Namma Mothalali
From Nallavanukku Nallavan · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nallavanukku Nallavan1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Nallavarukku nallavaru | He is good to good people |
| Naanayamthaan ullavaru | He is someone who possesses honesty |
| Thozhilaali vargaththilae | Among the working class |
| oruththaraai iruppavaru | He stands as one of us |
| Female | |
| Nallaa irukkanum | He should live well |
| Naalum sirikkanum | He should smile every day |
| Chorus :Ellaa manasugalum | Chorus: All hearts |
| Vaayaara vazhththanum | Should bless him wholeheartedly |
| Male | |
| Namma muthalaali | Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali | Possessing boss |
| Chorus | |
| Namma muthalaali | Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali | Possessing boss |
| Chorus | |
| Engalukkellaam nalla | For all of us good |
| Soththu sugamthaan | Wealth and comfort |
| Thanthathu ellaam | All that was given |
| Intha thanga maganthaan | Was by this golden son |
| Chorus | |
| {Namma muthalaali | {Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali} (2) | Possessing boss} (2) |
| Male | |
| Aadu nenanja | Like a wolf crying |
| Onaaiyu azhuthu | When the sheep gets drenched |
| Antha kathathaan | That kind of story |
| Ayyavin manathu | Is sir's mind |
| Male | |
| Entha manam nalla manam | Which heart is a good heart |
| Pinnalae theriyum | Will be known later |
| Kallu ethu paalu ethu | What is toddy and what is milk |
| Thanaalae puriyum | Will be understood automatically |
| Male | |
| Ooraara emaaththa | To deceive the villagers |
| Puli uththesam panniduchchaam | The tiger made an intention |
| Santhegam vaaraama | Without raising suspicion |
| Pasu tholaala moodikichchaam | It covered itself in cow skin |
| Male | |
| Thannidaththilae | Those who have within themselves |
| Thavaru ullavangathaan | Mistakes and flaws |
| Silaru nallavangala | Only by blaming good people |
| Pazhichchuthaan | Blaming them |
| Pozhappu nadaththanum | Do they make a living |
| Chorus | |
| {Namma muthalaali | {Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali} (2) | Possessing boss} (2) |
| Chorus | |
| Engalukkellaam nalla | For all of us good |
| Soththu sugamthaan | Wealth and comfort |
| Thanthathu ellaam | All that was given |
| Intha thanga maganthaan | Was by this golden son |
| Chorus | |
| {Namma muthalaali | {Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali} (2) | Possessing boss} (2) |
| Male | |
| Kadaiyil irukkum | Taking the coconut |
| Thengaaiyai eduththu | That is in the shop |
| Odachcha varaikkum | Till you broke it |
| Pothaatho niruththu | Isn't that enough, stop now |
| Male | |
| Niththam niththam | Every single day |
| Naanumkooda ozhaikkira jaathi | I too belong to the working class |
| Naadariyum oorariyum | The whole country and town know |
| Ennudaiya sethi | News about me |
| Male | |
| Vedaantham pesaathae | Do not talk philosophy |
| Summa vaathangal pannaathae.. | Do not just argue needlessly |
| Hey nee enna sonnaalum | Hey, whatever you say |
| En ennangal maaraathae | My thoughts will not change |
| Male | |
| Haha…kandupudichchen | Haha... I found out |
| Unakku buththi illaiyae | You don't have brains |
| Athukku ennidaththilae | For that, at me |
| Ethukku nee morachchi kuthikkanum | Why should you glare and jump with anger? |
