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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Or Aayiram Yaanai

From Nandha · 2001

Lyricist: Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer: Unnikrishnan
Music director: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Movie name: Nandha
Movie release year: 2001
Lyrics added on: 16 Jan 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Oraayiram yaanai kondraal bharani

Aadhalaal yudham irukku gavani

Thaai vayittril thalaikeezhaaga

Un vazhiyo illai neraaga

Thol saaya pudhu uravingae

Thoon ellam ini thoolaaga

Aayiram yaanai kondraal bharani

Aadhalaal yudham irukku gavani

Kuzhal osai illai

Kuyil osai illai

Idi osai ondrae arindhaayae

Muranodu vaazhndhu

Mullodu serndhu

Anbaal ingu poo pookindraai

Oru raaja varunthaamal

Ada budhan jananam illai

Manam nonthu norugaamal

Ada sithan pirapathum illai

Vaazhndhaai theeyin madiyil

Serndhaai theertha karayil

Oraayiram yaanai kondraal bharani

Aadhalaal yudham irukku gavani

Thaai vayittril thalaikeezhaaga

Un vazhiyo illai neraaga

Thol saaya pudhu uravingae

Thoon ellam ini thoolaaga

Aayiram yaanai kondraal bharani

Aadhalaal yudham irukku gavani

Slaying a thousand elephants earns a song of victory,

So a battle awaits you, beware.

Upside down in your mother's womb,

Your path in life was never straight.

Here is a new bond to lean your shoulder on,

Let all rigid pillars crumble to dust from now on.

Slaying a thousand elephants earns a song of victory,

So a battle awaits you, beware.

No sound of a flute,

No song of a cuckoo,

You only ever knew the sound of thunder.

Living through constant conflict,

Growing among sharp thorns,

Today you bloom with love.

Without a king grieving in sorrow,

A Buddha is never born.

Without a heart breaking to pieces,

A sage is never born.

You lived in the lap of fire,

And have now reached the peaceful shore of holy waters.

Slaying a thousand elephants earns a song of victory,

So a battle awaits you, beware.

Upside down in your mother's womb,

Your path in life was never straight.

Here is a new bond to lean your shoulder on,

Let all rigid pillars crumble to dust from now on.

Slaying a thousand elephants earns a song of victory,

So a battle awaits you, beware.

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie 'Nandha' serves as a profound narrative commentary on the protagonist Nandha's tragic, struggle-filled life. Having endured severe childhood trauma and a life filled with pain rather than peace, Nandha views existence as an endless battleground. The lyrics compare his turmoil to the classical Tamil literary concept of 'Bharani'—a poetic honor given only to heroes who slay a thousand elephants in battle—symbolizing that immense suffering produces true strength.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion / Classical Reference (Bharani)

“Oraayiram yaanai kondraal bharani”

References 'Bharani', a traditional Tamil poetic genre dedicated to a supreme warrior who defeats 1,000 elephants in battle, metaphorically framing the protagonist's personal struggles as a heroic war.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

“Vaazhndhaai theeyin madiyil / Serndhaai theertha karayil”

Contrasts living in the 'lap of fire' (suffering/pain) with reaching the 'shore of holy water' (peace/redemption).

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

“Kuzhal osai illai / Kuyil osai illai”

Both lines end with the rhyming word 'osai illai', creating a rhythmic and melancholic musicality.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Anbaal ingu poo pookindraai”

Metaphorically compares the protagonist blossoming into a compassionate human being to a flower blooming amidst thorns.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Nandha' (2001), directed by Bala with music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and lyrics by Na. Muthukumar, served as a landmark re-launch for actor Suriya, establishing him as a serious dramatic actor. Na. Muthukumar's lyrics draw cleverly on classical Tamil literature (specifically 'Bharani' grammar) to elevate the protagonist's personal internal conflict to epic proportions.

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