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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aana Aavanna

From Vaagai Sooda Vaa · 2011

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Lisbon International Symphony Orchestra
Music director
M. Ghibran
Details
Vaagai Sooda Vaa2011

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Thaanaa..nanaa..thananaa..Tuning vocalizations..
Tha nanaa nanaa..thana..nanaTuning vocalizations..
Thaanaa..nanaa..thananaa..Tuning vocalizations..
Tha nanaa nanaa..thana..nanaaTuning vocalizations..
Chorus
Aana aavana eenaAa, Aana, Eena (The Tamil alphabets)
Athai arivikka vanthavan aandavanaaWas the one who came to teach them God himself?
Kaanaa kaavanna keenaKaa, Kaavana, Keena (The Tamil consonants)
Enga kanna thiranthaanaaDid he open our eyes?
Chorus
{Adi tham thamBeat the rhythm, tham tham
Adi tham thamBeat the rhythm, tham tham
Adi thamarae thamaraeBeat the lotus rhythm, lotus rhythm
Thamarae tham} (2)Lotus rhythm
Chorus
Pulli maanae pulli maanaeSpotted deer, spotted deer
Naan ezhudhura ezhuthukku pulli koduPut a dot (dot/period) on the letters I write
Poonguyilae poonguyilaeFlower cuckoo, flower cuckoo
Empaattukku badhilu koduGive an answer to my song
Chorus
{Adi tham thamBeat the rhythm, tham tham
Adi tham thamBeat the rhythm, tham tham
Adi thamarae thamaraeBeat the lotus rhythm, lotus rhythm
Thamarae tham} (2)Lotus rhythm
Chorus
Sari thaanaa muraithaanaaIs this right? Is this custom?
Ada pookalin thalaiyil paaraigalaaAh, are rocks placed on top of delicate flowers?
Kallamal vellamal naamWithout learning, without winning, are we
Kaneer piravigalaaBeings born only for tears?
Female
Kallatha oru jathiWill an uneducated community
Kalviyum katru vidumaaLearn and gain education?
Mannaalum siru koottamWill a small group that rules the soil
Vinvelli thottu vidumaaTouch the outer space?
Chorus :Vinvelli thottu vidumaaChorus: Touch the outer space?
Chorus
Aana aavana eenaAa, Aana, Eena (The Tamil alphabets)
Athai arivikka vanthavan aandavanaaWas the one who came to teach them God himself?
Kaanaa kaavanna keenaKaa, Kaavana, Keena (The Tamil consonants)
Enga kanna thiranthaanaaDid he open our eyes?
Chorus
Ilamayil kal endru sonnaalWhen they say 'learn while young'
Athu sengal sumakkum velaiallaIt does not mean carrying red bricks (child labor)
Ezuthai naam katru kondaalIf we learn the written word
Ada ini mel ezhaiyallaAh, we will no longer be poor!
Ini mel ezhaiyallaNo longer poor!
Chorus
Thaanaa..nanaa..thananaa..Tuning vocalizations..
Tha nanaa nanaa..thana..nanaTuning vocalizations..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Vaagai Sooda Vaa' centers on the transformative power of education in an impoverished brick-kiln village during the 1960s. It emphasizes how literacy liberates oppressed children from child labor and generational poverty, portraying the teacher as a savior figure who opens the eyes of the uneducated villagers to a bright future where even the downtrodden can reach the stars.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Kallatha oru jathi / Kalviyum katru vidumaa

Repetition of the initial letter sound 'Ka' across 'Kallatha' and 'Kalviyum'.

Metaphor

Ada pookalin thalaiyil paaraigalaa

Comparing young innocent children to delicate flowers carrying heavy rocks ('pookalin thalaiyil paaraigalaa'), symbolizing child labor at brick kilns.

Rhyme (Edhukai)

Aana aavana eena / Kaanaa kaavanna keena

Second letter rhyming with 'Aana' and 'Kaanaa' across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vaagai Sooda Vaa' won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The music was composed by M. Ghibran in his film debut, earning widespread critical acclaim for its period-authentic acoustic score.

Keep listening

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