
Annai thandhai aanavarkku
For those who have become mothers and fathers,
Tham poruppai vidhaithu
Sowing a sense of responsibility in them,
Pinn varum sandhidhiyai
For the future generations to come,
Paenum murai valarthu
Nurturing proper care and upbringing.
Iruppavargal idhayathilae
In the hearts of the wealthy,
Irakkamadhai vidhaikkanum
We must sow compassion.
Illaadhor vaazhkaiyilae
In the lives of the underprivileged,
Inba payir valarkkanum
We must nurture the crop of happiness.
Nalla nalla nilam paarthu
Selecting good, fertile lands,
Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum
We must sow the seeds.
Naattu makkal managalilae
In the minds of the people of our country,
Naanayathai valarkkanum
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
Paar muludhum manidha kula
Across the world, for all humanity,
Panbudhanai vidhaithu
Sowing noble human values,
Paamarargal nenjathilae
In the hearts of common folk,
Pagutharivai valarthu
Cultivating rational thinking.
Paar muludhum manidha kula
Across the world, for all humanity,
Panbudhanai vidhaithu
Sowing noble human values,
Paamarargal nenjathilae
In the hearts of common folk,
Pagutharivai valarthu
Cultivating rational thinking.
Por muraiyai kondavarkku
For those inclined toward conflict,
Nermuraiyai vidhaithu
Sowing the paths of righteousness,
Seer valara dhinamum veghamadhai valarthu
Accelerating daily progress so prosperity flourishes.
Pettra thirunaattinilae
In our revered motherland,
Pattruthanai vidhaikkanum
We must sow devotion and patriotism.
Pattruthanai vidhaithu vittu
After sowing deep devotion,
Nalla ottrumaiyai valarkkanum
We must nurture noble unity.
Nalla nalla nilam paarthu
Selecting good, fertile lands,
Naamum vidhai vidhaikanum
We must sow the seeds.
Naattu makkal managalilae
In the minds of the people of our country,
Naanayathai valarkkanum
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
Naanayathai valarkkanum
We must cultivate honesty and integrity.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic song from 'Vivasayee' (1967) uses the central agricultural process of sowing seeds and harvesting crops as an extended metaphor for social, moral, and political reform. M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) uses agricultural imagery to deliver an inspiring message on building a progressive society through education, discipline, compassion, and patriotism. The lyricist Udumalai Narayanakavi weaves rationalist and ethical principles into the verses, encouraging the cultivation of integrity in citizens, quality education in schools, parental responsibility, rational thought among common people, and compassion toward the needy to construct a harmonious nation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Extended Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Palli endra nilangalilae / Kalvithanai vidahikkanum”
The entire lyric compares societal reform, virtue, education, and love to farming activities like sowing seeds (vidhaithu) and growing crops (payir valarthu).
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kanniyarkkum kaalaiyarkkum / Kattupattai vidhaithu”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Ka' in Kanniyarkkum/Kaalaiyarkkum/Kattupattai/Karppu/Kaadhal.
Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Nalla nalla nilam paarthu / Palli endra nilangalilae”
Matching second consonants across successive lines to create rhythmic harmony (e.g., 'lla' in Nalla / Palli / Pillaigalai).
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kattupattai vidhaithu / Kaadhal payir valarthu”
Consistent alternating end rhymes using 'vidhaithu' (sowing) and 'valarthu' (nurturing/cultivating) or 'vidhaikkanum' and 'valarkkanum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, a prominent reformist poet of the Dravidian movement, the song uniquely blends Dravidian rationalist ideals ('Pagutharivai valarthu') with MGR's screen persona as a champion of the working class and farmers. 'Vivasayee' was filmed extensively on real farm locations and remains one of MGR's most celebrated thematic classics promoting agriculture.
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