Nalla Perai
From Nam Naadu · 1969
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Shoba, L. R. Anjali
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Nam Naadu1969
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nalla perai vaanga vendum | You must earn a good name, |
| Pillaigalae | O children! |
| Nam naadu ennum thottathilae | In the garden called our nation, |
| Naalai malarum mullaigalae | You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow. |
| Male | |
| Nalla perai vaanga vendum | You must earn a good name, |
| Pillaigalae | O children! |
| Nam naadu ennum thottathilae | In the garden called our nation, |
| Naalai malarum mullaigalae | You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow. |
| Nalla perai vaanga vaendum pillaigalae | You must earn a good name, O children! |
| Male | |
| {Paalootum annai | {The mother who feeds milk, |
| Aval nadamaadum deivam | She is a walking deity; |
| Arivootum thandhai | The father who imparts wisdom, |
| Nal vazhikaattum thalaivan} (2) | Is a leader showing the right path} (2) |
| Male | |
| Thunaiyaaga kondu | Taking them as your guidance, |
| Nee nadai podu indru | Walk ahead today! |
| Thunaiyaaga kondu | Taking them as your guidance, |
| Nee nadai podu indru | Walk ahead today! |
| Male | |
| Uruvaagum nalla | A bright and wonderful |
| Edhirkaalam ondru | Future will take shape, |
| Uruvaagum nalla | A bright and wonderful |
| Edhirkaalam ondru | Future will take shape. |
| Male | |
| Nalla perai vaanga vendum | You must earn a good name, |
| Pillaigalae | O children! |
| Nam naadu ennum thottathilae | In the garden called our nation, |
| Naalai malarum mullaigalae | You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow. |
| Nalla perai vaanga vaendum pillaigalae | You must earn a good name, O children! |
| Male | |
| Kili pola pesu | Speak sweetly like a parrot, |
| Ilangkuyil pola paadu | Sing like a young cuckoo, |
| Malar pola siriththu | Smile gently like a flower, |
| Nee kural pola vaazhu | Live according to the righteous verses of Thirukkural! |
| Chorus | |
| Laalaala laalaaa | Laalaala laalaaa |
| Lala laalaa laa laa | Lala laalaa laa laa |
| Laalaala laalaaa | Laalaala laalaaa |
| Lala laalaa laa laa | Lala laalaa laa laa |
| Male | |
| Manadhodu kobam | If you nurture anger inside your heart, |
| Nee valarthaalum paavam | It is only a sin; |
| Meiyaana anbae deiveegamaagum | True love alone becomes divine, |
| Meiyaana anbae deiveegamaagum | True love alone becomes divine. |
| Male | |
| Nalla perai vaanga vaendum | You must earn a good name, |
| Pillaigalae | O children! |
| Male | |
| Vizhi pola enni | Treating it like our own eyes, |
| Nam mozhi kaakka vendum | We must protect our mother tongue! |
| Chorus :Vizhi pola enni | Chorus: Treating it like our own eyes, |
| Nam mozhi kaakka vendum | We must protect our mother tongue! |
| Male | |
| Thavaraana perkku | To those who choose wrong ways, |
| Naer vazhi kattaa vendum | We must show the correct path! |
| Chorus :Thavaraana perkku | Chorus: To those who choose wrong ways, |
| Naer vazhi kattaa vendum | We must show the correct path! |
| Male | |
| Jananaayagaththil | In a true democracy, |
| Naam ellorum mannar | Every single one of us is a ruler! |
| Chorus :Jananaayagaththil | Chorus: In a true democracy, |
| Naam ellorum mannar | Every single one of us is a ruler! |
| Male | |
| Thennaattu gandhi | The Gandhi of the South (Perunthalaivar Kamarajar), |
| Annalil sonnaar | Said so in those days. |
| Male & Chorus :Thennaattu gandhi | Male & Chorus: The Gandhi of the South, |
| Annalil sonnaar | Said so in those days. |
| Male | |
| Nalla perai vaanga vendum | You must earn a good name, |
| Pillaigalae | O children! |
| Nam naadu ennum thottathilae | In the garden called our nation, |
| Naalai malarum mullaigalae | You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow. |
| Nalla perai vaanga vaendum pillaigalae | You must earn a good name, O children! |
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே நம்
நாடு என்னும்
தோட்டத்திலே நாளை
மலரும் முல்லைகளே
You must earn a good name,
O children!
In the garden called our nation,
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே நம்
நாடு என்னும்
தோட்டத்திலே நாளை
மலரும் முல்லைகளே
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே
You must earn a good name,
O children!
In the garden called our nation,
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
You must earn a good name, O children!
