Annan Enna Thambi Enna
From Dharma Durai · 1991
- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharma Durai1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi enna | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
| Solladi enakku badhilai | Tell me the answer, girl! |
| Nandri kondra ullangalai | To the hearts that murdered gratitude... |
| Kandu kandu vendha pinbu | After watching them and burning in pain, |
| Ennadi enakku velai | What purpose do I serve here, girl? |
| Male | |
| {Nambi nambi vembi vembi | {Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly, |
| Ondrum illai endra pinbu | After realizing that nothing is left, |
| Uravu kidaku podi… | Relationships are just mere dust... |
| Indha unmaiyai kandavan gnyani} (2) | The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage} (2) |
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi ennaa | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
| Male | |
| Aasaiyil naan vaitha pasathil nesathil | Out of the affection and love I held in my desire, |
| Vandhadhingu | What arrived here... |
| Vedhanaiyum sodhanaiyum dhaan | Is only agony and endless trials. |
| Nenjam vendhadhadi sogathinil dhan | My heart burned deeply in sorrow. |
| Pambukku pal vaithu naan seidha pavathil | For the sin I committed by feeding milk to a snake, |
| Vandhadhingu konjamalla nanjamalladi | What came back is no small thing, it is pure poison! |
| Endhan nenjamingu nenjamalladi | My heart here is no longer a human heart. |
| Male | |
| Carukkum perukkum | For cars, for fame, |
| Thaerukkum aasai enna | What is this greed for luxury chariots? |
| Neruku ner indru aeithidum | Facing eye to eye today, |
| Mosam enna | What is this deception? |
| Ooruku nyaangal sollidum | Preaching righteousness to the whole town, |
| Vaesham enna | What is this hypocritical guise? |
| Unmaiyai kondra pin | After murdering the truth, |
| Nenjukku needhi enna | What justice remains for the conscience? |
| Pogum paadhai thavaranal | If the path you take is wrong, |
| Podum kanakum thavaragum oh oh ooo | The calculations you make will also go wrong, oh oh ooo! |
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi enna | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
| Solladi enakku badhilai | Tell me the answer, girl! |
| Nandri kondra ullangalai | To the hearts that murdered gratitude... |
| Kandu kandu vendha pinbu | After watching them and burning in pain, |
| Ennadi enakku velai | What purpose do I serve here, girl? |
| Male | |
| {Nambi nambi vembi vembi | {Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly, |
| Ondrum illai endra pinbu | After realizing that nothing is left, |
| Uravu kidaku podi… | Relationships are just mere dust... |
| Indha unmaiyai kandavan gnyani} (2) | The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage} (2) |
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi ennaa | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
| Male | |
| Thandhaiyin sollindru | Today, father's word, |
| Mandhiram dhan endru | Is indeed a sacred chant, |
| Kandadhadi pillai endhan | My child saw and understood this, |
| Unmai ullamae | In her true heart. |
| Endhan ullam engum anbu vellamae | My heart is a flood of boundless love everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Sondhathil bhandathil | Standing in the midst of kin, bonds, |
| Mosathil sogathil vandhunindru | Deception, and sorrow, |
| Unmaithanai indru unarndhen | I realized the core truth today. |
| Idhai kandu kandu indru thelindhen | Witnessing all this, I attained ultimate clarity today. |
| Male | |
| Pattadhu pattadhu | Suffered, suffered, |
| En manam pattadhadi | My heart suffered greatly! |
| Suttadhu suttadhu | Burnt, burnt, |
| Sattigal suttadhadi | The pots burnt! |
| Vittadhu vittadhu | Let go, let go, |
| Kaigalum vittadhadi | My hands let go! |
| kottudhu kottudhu | Overflowing, overflowing, |
| Gnyanamum kottudhadi | Wisdom is overflowing! |
| Vaanam paarthu parakadhae | Do not fly looking up at the sky, |
| Bhoomiyil pirandhaai marakadhae oh oh oo … | Do not forget you were born on the earth, oh oh oo… |
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi enna | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
| Solladi enakku badhilai | Tell me the answer, girl! |
| Nandri kondra ullangalai | To the hearts that murdered gratitude... |
| Kandu kandu vendha pinbu | After watching them and burning in pain, |
| Ennadi enakku velai | What purpose do I serve here, girl? |
| Male | |
| Nambi nambi vembi vembi | Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly, |
| Ondrum illai endra pinbu | After realizing that nothing is left, |
| Uravu kidaku podi… | Relationships are just mere dust... |
| Indha unmaiyai kandavan gnyani | The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage. |
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi enna | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
| Solladi enakku badhilai | Tell me the answer, girl! |
| Nandri kondra ullangalai | To the hearts that murdered gratitude... |
| Kandu kandu vendha pinbu | After watching them and burning in pain, |
| Ennadi enakku velai | What purpose do I serve here, girl? |
| Male | |
| Annan enna thambi ennaa | What is elder brother, what is younger brother? |
| Sondham enna bandham enna | What are relations, what are bonds? |
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
சொல்லடி எனக்கு பதிலை
நன்றி கொன்ற உள்ளங்களை
கண்டு கண்டு வெந்த பின்பு
என்னடி எனக்கு வேலை
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
Tell me the answer, girl!