| Chorus | |
| {Namma muthalaali | {Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali} (2) | Possessing boss} (2) |
| Chorus | |
| Engalukkellaam nalla | For all of us good |
| Soththu sugamthaan | Wealth and comfort |
| Thanthathu ellaam | All that was given |
| Intha thanga maganthaan | Was by this golden son |
| Chorus | |
| {Namma muthalaali | {Our boss |
| Nalla muthalaali | Good boss |
| Vella manam pilla gunam | Pure heart child-like nature |
| Ulla muthalaali} (2) | Possessing boss} (2) |
நல்லவருக்கு நல்லவரு
நாணயந்தான் உள்ளவரு
தொழிலாளி வர்க்கத்திலே
ஒருத்தரா இருப்பவரு
He is good to good people
He is someone who possesses honesty
Among the working class
He stands as one of us
நல்லாயிருக்கனும்
நாளும் சிரிக்கணும்
குழு : எல்லா மனசுகளும்
வாயார வாழ்த்தனும்
He should live well
He should smile every day
Chorus: All hearts
Should bless him wholeheartedly
நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி
Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss
நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி
Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss
எங்களுக்கெல்லாம் நல்ல
சொத்து சுகம் தான்
தந்தது எல்லாம்
இந்த தங்க மகன் தான்…
For all of us good
Wealth and comfort
All that was given
Was by this golden son
{நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி} (2)
{Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss} (2)
ஆடு நெனஞ்சா
ஓனாயி அழுது
அந்த கதைதான்
அய்யாவின் மனது
Like a wolf crying
When the sheep gets drenched
That kind of story
Is sir's mind
எந்த மனம் நல்ல மனம்
பின்னாலே தெரியும்
கள்ளு எது பாலு எது
தன்னாலே புரியும்
Which heart is a good heart
Will be known later
What is toddy and what is milk
Will be understood automatically
ஊரார ஏமாத்த
புலி உத்தேசம் பன்னிடிச்சாம்
சந்தேகம் வாராம்ம
பசு தோளால மூடிக்கிச்சாம்
To deceive the villagers
The tiger made an intention
Without raising suspicion
It covered itself in cow skin
தன்னிடத்தில்
தவறு உள்ளவங்கதான்
சிலரு நல்லவங்கள பழிச்சுதான்
பொழப்பு நடத்தணும்
Those who have within themselves
Mistakes and flaws
Only by blaming good people
Blaming them
Do they make a living
{நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி} (2)
{Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss} (2)
எங்களுக்கெல்லாம்
நல்ல சொத்து சுகம் தான்
தந்தது எல்லாம்
இந்த தங்க மகன் தான்….
For all of us good
Wealth and comfort
All that was given
Was by this golden son
{நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி} (2)
{Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss} (2)
கடையில் இருக்கும்
தேங்காயை எடுத்து
ஒடச்ச வரைக்கும்
போதாதோ நிருத்து
Taking the coconut
That is in the shop
Till you broke it
Isn't that enough, stop now
நித்தம் நித்தம்
நானும் கூட உழைக்கிற ஜாதி
நாடறியும் ஊரறியும்
என்னுடைய சேதி
Every single day
I too belong to the working class
The whole country and town know
News about me
வேதாந்தம் பேசாதே
சும்மா வாதங்கள் பன்னாதே
ஏய்..நீ என்ன சொன்னாலும்
என் எண்ணங்கள் மாறாதே
Do not talk philosophy
Do not just argue needlessly
Hey, whatever you say
My thoughts will not change
அஹா கண்டுபுடிச்சேன்
உனக்கு புத்தி இல்லையே
அதுக்கு என்னிடத்திலே
எதுக்கு நீ முறைச்சி குதிக்கணும்
Haha... I found out
You don't have brains
For that, at me
Why should you glare and jump with anger?
{நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி} (2)
{Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss} (2)
எங்களுக்கெல்லாம்
நல்ல சொத்து சுகம் தான்
தந்தது எல்லாம்
இந்த தங்க மகன் தான்….