{ பாலூட்டும்
அன்னை அவள்
நடமாடும் தெய்வம்
அறிவூட்டும் தந்தை
நல் வழி காட்டும்
தலைவன் } (2)
{The mother who feeds milk,
She is a walking deity;
The father who imparts wisdom,
Is a leader showing the right path} (2)
துணையாகக்
கொண்டு நீ நடை போடு
இன்று துணையாகக்
கொண்டு நீ நடை போடு
இன்று
Taking them as your guidance,
Walk ahead today!
Taking them as your guidance,
Walk ahead today!
உருவாகும்
நல்ல எதிர்காலம்
ஒன்று உருவாகும்
நல்ல எதிர்காலம்
ஒன்று
A bright and wonderful
Future will take shape,
A bright and wonderful
Future will take shape.
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே நம்
நாடு என்னும்
தோட்டத்திலே நாளை
மலரும் முல்லைகளே
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே
You must earn a good name,
O children!
In the garden called our nation,
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
You must earn a good name, O children!
கிளி போலப்
பேசு இளங்குயில்
போலப் பாடு மலர்
போலச் சிரித்து நீ
குறள் போல வாழு
Speak sweetly like a parrot,
Sing like a young cuckoo,
Smile gently like a flower,
Live according to the righteous verses of Thirukkural!
லாலாலலாலா
லலலாலா லா லா
லாலாலலாலா
லலலாலா லா லா
Laalaala laalaaa
Lala laalaa laa laa
Laalaala laalaaa
Lala laalaa laa laa
மனதோடு
கோபம் நீ வளர்த்தாலும்
பாவம் மெய்யான அன்பே
தெய்வீகமாகும் மெய்யான
அன்பே தெய்வீகமாகும்
If you nurture anger inside your heart,
It is only a sin;
True love alone becomes divine,
True love alone becomes divine.
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே
You must earn a good name,
O children!
விழி போல
எண்ணி நம் மொழி
காக்க வேண்டும்
குழு :
விழி போல
எண்ணி நம் மொழி
காக்க வேண்டும்
Treating it like our own eyes,
We must protect our mother tongue!
Chorus: Treating it like our own eyes,
We must protect our mother tongue!
தவறான பேர்க்கு
நேர் வழி காட்ட வேண்டும்
குழு :
தவறான பேர்க்கு
நேர் வழி காட்ட வேண்டும்
To those who choose wrong ways,
We must show the correct path!
Chorus: To those who choose wrong ways,
We must show the correct path!
ஜன நாயகத்தில்
நாம் எல்லோரும் மன்னர்
குழு :
ஜன நாயகத்தில்
நாம் எல்லோரும் மன்னர்
In a true democracy,
Every single one of us is a ruler!
Chorus: In a true democracy,
Every single one of us is a ruler!
தென்னாட்டு
காந்தி அந்நாளில்
சொன்னார்
ஆண் & குழு :
தென்னாட்டு
காந்தி அந்நாளில் சொன்னார்
The Gandhi of the South (Perunthalaivar Kamarajar),
Said so in those days.
Male & Chorus: The Gandhi of the South,
Said so in those days.
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே நம்
நாடு என்னும்
தோட்டத்திலே நாளை
மலரும் முல்லைகளே
நல்ல பேரை
வாங்க வேண்டும்
பிள்ளைகளே
You must earn a good name,
O children!
In the garden called our nation,
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
You must earn a good name, O children!
ஆண் & குழு :
லாலாலலாலா
லலலாலா லா லா
லாலாலலாலா
லலலாலா லா லா
லாலாலலாலா
லலலாலா லா லா
Nalla perai vaanga vendum
You must earn a good name,
Pillaigalae
O children!
Nam naadu ennum thottathilae
In the garden called our nation,
Naalai malarum mullaigalae
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
Nalla perai vaanga vendum
You must earn a good name,
Pillaigalae
O children!
Nam naadu ennum thottathilae
In the garden called our nation,
Naalai malarum mullaigalae
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
Nalla perai vaanga vaendum pillaigalae
You must earn a good name, O children!
{Paalootum annai
{The mother who feeds milk,
Aval nadamaadum deivam
She is a walking deity;
Arivootum thandhai
The father who imparts wisdom,
Nal vazhikaattum thalaivan} (2)
Is a leader showing the right path} (2)
Thunaiyaaga kondu
Taking them as your guidance,
Nee nadai podu indru
Walk ahead today!
Thunaiyaaga kondu
Taking them as your guidance,
Nee nadai podu indru
Walk ahead today!
Uruvaagum nalla
A bright and wonderful
Edhirkaalam ondru
Future will take shape,
Uruvaagum nalla
A bright and wonderful
Edhirkaalam ondru
Future will take shape.