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
After watching them and burning in pain,
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
{நம்பி நம்பி வெம்பி வெம்பி
ஒன்றும் இல்லை என்ற பின்பு
உறவு கிடக்கு போடி....
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டவன் ஞானி} (2)
{Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly,
After realizing that nothing is left,
Relationships are just mere dust...
The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage} (2)
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
ஆசையில் நான் வைத்த
பாசத்தில் நேசத்தில் வந்ததிங்கு
வேதனையும் சோதனையும்தான்
நெஞ்சம் வெந்ததடி சோகத்தினில்தான்
பாம்புக்கு பால் வைத்து நான் செய்த பாவத்தில்
வந்ததிங்கு கொஞ்சமல்ல நஞ்சமல்லடி
எந்தன் நெஞ்சம் இங்கு நெஞ்சமல்லடி
Out of the affection and love I held in my desire,
What arrived here...
Is only agony and endless trials.
My heart burned deeply in sorrow.
For the sin I committed by feeding milk to a snake,
What came back is no small thing, it is pure poison!
My heart here is no longer a human heart.
காருக்கும் பேருக்கும்
தேருக்கும் ஆசை என்ன
நேருக்கு நேர் இன்று ஏய்த்திடும்
மோசம் என்ன
ஊருக்கு ஞாயங்கள் சொல்லிடும்
வேஷம் என்ன
உண்மையை கொன்றப் பின்
நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி என்ன
போகும் பாதை தவறானால்
போடும் கணக்கும் தவறாகும் ஓ ஓ ஓஒ
For cars, for fame,
What is this greed for luxury chariots?
Facing eye to eye today,
What is this deception?
Preaching righteousness to the whole town,
What is this hypocritical guise?
After murdering the truth,
What justice remains for the conscience?
If the path you take is wrong,
The calculations you make will also go wrong, oh oh ooo!
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
சொல்லடி எனக்கு பதிலை
நன்றி கொன்ற உள்ளங்களை
கண்டு கண்டு வெந்த பின்பு
என்னடி எனக்கு வேலை
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
Tell me the answer, girl!
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
After watching them and burning in pain,
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
{நம்பி நம்பி வெம்பி வெம்பி
ஒன்றும் இல்லை என்ற பின்பு
உறவு கிடக்கு போடி....
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டவன் ஞானி} (2)
{Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly,
After realizing that nothing is left,
Relationships are just mere dust...
The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage} (2)
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
தந்தையின் சொல் இன்று
மந்திரம்தான் என்று
கண்டதடி பிள்ளை எந்தன்
உண்மை உள்ளமே
எந்தன் உள்ளம் எங்கும் அன்பு வெள்ளமே
Today, father's word,
Is indeed a sacred chant,
My child saw and understood this,
In her true heart.
My heart is a flood of boundless love everywhere.
சொந்தத்தில் பந்தத்தில்
மோசத்தில் சோகத்தில் வந்து நின்று
உண்மைதனை இன்று உணர்ந்தேன்
இதை கண்டு கண்டு இன்று தெளிந்தேன்
Standing in the midst of kin, bonds,
Deception, and sorrow,
I realized the core truth today.
