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Padithal Mattum Podhuma album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nallavan Enakku

From Padithal Mattum Podhuma · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Padithal Mattum Podhuma
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
17 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………………..
Chorus :…………………….
Nallavan
Nallavan enakku naanae nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
Nallavan enakku naanae nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
………………………
Ullam sonnadhai maraippavan illai
Ooruku theemai seidhavan illai
Ullam sonnadhai maraippavan illai
Ooruku theemai seidhavan illai
Vallavan aayinum nallavan
Vallavan aayinum nallavan
Nallavan enakku naanae nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
………………………..
{Pallam maedu kandaal
Paarthu chellum pillai
Naan paasam endra noolil
Serthu kattiya mullai} (2)
Hoi
Illai illai endru endrum
Sonnavan illai
Illai illai endru endrum
Sonnavan illai
En kannai naanae kanden
Adhil ennai naanae kanden
En kannai naanae kanden
Adhil ennai naanae kanden
……………………………
Nallavan enakku naanae nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
…………………………….
Chittu polae vaanil thulli
Sella vendum
Chittu polae vaanil thulli
Sella vendum
Keeri pillai polae
Oorndhu sella vendum
Mannil keeri pillai polae
Oorndhu sella vendum..hoi
Thollai endra paambai
Kavvi kolla vendum
Thollai endra paambai
Kavvi kolla vendum
Thooya ullam vendum
Endrum sevai seiya vendum
Thooya ullam vendum
Endrum sevai seiya vendum
……………………………
Nallavan enakku naanae nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
Sollilum seyalilum nallavan
…………………………….
…………………………..
Ohooo…oohooo..ooohoo..oooo….
...
Chorus: ...
A good man...
A good man, I am good in my own conscience
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
A good man, I am good in my own conscience
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
...
I never hide what my heart tells me
I have never done harm to anyone
I never hide what my heart tells me
I have never done harm to anyone
Though capable and strong, I remain a good man
Though capable and strong, I remain a good man
A good man, I am good in my own conscience
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
...
Watching out for the ups and downs along the road
I am a child who walks with care
Strung upon the thread of love
I am like a fresh jasmine garland
Hoy!
Saying 'I have nothing to give'
Is something I have never said
Saying 'I have nothing to give'
Is something I have never said
I looked into my own eyes
And in them, I saw my true self
I looked into my own eyes
And in them, I saw my true self
...
A good man, I am good in my own conscience
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
...
Like a little bird hopping through the sky
I want to fly free
Like a little bird hopping through the sky
I want to fly free
Like a nimble mongoose
I want to dart across the ground
Like a nimble mongoose upon the earth
I want to dart across... hoy!
The snake called trouble
I want to seize in my jaws
The snake called trouble
I want to seize in my jaws
I want to have a pure heart
And always be of service to others
I want to have a pure heart
And always be of service to others
...
A good man, I am good in my own conscience
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
Good in my words, and good in my deeds
...
...
Oho... ooho... oo-oho... oooo...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Nallavan Enakku Naanae Nallavan' is a uplifting philosophical song from Padithal Mattum Podhuma (1962). The song celebrates inner integrity, self-respect, and moral purity. The protagonist reflects on his character, stating that he is honest to his own conscience, faithful in both words and deeds, and never harbors ill intentions toward anyone in society. Through metaphors of nature, such as a sparrow soaring freely or a mongoose fearlessly tackling a snake, the song inspires a life of active courage, benevolence, and selflessness. It emphasizes stepping carefully through life's highs and lows, being bound by love, and serving humanity with a pure heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Thollai endra paambai Kavvi kolla vendum”

Trouble is directly metaphorized as a snake ('paambu') that needs to be tackled like a mongoose does.

Uvamai (Simile)

“Chittu polae vaanil thulli Sella vendum”

Comparing the joyful bounding of a person to a sparrow ('Chittu polae') leaping in the sky.

Monai & Etukai (Rhyme & Alliteration)

“Sollilum seyalilum nallavan”

Alliteration and rhyming words 'Sollilum' and 'seyalilum' highlight consistency between speech and action.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Naan paasam endra noolil Serthu kattiya mullai”

Affection is conceptualized as a thread ('nooril') holding together delicate jasmine flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Padithal Mattum Podhuma' (1962) featured music by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and lyrics written by Kannadasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, and this track is a popular moral philosophy song showcasing character integrity.

Keep listening

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