Aanenna Pennenna
From Dharma Durai · 1991
- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharma Durai1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaaaaaaaaaaa…haa…aaa… | (Vocalization) |
| Aaaaa….haaa…aaa….aaaa…. | (Vocalization) |
| Aaa…aaa…aaa… | (Vocalization) |
| Male | |
| Aanenna pennenna | What is man, what is woman? |
| Nee enna naan enna | What are you, what am I? |
| Ellaam or inam dhaan | Everyone belongs to just one species. |
| Ada naadenna veedenna | What is country, what is house? |
| Kaadenna maedenna | What is forest, what is hill? |
| Ellaam or nilam dhaan | Everything is just one land. |
| Neeyum paththu maasam | You were carried for ten months, |
| Naanum paththu maasam | I too was carried for ten months, |
| Maarum indha vaesham | These disguises will change. |
| Male | |
| Aanenna pennenna | What is man, what is woman? |
| Nee enna naan enna | What are you, what am I? |
| Ellaam or inam dhaan | Everyone belongs to just one species. |
| Ada naadenna veedenna | What is country, what is house? |
| Kaadenna maedenna | What is forest, what is hill? |
| Ellaam or nilam dhaan | Everything is just one land. |
| Male | |
| Onnukkonnu aadharavu | Mutual support for one another, |
| Ullaththilae yen pirivu | Why then is there division in the heart? |
| Kannukkullae baedham illae | There is no discrimination inside the eyes, |
| Paarppadhilae yen pirivu | Why then is there division in our vision? |
| Ponnum porul pogum varum | Gold and wealth will come and go, |
| Anbu mattum povadhillae | Only love never leaves. |
| Thaedum panam odividum | The money you seek will run away, |
| Deivam vittu povadhillae | God will never leave you. |
| Male | |
| {Maedaikkum maalaikkum | Desiring stage and garlands, |
| Kodikkum aasaippattu…uu… | And yearning for power and flags, |
| Vettukkal kuththukkal | Through slashings and stabbings, |
| Raththangal povadhenna..aa…} (2) | Why is blood being shed? |
| Idha purinjum unma therinjum | Even after understanding this and knowing the truth, |
| Innum mayakkamaa…aaa…. | Why are you still in a state of delusion? |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………… | (Instrumental Interlude) |
| Male | |
| Sondham bandham | Kith and kin, |
| Saerndhirundhaa | If they remain united, |
| Soththu sugam thaevai illae | Wealth and luxury are not needed. |
| Bandham vittu pochudhunnaa | If bonds are broken and gone, |
| Vaazhvadhilae laabam illae | There is no point in living. |
| Ennam mattum saerndhirundhaa | If thoughts alone are united, |
| Indrum endrum sogamillae | Today and forever, there is no sorrow. |
| Kandrai vittu thaai pirinju | If a mother is separated from her calf, |
| Kaanum sugam yedhumillae | There is no joy to be seen. |
| Male | |
| {Oorukkum perukkum | Desiring town-wide fame, |
| Car ukkum ishtapattu | And liking luxury cars, |
| Vaazhgindra vaazhkkaikku | For the life lived in such a way, |
| Endrendum arthamilla…aaa} (2) | There is never any meaning. |
| Idha purinjum unma therinjum | Even after understanding this and knowing the truth, |
| Innum mayakkamaa…aaa…. | Why are you still in a state of delusion? |
ஆஆஆஆஆஆஅ.....ஹா....ஆஅ.....
ஆஆஆ.....ஹாஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
(Vocalization)
(Vocalization)
(Vocalization)
ஆண் என்ன பெண் என்ன
நீ என்ன நான் என்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் இனம்தான்
அட நாடென்ன வீடென்ன
காடென்ன மேடென்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் நிலம்தான்
நீயும் பத்து மாசம்
நானும் பத்து மாசம்
மாறும் இந்த வேசம்
What is man, what is woman?
What are you, what am I?
Everyone belongs to just one species.
What is country, what is house?
What is forest, what is hill?
