- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Dharma Durai
- Movie release year
- 1991
- Lyrics added on
- 16 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
Keep listening
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