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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annae Annae

From Kozhi Koovuthu (1982 Film) · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Samuel Group, Deepan Chakravarthy, G. Vidhyadar
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kozhi Koovuthu (1982 Film)1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Annae annaeBrother, brother
Chorus :Aa…..Aa...
Male :Sippaai annaeSoldier brother
Chorus :Aa…Aa...
Male :Namma ooru nalla ooruOur village was a good village
Ippo rompa kettu pochchunnaeNow it has turned very bad, brother
Male
Annae annaeBrother, brother
Sippaai annaeSoldier brother
Namma ooru nalla ooruOur village was a good village
Ippo rompa kettu pochchunnaeNow it has turned very bad, brother
Male
Adha sonnaa vetkkakeduIf I say it, it's a shame
Naan sollaatti maanakeduIf I don't say it, it's a loss of honor
Male
Adha sonnaaIf I say it
Chorus :VetkkakeduA shame
Male :Naan sollaattiIf I don't say it
Chorus :MaanakeduA loss of honor
Male :Hae hae haeHae hae hae
Male
Solaikkaattu moolaiyilaeIn the corner of the cornfield
Oru jodi onnu saernthuruchchuA couple came together
Nalla solamum velanjuruchchuGood corn grew well
Irandum adhukullae olunjuruchchuThe two hid inside it
Male
Maelam illammal paattu ketkuthuA song is heard without a drumbeat
Adhula engae nottam irukkuthuWhere is the attention focused on it?
Male
AddadadaaAddadadaa
Maelam illamal paattu ketkkuthuA song is heard without a drumbeat
Adhula engae nottam irukkuthuWhere is the attention focused on it?
Male
Aalu yaarunnu paarkka ponaenI went to see who it was
Adhukullae oodi pochchi annaeBefore that they ran away, brother
Ha ha haHa ha ha
Male
Adha sonnaaIf I say it
Chorus :VetkkakeduA shame
Male :Naan sollaattiIf I don't say it
Chorus :MaanakeduA loss of honor
Male :Hae hae haeHae hae hae
Male
Avainga avainga istam polaeThey, as per their own whims
Male :Ippo Adhigaaram pandraaingaAre now ruling with power
Male
Aalukkaalu naattaamai engalaiEvery person acts like a village chief and
Aalu vachchu adikkuraangaHires goons to beat us up
Male
Onnaraiyanaa kaaikariyaiVegetables worth one and a half annas
Onnaaroopaa aakkiputtaaingaThey turned into one and a half rupees
Chorus :Onnaraiyanaa kaaikariyaiVegetables worth one and a half annas
Onnaaroopaa aakkiputtaaingaThey turned into one and a half rupees
Male :Solluratha naan solliputtaenI have said what I had to say
Naan seiyurathasenjipudungaNow you do what needs to be done
Ha ha haHa ha ha
Male
Adha sonnaaIf I say it
Chorus :VetkkakeduA shame
Male :Naan sollaattiIf I don't say it
Chorus :MaanakeduA loss of honor
Male :Hae hae haeHae hae hae
Male
Haei adha sonnaaHaei if I say it
Chorus :VetkkakeduA shame
Male :Naan sollaattiIf I don't say it
Chorus :MaanakeduA loss of honor
Male :Hae hae haeHae hae hae

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical folk song from the film Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) features a local villager recounting the modern troubles of his village to a returning soldier brother. The singer laments moral degradation, such as secret romances in the cornfield, and criticizes societal corruptions including power abuse by local bullies and rampant price inflation from annas to rupees. Presented with humor and catchy call-and-response dynamics, the song highlights the villager's predicament: revealing the truth causes embarrassment, yet staying quiet erodes honor. He ultimately calls upon the soldier brother to restore order and justice in the community.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ebagai / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Adha sonnaa vetkkakedu / Naan sollaatti maanakedu

Use of matching end rhymes 'vetkkakedu' and 'maanakedu' to create a catchy, rhythmic folk refrain that emphasizes moral conflict.

Satire and Contrast (Muran)

Onnaraiyanaa kaaikariyai / Onnaaroopaa aakkiputtaainga

Contrasting 'onnarai anna' (1.5 annas) with 'onnaroo pa' (1.5 rupees) to satirize severe inflation and price gouging in local markets.

Metaphor and Imagery

Solaikkaattu moolaiyilae / Oru jodi onnu saernthuruchchu

Using secret romance in the cornfield as a visual metaphor for local moral drift and changing societal norms.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) was directed by Gangai Amaran and scored by Ilaiyaraaja. The film starred Prabhu, Viji, and Suresh. The song utilizes authentic folk expressions penned by lyricist Vaali to provide lighthearted socio-economic commentary.

Keep listening

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