Nalla Nalla Pillaigalai
From Petralthan Pillaiya · 1966
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Petralthan Pillaiya1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi | Trusting in good children, |
| Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi | This whole nation relies on them, younger brother. |
| Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi | Trusting in good children, |
| Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi | This whole nation relies on them, younger brother. |
| Chinnanchiru kaigalai nambi | Trusting in tiny little hands, |
| Oru sarithiram irukkudhu thambi | A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother. |
| Both :Chinnanchiru kaigalai nambi | Both: Trusting in tiny little hands, |
| Oru sarithiram irukkudhu thambi | A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother. |
| Male | |
| Karunai irundhaal vallalaagalaam | If you have compassion, you can become a great benefactor. |
| Kadamai irundhaal veeranaagalaam | If you have duty, you can become a hero. |
| Porumai irundhaal manidhanaagalaam | If you have patience, you can become a true human. |
| Moondrum irundhaal thalaivanaagalaam | If all three are present, you can become a leader. |
| Indha moondrum irundhaal thalaivanaagalaam | If these three are present, you can become a leader. |
| Male | |
| Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi | Trusting in good children, |
| Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi | This whole nation relies on them, younger brother. |
| Female | |
| Annaiyidam nee anbai vaangalaam | You can receive love from your mother. |
| Thandhaiyidam nee arivai vaangalaam | You can acquire wisdom from your father. |
| Irandum irundhaal paerai vaangalaam | If you have both, you can earn a good name. |
| Paerai vaanginaal oorai vaangalaam | If you earn a good name, you can win over the world. |
| Male | |
| Anbil uyarndhavar yaaru | Who excelled in supreme love? |
| Chorus | |
| Vallalaar | Vallalar! |
| Male | |
| Aaan… vallalaar | Ah... Vallalar! |
| Female | |
| Arivil uyarndhavar yaaru | Who excelled in wisdom? |
| Chorus | |
| Valluvar | Valluvar! |
| Female | |
| Aamaa valluvar | Yes, Valluvar! |
| Male | |
| Paattil uyarndhavar yaaru | Who excelled in poetic song? |
| Chorus | |
| Bharadhiyaar | Bharathiyar! |
| Male | |
| Aamaam bharadhiyaar | Yes, Bharathiyar! |
| Female | |
| Kovilai thaedi dheivam vandhadho | Has the deity come searching for the temple? |
| Kovilai thaedi dheivam vandhadho | Has the deity come searching for the temple? |
| Koottukkul paravai thirumbi vandhadho | Has the bird returned to its nest? |
| Thaai mugam paarkka pillai vandhadho | Has the child come to see its mother's face? |
| Thanga thaamarai arumbi vandhadho | Has a golden lotus bud blossomed? |
| Female | |
| Mazhalaiyai kaetten | I heard the baby's babble, |
| Manam kulirndhadhu | My heart felt cooled and comforted. |
| Madiyil sumandhaen | I held the child in my lap, |
| Ninaivu vandhadhu | Memories came flooding back. |
| Oomaiyin ullam vaai malarndhadhu | The heart of the mute bloomed into speech, |
| Maganae endroru kural koduthadhu | It called out saying, 'My son!' |
| Female | |
| Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi | Trusting in good children, |
| Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi | This whole nation relies on them, younger brother. |
| Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi | Trusting in good children, |
| Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi | This whole nation relies on them, younger brother. |
| Chinnanchiru kaigalai nambi | Trusting in tiny little hands, |
| Oru sarithiram irukkudhu thambi | A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother. |
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
சின்னஞ்சிறு கைகளை நம்பி
ஒரு சரித்திரம் இருக்குது தம்பி
இருவர் :
சின்னஞ்சிறு கைகளை நம்பி
ஒரு சரித்திரம் இருக்குது தம்பி
Trusting in good children,
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Trusting in good children,
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Trusting in tiny little hands,
A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother.
Both: Trusting in tiny little hands,
A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother.
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
If you have compassion, you can become a great benefactor.
If you have duty, you can become a hero.
If you have patience, you can become a true human.
