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Yaar Jambulingam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nallavan Kaiyil Naanayam Song

From Yaar Jambulingam · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Yaar Jambulingam
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
16 Nov 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
Naalu perukku saathagam
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
Naalu perukku saathagam
Adhu pollaathavan paiyil irunthaal
Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam
Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
Naalu perukku saathagam
Iruppavan koduththaal vallal endragi
Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan
Iruppavan koduththaal vallal endragi
Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan
Panaththimir konda manithar nimirnthirunthaalum
Nadai pinamaaga nadakkindraan
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
Naalu perukku saathagam
Latchangal munnae latchiyamellaam
Echilai polae parakkumadaa
Latchangal munnae latchiyamellaam
Echilai polae parakkumadaa
Achchadiththirukkum kaagitha perumai
Aandavanaarkkum illaiyadaa
Aandavanaarkkum illaiyadaa
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
Naalu perukku saathagam
Odum urulum…
Odum urulum ulagam thannil
Thedum porulum thevaithaan
Thedum porulum thevaithaan
Adhil mayakkam illaamal adakkam irunthaal
Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan
Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan
Adhuve uyarntha vaazhkkaithaan
Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal
Naalu perukku saathagam
If a good man holds money in his hand,
It does good for many people.
If a good man holds money in his hand,
It does good for many people.
If it stays in a wicked man's pocket,
It brings harm to every living soul.
It brings harm to every living soul.
If a good man holds money in his hand,
It does good for many people.
If someone with wealth shares it, he becomes a noble giver,
And lives on even after death.
If someone with wealth shares it, he becomes a noble giver,
And lives on even after death.
Though an arrogant rich man stands with his head held high,
He walks only as a living corpse.
If a good man holds money in his hand,
It does good for many people.
In the face of millions in cash, all noble ideals
Fly away like discarded leaf plates, my friend.
In the face of millions in cash, all noble ideals
Fly away like discarded leaf plates, my friend.
The power that printed paper holds,
Even God Almighty does not have, my friend.
Even God Almighty does not have, my friend.
If a good man holds money in his hand,
It does good for many people.
Running, spinning along...
In this running, spinning world,
The wealth we seek is certainly needed.
The wealth we seek is certainly needed.
If one stays humble without being blinded by it,
That truly makes for a noble life.
That truly makes for a noble life.
That truly makes for a noble life.
If a good man holds money in his hand,
It does good for many people.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal is a classic philosophical track from the film Yaar Jambulingam (1972), written by lyricist Vaali and set to music by T. R. Pappa. Sung in the distinct, theatrical style of C. S. Jayaraman, the song offers a deep moral reflection on money and human nature. It argues that money itself is neutral; its moral value depends on the hands that hold it. When possessed by a good person, wealth serves society and creates a lasting legacy of generosity. Conversely, in the hands of the wicked, money breeds arrogance and brings ruin to everyone around. The lyricist further critiques how material riches can easily dissolve human principles and moral ideals. However, the song concludes on a realistic note: while money is indispensable for life in a constantly moving world, the ideal way of living is to acquire wealth without falling prey to greed, maintaining humility and moral integrity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

“Nallavan kayil naanayam irunthaal”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Na' in 'Nallavan' and 'naanayam' creates rhythmic harmony.

Eyaigai (Rhyme)

“Naalu perukku saathagam / Ellaa uyirkkum paathagam”

End-rhyming between 'saathagam' (favorable) and 'paathagam' (harmful) highlights the contrast between good and evil actions.

Paradox / Muran

“Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan”

The phrase 'Iranthum iravaathirukkindraan' (dying yet living endlessly) uses a paradox to explain how a philanthropist's legacy lives on after death.

Upamai (Simile)

“Echilai polae parakkumadaa”

High moral ideals ('latchiyam') crumbling before money are compared to lightweight leftover food crumbs ('echil') flying away in the wind.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is renowned for C. S. Jayaraman's distinctive vocal delivery, which was famous in mid-20th century Tamil cinema for giving a grandiose, theatrical resonance to philosophical songs. Lyricist Vaali brilliantly uses wordplay contrasting 'naanayam' (coin/currency) with moral uprightness, and 'latcham' (lakhs/money) with 'latchiyam' (ideals/goals).

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