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Lyrics & meaning

Anna Endroru Nallavaram

From Patham Pasali · 1970

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Patham Pasali1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maattraan thottathu malligayumHe is the one who said that even the jasmine in a neighbor's garden
Manakkum endrae sonnavaraampossesses fragrance as well.
Maattraan thottathu malligayumHe is the one who said that even the jasmine in a neighbor's garden
Manakkum endrae sonnavaraampossesses fragrance as well.
Edhaiyum thaangum idhayangalaeHe said that hearts capable of enduring anything
Endrum thevai endravaraamare needed at all times.
Chorus :Edhaiyum thaangum idhayangalae[Chorus] He said that hearts capable of enduring anything
Endrum thevai endravaraamare needed at all times.
Female :Indha ulagai ellaam pulambavittu[Female] Leaving this entire world grieving,
Oorvalamaai sendravaraamhe departed on his final journey.
Indha ulagai ellaam pulambavittuLeaving this entire world grieving,
Oorvalamaai sendravaraamhe departed on his final journey.
Anna …anna …anna..anna..Anna... Anna... Anna... Anna...
Anna aringar annaAnna, the revered scholar Anna!
Female
Ondrae kulam ena sonnavaraamHe proclaimed that humanity is one single community,
Oruvane devan enbavaraamand declared that there is only one God.
Ondrae kulam ena sonnavaraamHe proclaimed that humanity is one single community,
Oruvane devan enbavaraamand declared that there is only one God.
Kadamai kanniyam kattupaaduDuty, dignity, and discipline—
Kaathida nammai azhaithavaraamhe called upon us to uphold these virtues.
Chorus :Kadamai kanniyam kattupaadu[Chorus] Duty, dignity, and discipline—
Kaathida nammai azhaithavaraamhe called upon us to uphold these virtues.
Female :Indrum kadaloram kovil kondu[Female] Today, resting in a memorial by the seashore,
Kaaviyamaai aanavaraamhe has transformed into an immortal epic.
Kadaloram kovil konduResting in a memorial by the seashore,
Kaaviyamaai aanavaraamhe has transformed into an immortal epic.
Female
Anna endroru nallavaraamThere was a righteous man named Anna,
Avar arunthamizh mozhiyil vallavaraamwho was an absolute master of the precious Tamil language.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1970 movie 'Patham Pasali' is a poignant eulogy dedicated to C. N. Annadurai (affectionately known as 'Anna'), the revered scholar and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu, the song pays homage to Anna's visionary leadership, political philosophy, and unparalleled mastery over Tamil literature and rhetoric. The lyrics seamlessly integrate Anna's most famous quotes and political maxims, such as appreciating merit wherever it lies ('Even the neighbor's garden jasmine has fragrance'), resilience ('Hearts that can endure anything are needed'), universal brotherhood ('One community, one God'), and the guiding principles of 'Duty, Dignity, and Discipline'. It reflects the deep public mourning following his passing and immortalizes his legacy at his final resting place along Marina Beach.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kadamai kanniyam kattupaadu

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across words in the line for rhythmic cadence.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ondrae kulam ena sonnavaraam / Oruvane devan enbavaraam

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ndr' across consecutive lines (Ondrae / Oruvane).

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kaaviyamaai aanavaraam

Comparing the late leader's life and legacy directly to a classic epic (Kaaviyam).

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Trivia

The song incorporates authentic political slogans coined by C. N. Annadurai. Phrases like 'Maattraan thottathu malligayum manakkum' (appreciating good qualities in political opponents) and 'Kadamai, Kanniyam, Kattupaadu' (Duty, Dignity, Discipline) were foundational mottos of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.

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