Nalla perai vaanga vendum
You must earn a good name,
Pillaigalae
O children!
Nam naadu ennum thottathilae
In the garden called our nation,
Naalai malarum mullaigalae
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
Nalla perai vaanga vaendum pillaigalae
You must earn a good name, O children!
Kili pola pesu
Speak sweetly like a parrot,
Ilangkuyil pola paadu
Sing like a young cuckoo,
Malar pola siriththu
Smile gently like a flower,
Nee kural pola vaazhu
Live according to the righteous verses of Thirukkural!
Laalaala laalaaa
Laalaala laalaaa
Lala laalaa laa laa
Lala laalaa laa laa
Laalaala laalaaa
Laalaala laalaaa
Lala laalaa laa laa
Lala laalaa laa laa
Manadhodu kobam
If you nurture anger inside your heart,
Nee valarthaalum paavam
It is only a sin;
Meiyaana anbae deiveegamaagum
True love alone becomes divine,
Meiyaana anbae deiveegamaagum
True love alone becomes divine.
Nalla perai vaanga vaendum
You must earn a good name,
Pillaigalae
O children!
Vizhi pola enni
Treating it like our own eyes,
Nam mozhi kaakka vendum
We must protect our mother tongue!
Chorus :Vizhi pola enni
Chorus: Treating it like our own eyes,
Nam mozhi kaakka vendum
We must protect our mother tongue!
Thavaraana perkku
To those who choose wrong ways,
Naer vazhi kattaa vendum
We must show the correct path!
Chorus :Thavaraana perkku
Chorus: To those who choose wrong ways,
Naer vazhi kattaa vendum
We must show the correct path!
Jananaayagaththil
In a true democracy,
Naam ellorum mannar
Every single one of us is a ruler!
Chorus :Jananaayagaththil
Chorus: In a true democracy,
Naam ellorum mannar
Every single one of us is a ruler!
Thennaattu gandhi
The Gandhi of the South (Perunthalaivar Kamarajar),
Annalil sonnaar
Said so in those days.
Male & Chorus :Thennaattu gandhi
Male & Chorus: The Gandhi of the South,
Annalil sonnaar
Said so in those days.
Nalla perai vaanga vendum
You must earn a good name,
Pillaigalae
O children!
Nam naadu ennum thottathilae
In the garden called our nation,
Naalai malarum mullaigalae
You are the jasmine flowers blooming tomorrow.
Nalla perai vaanga vaendum pillaigalae
You must earn a good name, O children!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nalla Perai Vaanga Vendum is an iconic motivational song from the 1969 film 'Nam Naadu', featuring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The song serves as an uplifting address to children and youth, encouraging them to grow up with high moral values, respect for parents, and dedication to the mother tongue and nation. MGR envisions children as tomorrow's blooming jasmine flowers in the garden of India, reminding them that proper guidance from parents builds a prosperous future. In the later verses, lyricist Vaali integrates core Tamil values such as living by Thirukkural, protecting the Tamil language like one's own eyes, and practicing compassion over anger. The song also highlights civic duty and democratic principles, referencing 'Thennaattu Gandhi' (Kamarajar or C. N. Annadurai) to remind citizens that every individual holds equal power and responsibility in a democracy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uruvagamb (Metaphor)
“Nam naadu ennum thottathilae / Naalai malarum mullaigalae”
Compares the country to a garden ('Nam naadu ennum thottathilae') and children to future blooming jasmine flowers ('Naalai malarum mullaigalae').
Upamai (Simile)
“Kili pola pesu / Ilangkuyil pola paadu”
Uses explicit comparisons ('pola') like speaking like a parrot ('Kili pola pesu'), singing like a cuckoo ('Ilangkuyil pola paadu'), and smiling like a flower ('Malar pola siriththu').
Moonaik Kani (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Paalootum annai ... Arivootum thandhai”
Repetition of initial phonemes in lines creating rhythm (e.g., 'Paalootum' and 'Arivootum', 'Thunaiyaaga' and 'Uruvaagum').
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Vizhi pola enni / Nam mozhi kaakka vendum”
Matching second consonants across lyric phrases (e.g., 'Nalla' and 'Pillaigalae', 'Vizhi' and 'Mozhi').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nam Naadu' (1969) was the official Tamil remake of the Telugu hit 'Kathanayakudu'. The term 'Thennaattu Gandhi' (Gandhi of the South) in the song directly refers to K. Kamaraj, honoring his simplicity and visionary leadership in education. This song became one of MGR's signature political and educational anthems, frequently used during public meetings to promote moral education and social harmony among young citizens.
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