Everything is just one land.
You were carried for ten months,
I too was carried for ten months,
These disguises will change.
ஆண் என்ன பெண் என்ன
நீ என்ன நான் என்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் இனம்தான்
அட நாடென்ன வீடென்ன
காடென்ன மேடென்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் நிலம்தான்
What is man, what is woman?
What are you, what am I?
Everyone belongs to just one species.
What is country, what is house?
What is forest, what is hill?
Everything is just one land.
ஒன்னுக்கொன்னு ஆதரவு
உள்ளத்திலே ஏன் பிரிவு
கண்ணுக்குள்ளே பேதம் இல்லே
பார்ப்பதிலே ஏன் பிரிவு
பொன்னும் பொருள் போகும் வரும்
அன்பு மட்டும் போவதில்லே
தேடும் பணம் ஓடிவிடும்
தெய்வம் விட்டுப் போவதில்லே
Mutual support for one another,
Why then is there division in the heart?
There is no discrimination inside the eyes,
Why then is there division in our vision?
Gold and wealth will come and go,
Only love never leaves.
The money you seek will run away,
God will never leave you.
{மேடைக்கும் மாலைக்கும்
கோடிக்கும் ஆசைப்பட்டு....ஊ....
வெட்டுக்கள் குத்துக்கள்
ரத்தங்கள் போவதென்ன....ஆ....} (2)
இதை புரிஞ்சும் உண்மை தெரிஞ்சும்
இன்னும் மயக்கமா....ஆஆ.....
Desiring stage and garlands,
And yearning for power and flags,
Through slashings and stabbings,
Why is blood being shed?
Even after understanding this and knowing the truth,
Why are you still in a state of delusion?
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆண் என்ன பெண் என்ன
நீ என்ன நான் என்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் இனம்தான்
அட நாடென்ன வீடென்ன
காடென்ன மேடென்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் நிலம்தான்
(Instrumental Interlude)
...............................
Kith and kin,
If they remain united,
Wealth and luxury are not needed.
If bonds are broken and gone,
There is no point in living.
If thoughts alone are united,
Today and forever, there is no sorrow.
If a mother is separated from her calf,
There is no joy to be seen.
சொந்தம் பந்தம்
சேர்ந்திருந்தா
சொத்து சுகம் தேவை இல்லே
பந்தம் விட்டு போச்சுதுன்னா
வாழ்வதிலே லாபம் இல்லே
எண்ணம் மட்டும் சேர்ந்திருந்தா
இன்றும் என்றும் சோகமில்லே
கன்றை விட்டு தாய் பிரிஞ்சு
காணும் சுகம் ஏதுமில்லே
Desiring town-wide fame,
And liking luxury cars,
For the life lived in such a way,
There is never any meaning.
Even after understanding this and knowing the truth,
Why are you still in a state of delusion?
{ஊருக்கும் பேருக்கும்
காருக்கும் இஷ்ட்டபட்டு
வாழ்கின்ற வாழ்க்கைக்கு
என்றென்றும் அர்த்தமில்ல....ஏஏ....} (2)
இதை புரிஞ்சும் உண்மை தெரிஞ்சும்
இன்னும் மயக்கமா....ஆஅ....
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆண் என்ன பெண் என்ன
நீ என்ன நான் என்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் இனம்தான்
அட நாடென்ன வீடென்ன
காடென்ன மேடென்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் நிலம்தான்
நீயும் பத்து மாசம்
நானும் பத்து மாசம்
மாறும் இந்த வேசம்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஆண் என்ன பெண் என்ன
நீ என்ன நான் என்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் இனம்தான்
அட நாடென்ன வீடென்ன
காடென்ன மேடென்ன
எல்லாம் ஓர் நிலம்தான்
Aaaaaaaaaaaa…haa…aaa…
(Vocalization)
Aaaaa….haaa…aaa….aaaa….
(Vocalization)
Aaa…aaa…aaa…
(Vocalization)
Aanenna pennenna
What is man, what is woman?
