Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anna Meendum

From Panakkara Penn · 2015

Lyricist
Kumaradevan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Panakkara Penn2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Annal gandhiyin vazhiyinilaeAlong the path laid by Mahatma Gandhi,
Vaikkam veerar thanthai periyaar nadanthaarThanthai Periyar, the hero of Vaikom, walked.
Thanthai periyaar paguththarivaalThrough the rationalism of Thanthai Periyar,
Engal tamilmagan annaa valarnthaarOur son of Tamil, Anna, grew and flourished.
Male
Annaa meendum vara vendumAnna must return to us once again,
Anaivarum sirikum nilai vendumA state where everyone can smile is needed.
Naadum veedum nalam kaanaFor the nation and every home to see prosperity,
Naalaiya thalaimurai sugam kaanaFor the future generation to experience joy.
Annaa…..annaa…..enagal annaa……Anna... Anna... Our beloved Anna...
Male
Yaezhai sirippinil iraivanai kaanbom"We shall see God in the smile of the poor,"
Enbathu nee sonna bodhanaiWas the moral teaching you bestowed upon us.
Yezhaigal sirikkum nilai varyum munnaeBefore the day arrived when the poor could truly smile,
Maranthathuthaan perum sodhanaiThat you passed away is our greatest sorrow.
Male
Eppothu nee pirappaaiWhen will you be reborn?
Engal thuyaram thanippaaiWhen will you relieve our deep grief?
Sendra idamthaan engaeWhere is the place you have gone?
Endru varuvaai ingaeWhen will you return back here?
Male
Annaa meendum vara vendumAnna must return to us once again,
Anaivarum sirikum nilai vendumA state where everyone can smile is needed.
Male
Yaesuvin porumai budhanin karunaiThe patience of Jesus and the compassion of Buddha,
Inainthathae vaazhnthathu unnidamCombined together to live inside you.
Igazhnthavar thammai vaazhnthidum ullamA heart that wishes well even for those who slandered him,
Inimaen kaanbathu yaaridamWith whom can we ever witness such a heart again?
Male
Vaanaththai manathaal alanthaaiYou measured the vast skies with your wisdom,
Vaazhvukku vazhiyaai nadanthaaiYou walked as a guiding path for a good life.
Naan enum ninaivai maruththaaiYou rejected the selfish thought of 'I',
Naam enum uravai valarththaaiYou nurtured the united bond of 'We'.
Male
Annaa meendum vara vendumAnna must return to us once again,
Anaivarum sirikum nilai vendumA state where everyone can smile is needed.
Naadum veedum nalam kaanaFor the nation and every home to see prosperity,
Naalaiya thalaimurai sugam kaanaFor the future generation to experience joy.
Annaa…..annaa…..enagal annaa……Anna... Anna... Our beloved Anna...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional tribute to the iconic Tamil leader C. N. Annadurai (affectionately called 'Anna'). It traces the ideological lineage of Tamil political thought from Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence to Thanthai Periyar's rationalism, culminating in Anna's compassionate leadership. The lyrics express profound grief over Anna's demise and yearn for his return to guide society towards equality, unity, and prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Historical Allusion (Sarandhai / History)

Annal gandhiyin vazhiyinilae / Vaikkam veerar thanthai periyaar nadanthaar

References major historical and ideological figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Vaikom Hero Periyar, Jesus, and Buddha to highlight Anna's moral stature.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Naadum veedum nalam kaana / Naalaiya thalaimurai sugam kaana

Repetition of the initial sound 'Na' across lines to create rhythmic flow.

Contrast / Anthesis

Naan enum ninaivai maruththaai / Naam enum uravai valarththaai

Contrasts the individual ego ('Naan' meaning 'I') with collective unity ('Naam' meaning 'We').

Did you know?

Trivia

This tribute song honors C. N. Annadurai, the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, echoing his famous quote 'Yaezhai sirippinil iraivanai kaanbom' (We can see God in the smile of the poor).

Keep listening

More from Panakkara Penn