Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anna Anna Sugam

From Kadavulai Kanden · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, K. Jamunarani
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kadavulai Kanden1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anna ..aaa…Brother... ah...
Female :Kannaa..aa…My beloved... ah...
Both :Ho oo hoo oo oo ooHo oo hoo oo oo oo
Hmm mm hmm mm mmHmm mm hmm mm mm
Female
Anna anna sugam thaanaBrother, brother, are you fine?
Un aasai nenjam nalam thaanaIs your affectionate heart doing well?
Anna anna sugam thaanaBrother, brother, are you fine?
Un aasai nenjam nalam thaanaIs your affectionate heart doing well?
Female
Kanna kanna nalam thaanaMy beloved Krishna, are you fine?
Un kaadhal ullam sugam thaanaIs your loving heart feeling good?
Kanna kanna nalam thaanaMy beloved Krishna, are you fine?
Un kaadhal ullam sugam thaanaIs your loving heart feeling good?
Female
Thannanthaniyae thaayum naanumDid you come knowing that mother and I
Thavipathai arindhae vandhaaiyooAre struggling all alone?
Female
Anna kodiyaal amaidhi illaamalDid you come knowing that your sister is restless
Thudipathai arindhae vandhaaiyooAnd throbbing with anxiety without peace?
Female
Manavarai kolam maraiyum munnalaeBefore the marriage hall decorations faded away,
Maraindhu sendraayae yen annaWhy did you disappear and leave, my brother?
Manavarai kolam maraiyum munnalaeBefore the marriage hall decorations faded away,
Maraindhu sendraayae yen annaWhy did you disappear and leave, my brother?
Female
Thaniyarai kaana kaathirundhenaeWhile I was waiting to see you in privacy,
Thavikka vittayae yen kannaWhy did you leave me to suffer, my beloved?
Thaniyarai kaana kaathirundhenaeWhile I was waiting to see you in privacy,
Thavikka vittayae yen kannaWhy did you leave me to suffer, my beloved?
Female
Anna ..aaa…Brother... ah...
Female :Kannaa..aa…My beloved... ah...
Female
Anna anna sugam thaanaBrother, brother, are you fine?
Female :Kanna kanna nalam thaanaMy beloved Krishna, are you fine?
Female
Pakkuvamaana paasathai kannilI hold mature affection in my eyes,
Veithirukkindren vaa annaCome, my brother!
Female :Mukkaniyodu sakkarai pandhalWith the three divine fruits, a sweet canopy
Pottirukkindren vaa kannaI have set up for you, come my beloved!
Female
Thottil mudhalaai thodarndhu vandhavalThe one who has accompanied you since the cradle,
Naan thaanae naan thaanaeIs it not me? Is it not me?
Thottil mudhalaai thodarndhu vandhavalThe one who has accompanied you since the cradle,
Naan thaanae naan thaanaeIs it not me? Is it not me?
Female
Kattil variyum varugira kanniThe maiden who accompanies you all the way to the marital bed,
Naan thaanae naan thaanaeIs it not me? Is it not me?
Kattil variyum varugira kanniThe maiden who accompanies you all the way to the marital bed,
Naan thaanae naan thaanaeIs it not me? Is it not me?
Female
Anna anna sugam thaanaBrother, brother, are you fine?
Un aasai nenjam nalam thaanaIs your affectionate heart doing well?
Female
En kanna kanna nalam thaanaMy beloved, my beloved, are you fine?
Un kaadhal ullam sugam thaanaIs your loving heart feeling good?
Female
Anna ..aaa…Brother... ah...
Female :Kannaa..aa…My beloved... ah...
Both :Ho oo hoo oo oo ooHo oo hoo oo oo oo
Hmm mm hmm mm mmHmm mm hmm mm mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This duet song from Kadavulai Kanden (1963) beautifully intertwines two distinct relationships—that of a sister towards her brother, and that of a wife towards her husband. The sister inquires about her brother's well-being, remembering how he supported her and her mother during times of distress, while also expressing sadness over his sudden absence right after her wedding. Simultaneously, the bride sings to her husband, expressing romantic anticipation and devotion as she prepares for their marital union. Kannadasan's lyrical brilliance contrasts 'pasam' (fraternal affection) with 'kaadhal' (romantic love). The sister highlights how she has accompanied her brother right from childhood (the cradle), whereas the bride expresses her commitment as a maiden accompanying her spouse into married life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thottil mudhalaai thodarndhu vandhaval / Kattil variyum varugira kanni

Matching second consonants across lines to establish Tamil poetic rhythm (Anna / Kanna, Thottil / Kattil).

Contrast / Parallelism

Thottil mudhalaai thodarndhu vandhaval ... Kattil variyum varugira kanni

Direct comparison between the lifelong bond of a sister from infancy ('Thottil') and the lifelong romantic commitment of a wife ('Kattil').

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Naan thaanae naan thaanae

Repetition of 'Naan thaanae' reinforces emotional intimacy, identity, and commitment.

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

Mukkaniyodu sakkarai pandhal / Pottirukkindren vaa kanna

'Mukkaniyodu sakkarai pandhal' (a canopy of sugar adorned with the three sacred fruits) symbolizes the sweetness and auspiciousness of romantic marital bliss.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1963 Tamil film Kadavulai Kanden, this track features the dual vocals of P. Susheela and K. Jamunarani. It is a rare female duet structured to simultaneously represent two contrasting female bonds—fraternal devotion and conjugal passion—crafted through Kannadasan's evocative poetry.

Keep listening

More from Kadavulai Kanden