Aanaikoru Kalam
From Savale Samali · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Chorus
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Savale Samali1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal | If a time comes for the elephant, |
| Poonaikkoru kaalam varum | A time will surely come for the cat too. |
| Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko | Understand this, understand this, understand this, |
| Chorus | |
| Purinjuko | Understand this. |
| Male | |
| Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal | If a time comes for the elephant, |
| Poonaikkoru kaalam varum | A time will surely come for the cat too. |
| Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko | Understand this, understand this, understand this, |
| Chorus | |
| Purinjuko | Understand this. |
| Male | |
| Saenai parivaarathudan | The one who lived like a wealthy lord, |
| Seemaan pol vaazhndhavanum | Surrounded by a grand army and retinue, |
| Yevanumilla therinjuko therinjuko | None of them remain forever; know this, know this, |
| Chorus | |
| Therinjuko | Know this. |
| Male | |
| Saenai parivaarathudan | The one who lived like a wealthy lord, |
| Seemaan pol vaazhndhavanum | Surrounded by a grand army and retinue, |
| Yevanumilla therinjuko therinjuko | None of them remain forever; know this, know this, |
| Chorus | |
| Therinjuko | Know this. |
| Male | |
| Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaa… aa… aa… | If a time comes for the elephant... ah... ah... |
| Male | |
| Paanai satti kalayathaiyae | Looking at the earthen pots and humble cooking vessels, |
| Paarthu mugam sulikkirae | You wrinkle your nose and twist your face in disgust. |
| Pazhikkirae verukkirae moraikkirae | You mock them, hate them, and glare at them angrily. |
| Paanai satti kalayathaiyae | Looking at the earthen pots and humble cooking vessels, |
| Paarthu mugam sulikkirae | You wrinkle your nose and twist your face in disgust. |
| Pazhikkirae verukkirae moraikkirae | You mock them, hate them, and glare at them angrily. |
| Male | |
| Aanaiyittu solluren naan | I say this with resolute authority: |
| Adhila unga panathimira | Your pride of money contained within that, |
| Adaikkiren odukkuaen adakkuren | I will break it, suppress it, and subdue it. |
| Naalai indha ulagamellaam | Tomorrow, this entire world, |
| Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum | Will turn into the hands of the poor. |
| Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko | Know this, know this, know this. |
| Chorus | |
| Naalai indha ulagamellaam | Tomorrow, this entire world, |
| Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum | Will turn into the hands of the poor. |
| Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko | Know this, know this, know this. |
| Male | |
| Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaa… | If a time comes for the elephant... |
| Aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa | Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa (folk rhythm chant) |
| Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa | Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa |
| Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa | Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa |
| Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaa | Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaa |
| Male | |
| Ezhaingha thaan panathil mattum | The poor are lacking only in wealth, |
| Veredhilum ezhaiyillae | They are not poor in any other human quality. |
| Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko | Know this, know this, know this. |
| Kozhaingha thaan kodumai seiya | When it comes to committing cruel deeds, |
| Koosugindra kozhainga thaan | They are cowards who hesitate to do evil. |
| Kurichuko kurichuko kurichuko | Note this down, note this down, note this down. |
| Chorus | |
| Naalai indha ulagamellaam | Tomorrow, this entire world, |
| Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum | Will turn into the hands of the poor. |
| Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko | Know this, know this, know this. |
| Male | |
| Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal | If a time comes for the elephant, |
| Poonaikkoru kaalam varum | A time will surely come for the cat too. |
| Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko | Understand this, understand this, understand this, |
| Chorus | |
| Purinjuko | Understand this. |
| Male | |
| Kudisai ellaam madamadannu | All the humble huts, with rapid momentum, |
| Koottu saendhu osandhidum | Will band together and rise up tall, |
| Gopuramaa gopuramaa | Like towering temple spires, like temple spires, |
| Chorus | |
| Gopuramaa | Like temple spires! |
| Male | |
| Kudisai ellaam madamadannu | All the humble huts, with rapid momentum, |
| Koottu saendhu osandhidum | Will band together and rise up tall, |
| Gopuramaa gopuramaa | Like towering temple spires, like temple spires, |
| Chorus | |
| Gopurama | Like temple spires! |
| Male | |
| Andha gopurathu saami ellaam | And all the deities residing in those grand temple spires, |
| Kudisaigalai thaedi varum | Will come searching for these humble huts, |
| Seekiramaa seekiramaa seekiramaa | Very soon, very soon, very soon! |
| Male | |
| Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal | If a time comes for the elephant, |
| Poonaikkoru kaalam varum | A time will surely come for the cat too. |
| Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko | Understand this, understand this, understand this, |
| Chorus | |
| Purinjuko | Understand this. |
| Male | |
| Naalai indha ulagamellaam | Tomorrow, this entire world, |
| Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum | Will turn into the hands of the poor. |
| Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko | Know this, know this, know this, |
| Chorus | |
| Therinjukko | Know this. |
| Chorus | |
| Aa allaek allaek allaek allaek | Ah allaek allaek allaek allaek! (folk cheer) |
ஆனைக்கொரு காலம் வந்தா
பூனைக்கொரு காலம் வரும்
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
If a time comes for the elephant,
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Understand this.