Witnessing all this, I attained ultimate clarity today.
பட்டது பட்டது
என் மனம் பட்டதடி
சுட்டது சுட்டது
சட்டிகள் சுட்டதடி
விட்டது விட்டது
கைகளும் விட்டதடி
கொட்டுது கொட்டுது
ஞானமும் கொட்டுதடி
வானம் பார்த்து பறக்காதே
பூமியில் பிறந்தாய் மறக்காதே ஓ ஓ ஓ....
Suffered, suffered,
My heart suffered greatly!
Burnt, burnt,
The pots burnt!
Let go, let go,
My hands let go!
Overflowing, overflowing,
Wisdom is overflowing!
Do not fly looking up at the sky,
Do not forget you were born on the earth, oh oh oo…
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
சொல்லடி எனக்கு பதிலை
நன்றி கொன்ற உள்ளங்களை
கண்டு கண்டு வெந்த பின்பு
என்னடி எனக்கு வேலை
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
Tell me the answer, girl!
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
After watching them and burning in pain,
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
நம்பி நம்பி வெம்பி வெம்பி
ஒன்றும் இல்லை என்ற பின்பு
உறவு கிடக்கு போடி....
இந்த உண்மையை கண்டவன் ஞானி
Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly,
After realizing that nothing is left,
Relationships are just mere dust...
The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage.
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
சொல்லடி எனக்கு பதிலை
நன்றி கொன்ற உள்ளங்களை
கண்டு கண்டு வெந்த பின்பு
என்னடி எனக்கு வேலை
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
Tell me the answer, girl!
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
After watching them and burning in pain,
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
அண்ணன் என்ன தம்பி என்ன
சொந்தம் என்ன பந்தம் என்ன
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
What are relations, what are bonds?
Annan enna thambi enna
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Solladi enakku badhilai
Tell me the answer, girl!
Nandri kondra ullangalai
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
Kandu kandu vendha pinbu
After watching them and burning in pain,
Ennadi enakku velai
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
{Nambi nambi vembi vembi
{Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly,
Ondrum illai endra pinbu
After realizing that nothing is left,
Uravu kidaku podi…
Relationships are just mere dust...
Indha unmaiyai kandavan gnyani} (2)
The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage} (2)
Annan enna thambi ennaa
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Aasaiyil naan vaitha pasathil nesathil
Out of the affection and love I held in my desire,
Vandhadhingu
What arrived here...
Vedhanaiyum sodhanaiyum dhaan
Is only agony and endless trials.
Nenjam vendhadhadi sogathinil dhan
My heart burned deeply in sorrow.
Pambukku pal vaithu naan seidha pavathil
For the sin I committed by feeding milk to a snake,
Vandhadhingu konjamalla nanjamalladi
What came back is no small thing, it is pure poison!
Endhan nenjamingu nenjamalladi
My heart here is no longer a human heart.
Carukkum perukkum
For cars, for fame,
Thaerukkum aasai enna
What is this greed for luxury chariots?
Neruku ner indru aeithidum
Facing eye to eye today,
Mosam enna
What is this deception?
Ooruku nyaangal sollidum
Preaching righteousness to the whole town,
Vaesham enna
What is this hypocritical guise?
Unmaiyai kondra pin
After murdering the truth,
Nenjukku needhi enna
What justice remains for the conscience?
Pogum paadhai thavaranal
If the path you take is wrong,
Podum kanakum thavaragum oh oh ooo
The calculations you make will also go wrong, oh oh ooo!
Annan enna thambi enna
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Solladi enakku badhilai
Tell me the answer, girl!
Nandri kondra ullangalai
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
Kandu kandu vendha pinbu
After watching them and burning in pain,
Ennadi enakku velai
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
{Nambi nambi vembi vembi
{Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly,
Ondrum illai endra pinbu
After realizing that nothing is left,
Uravu kidaku podi…
Relationships are just mere dust...
Indha unmaiyai kandavan gnyani} (2)
The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage} (2)
Annan enna thambi ennaa
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Thandhaiyin sollindru
Today, father's word,
Mandhiram dhan endru
Is indeed a sacred chant,
Kandadhadi pillai endhan
My child saw and understood this,
Unmai ullamae
In her true heart.