Nee enna naan enna
What are you, what am I?
Ellaam or inam dhaan
Everyone belongs to just one species.
Ada naadenna veedenna
What is country, what is house?
Kaadenna maedenna
What is forest, what is hill?
Ellaam or nilam dhaan
Everything is just one land.
Neeyum paththu maasam
You were carried for ten months,
Naanum paththu maasam
I too was carried for ten months,
Maarum indha vaesham
These disguises will change.
Aanenna pennenna
What is man, what is woman?
Nee enna naan enna
What are you, what am I?
Ellaam or inam dhaan
Everyone belongs to just one species.
Ada naadenna veedenna
What is country, what is house?
Kaadenna maedenna
What is forest, what is hill?
Ellaam or nilam dhaan
Everything is just one land.
Onnukkonnu aadharavu
Mutual support for one another,
Ullaththilae yen pirivu
Why then is there division in the heart?
Kannukkullae baedham illae
There is no discrimination inside the eyes,
Paarppadhilae yen pirivu
Why then is there division in our vision?
Ponnum porul pogum varum
Gold and wealth will come and go,
Anbu mattum povadhillae
Only love never leaves.
Thaedum panam odividum
The money you seek will run away,
Deivam vittu povadhillae
God will never leave you.
{Maedaikkum maalaikkum
Desiring stage and garlands,
Kodikkum aasaippattu…uu…
And yearning for power and flags,
Vettukkal kuththukkal
Through slashings and stabbings,
Raththangal povadhenna..aa…} (2)
Why is blood being shed?
Idha purinjum unma therinjum
Even after understanding this and knowing the truth,
Innum mayakkamaa…aaa….
Why are you still in a state of delusion?
……………………………
(Instrumental Interlude)
Sondham bandham
Kith and kin,
Saerndhirundhaa
If they remain united,
Soththu sugam thaevai illae
Wealth and luxury are not needed.
Bandham vittu pochudhunnaa
If bonds are broken and gone,
Vaazhvadhilae laabam illae
There is no point in living.
Ennam mattum saerndhirundhaa
If thoughts alone are united,
Indrum endrum sogamillae
Today and forever, there is no sorrow.
Kandrai vittu thaai pirinju
If a mother is separated from her calf,
Kaanum sugam yedhumillae
There is no joy to be seen.
{Oorukkum perukkum
Desiring town-wide fame,
Car ukkum ishtapattu
And liking luxury cars,
Vaazhgindra vaazhkkaikku
For the life lived in such a way,
Endrendum arthamilla…aaa} (2)
There is never any meaning.
Idha purinjum unma therinjum
Even after understanding this and knowing the truth,
Innum mayakkamaa…aaa….
Why are you still in a state of delusion?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Aanenna Pennenna from the film Dharma Durai is a powerful philosophical track that calls for universal equality, unity, and humanism. The song questions artificial societal divisions such as gender, nationality, property, and status, reminding humanity that everyone undergoes the same journey of birth and inhabits the same single earth. It emphasizes that physical forms and social statuses are mere temporary disguises in the grand scheme of life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhukai (Second letter rhyming) & Monaai (Alliteration)
“Neeyum paththu maasam / Naanum paththu maasam”
Tamil poetic rhyming scheme where the second letter of consecutive lines match, seen in 'Neeyum paththu' and 'Naanum paththu'.
Rhetorical Question
“Aanenna pennenna / Nee enna naan enna”
The lyricist uses rhetorical questions to challenge societal prejudices and urge self-reflection on human divisions.
Metaphor
“Maarum indha vaesham”
Human life and social identities are compared to temporary costumes or disguises ('vaesham') worn on stage.
Analogy / Imagery
“Kandrai vittu thaai pirinju / Kaanum sugam yedhumillae”
Paints a vivid emotional image comparing human distress caused by broken bonds to the pain of a cow separated from her calf.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack for Dharma Durai (1991) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Panchu Arunachalam and vocals delivered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The song remains one of Rajinikanth's most famous philosophical screen anthems promoting human unity.
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