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Annanukku Jai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Annanukku Jey

From Annanukku Jai · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Annanukku Jai
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
18 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Enakkedhukku jae jae
Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee
Podu thalaivanukku jae jae
Adhu enakkedhukku chee chee
Indha oorellaam en oorunnaa
Adha odanae nee kaali pannu daa
Oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daa yen thambi
Onna mattum nambi irudaa aamaa
Oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daa yen thambi
Onna mattum nambi irudaa doi
Venaayaa yov
Ada venaannaa
Kovam varum enakku
Koozhukkum kanjikkum vaadudhu
Ezhaikku yaetram illae
Aatchigal ethana marudhu
Namba vaazhkkaiyil maatram illae
Avanavanin vaela avanavanukkirukku
Onna evan paappaan poda po
Unnudaiya vaazhvu un uzhaippil irukku
Onna nambi melae vaadaa vaa
Mela vandhaa indha oouru olagam
Ada jae jae podum paattu kooda paadum
Idhaanae venaanguradhu
Konjam irungadaa daei
Enakkedhukku jae jae
Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee
Sondhangal illae samsaari thaan
Oorundu olagam undu
Bandhangal undu anaadhai naan
Yaarundu yevanum illae
Annanoda baaram platforam thaan
Kan muzhichu paaru roattoram
Thatti kekkum veeram enneram thaan
Kattikkira maatten samsaaram
Naethu illa indha koottam enakku
Enna thol mel thookki jae jae podum
Sabaash
Aiyae ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee
Kovam varum adhu enakkedhukku chee chee
Adha odanae nee kaali pannu daa doi
Naan paaduren irungadaa
Ada oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daa
En thambi onna mattum nambi irudaa
Adichaennaa paaru
Vaaya moodungadaa somberingalaa
Enakkedhukku jae jae
Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee chee
Why do I need people cheering "Jai Jai"?
I don't like it at all, ugh!
Shout victory for our leader, Jai Jai!
Why do I need that? Ugh, no!
If this whole town is really mine,
then pack your things and clear out right now!
Don't trust a single person, my brother,
rely only on yourself, that's right!
Don't trust a single person, my brother,
rely only on yourself, hey!
I said I don't want it, man!
Hey, when I say no,
I'll lose my temper!
People struggle even for basic porridge,
there is no upliftment for the poor.
So many governments keep changing,
yet there is no change in our lives!
Everyone has their own work to mind,
who is going to look out for you? Go on, get lost!
Your life depends on your own hard work,
believe in yourself and rise up, come on!
If you make it to the top, this whole town and world...
...will cheer "Jai Jai" and even sing songs for you!
That's exactly what I don't want!
Hold on a second, you guys!
Why do I need people cheering "Jai Jai"?
I don't like it at all, ugh!
I have no relatives, I'm just living this worldly life,
You have this whole town and the world!
You have bonds—yet I am an orphan!
Who is really there for me? No one!
Your big brother's place is just the roadside platform,
open your eyes and look along the street!
I always have the courage to question what's wrong,
but I will never get married and settle down!
This crowd wasn't here for me yesterday,
now they lift me on their shoulders and shout "Jai Jai"!
Bravo!
Ugh, I don't like it at all, no, no!
I'll get angry—why do I need that? Ugh!
Clear out of here right now, hey!
Hold on, let me sing!
Hey, don't trust a single soul,
my brother, rely only on yourself!
Watch out or I'll hit you!
Shut your mouths, you lazy fools!
Why do I need people cheering "Jai Jai"?
I don't like it at all, ugh, no, no!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song expresses a street-smart and disillusioned perspective on social status, politics, and fake praise. The protagonist rejects the superficial cheers of the crowd, highlighting how governments change without improving the plight of the poor who struggle for basic sustenance. He strongly advises his younger brother to be self-reliant, stating that hard work and self-belief are the only genuine means to rise in life. Furthermore, he critiques society's superficiality, noting how people only celebrate a person after they succeed, while leaving them abandoned during tough times. The song advocates for independence, self-respect, and awareness over public adulation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Enakkedhukku jae jae / Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee

The second consonant 'na' matches in 'Enakkedhukku' and 'Ennakkadhu', creating a natural rhythmic cadence in Tamil poetry.

Monaai (First Letter Alliteration)

Oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daa yen thambi / Onna mattum nambi irudaa

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'O' in 'Oruthanaiyum' and 'Onna'.

Anaphora / Epanalepsis (Repetition for Emphasis)

Enakkedhukku jae jae / Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee

The colloquial repetitive exclamations 'jae jae' and 'chee chee' are used continuously to emphasize rejection of empty praise.

Rhetorical Question

Enakkedhukku jae jae

The speaker asks 'Enakkedhukku jae jae' (Why do I need victory cheers?) to express disdain towards superficial flattery.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Annanukku Jai' (1989) stars Arjun Sarja and Seetha, directed by Gangai Amaran who also penned the lyrics for this self-reflective philosophical track.

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