ஆனைக்கொரு காலம் வந்தா
பூனைக்கொரு காலம் வரும்
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
If a time comes for the elephant,
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Understand this.
சேனை பரிவாரத்துடன்
சீமான் போல் வாழ்ந்தவனும்
எவனுமில்லை தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
The one who lived like a wealthy lord,
Surrounded by a grand army and retinue,
None of them remain forever; know this, know this,
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Know this.
சேனை பரிவாரத்துடன்
சீமான் போல் வாழ்ந்தவனும்
எவனுமில்லை தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
The one who lived like a wealthy lord,
Surrounded by a grand army and retinue,
None of them remain forever; know this, know this,
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Know this.
ஆனைக்கொரு காலம் வந்தா.....ஆ......ஆ.....
If a time comes for the elephant... ah... ah...
பானைச் சட்டி கலையத்தையே
பார்த்து முகம் சுளிக்கிற
பழிக்கிறே வெறுக்கிறே மொறைக்கிறே
பானைச் சட்டி கலையத்தையே
பார்த்து முகம் சுளிக்கிற
பழிக்கிறே வெறுக்கிறே மொறைக்கிறே
Looking at the earthen pots and humble cooking vessels,
You wrinkle your nose and twist your face in disgust.
You mock them, hate them, and glare at them angrily.
Looking at the earthen pots and humble cooking vessels,
You wrinkle your nose and twist your face in disgust.
You mock them, hate them, and glare at them angrily.
ஆணையிட்டுச் சொல்லுறேன் நான்
அதிலே உங்க பணத் திமிரை
அடக்குறேன் ஒடுக்குறேன் அடக்குறேன்
நாளை இந்த உலகைமெல்லாம்
ஏழை கையில் மாறிவிடும்
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
I say this with resolute authority:
Your pride of money contained within that,
I will break it, suppress it, and subdue it.
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Know this, know this, know this.
நாளை இந்த உலகைமெல்லாம்
ஏழை கையில் மாறிவிடும்
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Know this, know this, know this.
ஆனைக்கொரு காலம் வந்தா.....
ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.....
If a time comes for the elephant...
Ah... ah... ah...
தந்தானா தந்தானா தந்தையா
தந்தானா தந்தானா தந்தையா
தந்தானா தந்தானா தந்தையா
லலல லலல லலல லலல லாலாலா
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa (folk rhythm chant)
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaa
ஏழைங்கத்தான் பணத்தில் மட்டும்
வேறெதிலும் ஏழையில்லே
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
கோழைங்கத்தான் கொடுமை செய்ய
கூசுகின்ற கோழைங்கதான்
குறிச்சுக்கோ குறிச்சுக்கோ குறிச்சுக்கோ
The poor are lacking only in wealth,
They are not poor in any other human quality.
Know this, know this, know this.
When it comes to committing cruel deeds,
They are cowards who hesitate to do evil.
