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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naranaiyum Nee Padaithai

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
R. Balasaraswathy
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Harichandra – 1968 Film
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
6 Jan 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naranaiyum nee padaithaai
Avanai baliaakka nanjaiyum nee padaithaai
Vidhiyin naadagathil indha maanida jenmathai
Nadiganaai yen padaithaai
Maaligai vaazhvum engae
Un manimudi vaazhvum engae
Magan marana dhevadhaiyin
Madiyil urunguraan paarayoo angae
Maaligai vaazhvum engae
Un manimudi vaazhvum engae
Paasamulla magan nizhalil thangiya
Aalamalaram paaraai
Paasamulla magan odhungi nindra
Avan paadhangalai paaraai
Yeman paasam veesiya paadhaiyilae
Oru aalamaram paaraai
Yeman paasam veesiya paadhaiyilae
Oru aalamaram paaraai
Tharppai koiyavae sendraan
Yeman sarpam roobamaai kondraan
Marana dhevadhaiyin madiyil
Uranguraan paarayoo maganai paarayoo
You created man,
And to make him a sacrifice, you created poison too.
In this drama of fate, this human life,
Why did you create as an actor?
Where is that life in the palace now?
Where is your life with a jewelled crown?
In the lap of the goddess of death,
Look over there, your son lies sleeping!
Where is that life in the palace now?
Where is your life with a jewelled crown?
Where your loving son rested in the shade,
Look at that banyan tree!
Where your loving son stepped aside to rest,
Look at his footprints!
On the path where Yama (god of death) cast his noose,
Look at that banyan tree!
On the path where Yama (god of death) cast his noose,
Look at that banyan tree!
He went only to gather dharbha (sacred grass),
And Yama killed him in the form of a serpent.
In the lap of the goddess of death,
He is sleeping—won't you look? Won't you look at your son?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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