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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aana Vilasam Thanappa

From Manamagal · 1951

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
T. S. Durairaj
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Manamagal1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aana vilasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Ulagil periyadhuThe greatest thing in the world
Adharkkinaiyaanadhu verethappaWhat else is equal to it, my friend?
Aana vilasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Ulagil periyadhuThe greatest thing in the world
Moona pasangalaiyum naanaa vidhangaligumTaking foolish and worthless youths in various ways
Moona pasangalaiyum naanaa vidhangaligumTaking foolish and worthless youths in various ways
Munnera seigiradhum mudhalaali aakirathumMaking them progress and turn into wealthy proprietors
Aana vilasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Male
Kacheri pannugira kaligaala baagavadharThe modern-day music performers holding concerts
Kacheri pannugira kaligaala baagavadharThe modern-day music performers holding concerts
Sishayai karkkum penn manigalAnd the women who learn as their disciples
Sneham padikkarthumLearning romance and affection instead of music
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Male
Bhakthi vidham kaanadhaDevoid of any true devotion
Baagavathar panathai ellamAll the money earned by the singer
Bhakthi vidham kaanadhaDevoid of any true devotion
Baagavathar panathai ellamAll the money earned by the singer
Aththar scent viyaabariThe merchant selling scents and perfumes
Abagarithu vaazhuradhumUsurping all of it and living off it
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Male
Taana toona theriyaaKnowing neither rhythm nor tune of music
Rowdy pasangal ellamAll these rowdy youngsters
Taana toona theriyaaKnowing neither rhythm nor tune of music
Rowdy pasangal ellamAll these rowdy youngsters
Menaattu kaaran polaeDressing up like Westerners
Velicham pottu thiriyaradhumRoaming around showing off in the spotlight
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Male
Sondha muyarchiyillaanOne who lacks self-effort
Thozhil seiya payirchi illaanOne who lacks training to do any work
Sondha muyarchiyillaanOne who lacks self-effort
Thozhil seiya payirchi illaanOne who lacks training to do any work
Santharppa vasadhiyinaalBy mere favorable circumstance alone
Dhanavandhan aagurathumBecoming an immensely rich man
Aanaa vilaasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Ulagil periyadhuThe greatest thing in the world
Adharkkinaiyaanadhu verethappaWhat else is equal to it, my friend?
Aana vilasam thaanappaIt is the power of status and wealth, my friend
Ulagil periyadhuThe greatest thing in the world

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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