Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Desiya Geetham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nanba Nanba

From Desiya Geetham · 1998

Lyricist
Vasan
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Desiya Geetham
Movie release year
1998
Lyrics added on
14 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nanba nanba
Naadu irukkum
Nilaiyai paarada
Desam kakka seidha
Thiyaagam ellaam veenada
Dhinam dhinam kalavaram
Idhu enna suthanthiram
Enna kadhiyaagum indha desam
Nanba nanba
Naadu irukkum
Nilaiyai paarada
Desam kakka seidha
Thiyaagam ellaam veenada
Kodiyai kakka
Nenjil indru kaayangal
Engae sendru irakki
Veippom baarangal
Nanba nanba
Naadu irukkum
Nilaiyai paarada
Desam kakka seidha
Thiyaagam ellaam veenada
Nanba nanba
Naadu irukkum
Nilaiyai paarada
Desam kakka seidha
Thiyaagam ellaam veenada
My friend, my friend,
just look at the state
our country is in!
All the sacrifices made
to protect this nation have gone in vain!
Riots day after day,
what kind of freedom is this?
What will become of this nation?
My friend, my friend,
just look at the state
our country is in!
All the sacrifices made
to protect this nation have gone in vain!
To protect our flag,
there are wounds upon our chests today.
Where can we go
to lay down these heavy burdens?
My friend, my friend,
just look at the state
our country is in!
All the sacrifices made
to protect this nation have gone in vain!
My friend, my friend,
just look at the state
our country is in!
All the sacrifices made
to protect this nation have gone in vain!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses deep distress and despair regarding the socio-political state of modern India. Addressing a close friend, the speaker laments that the noble sacrifices made by freedom fighters to secure independence and protect the nation's honor appear to have been in vain due to continuous riots, violence, and instability.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Nanba nanba

The words 'Nanba nanba' and 'Dhinam dhinam' are repeated consecutively to convey urgency and emotional distress.

Rhetorical Question

Idhu enna suthanthiram

Questions like 'Idhu enna suthanthiram' (What kind of freedom is this?) are used to provoke deep thought regarding true independence.

Metaphor

Veippom baarangal

The word 'baarangal' (burdens) metaphorically represents the grief and anxiety felt by citizens observing their country's turmoil.

Did you know?

Trivia

Desiya Geetham (1998) is a Tamil political drama film written and directed by Cheran, starring Murali and Rambha. The soundtrack and background score were composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics addressing social responsibility and governance.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Desiya Geetham

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.