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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nallavar Vaakku

From Vakkuruthi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Vakkuruthi
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
23 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nallavar vaakku nalvaakku
Adhil sellum vaakku selvaakku
Sonna sollai kaakkum ullam
Adhu deivam vaazhgindra illam…
Nallavar vaakku nalvaakku
Adhil sellum vaakku selvaakku
Sonna sollai kaakkum ullam
Adhu deivam vaazhgindra illam
Kannan koduththa vaakkuruthi andru
Gowravar saenaiyai azhiththathadaa
Annal gandhiyin vaakkuruthi
Nam adimai thalaiyai thagarththathadaa
Kannan koduththa vaakkuruthi andru
Gowravar saenaiyai azhiththathadaa
Annal gandhiyin vaakkuruthi
Nam adimai thalaiyai thagarththathadaa
Makkalin thalaivan lenin andru
Sonna vaakku paliththathada
Madhangalin thalaivar sonnathellaam
Manakkann munnaal nadanthathadaa
Nallavar vaakku nalvaakku
Adhil sellum vaakku selvaakku
Sonna sollai kaakkum ullam
Adhu deivam vaazhgindra illam
Deivam vaazhgindra illam
Nallavarkku edharkku kaiyezhuththu
Avar sollum sollae pon ezhuthu
Theeyavar podum kaiyezhuththum
Nalam seiyyaathenbathu kurai karuththu
Budhan edhanai ezhuthi vaiththaan
Verum thaththubam thaanae solli vaiththaan
Sonnavan sollai nambi vidu
Adhu thozhvi adainthaal kettuvidu
Padhil kettuvidu…
Nallavar vaakku nalvaakku
Adhil sellum vaakku selvaakku
Sonna sollai kaakkum ullam
Adhu deivam vaazhgindra illam
Deivam vaazhgindra illam…
Adhu deivam vaazhgindra illam…
A good person's word is a noble promise,
and a word that holds true carries real influence.
The heart that keeps its given word
is a home where God dwells...
A good person's word is a noble promise,
and a word that holds true carries real influence.
The heart that keeps its given word
is a home where God dwells...
The promise Lord Krishna made back then
destroyed the Kaurava army, my friend!
The promise of Mahatma Gandhi
shattered the chains of our slavery!
The promise Lord Krishna made back then
destroyed the Kaurava army, my friend!
The promise of Mahatma Gandhi
shattered the chains of our slavery!
The word that the people's leader Lenin gave
came true in the end, my friend!
Everything the teachers of religions said
happened right before our eyes...
A good person's word is a noble promise,
and a word that holds true carries real influence.
The heart that keeps its given word
is a home where God dwells...
A home where God dwells...
Why does a good person need a signature?
Every word they speak is written in gold!
Even a signature put down by the wicked
will bring no good—relying on it is a mistake.
What did the Buddha ever write down?
He simply spoke his wisdom aloud!
Trust the word of the one who gives it,
and if it ever fails, go and question him!
Demand an answer...
A good person's word is a noble promise,
and a word that holds true carries real influence.
The heart that keeps its given word
is a home where God dwells...
A home where God dwells...
That is a home where God dwells...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This moral track from the movie 'Vakkuruthi' (1973), written by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan, celebrates the supreme sanctity, power, and integrity of keeping one's promise ('vaakkuruthi'). The lyricist proclaims that a person who keeps their word is a living shrine where divinity dwells, arguing that written contracts are superfluous for virtuous individuals whose spoken word carries the weight of gold. To illustrate the historical impact of a solemn word, Kannadasan weaves together examples across faith and politics—referencing Lord Krishna's vow in the Mahabharata, Mahatma Gandhi's pledge for India's freedom, Vladimir Lenin's promise to the working class, and Gautama Buddha's spoken philosophy. Through these parallels, the song delivers a timeless message that honesty and honor are the true foundation of human character.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

“Nallavar vaakku nalvaakku”

Repetition of the initial letter 'Na' in 'Nallavar' and 'nalvaakku' creates a melodic opening rhythm.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Gowravar saenaiyai azhiththathadaa / Nam adimai thalaiyai thagarththathadaa”

The line endings rhyme with '-adaa' ('azhiththathadaa' / 'thagarththathadaa'), giving a friendly, conversational tone.

Yemakam / Wordplay

“Adhil sellum vaakku selvaakku”

Clever repetition of 'vaakku' paired with 'selvaakku' (influence/status), playing on word sound and meaning.

Metaphor

“Avar sollum sollae pon ezhuthu”

Comparing a virtuous spoken word to gold ('pon ezhuthu') and the human heart that keeps a promise to a temple where God lives.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is notable for Kannadasan's eclectic synthesis of historical and spiritual icons—combining Hindu mythology (Krishna), Indian freedom struggle (Gandhi), global communism (Lenin), and Eastern philosophy (Buddha) in a single narrative to extol truthfulness.

Keep listening

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