- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Jikki
- Music directors
- G. Ramanathan, V. Dakshinamurthy
- Movie name
- Kanavu
- Movie release year
- 1954
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Oct 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Annaalae Nannaalae' from the 1954 movie Kanavu depicts an egalitarian and utopian vision of society. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi envisions a world where poverty, illiteracy, class disparities, and deception are completely eradicated, transforming society into a flourishing grove of art and literature.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Refrain
“Annaalae nannaalae”
The phrase 'Annaalae nannaalae' is repeated as a recurring refrain to reinforce the hopeful vision of a bright future.
Etuhai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Illaamai illai yaezhigal illai / Kallaathaar illai kaaviya cholai”
In Tamil poetry, Etuhai is the rhyming of the second letter. Here, 'lla' matches in 'Illaamai' and 'Kallaathaar'.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pollaathaar illai poosalumillai / Pootti vaththu pennai kollum”
Repetition of the initial 'Po' sound across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.
Metaphor
“Kallaathaar illai kaaviya cholai”
An educated and enlightened society is metaphorically described as a 'kaaviya cholai' (a garden of poetic epics).
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Kanavu' (1954) featured music composed jointly by V. Dakshinamoorthi and G. Ramanathan. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was famed for embedding rationalist, social reform, and anti-caste egalitarian ideals into Tamil film music during the 1950s.
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