T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela perform ‘Naadala Vandhaaru’ from the album ‘Thaai.’ Lyricist Kannadasan and composer M. S. Viswanathan create a solemn tribute to a leader’s vision for education.
Naadala Vandhaaru
P. Susheela | T. M. Soundararajan • From “Thaai”
Thaai’s Naadala Vandhaaru Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Kannadasan describes a child crying not for milk but for schooling. The lyrics state the leader rejected marriage and wealth to prioritize fighting poverty and illiteracy.
Naadaala Vandhaaru Naadaala Vandhaaru HoiHe came to rule the land, he came to govern us, hey!
Naadaala Vandhaaru Naadaala VandhaaruHe came to rule the land, he came to govern us.
Rajangam KandaarammaaHe established a kingdom for the people, oh girls.
Kallaamai Kandaaru Illaamai KandaaruHe saw our illiteracy, he saw our poverty.
Kalloori Thanthaarammaa AmmammaaSo he gave us colleges to learn, oh my!
Kalloori ThanthaarammaaHe gave us colleges to learn.
Naadaala Vandhaaru Naadaala VandhaaruHe came to rule the land, he came to govern us.
Rajangam KandaarammaaHe established a kingdom for the people, oh girls.
Kallaamai Kandaaru Illaamai KandaaruHe saw our illiteracy, he saw our poverty.
Kalloori Thanthaarammaa AmmammaaSo he gave us colleges to learn, oh my!
Kalloori ThanthaarammaaHe gave us colleges to learn.
Pandiya Nattu SeemaiyilaeIn the region of the Pandya land.
Oru Pachai Kuzhanthai AzhuthathadiA young, innocent child was crying there.
Paalukkaga AzhavillaiIt wasn’t crying for milk.
Adhu Padippukkaga AzhuthathadiIt was crying out for education.
Maadu Meikkum Siruvanai KanduSeeing a young boy grazing the cattle,
Manathum Udalum PadhaiththathadiHis heart and body trembled with pain.
Maadu Meikkum Siruvanai KanduSeeing a young boy grazing the cattle,
Manathum Udalum PadhaiththathadiHis heart and body trembled with pain.
Valarum Pillai Tharkuriyaanaal“If a growing child remains illiterate,
Vaazhvathu Eppadi EndrathadiHow will he survive?” he asked us.
Naadaala Vandhaaru Naadaala VandhaaruHe came to rule the land, he came to govern us.
Rajangam KandaarammaaHe established a kingdom for the people, oh girls.
Petra Thaaiyaiyum MaranthathadiHe even forgot the mother who bore him.
Adhu Pirantha Ponnaattai NinaiththathadiHe thought only of this golden land of his birth.
Petra Thaaiyaiyum MaranthathadiHe even forgot the mother who bore him.
Adhu Pirantha Ponnaattai NinaiththathadiHe thought only of this golden land of his birth.
Uttraar Uravinar Yaaraiyum MaranthuForgetting all his kith and kin,
Ulagam Kaakka ThuninthathadiHe dared to protect the world around him.
Kalyaanam Seiyyavum EnnamillaiHe had no intention to ever marry.
Oru Kaasukkum Panaththukkum AasaiyillaiHe had no desire for a coin or wealth.
Kalyaanam Seiyyavum EnnamillaiHe had no intention to ever marry.
Oru Kaasukkum Panaththukkum AasaiyillaiHe had no desire for a coin or wealth.
Ellaarkkum Ellaamum Vendumendrae“Everyone deserves to have everything”—
Dhinam Ennuvathallaal YaedhumillaiHe had no thought other than this every day.
Naadaala Vandhaaru Naadaala VandhaaruHe came to rule the land, he came to govern us.
Rajangam KandaarammaaHe established a kingdom for the people, oh girls.
Kallaamai Kandaaru Illaamai KandaaruHe saw our illiteracy, he saw our poverty.
Kalloori Thanthaarammaa AmmammaaSo he gave us colleges to learn, oh my!
Kalloori ThanthaarammaaHe gave us colleges to learn.
Pirappinil Pachai ThamizhanadiBy his birth, he’s a pure Tamilian.
Avar Periyavar Enpom NaangaladiWe call him the Great Elder.
Pirappinil Pachai ThamizhanadiBy his birth, he’s a pure Tamilian.
Avar Periyavar Enpom NaangaladiWe call him the Great Elder.
Karma Veeranai Kaalaa GandhiThe ‘Hero of Action’, the ‘Black Gandhi’—
Endrazhaippar India MakkaladiThat’s how the people of India call him.
Avarai Azhaippom VaangaladiCome girls, let’s invite him here.
Orr Arasae Amaippom VaangaladiCome, let’s form a government.
Avarai Azhaippom VaangaladiCome girls, let’s invite him here.
Orr Arasae Amaippom VaangaladiCome, let’s form a government.
Viruthu Koduththu Nagarvalam VaruvomWe’ll give him awards and parade him through town.
Vettri Muzhangida KoodungadiGather around to trumpet his victory!
Vettri Muzhangida KoodungadiGather around to trumpet his victory!
Naadala Vandhaaru Music Video
‘Thaai’ album’s Naadala Vandhaaru lyrics in English detail how building colleges became the leader’s legacy. The song frames education as vital for societal progress.