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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninathathai Nadathiyae

From Nam Naadu · 1969

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nam Naadu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Ninaithathai nadathiyae{The one who accomplishes what he resolves,
Mudippavan naan naan naanI am he, I am he, I am he!
Thunichalai manathilaeThe one who has cultivated courage in his heart,
Valarthavan naan naan} (2)I am he, I am he!}
Male
{Ennidam mayakkam{Those who are infatuated
Kondavar pazhakkam} (2)With me have a habit}
Indrum endrum thevai endruSaying it is needed today and forever,
Solladi thangamTell me, my dear gold!
Female
{Thangam thangum{Gold resides
Endhan angam engengumAll across my body,
Ponnum pennumGold and women
Vandhu minnum kannengum} (2)Shine wherever the eye can see}
Female
Vilayattu pillaigalPlayful children,
Thalaiyaatum bommaigalNodding dolls,
Vara vendum ellorumEveryone must come
Uravaada inneramTo socialize at this hour.
Pattaadai thottaadaTo touch silk attire and dance,
Kattaayam vaaCome without fail!
Male
Ninaithathai nadathiyaeAccomplishing what he resolves,
Mudippavan naan naan naanI am he, I am he, I am he!
Thunichalai manathilaeThe one who has cultivated courage in his heart,
Valarthavan naan naanI am he, I am he!
Male
{Ennidam mayakkam{Those who are infatuated
Kondavar pazhakkam} (2)With me have a habit}
Indrum endrum thevai endruSaying it is needed today and forever,
Solladi thangamTell me, my dear gold!
Chorus
Lal lal lal lal lal lal laa laa laaLal lal lal lal lal lal laa laa laa
Lal lal lal lal lal lal lalal laa laa laaLal lal lal lal lal lal lalal laa laa laa
Male
{Panneeril kulipadhu{Bathing in rose water
Maaligai nenjamIs the palatial heart;
Than kanneeril midhappadhuFloating in its own tears
Ezhaigal ullam} (2)Is the heart of the poor}
Male
Padaithaan oru ulagamHe created a world,
Panam thaan adhan uruvamAnd money is its form.
Yedhuvum idhil adakkamEverything is contained within this;
Idhu yen endru edhirkaalamWhy this is so, let the future
Vidai koorattumProvide the answer!
Male
Ninaithathai nadathiyaeAccomplishing what he resolves,
Mudippavan naan naan naanI am he, I am he, I am he!
Thunichalai manathilaeThe one who has cultivated courage in his heart,
Valarthavan naan naanI am he, I am he!
Chorus
LallalaalalaaLallalaalalaa
LallalaalalaaLallalaalalaa
LallalaalalaaLallalaalalaa
LallalaalalaaLallalaalalaa
Female
{Senthaenai vadippadhu{Dripping pure honey
Thaamarai kannamIs the lotus cheek;
Adhai sinthaamal koduppathuOffering it without spilling
Poovizhi kinnam} (2)Is the cup of flower-like eyes}
Female
Mudhal naal mella thodalaamOn the first day, touch gently,
Maru naal micham peralaamOn the next day, gain the rest.
Avanthaan nalla rasiganHe is a true connoisseur;
Adhai ariyadha neeyaaroWho are you who does not know that,
Pudhu paadaganOh new singer?
Male
Ninaithathai nadathiyaeAccomplishing what he resolves,
Mudippavan naan naan naanI am he, I am he, I am he!
Thunichalai manathilaeThe one who has cultivated courage in his heart,
Valarthavan naan naanI am he, I am he!
Chorus
Lal lal lal lal lal lal laa laa laaLal lal lal lal lal lal laa laa laa
Lal lal lal lal lal lal lalal laa laa laaLal lal lal lal lal lal lalal laa laa laa
Male
Sollamal nadappadhuWhat happens unspoken
Naadagam ondruIs a drama;
Adhu indrodu nillaamalIt does not stop with today,
Naalaiyum unduIt continues tomorrow too.
Female
Idhazh mell oru paadalA song upon the lips,
Madimel vilaiyaadalPlaying on the lap,
Idaiyil siru oodalA brief lover's quarrel in between,
Idhai naan solla thaan indhaTo convey all this, these
Vizhi jaadaigalEye signals exist!
Male
Ninaithathai nadathiyaeAccomplishing what he resolves,
Mudippavan naan naan naanI am he, I am he, I am he!
Thunichalai manathilaeThe one who has cultivated courage in his heart,
Valarthavan naan naanI am he, I am he!
Male
{Ennidam mayakkam{Those who are infatuated
Kondavar pazhakkam} (2)With me have a habit}
Indrum endrum thevai endruSaying it is needed today and forever,
Solladi thangamTell me, my dear gold!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ninaithathai Nadathiye from Nam Naadu (1969) is a iconic hero-introduction song that blends personal confidence with sharp social critique. The protagonist asserts his firm determination to achieve anything he sets his mind to, empowered by courage built within his heart. The lyrics express charisma and self-assurance while commenting on societal divides, drawing a stark contrast between the wealthy living in luxury and the poor struggling through tears.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Ninaithathai / Thunichalai

The second consonant sound 'na/ni' in 'Ninaithathai' matches with 'nu/ni' in 'Thunichalai' across alternating lines.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Than kanneeril midhappadhu ezhaigal ullam

Compares the emotional state and suffering of the poor to floating in their own tears.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Panam thaan adhan uruvam

Metaphorically describes money as the physical shape and essence of the world.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nam Naadu (1969) featured M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The song 'Ninaithathai Nadathiye' became an influential anthem associated with MGR's public persona, composed by M.S. Viswanathan and sung by T.M. Soundararajan, with lyrics penned by Vaali.

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