If all three are present, you can become a leader.
If these three are present, you can become a leader.
கருணை இருந்தால் வள்ளல் ஆகலாம்
கடமை இருந்தால் வீரன் ஆகலாம்
பொறுமை இருந்தால் மனிதன் ஆகலாம்
மூன்றும் இருந்தால் தலைவன் ஆகலாம்
இந்த மூன்றும் இருந்தால் தலைவன் ஆகலாம்
Trusting in good children,
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
You can receive love from your mother.
You can acquire wisdom from your father.
If you have both, you can earn a good name.
If you earn a good name, you can win over the world.
சின்னஞ்சிறு கைகளை நம்பி
ஒரு சரித்திரம் இருக்குது தம்பி
Who excelled in supreme love?
அன்னையிடம் நீ அன்பை வாங்கலாம்
தந்தையிடம் நீ அறிவை வாங்கலாம்
இரண்டும் இருந்தால் பேரை வாங்கலாம்
பேரை வாங்கினால் ஊரை வாங்கலாம்
Vallalar!
அன்பில் உயர்ந்தவர் யாரு
Ah... Vallalar!
வள்ளலார்
Who excelled in wisdom?
ஆன்..... வள்ளலார்
Valluvar!
அறிவில் உயர்ந்தவர் யாரு
Yes, Valluvar!
வள்ளுவர்
Who excelled in poetic song?
ஆமாம் வள்ளுவர்
Bharathiyar!
பாட்டில் உயர்ந்தவர் யாரு
Yes, Bharathiyar!
பாரதியார்
Has the deity come searching for the temple?
Has the deity come searching for the temple?
Has the bird returned to its nest?
Has the child come to see its mother's face?
Has a golden lotus bud blossomed?
ஆமாம் பாரதியார்
I heard the baby's babble,
My heart felt cooled and comforted.
I held the child in my lap,
Memories came flooding back.
The heart of the mute bloomed into speech,
It called out saying, 'My son!'
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
சின்னஞ்சிறு கைகளை நம்பி
ஒரு சரித்திரம் இருக்குது தம்பி
Trusting in good children,
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Trusting in good children,
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Trusting in tiny little hands,
A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother.
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
லாலல்ல லல்லலால்ல லால்லலா
கோவிலை தேடி தெய்வம் வந்ததோ
கோவிலை தேடி தெய்வம் வந்ததோ
கூட்டுக்குள் பறவை திரும்பி வந்ததோ
தாய் முகம் பார்க்க பிள்ளை வந்ததோ
தங்க தாமரை அரும்பி வந்ததோ
மழலையை கேட்டேன்
மனம் குளிர்ந்து
மடியில் சுமந்தேன்
நினைவு வத்து
ஊமையின் உள்ளம் வாய் மலர்ந்தது
மகனே என்றொரு குரல் கொடுத்தது
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
நல்ல நல்ல பிள்ளைகளை நம்பி
இந்த நாடே இருக்குது தம்பி
சின்னஞ்சிறு கைகளை நம்பி
ஒரு சரித்திரம் இருக்குது தம்பி
Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi
Trusting in good children,
Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi
Trusting in good children,
Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Chinnanchiru kaigalai nambi
Trusting in tiny little hands,
Oru sarithiram irukkudhu thambi
A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother.
Both :Chinnanchiru kaigalai nambi
Both: Trusting in tiny little hands,
Oru sarithiram irukkudhu thambi
A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother.
Karunai irundhaal vallalaagalaam
If you have compassion, you can become a great benefactor.
Kadamai irundhaal veeranaagalaam
If you have duty, you can become a hero.
Porumai irundhaal manidhanaagalaam
If you have patience, you can become a true human.
Moondrum irundhaal thalaivanaagalaam
If all three are present, you can become a leader.
Indha moondrum irundhaal thalaivanaagalaam
If these three are present, you can become a leader.
Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi
Trusting in good children,
Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Annaiyidam nee anbai vaangalaam
You can receive love from your mother.
Thandhaiyidam nee arivai vaangalaam
You can acquire wisdom from your father.