For all of us good
Wealth and comfort
All that was given
Was by this golden son
{நம்ம முதலாளி
நல்ல முதலாளி
வெள்ளை மனம் பிள்ளை குணம்
உள்ள முதலாளி} (2)
{Our boss
Good boss
Pure heart child-like nature
Possessing boss} (2)
Nallavarukku nallavaru
He is good to good people
Naanayamthaan ullavaru
He is someone who possesses honesty
Thozhilaali vargaththilae
Among the working class
oruththaraai iruppavaru
He stands as one of us
Nallaa irukkanum
He should live well
Naalum sirikkanum
He should smile every day
Chorus :Ellaa manasugalum
Chorus: All hearts
Vaayaara vazhththanum
Should bless him wholeheartedly
Namma muthalaali
Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali
Possessing boss
Namma muthalaali
Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali
Possessing boss
Engalukkellaam nalla
For all of us good
Soththu sugamthaan
Wealth and comfort
Thanthathu ellaam
All that was given
Intha thanga maganthaan
Was by this golden son
{Namma muthalaali
{Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali} (2)
Possessing boss} (2)
Aadu nenanja
Like a wolf crying
Onaaiyu azhuthu
When the sheep gets drenched
Antha kathathaan
That kind of story
Ayyavin manathu
Is sir's mind
Entha manam nalla manam
Which heart is a good heart
Pinnalae theriyum
Will be known later
Kallu ethu paalu ethu
What is toddy and what is milk
Thanaalae puriyum
Will be understood automatically
Ooraara emaaththa
To deceive the villagers
Puli uththesam panniduchchaam
The tiger made an intention
Santhegam vaaraama
Without raising suspicion
Pasu tholaala moodikichchaam
It covered itself in cow skin
Thannidaththilae
Those who have within themselves
Thavaru ullavangathaan
Mistakes and flaws
Silaru nallavangala
Only by blaming good people
Pazhichchuthaan
Blaming them
Pozhappu nadaththanum
Do they make a living
{Namma muthalaali
{Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali} (2)
Possessing boss} (2)
Engalukkellaam nalla
For all of us good
Soththu sugamthaan
Wealth and comfort
Thanthathu ellaam
All that was given
Intha thanga maganthaan
Was by this golden son
{Namma muthalaali
{Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali} (2)
Possessing boss} (2)
Kadaiyil irukkum
Taking the coconut
Thengaaiyai eduththu
That is in the shop
Odachcha varaikkum
Till you broke it
Pothaatho niruththu
Isn't that enough, stop now
Niththam niththam
Every single day
Naanumkooda ozhaikkira jaathi
I too belong to the working class
Naadariyum oorariyum
The whole country and town know
Ennudaiya sethi
News about me
Vedaantham pesaathae
Do not talk philosophy
Summa vaathangal pannaathae..
Do not just argue needlessly
Hey nee enna sonnaalum
Hey, whatever you say
En ennangal maaraathae
My thoughts will not change
Haha…kandupudichchen
Haha... I found out
Unakku buththi illaiyae
You don't have brains
Athukku ennidaththilae
For that, at me
Ethukku nee morachchi kuthikkanum
Why should you glare and jump with anger?
{Namma muthalaali
{Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali} (2)
Possessing boss} (2)
Engalukkellaam nalla
For all of us good
Soththu sugamthaan
Wealth and comfort
Thanthathu ellaam
All that was given
Intha thanga maganthaan
Was by this golden son
{Namma muthalaali
{Our boss
Nalla muthalaali
Good boss
Vella manam pilla gunam
Pure heart child-like nature
Ulla muthalaali} (2)
Possessing boss} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This upbeat celebratory track praises a benevolent and upright boss who treats his working-class employees with genuine affection and generosity. The workers sing in unity, wishing him prosperity and long life, recognizing his innocent, child-like character ('vella manam pilla gunam') and his golden heart.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)
“Nallavarukku nallavaru / Naanayamthaan ullavaru”
Repetition of the 'Na' sound at the beginning of words in consecutive lines ('Nallavarukku' and 'Naanayamthaan').
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Intha thanga maganthaan”
Describing the boss as a 'golden son' (thanga magan) to signify his high moral value and purity.
Allegory / Proverbial Analogy
“Aadu nenanja Onaaiyu azhuthu”
Using metaphors of a wolf crying for a drenched sheep or a tiger in cow's skin to expose hypocrites.
Contrast (Ethirnnilai)
“Kallu ethu paalu ethu Thanaalae puriyum”
Contrasting 'Kallu' (toddy/fake) and 'Paalu' (milk/pure) to signify truth emerging over deceit.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Nallavanukku Nallavan' (1984) starred Rajinikanth and Radhika, featuring hit music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The movie was a massive commercial hit, cementing Rajinikanth's hero image as a protector of the working class.
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