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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nanban Illa Vazhkkai

From Peranbum Perungobamum · 2025

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Reeta Raghul, Ranjith
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Peranbum Perungobamum
Movie release year
2025
Lyrics added on
12 May 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nanban illaa vaazhkai
Nastamadaa
Natpu tharum nambikkai
Vettriyadaa
Nanban illaa vaazhkai
Nastamadaa
Natpu tharum nambikkai
Vettriyadaa
Anbukkoru ammaa
Arivukkoru appaa
Pasathukku uravugal
Ooril undu
Natpai pola naatil
Oru nallathundoo
Nanmai tharum natpai nambhi
Kettathundoo
Nanban illaa vaazhkai
Nastamadaa
Natpu tharum nambikkai
Vettriyadaa
Natpu endrendrum
Nammai kai vidathu
Vattum vazhakkil
Vittutharaadhu
Natpu endrendrum
Nammai kai vidathu
Vattum vazhakkil
Vittutharaadhu
Kadal aazham kandavarum
Natppukkoru azham thannai kandathundoo
Vaanin ellai alandhu solavaar
Natppin ellai kandu solla yaarum undo
Endrum nammai katti veikkum
Vettriyin pottu vaikkum
Natppukku ilakanam illai
Thodakkam engae namm natppil thaane
Thodarvathellaam anbil thaane
Chorus :Thodakkam engae namm natppil thaane
Thodarvathellaam anbil thaane
Paadam solgindra oru kalvi koodamum
Anbin aazhathai solli tharumoo
Chorus :Paadam solgindra oru kalvi koodamum
Anbin aazhathai solli tharumoo
Pandhi mudinthaal kalindhu selvom
Vaazhvin thunaiyaai nidham vendum
Nanban illaa vaazhkai
Nastamadaa
Natpu tharum nambikkai
Vettriyadaa
Anbukkoru ammaa
Arivukkoru appaa
Pasathukku uravugal
Ooril undu
A life without a friend
is truly a loss.
The confidence friendship gives
is true victory!
A life without a friend
is truly a loss.
The confidence friendship gives
is true victory!
There is a mother for love,
a father for wisdom,
and relatives for affection
in our town.
Yet is there anything in this world
as wonderful as friendship?
Has anyone ever been ruined
by trusting in a good friend?
A life without a friend
is truly a loss.
The confidence friendship gives
is true victory!
Friendship will never
abandon us;
even in painful struggles,
it will never let us down.
Friendship will never
abandon us;
even in painful struggles,
it will never let us down.
Even those who have plumbed the depths of the ocean,
have they ever found the true depth of friendship?
People may measure the reach of the skies,
but is there anyone who can mark the boundaries of friendship?
It binds us together forever,
and blesses our path with victory.
Friendship has no rigid definitions.
Where does it all begin? In our friendship!
And all that continues, flows from love!
Chorus: Where does it all begin? In our friendship!
And all that continues, flows from love!
Can any school that teaches lessons
ever teach the depth of love?
Chorus: Can any school that teaches lessons
ever teach the depth of love?
When a feast ends, guests scatter and leave,
but a friend is needed as a companion every single day.
A life without a friend
is truly a loss.
The confidence friendship gives
is true victory!
There is a mother for love,
a father for wisdom,
and relatives for affection
in our town.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song celebrates the irreplaceable value and depth of true friendship. It places friendship above all other worldly relationships, noting that while mothers provide love, fathers give wisdom, and relatives offer affection, friendship stands alone as an unwavering source of trust and victory. The lyrics argue that true friendship is immeasurable—deeper than the ocean, wider than the sky, and far beyond what formal education or books can teach.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Nanban illaa vaazhkai / Nastamadaa / Natpu tharum nambikkai”

Repetition of the initial letter 'N' across lines 'Nanban', 'Nastamadaa', and 'Natpu' creates rhythmic cadence.

Rhetorical Question

“Paadam solgindra oru kalvi koodamum / Anbin aazhathai solli tharumoo”

Asking whether a school can ever teach the depth of love emphasizes that true emotional bonding cannot be taught formally.

Hyperbole & Contrast

“Kadal aazham kandavarum / Natppukkoru azham thannai kandathundoo”

Comparing the measurable sky and ocean to the immeasurable, boundless nature of friendship highlights its depth.

Metaphor

“Vettriyin pottu vaikkum”

Describing victory as a tilak or mark placed on a person by friendship.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features lyrics penned by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja himself, showcasing his philosophical songwriting style on human bonds alongside his musical composition.

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