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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neeyum Bommai Naanum Bommai

From Bommai · 1964

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
S. Balachandar
Details
Bommai1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Neeyum bommai naanum bommaiYou are a doll, I am a doll
Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommaiIf you deeply reflect, everything is a doll
Neeyum bommai naanum bommaiYou are a doll, I am a doll
Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommaiIf you deeply reflect, everything is a doll
Male
Thaayin madiyil pillaiyum bommaiIn a mother's lap, the child too is a doll
Thalaivan munnae thondanum bommaiBefore a leader, the follower is a doll
Kovilil vaazhum dheivamum bommaiThe deity dwelling in the temple is a doll
Adhai kumbidum manidhar yaavarum bommaiAnd all the humans who worship it are dolls
Male
Neeyum bommai naanum bommaiYou are a doll, I am a doll
Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommaiIf you deeply reflect, everything is a doll
Male
Vallavan kaiyil nallavan bommaiIn the hands of the mighty, the good person is a doll
Ullavan mun illaadhavan bommaiBefore the wealthy, the destitute is a doll
Vallavan kaiyil nallavan bommaiIn the hands of the mighty, the good person is a doll
Ullavan mun illaadhavan bommaiBefore the wealthy, the destitute is a doll
Allum pagalum uzhaippavan bommaiThe one who labors day and night is a doll
Dhinam allal pattu alaibavan bommaiThe one who wanders suffering daily is a doll
Male
Neeyum bommai naanum bommaiYou are a doll, I am a doll
Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommaiIf you deeply reflect, everything is a doll
Male
Vidhiyin paarvaiyil uyirgal bommaiIn the eyes of destiny, living beings are dolls
Veesum puyalil ulagamae bommaiIn a raging storm, the entire world is a doll
Nathiyin munnae dharumamum bommaiBefore the surging river, righteousness itself is a doll
Varum saavin pidiyil vaazhvum bommaiIn the grip of impending death, life is a doll
Male
Neeyum bommai naanum bommaiYou are a doll, I am a doll
Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommaiIf you deeply reflect, everything is a doll
Male
Anbin anaippil anaivarum bommaiIn the warm embrace of love, everyone is a doll
Aasai vaarthaiyil arivum bommaiIn the seductive words of desire, wisdom itself is a doll
Anbin anaippil anaivarum bommaiIn the warm embrace of love, everyone is a doll
Aasai vaarthaiyil arivum bommaiIn the seductive words of desire, wisdom itself is a doll
Inba cholaiyil iyarkai bommaiIn the garden of joy, nature is a doll
Andha iyarkai amaippil edhuvumae bommaiAnd in the grandeur of nature's design, everything is a doll
Male
Neeyum bommai naanum bommaiYou are a doll, I am a doll
Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommaiIf you deeply reflect, everything is a doll

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song uses the metaphor of a puppet or doll ('bommai') to contemplate human existence, power dynamics, and the impermanence of control. The lyrist reflects that regardless of status—whether a child, follower, deity, working laborer, or wise scholar—everyone is ultimately driven by forces beyond their control, such as fate, nature, emotion, and death.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Neeyum bommai naanum bommai / Ninaichu paarthaa ellaam bommai

Comparing every aspect of creation—human beings, gods, societal roles, nature, and intellect—to helpless dolls driven by higher powers.

Refrain / Anaphora

Neeyum bommai naanum bommai

Repetition of the signature chorus lines across the song to reinforce the central theme of universal powerlessness.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vallavan kaiyil nallavan bommai

Matching initial consonant and vowel sounds across words in the same line.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Allum pagalum uzhaippavan bommai / Dhinam allal pattu alaibavan bommai

Syllabic harmony in the second letter of successive words, such as 'Allum' and 'allal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the movie 'Bommai' (1964), directed and scored by the multi-talented Veena maestro S. Balachander. Sung by K. J. Yesudas, this song is renowned for its profound philosophical lyrics written by V. Lakshmanan.

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