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Lyrics & meaning

Annaiye Thodangum

From Japan · 2023

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Pradeep Kumar
Music director
G. V. Prakash Kumar
Details
Japan2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Annaiyae thodangum idamMother is the starting point
Anbu thaan mudiyum idamLove is the ultimate ending point
Vandhadhum azhutha manamThe mind that wept upon arrival
Sendruthaan amaidhi perumWill attain peace only when it departs
Male
Karuvil sumantha avalin baaramHer burden carried in the womb
Irakki vaikka idhuvae neramThis is the time to set it down
Sariyum thavarum kadanthu pogumRight and wrong will pass away
Eriyum ulagil edhu thaan meedhamIn a world that burns, what remains at last?
Athanikkum peridhandroIsn't it greater than all of that?
Annaiyaval paadhamThe sacred feet of the mother
Male
Thandhaane thanananae..(2)Thandhaane thanananae..
Male
Anani aval udhirathilaeFrom her very blood
Thondrukindra udal gal ellamAll the living bodies that are born
Vandha vazhi maranthu vittu thudipathu ennaWhy do they struggle, forgetting the path they came from?
Male
Paavam enum oru karaiyilOn one shore named sin
Neenthukindra uyir gal ellamAll the souls that swim across
Gyaanam enum maru karaiyilOn the other shore named enlightenment
Servadhu ennaWhy do they reach there?
Male
Nenjilae thuravu kondaalIf you embrace detachment in your heart
Nee nimmadhi thedi varumPeace will come searching for you
Unmaiyadhu therindhu vittaalOnce the truth is realized
Un ullame bodhi maramYour inner self becomes the Bodhi tree
Male
Therukkalilae oru naalIn the streets one day
Deivam sirikkumGod will smile
Male
Thandhaane thanananae..(2)Thandhaane thanananae..
Male
NalladhenaninaipathellaamEverything thought to be good
Apapdiyae iruppathillaiDoes not stay as it was
Kettadhena odhukiyavaiThings cast aside as bad
Marappathu illaiAre never forgotten
Male
Car kodutha mudiirundhumEven with great power and status given
Pesa oru varthaiyillaiThere is not a single word left to speak
Moodi vitta vaarthai ellamWords that have been suppressed
Povadhu illaiWill never go away
Male
Ullamae pazhudhadainthaaalIf the mind becomes broken and corrupted
Thoongidavum mudivadhu illaiEven sleep becomes impossible
Naadi nindra udal maraiyumThe body whose pulse stops will fade
Narkarunai azhiavdhu illaiBut noble grace will never perish
Male
Athanaikkum peridhandroIsn't it greater than all of that?
Annaiyaval paadhamThe sacred feet of the mother
Anbinaal manidha kulamThrough love, human kind
Kandathae kadavul mugamBeheld the very face of God
Male
Thanneril udaintha ullamThe heart shattered like water
Mullilae malarndhu vidumWill blossom even among thorns
Male
Iruttil thaanae oliyum irukkumOnly in darkness does light exist
Alukkil thaanae punitham pirakkumOnly from dirt is purity born
VAazhkkai endraal naalum nadakumLife means events will happen daily
Valithidamal edhu thaan kidaikkumWhat can ever be attained without pain?
Male
Therukalilae oru naalIn the streets one day
Deivam sirikkumGod will smile
Male
Thandhaane thanananae..(2)Thandhaane thanananae..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical track from the movie Japan (2023), reflecting on life, maternal sacrifice, morality, and ultimate spiritual realization. It highlights how life begins with a mother's selfless sacrifice and love, while human beings often drift away into sin, ego, and worldly illusions, forgetting their roots. The song conveys that material success and unexpressed words cannot bring peace; true serenity is attained only when one embraces detachment, compassion, and inner truth. Ultimately, it reassures that light exists in darkness, grace outlasts physical existence, and divine redemption awaits even in the humble streets.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Un ullame bodhi maram

Compares the human mind directly to the sacred Bodhi tree (tree of enlightenment) once ultimate truth is understood.

Metaphor

Paavam enum oru karaiyil ... Gyaanam enum maru karaiyil

Compares human lives to swimmers navigating between the shore of sin ('Paavam') and the shore of wisdom ('Gyaanam').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Unmaiyadhu therindhu vittaal / Un ullame bodhi maram

Repetition of the initial letter 'Un' in consecutive lines creating a rhythmic poetic effect.

Paradox / Antithesis

Iruttil thaanae oliyum irukkum / Alukkil thaanae punitham pirakkum

Contrasts opposing concepts like darkness giving birth to light and dirt creating purity to reflect life's deep truths.

Personification

Therukkalilae oru naal Deivam sirikkum

Attributes the human emotional action of smiling to God walking among ordinary streets.

Did you know?

Trivia

This soulful track from Karthi's 25th landmark film 'Japan' (2023) features music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and expressive vocals by Pradeep Kumar, with lyrics written by Yugabharathi. The song serves as an emotional anchor in the film, contrasting the protagonist's chaotic lifestyle with universal life lessons.

Keep listening

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Annaiye Thodangum Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi