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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Netru Vandhu

From Neengatha Ninaivu · 1963

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Neengatha Ninaivu1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Varuvadhu pol varum vandhu vandhu pogumIt seems as if it comes, appearing and then disappearing
Sugam iruppadhu pol irukkumIt seems as if happiness exists
Illaiyendru aagum illaiyendru aagumOnly to become nothingness, only to become nothingness
Male
Naetru vandhu indririndhu naalai pogumArriving yesterday, staying today, and leaving tomorrow
Ingae nadanthathellaam mudindhu pona nadagam aagumEverything that happened here becomes a drama that has concluded
Naetru vandhu indririndhu naalai pogumArriving yesterday, staying today, and leaving tomorrow
Ingae nadanthathellaam mudindhu pona nadagam aagumEverything that happened here becomes a drama that has concluded
Male
Aada vandha naadagathai aadugindrenI am performing the drama I came to act
Naan paada vandha paadalaiyae paadugindrenI am singing the very song I came to sing
Aada vandha naadagathai aadugindrenI am performing the drama I came to act
Naan paada vandha paadalaiyae paadugindrenI am singing the very song I came to sing
Kooda vandha koottathilae paadhiyillaiyaeHalf of the crowd that came alongside me is no longer here
Kooda vandha koottathilae paadhiyillaiyaeHalf of the crowd that came alongside me is no longer here
Vaazhvai kooti kazhithu paarkaiyilaeWhen I calculate life by adding and subtracting
Meedhiyillaiyae meedhiyillaiyaeThere is no remainder left, there is no remainder left
Male
Naetru vandhu indririndhu naalai pogumArriving yesterday, staying today, and leaving tomorrow
Ingae nadanthathellaam mudindhu pona nadagam aagumEverything that happened here becomes a drama that has concluded
Male
Vilakkilladha paadhaiyil vizhithu vizhithu paarkaiyilWhen staring wide-eyed on an unlit, dark path
Kizhakku maerku therivadhundoCan one distinguish East from West?
Kaal nadakka therivadhundoCan one know where one's feet are walking?
Vilakkilladha paadhaiyil vizhithu vizhithu paarkaiyilWhen staring wide-eyed on an unlit, dark path
Kizhakku maerku therivadhundoCan one distinguish East from West?
Kaal nadakka therivadhundoCan one know where one's feet are walking?
Thelivilladha mayakkathilIn a hazy, confused stupor
Ulaga vaazhkai medaiyilOn the stage of worldly life
Thelivilladha mayakkathilIn a hazy, confused stupor
Ulaga vaazhkai medaiyilOn the stage of worldly life
Manidhan aadum nadagathilIn the play performed by human beings
Mudhalum engae mudivum engaeWhere is the beginning, and where is the end?
Male
Naetru vandhu indririndhu naalai pogumArriving yesterday, staying today, and leaving tomorrow
Ingae nadanthathellaam mudindhu pona nadagam aagumEverything that happened here becomes a drama that has concluded
Naetru vandhu indririndhu naalai pogumArriving yesterday, staying today, and leaving tomorrow
Ingae nadanthathellaam mudindhu pona nadagam aagumEverything that happened here becomes a drama that has concluded

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deep, existential meditation on the transient and illusory nature of human existence. It portrays life as a grand theatrical play where each person enters, performs their predestined role, and departs. Transient joy and human relationships fade over time; when a person reflects upon their life journey ('adding and subtracting'), they find no lasting material or emotional gain left behind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம் - Uruvagam)

Ulaga vaazhkai medaiyil / Ingae nadanthathellaam mudindhu pona nadagam aagum

Life is explicitly conceptualized as a theatrical stage ('medai') and human experiences as a finished play ('nadagam').

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aada vandha naadagathai / Naan paada vandha paadalaiyae

The second consonant sound 'da' matches in 'Aada' and 'paada', creating a rhythmic flow in Tamil verse.

Repetition / Adukku Thodar (அடுக்குத் தொடர்)

vandhu vandhu pogum / vizhithu vizhithu paarkaiyil

Words like 'vandhu' and 'vizhithu' are repeated sequentially to emphasize duration, continuous action, and intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, this song showcases lyricist Vaali's mastery over philosophical Tamil lyrics during the 1960s, heavily echoing classical Shakespearean 'all the world's a stage' themes tailored to South Indian cultural sensibilities.

Keep listening

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