Note this down, note this down, note this down.
நாளை இந்த உலகைமெல்லாம்
ஏழை கையில் மாறிவிடும்
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Know this, know this, know this.
ஆனைக்கொரு காலம் வந்தா
பூனைக்கொரு காலம் வரும்
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
If a time comes for the elephant,
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Understand this.
குடிசை எல்லாம் மடமடன்னு
கூட்டுச் சேர்ந்து ஒசந்திடும்
கோபுரமா கோபுரமா
All the humble huts, with rapid momentum,
Will band together and rise up tall,
Like towering temple spires, like temple spires,
கோபுரமா
Like temple spires!
குடிசை எல்லாம் மடமடன்னு
கூட்டுச் சேர்ந்து ஒசந்திடும்
கோபுரமா கோபுரமா
All the humble huts, with rapid momentum,
Will band together and rise up tall,
Like towering temple spires, like temple spires,
கோபுரமா
Like temple spires!
அந்த கோபுரத்து சாமியெல்லாம்
குடிசைகளை தேடி வரும்
சீக்கிரமா சீக்கிரமா சீக்கிரமா
And all the deities residing in those grand temple spires,
Will come searching for these humble huts,
Very soon, very soon, very soon!
நாளை இந்த உலகைமெல்லாம்
ஏழை கையில் மாறிவிடும்
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
If a time comes for the elephant,
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
ஆனைக்கொரு காலம் வந்தா
பூனைக்கொரு காலம் வரும்
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Understand this.
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Know this, know this, know this,
நாளை இந்த உலகைமெல்லாம்
ஏழை கையில் மாறிவிடும்
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Know this.
தெரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Ah allaek allaek allaek allaek! (folk cheer)
ஆ அல்லேக் அல்லேக் அல்லேக் அல்லேக்
Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal
If a time comes for the elephant,
Poonaikkoru kaalam varum
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
Purinjuko
Understand this.
Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal
If a time comes for the elephant,
Poonaikkoru kaalam varum
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
Purinjuko
Understand this.
Saenai parivaarathudan
The one who lived like a wealthy lord,
Seemaan pol vaazhndhavanum
Surrounded by a grand army and retinue,
Yevanumilla therinjuko therinjuko
None of them remain forever; know this, know this,
Therinjuko
Know this.
Saenai parivaarathudan
The one who lived like a wealthy lord,
Seemaan pol vaazhndhavanum
Surrounded by a grand army and retinue,
Yevanumilla therinjuko therinjuko
None of them remain forever; know this, know this,
Therinjuko
Know this.
Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaa… aa… aa…
If a time comes for the elephant... ah... ah...
Paanai satti kalayathaiyae
Looking at the earthen pots and humble cooking vessels,
Paarthu mugam sulikkirae
You wrinkle your nose and twist your face in disgust.
Pazhikkirae verukkirae moraikkirae
You mock them, hate them, and glare at them angrily.
Paanai satti kalayathaiyae
Looking at the earthen pots and humble cooking vessels,
Paarthu mugam sulikkirae
You wrinkle your nose and twist your face in disgust.
Pazhikkirae verukkirae moraikkirae
You mock them, hate them, and glare at them angrily.
Aanaiyittu solluren naan
I say this with resolute authority:
Adhila unga panathimira
Your pride of money contained within that,
Adaikkiren odukkuaen adakkuren
I will break it, suppress it, and subdue it.
Naalai indha ulagamellaam
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko
Know this, know this, know this.
Naalai indha ulagamellaam
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko
Know this, know this, know this.
Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaa…
If a time comes for the elephant...
Aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah...
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa (folk rhythm chant)
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Thandhaana thandhaana thandhaiyaa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaa
Lalala lalala lalala lalala laalaalaa
Ezhaingha thaan panathil mattum
The poor are lacking only in wealth,
Veredhilum ezhaiyillae
They are not poor in any other human quality.
Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko
Know this, know this, know this.
