Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annan Alla Thanthai

From Asthivaram · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Asthivaram1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Annan alla thanthai endraanHe said he is not an elder brother, but a father
Anni alla annai endraanHe said she is not a sister-in-law, but a mother
Pillaikku thanthai ullam puriyaathathaaDoesn't a child understand a father's heart?
Ullangal ondraiyondru ariyaathathaaDo not hearts understand each other?
Female
Annan alla thanthai endraanHe said he is not an elder brother, but a father
Anni alla annai endraanHe said she is not a sister-in-law, but a mother
Pillaikku thanthai ullam puriyaathathaaDoesn't a child understand a father's heart?
Ullangal ondraiyondru ariyaathathaaDo not hearts understand each other?
Female
Paavangal seithaal angaeIf sins were committed there
Pollaatha kaikaeyiEvil Kaikeyi was responsible
Pazhiyellaam kandaal ingaeIf all the blame was borne here
Poongodhai vaithegiIt was flower-like Vaithegi
Female
Vithiyendru ennikkondaanHe accepted it as destiny
Raguraaman annaalilLord Raghuraman back in those days
Vellaatho dharmam endraanHe asked if righteousness would not win
Vendraanae pinnaalilAnd he conquered in the end
Meendum oru mannan enaOnce again like a king
Thondrum nilai kaanalaamWe shall witness him rise
Female
Annan alla thanthai endraanHe said he is not an elder brother, but a father
Anni alla annai endraanHe said she is not a sister-in-law, but a mother
Pillaikku thanthai ullam puriyaathathaaDoesn't a child understand a father's heart?
Ullangal ondraiyondru ariyaathathaaDo not hearts understand each other?
Female
Kattil kondu vanthaayaeYou brought a bed
Thottil kondu vanthaenoDid I bring a cradle?
Kollai selvam thanthaayaeYou gave immense wealth
Pillai selvam thanthaenoDid I give the wealth of a child?
Female
Kattil kondu vanthaayaeYou brought a bed
Thottil kondu vanthaenoDid I bring a cradle?
Kollai selvam thanthaayaeYou gave immense wealth
Pillai selvam thanthaenoDid I give the wealth of a child?
Female
Aanaalum ennai inguEven so, here
Thaalaatta seithaayaeYou made me sing a lullaby
Aanaalum ennai inguEven so, here
Thaalaatta seithaayaeYou made me sing a lullaby
Anbaana thambikkennaiFor the loving younger brother
Thaayaakki vaiththaayaeYou elevated me to a mother
Female
Annan alla thanthai endraanHe said he is not an elder brother, but a father
Anni alla annai endraanHe said she is not a sister-in-law, but a mother
Pillaikku thanthai ullam puriyaathathaaDoesn't a child understand a father's heart?
Ullangal ondraiyondru ariyaathathaaDo not hearts understand each other?
Female
Thanneeril theerum thaagamThirst is quenched by water
Kanneeril theerathuIt is not quenched by tears
Panneeril aadum poovumA flower bathed in rosewater
Venneeril aadaathuWill not bathe in boiling water
Female
Unnaalae vaazhum jeevanA soul that lives because of you
Thannaalae vaazhaathuCannot live on its own
Ondralla jenmam kodiNot just one birth, but a crore births
Neeyindri naanaethuWhat am I without you?
Neeraagavum peraagavum naanAs water and as my reputation
Kandathu unnaiththaanAll I saw was you
Female
Annan alla thanthai endraanHe said he is not an elder brother, but a father
Anni alla annai endraanHe said she is not a sister-in-law, but a mother
Pillaikku thanthai ullam puriyaathathaaDoesn't a child understand a father's heart?
Ullangal ondraiyondru ariyaathathaaDo not hearts understand each other?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song from the 1982 film Asthivaram, written by Vaali, portrays deep familial devotion, sacrifice, and affection. It reflects how an elder brother and sister-in-law transcend their traditional roles to become loving parental figures to a younger sibling, raising him with selfless dedication.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Annan alla thanthai endraan / Anni alla annai endraan

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent lines like 'Annan' and 'Anni', creating a rhythmic flow.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thanneeril theerum thaagam / Kanneeril theerathu

Matching of second consonants across lines ('Thanneeril' / 'Kanneeril' / 'Panneeril' / 'Venneeril').

Uvamai (Contrast & Metaphor)

Panneeril aadum poovum / Venneeril aadaathu

Contrasting rosewater and boiling water to symbolize care versus hardship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali frequently drew references to characters from the Ramayana—such as Raghurama, Kaikeyi, and Vaithegi (Sita)—to elevate familial themes in Tamil film music.

Keep listening

More from Asthivaram