Endhan ullam engum anbu vellamae
My heart is a flood of boundless love everywhere.
Sondhathil bhandathil
Standing in the midst of kin, bonds,
Mosathil sogathil vandhunindru
Deception, and sorrow,
Unmaithanai indru unarndhen
I realized the core truth today.
Idhai kandu kandu indru thelindhen
Witnessing all this, I attained ultimate clarity today.
Pattadhu pattadhu
Suffered, suffered,
En manam pattadhadi
My heart suffered greatly!
Suttadhu suttadhu
Burnt, burnt,
Sattigal suttadhadi
The pots burnt!
Vittadhu vittadhu
Let go, let go,
Kaigalum vittadhadi
My hands let go!
kottudhu kottudhu
Overflowing, overflowing,
Gnyanamum kottudhadi
Wisdom is overflowing!
Vaanam paarthu parakadhae
Do not fly looking up at the sky,
Bhoomiyil pirandhaai marakadhae oh oh oo …
Do not forget you were born on the earth, oh oh oo…
Annan enna thambi enna
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Solladi enakku badhilai
Tell me the answer, girl!
Nandri kondra ullangalai
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
Kandu kandu vendha pinbu
After watching them and burning in pain,
Ennadi enakku velai
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
Nambi nambi vembi vembi
Believing repeatedly, wilting away repeatedly,
Ondrum illai endra pinbu
After realizing that nothing is left,
Uravu kidaku podi…
Relationships are just mere dust...
Indha unmaiyai kandavan gnyani
The one who realizes this truth is a enlightened sage.
Annan enna thambi enna
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Solladi enakku badhilai
Tell me the answer, girl!
Nandri kondra ullangalai
To the hearts that murdered gratitude...
Kandu kandu vendha pinbu
After watching them and burning in pain,
Ennadi enakku velai
What purpose do I serve here, girl?
Annan enna thambi ennaa
What is elder brother, what is younger brother?
Sondham enna bandham enna
What are relations, what are bonds?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic Tamil song from the movie 'Dharma Durai' (1991) expresses profound heartbreak, betrayal, and philosophical awakening. The protagonist reflects bitterly on the betrayal of his own brothers and family whom he loved selflessly. He questions the value of familial bonds ('Annan enna thambi enna') when gratitude is forgotten and selfishness takes over. Comparing his generous acts to feeding milk to a venomous snake, he mourns how his love was met with deceit and pain. Despite the bitterness, the song turns into a spiritual revelation. The protagonist comes to terms with the fleeting nature of material desires, status, and false relationships. He realizes that worldly ties are as insignificant as dust and that true wisdom comes from recognizing human nature as it is. He advises against arrogance, reminding everyone to stay grounded on earth rather than flying high in pride, ultimately adopting the detachment of a sage ('gnyani').
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition / Anaphora)
“Nambi nambi vembi vembi”
Repetition of words like 'Nambi nambi', 'vembi vembi', 'kandu kandu', 'pattadhu pattadhu', 'suttadhu suttadhu' for emphasis and emotional intensity.
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urubagam)
“Pambukku pal vaithu naan seidha pavathil”
Comparing ungrateful brothers to a venomous snake fed with milk ('Pambukku pal vaithu').
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pattadhu pattadhu / Suttadhu suttadhu”
The second letters of 'Pattadhu', 'Suttadhu', 'Vittadhu', and 'Kottudhu' rhyme with 't' (ட்).
Monaai (Alliteration / First-letter Matching)
“Sondham enna bandham enna / Solladi enakku badhilai”
First letter 'S' matching in 'Sondham' and 'Solladi'.
Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)
“Annan enna thambi enna”
Asking 'Annan enna thambi enna' (What is a brother?) to challenge the conventional belief in familial loyalty.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam, this song is considered one of Rajinikanth's most powerful philosophical tracks. In 'Dharma Durai', Rajinikanth plays an innocent elder brother devoted to his younger brothers who end up betraying him for money, making this song a pivotal emotional high point in the narrative.
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