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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Sagunam Nokki

From Malaikkallan · 1954

Lyricist
Ramalingam Pillai
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Malaikkallan1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nalla sagunam nokki selladiGo looking for a good omen, my dear friend.
Nalla sagunam nokki selladiGo looking for a good omen, my dear friend.
Sendru naan padum paaduGo and inform him about the plight
Avarkku solladiAnd suffering I am going through.
Adi nalla sagunam nokki selladiOh friend, go looking for a good omen.
Sendru naan padum paaduGo and inform him about the plight
Avarkku solladiAnd suffering I am going through.
Adi nalla sagunam nokki selladiOh friend, go looking for a good omen.
Female
Allala kattiyanbarHe who dispels distress, the beloved friend
Aanantham tharum naesanWho bestows boundless joy.
Allala kattiyanbarHe who dispels distress, the beloved friend
Aanantham tharum naesanWho bestows boundless joy.
Pillai pasi nadaesanLike a child hungry for love, Lord Lord Nataraja,
Thiruvullam ariya nee…So that his divine heart may realize, you...
Pillai pasi nadaesanLike a child hungry for love, Lord Lord Nataraja,
Thiruvullam ariya nee…So that his divine heart may realize, you...
Female
Nalla sagunam nokki selladiGo looking for a good omen, my dear friend.
Sendru naan padum paaduGo and inform him about the plight
Avarkku solladiAnd suffering I am going through.
Adi nalla sagunam nokki selladiOh friend, go looking for a good omen.
Female
Vanna malargal yaethumNone of these colorful flowers
Vaasam tharuvathillaiOffer any fragrance anymore.
Vanna malargal yaethumNone of these colorful flowers
Vaasam tharuvathillaiOffer any fragrance anymore.
Panniyum eemai illaiMusic gives no sweet comfort,
Paalil suvai illaiMilk has lost its taste.
Panniyum eemai illaiMusic gives no sweet comfort,
Paalil suvai illaiMilk has lost its taste.
Female
Kannil urakkam illai…ee…ee…There is no sleep in my eyes...
Kannil urakkam illai..There is no sleep in my eyes..
Kar kornilaiyil illaiMy state of mind and body is no longer normal.
Kannil urakkam illai..There is no sleep in my eyes..
Kar kornilaiyil illaiMy state of mind and body is no longer normal.
Kannil urakkam illai..There is no sleep in my eyes..
Female
Punniyam undadiYou will earn great spiritual merit,
Porkodiyae unakkuOh golden creeper-like maiden!
Punniyam undadiYou will earn great spiritual merit,
Porkodiyae unakkuOh golden creeper-like maiden!
Female
Nalla sagunam nokki selladiGo looking for a good omen, my dear friend.
Sendru naan padum paaduGo and inform him about the plight
Avarkku solladiAnd suffering I am going through.
Adi nalla sagunam nokki selladiOh friend, go looking for a good omen.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this song, the heroine addresses her close companion (sakhi), imploring her to step out after observing a favorable omen and deliver a message to her beloved about her deep suffering due to separation. She vividly describes how all pleasant sensory experiences have lost their charm in his absence—flowers no longer smell sweet, melody brings no comfort, milk lacks flavor, and sleep evades her entirely. She promises her friend divine blessings if she delivers this heartfelt plea to her lord.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)

Porkodiyae unakku

Addressing the companion as 'Porkodi' (golden vine) compares the slim, beautiful woman to a flexible vine made of gold.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vanna malargal yaethum / Vaasam tharuvathillai

Matching initial consonant sounds 'Va' in 'Vanna' and 'Vaasam' creates a rhythmic lyrical flow.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Nalla sagunam nokki selladi

The repeated refrain 'Nalla sagunam nokki selladi' reinforces the urgency and deep yearning of the speaker.

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Trivia

Malaikkallan (1954) was a landmark Tamil film starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi. The music was scored by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, and the lyrics were penned by the famed patriotic poet Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai. The movie was a massive commercial success and was remade in six different languages, including Hindi as 'Azad' starring Dilip Kumar.

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