Irandum irundhaal paerai vaangalaam
If you have both, you can earn a good name.
Paerai vaanginaal oorai vaangalaam
If you earn a good name, you can win over the world.
Anbil uyarndhavar yaaru
Who excelled in supreme love?
Vallalaar
Vallalar!
Aaan… vallalaar
Ah... Vallalar!
Arivil uyarndhavar yaaru
Who excelled in wisdom?
Valluvar
Valluvar!
Aamaa valluvar
Yes, Valluvar!
Paattil uyarndhavar yaaru
Who excelled in poetic song?
Bharadhiyaar
Bharathiyar!
Aamaam bharadhiyaar
Yes, Bharathiyar!
Kovilai thaedi dheivam vandhadho
Has the deity come searching for the temple?
Kovilai thaedi dheivam vandhadho
Has the deity come searching for the temple?
Koottukkul paravai thirumbi vandhadho
Has the bird returned to its nest?
Thaai mugam paarkka pillai vandhadho
Has the child come to see its mother's face?
Thanga thaamarai arumbi vandhadho
Has a golden lotus bud blossomed?
Mazhalaiyai kaetten
I heard the baby's babble,
Manam kulirndhadhu
My heart felt cooled and comforted.
Madiyil sumandhaen
I held the child in my lap,
Ninaivu vandhadhu
Memories came flooding back.
Oomaiyin ullam vaai malarndhadhu
The heart of the mute bloomed into speech,
Maganae endroru kural koduthadhu
It called out saying, 'My son!'
Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi
Trusting in good children,
Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi
Trusting in good children,
Indha naadae irukkudhu thambi
This whole nation relies on them, younger brother.
Chinnanchiru kaigalai nambi
Trusting in tiny little hands,
Oru sarithiram irukkudhu thambi
A great history is waiting to be written, younger brother.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Nalla Nalla Pillaigalai Nambi' is an inspiring, moral-driven song from the 1966 Tamil movie Petralthan Pillaiya, written by lyricist Vaali. The song serves as an address to the youth, highlighting how the future and progress of the nation depend on raising children imbued with strong ethics and righteousness. It presents a formula for true leadership based on three core virtues: compassion, devotion to duty, and patience, while citing historical stalwarts like Vallalar, Thiruvalluvar, and Bharathiyar as ideal role models. In the second half, the tone turns tender and emotional, describing the joy of parental affection and reunion. Using vivid metaphors of a bird returning to its nest and a golden lotus blossoming, the lyrics capture the emotional awakening of a parent upon hearing their child's voice and holding them close, illustrating how love restores lost memories and brings voice to silent hearts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar / Repetition for emphasis
“Nalla nalla pillaigalai nambi”
The repetitive use of 'Nalla nalla' (Good, good) emphasizes the primary importance of character and moral uprightness in children.
Iyaibu / End Rhyme
“Karunai irundhaal vallalaagalaam / Kadamai irundhaal veeranaagalaam / Porumai irundhaal manidhanaagalaam / Moondrum irundhaal thalaivanaagalaam”
The identical suffix '-aagalaam' across four consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, conditional flow explaining how virtues build character.
Rhetorical Questioning & Historical Allusion
“Anbil uyarndhavar yaaru / Vallalaar ... Arivil uyarndhavar yaaru / Valluvar ... Paattil uyarndhavar yaaru / Bharadhiyaar”
Vaali uses rhetorical questions followed by answers to evoke figures from Tamil literary and spiritual history (Vallalar, Thiruvalluvar, Bharathiyar) as personifications of love, wisdom, and poetry.
Urvagam / Metaphor
“Thanga thaamarai arumbi vandhadho”
The line metaphorically compares an innocent child to a 'budding golden lotus' ('Thanga thaamarai arumbi').
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Petralthan Pillaiya' (1966), starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi, was a Tamil adaptation of Charlie Chaplin's iconic 1921 silent film 'The Kid'. Although the prompt lists music and singers as unknown, the music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and this famous song was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.
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