Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nanbaa Vaa Nanbaa

From Saattai · 2012

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Saicharan
Music director
D. Imman
Details
Saattai2012

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Varuvathu orumurai ulagilaeWe come to this world only once
Ithai arigira manithan kadavulaeThe human who understands this is God
Thavarugal thirinthidum varaiyilaeUntil errors are corrected
Varum thadaigalum thagarnthidum mudivilaeObstacles that come will be shattered in the end
Male
Namai naamae unarnthaalaeIf we realize our own selves
Kidaiyaathu vethanai manathilaeThere will be no pain in our hearts
Nathi polae nadanthaalaeIf we walk like a river
Oru kodi suriyan tharaiyilaeTen million suns will shine on the ground
Male
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Chorus
…………………………....
Male
Siragugal virithidu parakalaamSpread your wings, let us fly
Varum siramangal poruthidu sirikalaamEndure coming hardships, let us smile
Alaikadal yena dhinam kuthikalaamLike the wavy sea, let us leap every day
Kadal kadanthoru peyaraiyum edukalaamCrossing the ocean, let us gain a reputation
Male
Malai ootru anal kaatruMountain spring or fiery wind
Yethuvaana pothilum rasikalaamWhatever it is, we can enjoy it
Sila vaanam pala boomiSome sky, many earths
Yena naamum maarvae ninaikalaamLet us think about changing our perspective like that
Male
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Male
Kaalam ondru maarum endruThinking that time will change on its own
Kaathirupatha naalathuIs waiting for that a good thing?
Kaalam thannai maara seiyumThe whip that makes time itself change
Saattai nenjile ullathuResides within our heart
Male
Thoosiyaalae kalangum vizhiyaiEyes getting blurred by dust
Thodaipathaa visithiramIs wiping them away a wonder?
Kaatrum kooda namathu peyaraiEven the wind speaking our name
Uraipathae sarithiramThat alone is true history
Male
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Chorus :Vaa nanba vaa vaa vaaChorus: Come friend, come come come
Male
Anbai vida siranthathuProclaim that there is nothing
Illai ena mulangiduBetter than love
Punnagai ennum udaiyae mugavariA smile is the dress and address
Ulla varai vizhithiruStay awake as long as you live
Ul manathil pasithiruStay hungry in your inner heart
Ottrumayil ivvulagai alangariAdorn this world with unity
Male
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Nanbaa… vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Nanbaa …vaa nanbaaFriend... come, my friend
Chorus :Nanba nanbaChorus: Friend, friend
Nanba vaa vaa vaaFriend, come come come
Male :Nanbaa …vaa nanbaaMale: Friend... come, my friend
Chorus :Nanba nanbaChorus: Friend, friend
Vaa nanba vaa vaa vaaCome friend, come come come

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nanbaa Vaa Nanbaa from the film Saattai is an inspiring anthem centered on youth empowerment, self-awareness, and resilience. The song reminds us that life is a singular opportunity, urging individuals to learn from mistakes, overcome obstacles, and face life's struggles with a joyful heart. It warns against waiting passively for time to change things, urging listeners instead to ignite their internal whip (saattai) of willpower and drive positive change themselves.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Saattai nenjile ullathu

Saattai (whip) is used metaphorically as the internal willpower and motivation present inside the human heart.

Simile (Upamai)

Nathi polae nadanthaalae

Comparing human persistence and movement to the unstoppable nature of a flowing river using 'polae'.

Metaphor

Punnagai ennum udaiyae mugavari

Describing a smile as attire and address, symbolizing positivity as one's true identity.

Ethukai (Second letter rhyming)

Siragugal virithidu parakalaam

Rhyming of the second letter 'la' across successive lines ('Siragugal' / 'Varum siramangal').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 2012 Tamil drama 'Saattai', directed by M. Anbazhagan and starring Samuthirakani. The soundtrack was composed by D. Imman with lyrics written by Yugabharathi. The film revolves around a passionate school teacher who transforms an underperforming government school, making this motivational song a central thematic pillar of the story.

Keep listening

More from Saattai