Kozhaingha thaan kodumai seiya
When it comes to committing cruel deeds,
Koosugindra kozhainga thaan
They are cowards who hesitate to do evil.
Kurichuko kurichuko kurichuko
Note this down, note this down, note this down.
Naalai indha ulagamellaam
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko
Know this, know this, know this.
Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal
If a time comes for the elephant,
Poonaikkoru kaalam varum
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
Purinjuko
Understand this.
Kudisai ellaam madamadannu
All the humble huts, with rapid momentum,
Koottu saendhu osandhidum
Will band together and rise up tall,
Gopuramaa gopuramaa
Like towering temple spires, like temple spires,
Gopuramaa
Like temple spires!
Kudisai ellaam madamadannu
All the humble huts, with rapid momentum,
Koottu saendhu osandhidum
Will band together and rise up tall,
Gopuramaa gopuramaa
Like towering temple spires, like temple spires,
Gopurama
Like temple spires!
Andha gopurathu saami ellaam
And all the deities residing in those grand temple spires,
Kudisaigalai thaedi varum
Will come searching for these humble huts,
Seekiramaa seekiramaa seekiramaa
Very soon, very soon, very soon!
Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal
If a time comes for the elephant,
Poonaikkoru kaalam varum
A time will surely come for the cat too.
Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko
Understand this, understand this, understand this,
Purinjuko
Understand this.
Naalai indha ulagamellaam
Tomorrow, this entire world,
Ezhai kaiyil maari vidum
Will turn into the hands of the poor.
Therinjukko therinjukko therinjukko
Know this, know this, know this,
Therinjukko
Know this.
Aa allaek allaek allaek allaek
Ah allaek allaek allaek allaek! (folk cheer)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Aanaikkoru Kaalam Vandhaal is an iconic social empowerment song from the 1971 Tamil film Savale Samali, written by Kannadasan, set to music by M. S. Viswanathan, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan. The song serves as a passionate rally for social justice, confronting the arrogance of the wealthy elite and asserting that fortune and power are inherently transient. Kannadasan draws upon the ancient Tamil proverb 'Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal, poonaikkoru kaalam varum' to proclaim that the prevailing social order will inevitably shift in favor of the downtrodden. Throughout the lyrics, the song emphasizes that poverty is merely a financial condition, not a moral deficiency. The poor possess noble hearts and recoil from committing cruelty, unlike the elite who look down upon humble livelihoods with disdain. Kannadasan envisions a futuristic triumph where collective solidarity among working-class people transforms humble huts into towering pillars of strength, forcing even society's highest rulers and divine forces to seek them out.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Wordplay / Pun (Slesai)
“Aanaikkoru kaalam vandhaal / Poonaikkoru kaalam varum”
The proverb plays on the double meaning of 'Aanai' (elephant, or 'Aa + Nai' meaning cow's ghee/fat) and 'Poonai' (cat, or 'Poo + Nai' meaning flower-honey/water), symbolizing the natural ebb and flow of life's fortunes.
Adukku Thodar (Emphatic Repetition)
“Purinjuko purinjuko purinjuko”
Triplicate repetition of imperative verbs (Purinjuko, Therinjuko, Kurichuko) creates a rhythmic, insistent folk-style call to awareness.
Uruvagam (Metaphor)
“Kudisai ellaam madamadannu koottu saendhu osandhidum gopuramaa”
Compares the collective rising of humble huts directly to majestic temple towers (Gopuram), symbolizing social elevation.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Pazhikkirae verukkirae moraikkirae”
Syllabic rhyming of action verbs ending in '-irae' and '-uren' conveys rhythmic intensity and defiance.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and rendered with fiery energy by T. M. Soundararajan for actor Sivaji Ganesan, the song revitalized a centuries-old Tamil proverb. While colloquially interpreted as 'If the elephant gets its day, the cat will get its day too', classical scholars split 'Aanai' as 'Aa + Nai' (ghee) which builds body weight during youth, and 'Poonai' as 'Poo + Nai' (honey) which burns fat in old age, metaphorically signifying life's unavoidable self-correcting equilibrium.
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