Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Neengalum Herothan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Neenga Illama Naanga

From Neengalum Herothan · 1990

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Gangai Amaran
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Neengalum Herothan
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
26 Oct 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Neenga illama naanga illa
Naanga ungalku chellapillai haei
Chorus :Neenga illama naanga illa
Naanga ungalku chellapillai
Cinema illadha oorum illa
Rasigargal illama cinema illa
Chorus :Cinema illadha oorum illa
Rasigargal illama cinema illa
Neenga illama naanga illa
Naanga ungalku chellapillai
……………………….
Cinema ennumoru kattadathirkku
Ozhaikkum naangal ellam asthivaaram thaan
Melae irukkindra sengalgalai pol
Irukkum engalodu nalla kuzhuthaan
Kanakku paaramal selavu seidhu
Kadhai eduthu adhai padam pidithu
Vetti eduthu adhai otti koduthu
Viruppam pola nalla isaiamaithu
Kaanikaiyaaga thandhu irukkom
Kaithattal ketkka kaathu irukkom
Neenga illama naanga illa
Naanga ungalku chellapillai haei
Chorus :Neenga illama naanga illa
Naanga ungalku chellapillai
Cinema illadha oorum illa
Rasigargal illama cinema illa
Chorus :Cinema illadha oorum illa
Male :Aama
Chorus :Rasigargal illama cinema illa
Without you, we are nothing.
We are your darling children, hey!
Chorus: Without you, we are nothing.
We are your darling children.
There is no town without cinema.
There is no cinema without fans.
Chorus: There is no town without cinema.
There is no cinema without fans.
Without you, we are nothing.
We are your darling children.
...
For this building called cinema,
All of us who work hard are the foundation.
Just like the bricks that rest above,
Standing with us is a wonderful team.
Spending money without counting the cost,
Picking a story and shooting the movie,
Editing and piecing it together,
Composing great music to your liking,
We have offered this as a gift to you,
And we are waiting to hear your applause!
Without you, we are nothing.
We are your darling children, hey!
Chorus: Without you, we are nothing.
We are your darling children.
There is no town without cinema.
There is no cinema without fans.
Chorus: There is no town without cinema.
Male: Yes!
Chorus: There is no cinema without fans.
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song is a meta-tribute from film creators to cinema lovers and fans. It expresses deep gratitude, acknowledging that cinema cannot survive without its audience, and describes fans as the beloved patrons of art. Furthermore, it details the arduous creative process behind making a film—from story selection, shooting, and editing to music composition—presenting the final movie as an offering to the audience in anticipation of their applause.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Cinema ennumoru kattadathirkku / Ozhaikkum naangal ellam asthivaaram thaan

Cinema is compared to a grand building ('Cinema ennumoru kattadathirkku'), and the hardworking technicians behind the scenes are metaphorically called its foundation ('asthivaaram').

Simile (Uvamai)

Melae irukkindra sengalgalai pol

The word 'pol' (like/as) explicitly compares the audience/structure elements to bricks placed atop a building.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kadhai eduthu adhai padam pidithu / Vetti eduthu adhai otti koduthu

Consecutive lines end with matching rhyming verbs ending in 'thu' (selavu seidhu, padam pidithu, otti koduthu, isaiamaithu).

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is from the 1990 Tamil comedy-drama 'Neengalum Herothan', directed by V. Sekhar and starring Pandiarajan. The song serves as an ode to film technicians and movie fans, highlighting the collaborative nature of cinema.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Neengalum Herothan

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.