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Paadum Paravaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nizhalo Nijamo

From Paadum Paravaigal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Paadum Paravaigal
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
24 Apr 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ahahaa… ahahaa…
Aha haahaa haahaa
Nizhalo nijamo
Endru poraattamo
Nizhalo nijamo
Endru poraattamo
Dhisai illai vazhi illai
Idhil thaerottamo
Nizhalo nijamo
Endru poraattamo
………………………..
Dhisaiyai thaedi thavikkindren
Siragai thaedi parakkindren
Kanneeril neeraadinen
Dhisaiyai thaedi thavikkindren
Siragai thaedi parakkindren
Kanneeril neeraadinen
Poovil potta manjam angae
Mullil seidha paadhai ingae
Dharmam ingu tholvi kandaal
Kelvi ketka dheivam engae
Vaadai kaatru vandhaalum
Manadhil bayamae ezhumae
Nizhalo nijamo
Endru poraattamo
Haaaa…..aaa……….
………………………
Sarigama garigaa
Female :Haaa…..
Male :Garisani sarigaa
Female :Haa…..
Male :Garisani sarigari
Gamagari gamapadha pamagari
Gamagari gamapadha pamagari
Sasasaa sasasasaa sasasaa sasasasaa
Maranathin vaadai adikkindradhae
Mangaiyin nenjam thudikkindradhae
Boogambam undaanadhae
Maranathin vaadai adikkindradhae
Mangaiyin nenjam thudikkindradhae
Boogambam undaanadhae
Vaazhvai thaedi vandhom ingae
Saavu nammai thaedum ingae
Kanni maanai kaattil paarthu
Kanni vaitha vedan engae
Endha neram ennaagum
Dhinamae kalangum manamae
NizhaloChorus :Haa….aaa…
Female :NijamoChorus :Haaa…..aaa…
Female :Endru poraattamo
Chorus :Haaa…..aaa….aaa….aa….
Female :Dhisai illai vazhi illai
Idhil thaerottamo
NizhaloChorus :Haa….aaa…
Female :NijamoChorus :Haaa…..aaa…
Female :Endru poraattamo
Haa…aaa….aaa……………………….
Ahaha... Ahaha...
Aha haha haha
Is it a shadow or the truth?
Is this a struggle between them?
Is it a shadow or the truth?
Is this an endless struggle?
There is no direction, there is no path,
yet how does this chariot journey go on?
Is it a shadow or the truth?
Is this an endless struggle?
...
Searching for a direction, I suffer in distress,
Searching for wings, I try to fly,
I am drenched in tears.
Searching for a direction, I suffer in distress,
Searching for wings, I try to fly,
I am drenched in tears.
Over there is a bed of flowers,
Over here is a path of thorns.
If righteousness is defeated here,
Where is God to question it?
Even when the cold wind blows,
Only fear rises in my heart.
Is it a shadow or the truth?
Is this an endless struggle?
Ha... aa...
...
Sa ri ga ma ga ri ga
Female: Ha...
Male: Ga ri sa ni sa ri ga
Female: Ha...
Male: Ga ri sa ni sa ri ga ri
Ga ma ga ri ga ma pa dha pa ma ga ri
Ga ma ga ri ga ma pa dha pa ma ga ri
Sa sa saa sa sa sa saa sa sa saa sa sa sa saa
The scent of death drifts in the air,
This young woman's heart beats in terror,
An earthquake has shaken her world.
The scent of death drifts in the air,
This young woman's heart beats in terror,
An earthquake has shaken her world.
We came here searching for life,
Yet death is searching for us here.
Seeing an innocent deer in the forest,
Where is the hunter who laid the trap?
What will happen at any moment?
Every single day, my heart is in turmoil.
Is it a shadow? Chorus: Ha... aa...
Female: Or the truth? Chorus: Ha... aa...
Female: Is this an endless struggle?
Chorus: Ha... aa... aa... aa...
Female: There is no direction, there is no path,
yet how does this chariot move forward?
Is it a shadow? Chorus: Ha... aa...
Female: Or the truth? Chorus: Ha... aa...
Female: Is this an endless struggle?
Ha... aa... aa...
Male
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Nizhalo Nijamo from the 1985 movie Paadum Paravaigal is a poignant and emotionally intense track exploring themes of angst, uncertainty, and existential fear. The song captures the internal conflict of the protagonist who is trapped between illusion and reality, unable to find direction or solace in life. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses powerful metaphors to depict deep emotional pain, questioning divine justice in the face of suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nizhalo nijamo

Repetition of the initial consonant-vowel sound 'Ni' in 'Nizhalo' and 'nijamo'.

Muran (Contrast / Antithesis)

Poovil potta manjam angae / Mullil seidha paadhai ingae

Striking contrast drawn between a comfortable flower bed over there ('Poovil potta manjam') and a painful path of thorns here ('Mullil seidha paadhai').

Metaphor

Maranathin vaadai adikkindradhae

Death is metaphorically described as blowing like a wind carrying a distinct scent or aura.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paadum Paravaigal (1985) features lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song vividly uses classical swara improvisations to elevate the tragic and tense mood of the situation portrayed on screen.

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