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Manamagal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aana Vilasam Thanappa

From Manamagal · 1951

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
T. S. Durairaj
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Movie name
Manamagal
Movie release year
1951
Lyrics added on
30 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aana vilasam thaanappa
Ulagil periyadhu
Adharkkinaiyaanadhu verethappa
Aana vilasam thaanappa
Ulagil periyadhu
Moona pasangalaiyum naanaa vidhangaligum
Moona pasangalaiyum naanaa vidhangaligum
Munnera seigiradhum mudhalaali aakirathum
Aana vilasam thaanappa
Kacheri pannugira kaligaala baagavadhar
Kacheri pannugira kaligaala baagavadhar
Sishayai karkkum penn manigal
Sneham padikkarthum
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappa
Bhakthi vidham kaanadha
Baagavathar panathai ellam
Bhakthi vidham kaanadha
Baagavathar panathai ellam
Aththar scent viyaabari
Abagarithu vaazhuradhum
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappa
Taana toona theriyaa
Rowdy pasangal ellam
Taana toona theriyaa
Rowdy pasangal ellam
Menaattu kaaran polae
Velicham pottu thiriyaradhum
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappa
Sondha muyarchiyillaan
Thozhil seiya payirchi illaan
Sondha muyarchiyillaan
Thozhil seiya payirchi illaan
Santharppa vasadhiyinaal
Dhanavandhan aagurathum
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappa
Ulagil periyadhu
Adharkkinaiyaanadhu verethappa
Aana vilasam thaanappa
Ulagil periyadhu
A grand outward show, my friend,
is the greatest thing in this world!
What else could ever match it?
A grand outward show, my friend,
is the greatest thing in this world!
Even good-for-nothing fellows, in all kinds of ways,
Even good-for-nothing fellows, in all kinds of ways,
it helps them rise up and become big bosses!
It is all the power of outward show, my friend!
The modern-day concert singer,
The modern-day concert singer,
and the young women who come to learn as students,
end up studying the lessons of romance!
It is all the power of outward show, my friend!
Without showing any true devotion,
all of the singer's money,
Without showing any true devotion,
all of the singer's money,
the perfume merchant
swindles away to make a living!
It is all the power of outward show, my friend!
Knowing neither sense nor manners,
all kinds of street rowdies,
Knowing neither sense nor manners,
all kinds of street rowdies,
posing like Western gentlemen,
strut around showing off in the spotlight!
It is all the power of outward show, my friend!
A man who makes no effort of his own,
who has no training to do any trade,
A man who makes no effort of his own,
who has no training to do any trade,
just by lucky circumstances,
turns into a wealthy man!
A grand outward show, my friend,
is the greatest thing in this world!
What else could ever match it?
A grand outward show, my friend,
is the greatest thing in this world!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aana Vilasam Thaanappa from Manamagal (1951) is a sharp social satire written by the acclaimed reformist poet Udumalai Narayanakavi. The song mockingly glorifies Aana Vilasam—the influence of wealth, worldly status, and pretention—as the ultimate force driving success in modern society. Through humor and biting realism, the lyricist exposes how society rewards appearance over merit. Narrated through vivid real-world observations, the lyrics portray various societal ironies: foolish individuals becoming wealthy business owners, music teachers and students engaging in romantic affairs rather than learning art, fake devotional performers losing their earnings to cunning tricksters, and uneducated troublemakers posing as cultured Westerners. Ultimately, the song laments how circumstances and wealth, rather than hard work and genuine skill, determine a person's standing in the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Satire and Irony

“Aana vilasam thaanappa / Ulagil periyadhu”

The entire song uses sarcasm, pretending to praise 'Aana vilasam' (worldly power/wealth) while actually criticizing social pretention and moral decay.

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Aana vilasam thaanappa / Moona pasangalaiyum”

The second letter consonant 'na' matches across lines, creating a rhythmic lyrical flow.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

“Sondha muyarchiyillaan / Santharppa vasadhiyinaal”

Alliteration of the initial sound 'S' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Manamagal (1951), directed by S. V. Sahasranamam and based on a play by Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, featured music composed by C. R. Subbaraman. Lyricist Udumalai Narayanakavi was famous for incorporating Dravidian movement ideologies, rationalism, and social criticism into cinema songs.

Keep listening

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