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Lyrics & meaning

Njaana Thangame

From Raja Gopuram · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Ilayaraja, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Raja Gopuram
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
11 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Njaana thangamae njaana thangamae
Em paatta kelammaa njaana thangamae
Maram onnu nattu vachen njaana thangamae
Kanneeril thanneer vitten njaana thangamae
Maram yaeno pazhudhaa pochu njaana thangamae
Kodi vandhu thonaiyaa aachu njaana thangamae
Njaana thangamae njaana thangamae
Em paatta kelammaa njaana thangamae
Aaraari raari raaro…
Aaraari raari raaro…
Aaraariro… aaraariro…
Aaraariro… aaraariro…
Aaraariro… Aaraariro…
Kizhinjaalum saaya chaela
Velakkukku thiriyaagum
Aruthaalum kora pullu azhagaana paayaagum
Manusha jaadhi niyaayam mattum vaeru vaeru
Soma thaangi mannil saanjaa thaanguvadhaaru
Thanni ulla varaikkum kokku irukkum
Kolam vathi ponaa kokku parakkum
Oravellaam pagal mosam adi podi ellaam vaesham
Njaana thangamae njaana thangamae
Em paatta kelammaa njaana thangamae
Kalangaadhae njaana pennae
Kanneerum yaenammaa
Naadaanda mangammaavum
Un pola pennammaa
Annaalil thaan kannagi pola un kadhaiyaachu
Karai yaeri thaan kendaigal rendu pogudhu ippodhu
Oorukkullae ingae yaarum illaiyo
Indha mazha paeinjum eeram illaiyo
Thalaraadhae thalumbaadhae
Edhir kaalam nee thaan pennae
Njaana thangamae njaana thangamae
Em paatta kelammaa njaana thangamae
Maram onnu nattu vachen njaana thangamae
Kanneeril thanneer vitten njaana thangamae
Maram yaeno pazhudhaa pochu njaana thangamae
Kodi vandhu thonaiyaa aachu njaana thangamae
Njaana thangamae njaana thangamae
Em paatta kelammaa njaana thangamae
My precious golden darling, precious golden darling,
Listen to my song, my precious golden darling.
I planted a tree, my precious golden darling,
And watered it with my tears, my precious golden darling.
For some reason the tree withered away, my precious golden darling,
And a creeper vine became its support, my precious golden darling.
My precious golden darling, precious golden darling,
Listen to my song, my precious golden darling.
Aarari raari raaro...
Aarari raari raaro...
Aaraariro... aaraariro...
Aaraariro... aaraariro...
Aaraariro... aaraariro...
Even if a dyed saree gets torn,
It can serve as a wick for a lamp.
Even if river grass is cut down, it makes a lovely mat.
Only human justice is so divided and unfair.
If the stone that rests all burdens collapses, who will support it?
A crane stays only as long as there is water,
When the pond dries up, the crane flies away.
Relationships deceive you in broad daylight; oh girl, it is all just an act!
My precious golden darling, precious golden darling,
Listen to my song, my precious golden darling.
Do not lose heart, my dear girl,
Why must you shed these tears?
Even Queen Mangammal who ruled the land
Was a woman just like you.
Like Kannagi of ancient times, your life too has become a painful story.
Now, two little fish are stranded on the shore.
Is there no one in this town to help?
Even after all this rain, is there no warmth left in people's hearts?
Do not falter, do not lose your strength,
You are the future, my girl!
My precious golden darling, precious golden darling,
Listen to my song, my precious golden darling.
I planted a tree, my precious golden darling,
And watered it with my tears, my precious golden darling.
For some reason the tree withered away, my precious golden darling,
And a creeper vine became its support, my precious golden darling.
My precious golden darling, precious golden darling,
Listen to my song, my precious golden darling.
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Njaana Thangamae' is a soulful lullaby and philosophical consolation sung to soothe a young woman in deep emotional distress. Through vivid folk imagery—such as a tree nourished by tears, torn sarees repurposed as lamp wicks, and cranes abandoning dried-up ponds—the song reflects on the fickle nature of worldly relationships and the inevitability of sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Anaphora

“Njaana thangamae njaana thangamae”

The phrase 'Njaana thangamae' is repeated rhythmically throughout the song to structure it as a soothing folk lullaby.

Extended Metaphor

“Thanni ulla varaikkum kokku irukkum / Kolam vathi ponaa kokku parakkum”

The crane staying by the pond only while water remains serves as a metaphor for fair-weather relatives who desert during tough times.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Thalaraadhae thalumbaadhae”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Th' creates a reassuring phonetic cadence.

Allusion

“Annaalil thaan kannagi pola un kadhaiyaachu”

Refers to Kannagi from the epic Silappatikaram to emphasize tragic virtue and fortitude.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Gangai Amaran for the 1984 film 'Raja Gopuram', the song utilizes the 'Njaana Thangam' folk lullaby refrain traditionally used in Tamil rural music to express bittersweet wisdom and endurance.

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