Annan Ivan Kannan Illae
From Ponnu Veettukkaran · 1999
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ponnu Veettukkaran1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa ezhaippaan | He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer |
| Eedaaga yevanum illae | There is no one equal to him |
| Kaalil sakkaram illaiyae | He does not have wheels on his feet |
| Ivan veenaa suthuvadhillaiyae | Yet he does not roam around aimlessly |
| Iravum pagalum vandhu pogum | Day and night come and go |
| Ivanukku kaala naeram kanakkillae | For him, time and hours hold no constraint |
| Edutha kaariyam mudiya venum | The task undertaken must be completed |
| Eppozhudhum vetri ivan pakkathula | Success is always on his side |
| Male | |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Male | |
| Thangam maatru koranjaalum | Even if the purity of gold diminishes |
| Ivanukku maatru kuraiyaadhu | His intrinsic worth will never lessen |
| Bandham paasam illaadha edhuvum | Anything that lacks emotional bond and affection |
| Manasu ariyaadhu | His heart does not understand |
| Hae sorgam naalu suvathukkullae irukku | Hey, heaven exists within these four walls |
| Vaeru kidaiyaadhu | There is nowhere else |
| Soodhu vaadhu kabadam ivan irukkum | Deceit, trickery, and dishonesty |
| Pakkam thirumbaadhu | Will never turn toward his direction |
| Male | |
| Hae anbulla or aan pillai | Hey, he is an affectionate man |
| Adakka mudiyaadhu | Who cannot be subdued |
| Hae kaasaalae adichu paaru | Hey, try striking him with money |
| Madakka mudiyaadhu | He cannot be bent or bought over |
| Ivan polae kidaikkumaa veettukkoru pillai | Can any household find a son like him? |
| Male | |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Male | |
| Pallikkoodam paartthadhae illai | He has never seen a school |
| Dhinamum pala paadam | Yet he learns many lessons daily |
| Koyil kulangal ponadhae illai | He has never visited temples or sacred ponds |
| Veedu ivan koyil | His home itself is his temple |
| Ho kudumbam ennum koottilae vaazhum | Ho, living in the nest called family |
| Kuruvi ivan thaanae | He is the small bird himself |
| Kottum anbai muthaaga pozhiyum | Showering pouring affection like pearls |
| Aruvi ivan thaanae | He is the waterfall itself |
| Male | |
| Ho uzhaippukku uruvam irukku | Ho, if hard work had a physical form |
| Ivana paatthukko | Just look at him |
| Hae pizhaippukku uzhaikkavillai | Hey, he does not work merely for livelihood |
| Perumai kaettukko | Hear about his glory |
| Ivan polae kidaikkumaa veettukkoru pillai | Can any household find a son like him? |
| Male | |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa yelaippaan | He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer |
| Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa ezhaippaan | He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer |
| Eedaaga yevanum illae | There is no one equal to him |
| Kaalil sakkaram illaiyae | He does not have wheels on his feet |
| Ivan veenaa suthuvadhillaiyae | Yet he does not roam around aimlessly |
| Iravum pagalum vandhu pogum | Day and night come and go |
| Ivanukku kaala naeram kanakkillae | For him, time and hours hold no constraint |
| Edutha kaariyam mudiya venum | The task undertaken must be completed |
| Eppozhudhum vetri ivan pakkathula | Success is always on his side |
| Male | |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
| Annan ivan kannan illae | This elder brother is not Lord Krishna |
| Mannai aala vandha mannan illae | He is not a king born to rule the earth |
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
மாடா ஒழைப்பான் ஓடா எளைப்பான்
ஈடாக எவனும் இல்லே
காலில் சக்கரம் இல்லையே
இவன் வீணா சுத்தவதில்லையே
இரவும் பகலும் வந்து போகும்
இவனுக்கு கால நேரம் கணக்கில்லே
எடுத்த காரியம் முடிய வேணும்
எப்பொழுதும் வெற்றி இவன் பக்கத்துல
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer
There is no one equal to him
He does not have wheels on his feet
Yet he does not roam around aimlessly
Day and night come and go
For him, time and hours hold no constraint
The task undertaken must be completed
Success is always on his side
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
தங்கம் மாற்றுக் கொறஞ்சாலும்
இவனுக்கு மாற்றுக் குறையாது
பந்தம் பாசம் இல்லாத எதுவும்
மனசு அறியாது
ஹே சொர்க்கம் நாலு சுவத்துக்குள்ளே இருக்கு
வேறு கிடையாது
சூது வாது கபடம் இவன் இருக்கும்
பக்கம் திரும்பாது
Even if the purity of gold diminishes
His intrinsic worth will never lessen
Anything that lacks emotional bond and affection
His heart does not understand
Hey, heaven exists within these four walls
There is nowhere else
Deceit, trickery, and dishonesty
Will never turn toward his direction
ஹே அன்புள்ள ஒராண் பிள்ளை
அடக்க முடியாது
ஹே காசாலே அடிச்சுப் பாரு
மடக்க முடியாது
இவன் போல கிடைக்குமா வீட்டுக்கொரு பிள்ளை
Hey, he is an affectionate man
Who cannot be subdued
Hey, try striking him with money
He cannot be bent or bought over
Can any household find a son like him?
