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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nanban Illa Vazhkkai

From Peranbum Perungobamum · 2025

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Reeta Raghul, Ranjith
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Peranbum Perungobamum2025

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nanban illaa vaazhkaiLife without a friend
NastamadaaIs a loss, my friend
Natpu tharum nambikkaiThe trust that friendship gives
VettriyadaaIs victory, my friend
Male
Nanban illaa vaazhkaiLife without a friend
NastamadaaIs a loss, my friend
Natpu tharum nambikkaiThe trust that friendship gives
VettriyadaaIs victory, my friend
Male
Anbukkoru ammaaA mother is for love
Arivukkoru appaaA father is for wisdom
Pasathukku uravugalRelatives for affection
Ooril unduExist in the town
Male
Natpai pola naatilIn this country, like friendship
Oru nallathundooIs there anything truly good?
Nanmai tharum natpai nambhiTrusting in a friendship that yields goodness
KettathundooHas anyone ever suffered a loss?
Male
Nanban illaa vaazhkaiLife without a friend
NastamadaaIs a loss, my friend
Natpu tharum nambikkaiThe trust that friendship gives
VettriyadaaIs victory, my friend
Male
Natpu endrendrumFriendship forever
Nammai kai vidathuWill never abandon us
Vattum vazhakkilIn draining trials and disputes
VittutharaadhuWill never give up on us
Natpu endrendrumFriendship forever
Nammai kai vidathuWill never abandon us
Vattum vazhakkilIn draining trials and disputes
VittutharaadhuWill never give up on us
Male
Kadal aazham kandavarumEven those who have measured the depth of the ocean
Natppukkoru azham thannai kandathundooHave they ever discovered the depth of friendship?
Vaanin ellai alandhu solavaarThey may measure and speak of the sky's boundaries
Natppin ellai kandu solla yaarum undoIs there anyone who can find and declare the limits of friendship?
Endrum nammai katti veikkumIt will forever bind us together
Vettriyin pottu vaikkumIt will place the tilak of victory upon us
Natppukku ilakanam illaiFriendship has no strict rules or grammar
Female
Thodakkam engae namm natppil thaaneWhere is the beginning? It is right in our friendship
Thodarvathellaam anbil thaaneAll that continues flows from love
Chorus :Thodakkam engae namm natppil thaaneChorus: Where is the beginning? It is right in our friendship
Thodarvathellaam anbil thaaneAll that continues flows from love
Female
Paadam solgindra oru kalvi koodamumEven an educational institute that teaches lessons
Anbin aazhathai solli tharumooCan it ever teach the true depth of love?
Chorus :Paadam solgindra oru kalvi koodamumChorus: Even an educational institute that teaches lessons
Anbin aazhathai solli tharumooCan it ever teach the true depth of love?
Female
Pandhi mudinthaal kalindhu selvomOnce the feast ends, we disperse
Vaazhvin thunaiyaai nidham vendumBut as a companion in life, friendship is needed daily
Male
Nanban illaa vaazhkaiLife without a friend
NastamadaaIs a loss, my friend
Natpu tharum nambikkaiThe trust that friendship gives
VettriyadaaIs victory, my friend
Female
Anbukkoru ammaaA mother is for love
Arivukkoru appaaA father is for wisdom
Pasathukku uravugalRelatives for affection
Ooril unduExist in the town

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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