Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naranaiyum Nee Padaithai

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
R. Balasaraswathy
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Harichandra – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naranaiyum nee padaithaaiYou created man
Avanai baliaakka nanjaiyum nee padaithaaiTo sacrifice him, you created poison as well
Vidhiyin naadagathil indha maanida jenmathaiIn this play of destiny, this human life
Nadiganaai yen padaithaaiWhy did you create as an actor?
Female
Maaligai vaazhvum engaeWhere is the palace life now?
Un manimudi vaazhvum engaeWhere is the life of your jeweled crown now?
Magan marana dhevadhaiyinThe son, in the goddess of death's
Madiyil urunguraan paarayoo angaeLap lies sleeping, look over there!
Female
Maaligai vaazhvum engaeWhere is the palace life now?
Un manimudi vaazhvum engaeWhere is the life of your jeweled crown now?
Female
Paasamulla magan nizhalil thangiyaThe loving son who rested under the shade
Aalamalaram paaraaiLook at that banyan flower tree!
Paasamulla magan odhungi nindraThe loving son who took shelter
Avan paadhangalai paaraaiLook at his feet!
Yeman paasam veesiya paadhaiyilaeOn the path where the God of Death cast his noose
Oru aalamaram paaraaiLook at the banyan tree!
Yeman paasam veesiya paadhaiyilaeOn the path where the God of Death cast his noose
Oru aalamaram paaraaiLook at the banyan tree!
Female
Tharppai koiyavae sendraanHe went to pluck Dharba grass
Yeman sarpam roobamaai kondraanYama killed him in the form of a serpent
Marana dhevadhaiyin madiyilIn the lap of the goddess of death
Uranguraan paarayoo maganai paarayooHe sleeps, look at your son, look!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses profound grief and existential anguish from the legend of King Harichandra. The lyricist laments the tragic fate that has befallen the king and queen, who lost their royal kingdom and were reduced to penury, culminating in the untimely death of their young son due to a snakebite while gathering sacred grass. The song questions God about the cruelty of creation, asking why human beings are turned into helpless actors in a tragic play orchestrated by fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Metaphor)

Vidhiyin naadagathil indha maanida jenmathai / Nadiganaai yen padaithaai

Human existence is conceptualized as a dramatic play ('Vidhiyin naadagam') where mortals are mere actors playing roles dictated by destiny.

Pun / Double Entendre (Sledai)

Paasamulla magan odhungi nindra / Yeman paasam veesiya paadhaiyilae

The word 'Paasam' is used dynamically: it means familial love ('Paasamulla magan') and also refers to the fatal weapon/rope ('Yeman paasam') cast by the deity of death.

Rhetorical Question (Vinah)

Maaligai vaazhvum engae / Un manimudi vaazhvum engae

Interrogative phrasing is used to emphasize the tragic loss of royal status and worldly power.

Anaphora (Adukkuthodar / Repetition)

Yeman paasam veesiya paadhaiyilae / Oru aalamaram paaraai

Repetition of lines emphasizes the overwhelming grief and directs attention to the solemn site of tragedy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The story of King Harichandra is famous in Indian folklore for representing absolute adherence to truth and duty (Satya). This song captures the tragic climax of the narrative, where Harichandra's unwavering truthfulness is subjected to the ultimate test upon the death of his only son.

Keep listening

More from Harichandra – 1968 Film