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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Niyabagam Varuthe

From Autograph · 2004

Lyricists
Not listed
Singer
Bharathwaj
Music director
Bharathwaj
Movie name
Autograph
Movie release year
2004
Lyrics added on
24 Mar 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………………………………….
{ Niyabagam varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae } (2)
Pokkishamaaga nenjil pudhaintha
Ninaivukal ellam
Niyabagam varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae niyabagam varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae
Pokkishamaaga nenjil pudhaintha
Ninaivukal ellam
Niyabagam varudhae
Yedho ondrai tholaithadhu polae
Yedho meendum piranthadhu polae
Thaayae ennai valarthadhu polae
Kangalin oram kanneer varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae niyabagam varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae
Mudhal mudhal piditha thattaampoochi
Mudhal mudhal thirudiya thiruvizha watchu
Mudhal mudhal kuditha malabar beedi
Mudhal mudhal sertha undiyal kaasu
Mudhal mudhal paartha tourin cinema
Mudhal mudhal jeyitha sadukudu poti
Mudhal mudhal vaazhntha kraamathu veedu
Mudhal mudhal aakiya kootaanchoru
Mudhal mudhal pona siku buku payanam
Mudhal mudhal azhutha snehithan maranam
Niyabagam varudhae niyabagam varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae
Mudhal mudhalaaga pazhakiya neechal
Mudhal mudhalaaga otiya cycle
Mudhal vagupedutha mallika teacher
Mudhal mudhalaaga appa adithadhu
Mudhal mudhalaaga saamiku bayanthadhu
Mudhal mudhalaaga vaanavil rasithadhu
Mudhal mudhalaaga arumbiya meesai
Mudhal mudhalaaga virumbiya idhayam
Mudhal mudhalaaga ezhuthiya kaditham
Mudhal mudhalaaga vaangiya mutham
{ Niyabagam varudhae niyabagam varudhae
Niyabagam varudhae } (2)
...
Memories come rushing back...
Memories come rushing back...
Buried like treasures deep in my heart,
all those memories,
they come rushing back!
Memories come rushing back, memories come rushing back,
memories come rushing back!
Buried like treasures deep in my heart,
all those memories,
they come rushing back!
As if I have lost something dear,
as if something has been born anew,
as if a mother were raising me,
tears well up at the corners of my eyes.
Memories come rushing back, memories come rushing back,
memories come rushing back!
The very first dragonfly I caught,
the toy watch I first stole at the festival,
the Malabar beedi (leaf cigarette) I first smoked,
the coins I first saved in my piggy bank,
the touring tent-cinema I first went to,
the sadugudu (kabaddi) match I first won,
the village house where I first lived,
the kootanchoru (childhood potluck meal) we first cooked together,
the very first chug-chug train ride I took,
the first time I wept over a friend's death...
Memories come rushing back, memories come rushing back,
memories come rushing back!
The very first time I learned to swim,
the very first bicycle I rode,
Mallika Teacher who taught my very first class,
the first time my father hit me,
the first time I feared God,
the first time I admired a rainbow,
the first sprouting of my mustache,
the first heart that I loved,
the very first letter I wrote,
the very first kiss I received...
Memories come rushing back, memories come rushing back,
memories come rushing back!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Niyabagam Varudhae' is a deeply emotional, nostalgic anthem from the movie Autograph that traces the protagonist's journey down memory lane. The song catalogs pivotal 'firsts' of childhood and youth, ranging from simple innocent games like catching dragonflies to milestones like riding a bike, first crushes, loss, and growing up.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

“Mudhal mudhal...”

The phrase 'Mudhal mudhal' (The very first) is systematically repeated at the start of multiple consecutive lines to build a rhythmic list of childhood memories.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Pokkishamaaga nenjil pudhaintha”

Memories buried deep inside the heart are directly compared to hidden, precious treasure ('Pokkisham').

Simile (Upamai Ani)

“Yedho ondrai tholaithadhu polae”

The word 'polae' (like/as) is used to draw a comparison between nostalgic recollection and the sensation of losing something precious.

Onomatopoeia

“siku buku payanam”

'Siku buku' is an onomatopoeic word imitating the chug-chug sound made by a steam engine train.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Niyabagam Varudhae' is one of the most famous nostalgic songs in Tamil cinema, composed by Bharadwaj and written by lyricist Vairamuthu for Cheran's critically acclaimed film Autograph (2004). Sung soulfully by Unni Menon, the song became a timeless anthem for nostalgia across Tamil Nadu.

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