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
பள்ளிக்கூடம் பார்த்ததே இல்லை
தினமும் பல பாடம்
கோயில் குளங்கள் போனதே இல்லை
வீடு இவன் கோயில்
ஹோ குடும்பம் என்னும் கூட்டிலே வாழும்
குருவி இவன்தானே
கொட்டும் அன்பை முத்தாகப் பொழியும்
அருவி இவன்தானே
He has never seen a school
Yet he learns many lessons daily
He has never visited temples or sacred ponds
His home itself is his temple
Ho, living in the nest called family
He is the small bird himself
Showering pouring affection like pearls
He is the waterfall itself
ஹோ உழைப்புக்கு உருவம் இருக்கு
இவனப் பாத்துக்கோ
ஹே பிழைப்புக்கு உழைக்கவில்லை
பெருமை கேட்டுக்கோ
இவன் போல கிடைக்குமா வீட்டுக்கொரு பிள்ளை
Ho, if hard work had a physical form
Just look at him
Hey, he does not work merely for livelihood
Hear about his glory
Can any household find a son like him?
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
மாடா ஒழைப்பான் ஓடா எளைப்பான்
மாடா ஒழைப்பான் ஓடா எளைப்பான்
ஈடாக எவனும் இல்லே
காலில் சக்கரம் இல்லையே
இவன் வீணா சுத்தவதில்லையே
இரவும் பகலும் வந்து போகும்
இவனுக்கு கால நேரம் கணக்கில்லே
எடுத்த காரியம் முடிய வேணும்
எப்பொழுதும் வெற்றி இவன் பக்கத்துல
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer
He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer
There is no one equal to him
He does not have wheels on his feet
Yet he does not roam around aimlessly
Day and night come and go
For him, time and hours hold no constraint
The task undertaken must be completed
Success is always on his side
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
அண்ணன் இவன் கண்ணன் இல்லை
மண்ணை ஆள வந்த மன்னன் இல்லை
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa ezhaippaan
He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer
Eedaaga yevanum illae
There is no one equal to him
Kaalil sakkaram illaiyae
He does not have wheels on his feet
Ivan veenaa suthuvadhillaiyae
Yet he does not roam around aimlessly
Iravum pagalum vandhu pogum
Day and night come and go
Ivanukku kaala naeram kanakkillae
For him, time and hours hold no constraint
Edutha kaariyam mudiya venum
The task undertaken must be completed
Eppozhudhum vetri ivan pakkathula
Success is always on his side
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Thangam maatru koranjaalum
Even if the purity of gold diminishes
Ivanukku maatru kuraiyaadhu
His intrinsic worth will never lessen
Bandham paasam illaadha edhuvum
Anything that lacks emotional bond and affection
Manasu ariyaadhu
His heart does not understand
Hae sorgam naalu suvathukkullae irukku
Hey, heaven exists within these four walls
Vaeru kidaiyaadhu
There is nowhere else
Soodhu vaadhu kabadam ivan irukkum
Deceit, trickery, and dishonesty
Pakkam thirumbaadhu
Will never turn toward his direction
Hae anbulla or aan pillai
Hey, he is an affectionate man
Adakka mudiyaadhu
Who cannot be subdued
Hae kaasaalae adichu paaru
Hey, try striking him with money
Madakka mudiyaadhu
He cannot be bent or bought over
Ivan polae kidaikkumaa veettukkoru pillai
Can any household find a son like him?
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Pallikkoodam paartthadhae illai
He has never seen a school
Dhinamum pala paadam
Yet he learns many lessons daily
Koyil kulangal ponadhae illai
He has never visited temples or sacred ponds
Veedu ivan koyil
His home itself is his temple
Ho kudumbam ennum koottilae vaazhum
Ho, living in the nest called family
Kuruvi ivan thaanae
He is the small bird himself
Kottum anbai muthaaga pozhiyum
Showering pouring affection like pearls
Aruvi ivan thaanae
He is the waterfall itself
Ho uzhaippukku uruvam irukku
Ho, if hard work had a physical form
Ivana paatthukko
Just look at him
Hae pizhaippukku uzhaikkavillai
Hey, he does not work merely for livelihood
Perumai kaettukko
Hear about his glory
Ivan polae kidaikkumaa veettukkoru pillai
Can any household find a son like him?
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa yelaippaan
He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer
Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa ezhaippaan
He works tirelessly like a bullock and relentlessly like a poor laborer
Eedaaga yevanum illae
There is no one equal to him
Kaalil sakkaram illaiyae
He does not have wheels on his feet
Ivan veenaa suthuvadhillaiyae
Yet he does not roam around aimlessly
Iravum pagalum vandhu pogum
Day and night come and go
Ivanukku kaala naeram kanakkillae
For him, time and hours hold no constraint
Edutha kaariyam mudiya venum
The task undertaken must be completed
Eppozhudhum vetri ivan pakkathula
Success is always on his side
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Annan ivan kannan illae
This elder brother is not Lord Krishna
Mannai aala vandha mannan illae
He is not a king born to rule the earth
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song is a glowing tribute to an elder brother who serves as the backbone of his family. Although he is neither a divine figure nor a king, his selfless dedication, integrity, and relentless hard work make him extraordinary. He finds sacredness in his own home and family, prioritising love and duty over unearned wealth or superficial piety.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Monorhyme (Iyaiputh Thodai)
“Annan ivan kannan illae / Mannai aala vandha mannan illae”
Repetition of ending sound '-illae' across lines creating melodic symmetry.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Veedu ivan koyil / Kudumbam ennum koottilae vaazhum kuruvi ivan thaanae”
Comparing the home to a temple and the protagonist to a bird in the family nest.
Simile / Comparison (Uwamai)
“Maadaa ozhaippaan odaa ezhaippaan”
Comparing his relentless hard work to that of a bullock ('Maadaa ozhaippaan').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Gangai Amaran for the 1999 Tamil film 'Ponnu Veettukkaran', starring Sathyaraj. The track highlights traditional Tamil cultural themes celebrating brotherly love and familial sacrifice.
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