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Anni album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Anna Neethan

From Anni · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Anni
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
2 Aug 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Annaa needhaan engalukku thalaivan
Enga aasai nenjil vaazhnthidum iraivan
Anni maalai manjal nilaikka
Intha malar muam sirikka
Ungal aayul kaalam valara
Engal manasugal kulira
Thaavi eduththu enga tholil niruththi
Intha thambiyellaam
Oorvalamaai kondu varuvom
Aalamaram pola enga kudumbam
Aadiyila kaaththadichchu saanju kedakku
Annan oru pakkamaa anni oru pakkamaa
Annan oru pakkamaa anni oru pakkamaa
Aanadhuvum ponathuvum enna kadhaiyo
Aalamaram pola enga kudumbam
Anbu enum inba nizhal endrum irukkum
Aalamaram pola enga kudumbam
Anbu enum inba nizhal endrum irukkum
Brother, you are our leader,
The god who lives in our loving hearts.
May sister-in-law's blessed garland and turmeric endure,
May this flower-like face always smile,
May your lifespans grow long,
So our hearts are filled with peace and joy.
Lifting you up onto our shoulders,
All of us younger brothers,
Will carry you in a grand procession.
Our family is like a banyan tree,
Now lying fallen, struck by the stormy winds of Aadi.
Brother on one side, sister-in-law on the other,
Brother on one side, sister-in-law on the other,
What a painful story of all that happened and went by!
Our family is like a banyan tree,
The sweet shade of love will always remain.
Our family is like a banyan tree,
The sweet shade of love will always remain.
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song captures deep familial love, respect, and devotion towards an elder brother and sister-in-law (Annan and Anni). The younger brothers revere their elder brother like a leader and a living deity who holds the family together. They pray for their elders' long life, happiness, and eternal marital bliss, expressing joy in celebrating them. Using the central motif of a banyan tree (Aalamaram), the song reflects on family unity. Even when temporary hardships and misunderstandings—likened to stormy seasonal winds—shake the family structure and distance the couple, the brothers remain hopeful that the comforting shade of pure love will weather the storm and restore harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Aalamaram pola enga kudumbam

Compares the joint family's protective, vast, and unified nature to a giant banyan tree.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbu enum inba nizhal endrum irukkum

Equates family love directly to a pleasant and protective shade ('inba nizhal').

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai)

Aalamaram pola enga kudumbam / Aadiyila kaaththadichchu saanju kedakku

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'Aa' creates a rhythmic cadence across lines.

Hyperbole / Deification

Enga aasai nenjil vaazhnthidum iraivan

Elevates the elder brother to the status of a living god ('iraivan') within the family context.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Pulamaipithan, the song relies on classic Tamil rural motifs where the elder brother and sister-in-law are treated with divine reverence. The banyan tree ('Aalamaram') is a traditional cultural symbol in Tamil literature representing shelter, deep roots, and an umbrella-like protective family hierarchy.

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