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Lyrics & meaning

Naanaga Naan Illai

From Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey
Movie release year
1983
Lyrics added on
7 Apr 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mhmm mhmm mhmm mhmm ….
{ Naanaaga naan illai thaayae
Nal vaazhvu thanthaayae neeyae } (2)
{ Paasam oru nesam } (2)
Kannara kandaan un seyae
Naanaaga naan illai thaayae
Nal vaazhvu thanthaayae neeyae
Keezh vaanilae oli vanthadhu
Koondai vitu kili vanthadhu
{ Naan paarkum aagaayam
Engum nee paadum boopalam } (2)
Vaazhum payir vaazha
Neethaanae neer vaartha kaarmegam
Naanaaga naan illai thaayae
Nal vaazhvu thanthaayae neeyae
{ Paasam oru nesam } (2)
Kannara kandaan un seyae
Naanaaga naan illai thaayae
Nal vaazhvu thanthaayae neeyae
Mani maaligai maadangalum
Malar thooviya manjangalum
{ Thaai veedu pol illai
Angu thaalaata aal illai } (2)
Koil thozhum deivam
Nee indri naan kaana ver illai
Naanaaga naan illai thaayae
Nal vaazhvu thanthaayae neeyae
{ Paasam oru nesam } (2)
Kannara kandaan un seyae
Naanaaga naan illai thaayae
Nal vaazhvu thanthaayae neeyae
Mhm mhm mhm mhm...
I am not who I am on my own, mother,
you gave me this wonderful life.
A bond of true love and affection,
your child has seen it with his own eyes.
I am not who I am on my own, mother,
you gave me this wonderful life.
Light has broken across the eastern sky,
and the parrot has flown out of its cage.
Across the sky I look upon,
your morning song echoes everywhere.
For the growing crops to thrive,
you are the raincloud that poured life-giving water.
I am not who I am on my own, mother,
you gave me this wonderful life.
A bond of true love and affection,
your child has seen it with his own eyes.
I am not who I am on my own, mother,
you gave me this wonderful life.
Grand mansions and towering halls,
and beds strewn with flowers,
are nothing like a mother's home;
there is no one there to sing a lullaby.
As for the God worshiped in temples,
I see no other God besides you.
I am not who I am on my own, mother,
you gave me this wonderful life.
A bond of true love and affection,
your child has seen it with his own eyes.
I am not who I am on my own, mother,
you gave me this wonderful life.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This emotional song is a deep tribute to maternal love and gratitude. The protagonist expresses that his identity, success, and well-being are entirely owed to his mother's unconditional love and sacrifices. He compares her presence to a refreshing monsoon cloud that nurtures life, and notes that no luxurious mansion can replace the comfort and warmth of a mother's home.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamanai)

Neethaanae neer vaartha kaarmegam

The lyricist compares the mother to a dark rain-bearing cloud ('kaarmegam') that pours life-giving water on crops.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Keezh vaanilae oli vanthadhu / Koondai vitu kili vanthadhu

Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across consecutive lines ('Keezh', 'Koondai').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mani maaligai maadangalum / Malar thooviya manjangalum

The second consonant sound 'n' matches between 'Mani' and 'Malar' (with soft consonant assonance).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1983 Tamil film 'Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey', starring Kamal Haasan in a dual role. The iconic music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, sung emotionally by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Vaali.

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