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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nitham Nitham

From Bandha Pasam · 1962

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Bandha Pasam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Nenjil ninaippadhilae nadandhadhu thaan ethanaiyoOut of all that is thought in the heart, how few actually happen!
Male
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Nenjil ninaippadhilae nadandhadhu thaan ethanaiyoOut of all that is thought in the heart, how few actually happen!
Kodu pottu vaazhndhavargal ethanaiyoHow many people lived sticking strictly to rules and plans!
Konda kuriyum thavari ponavargal ethanaiyoAnd how many missed the goals they had set for themselves!
Male
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Nenjil ninaippadhilae nadandhadhu thaan ethanaiyoOut of all that is thought in the heart, how few actually happen!
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Male
Purai vidhaitha nilathilIn the land where a specific seed was sown
Vaeru sedi mulaithadhuA completely different plant sprouted
Kaadhal kadhaiyil paadhi nadakkum podhuHalfway through the story of love
Thirai vizhundhadhuThe curtain fell down
Male
Purai vidhaitha nilathilIn the land where a specific seed was sown
Vaeru sedi mulaithadhuA completely different plant sprouted
Kaadhal kadhaiyil paadhi nadakkum podhuHalfway through the story of love
Thirai vizhundhadhuThe curtain fell down
Thangai uyir thaanirundha idathil nindradhuThe younger sister's life stood still where it was
Kandu angum ingum indri ondruSeeing this, stranded without knowing where to go, one
MayangugindradhuStands swooning and confused
Kandu angum ingum indri ondruSeeing this, stranded without knowing where to go, one
MayangugindradhuStands swooning and confused
Male
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Nenjil ninaippadhilae nadandhadhu thaan ethanaiyoOut of all that is thought in the heart, how few actually happen!
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Male
Ilamai thulli ezhundhu nindruYouth bounded up enthusiastically
Kaadhal endradhuAnd called out 'Love!'
Kudumba nilamai edhiril vandhu nindruFamily situation stood right in front
Kadamai endradhuAnd called out 'Duty!'
Male
Ilamai thulli ezhundhu nindruYouth bounded up enthusiastically
Kaadhal endradhuAnd called out 'Love!'
Kudumba nilamai edhiril vandhu nindruFamily situation stood right in front
Kadamai endradhuAnd called out 'Duty!'
Kaadhal ennum poo ularndhu kadamai vendradhuThe flower called love withered, and duty won
Endrum maedu pallam ulladhu thaanAlways full of ups and downs
Vaazhkkai enbadhuIs what life is
Endrum maedu pallam ulladhu thaanAlways full of ups and downs
Vaazhkkai enbadhuIs what life is
Male
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Nenjil ninaippadhilae nadandhadhu thaan ethanaiyoOut of all that is thought in the heart, how few actually happen!
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Male
Thani kodiyaai nadai izhandhuLike a lonely creeper that lost its footing
Thavithadhu ondruOne struggled in pain
Adhan thunaikku vandhu thuyar thudaikkaTo come to its aid and wipe away its sorrow
Nindradhu ondruAnother stood by it
Male
Thani kodiyaai nadai izhandhuLike a lonely creeper that lost its footing
Thavithadhu ondruOne struggled in pain
Adhan thunaikku vandhu thuyar thudaikkaTo come to its aid and wipe away its sorrow
Nindradhu ondruAnother stood by it
Idharkkidhu thaan endru munbu yaar ninaithadhuWho would have thought before that it would end up like this?
Vazhi ingu vandhu mudiyum endraalIf the path is destined to end right here
Yaar thaduppadhuWho can prevent it?
Vazhi ingu vandhu mudiyum endraalIf the path is destined to end right here
Yaar thaduppadhuWho can prevent it?
Male
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day
Nenjil ninaippadhilae nadandhadhu thaan ethanaiyoOut of all that is thought in the heart, how few actually happen!
Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyoSo many things keep changing every single day

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical reflection on the unpredictable nature of human life, fate, and duty. It highlights how human plans and desires often succumb to unexpected turns of destiny. Through vivid imagery, the lyrics describe how personal affection and youthful passion are often overshadowed by familial responsibility and moral obligations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nitham nitham maarugindradethanaiyo / Nenjil ninaippadhilae

Repetition of the 'N' sound at the beginning of adjacent lines creating a rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor

Kaadhal ennum poo ularndhu kadamai vendradhu

Love is metaphorically presented as a delicate flower that withers when duty triumphs over personal desires.

Metaphor

Endrum maedu pallam ulladhu thaan Vaazhkkai enbadhu

Life is metaphorically equated to a rough terrain filled with high crests and low hollows ('maedu pallam').

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

Thani kodiyaai nadai izhandhu Thavithadhu ondru

A helpless human being is compared to a delicate creeper that has lost its vine support and struggles to survive.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bandha Pasam (1962) was directed by A. Bhimsingh and starred Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and Devika. The music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and the lyrics were penned by Mayavanathan.

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