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Lyrics & meaning

Annanukku Jey

From Annanukku Jai · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Annanukku Jai1989

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Enakkedhukku jae jaeWhy do I need praise and cheers of victory?
Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee cheeI do not like it at all, gross!
Podu thalaivanukku jae jaeCheer victory for the leader!
Adhu enakkedhukku chee cheeWhy do I need that? Gross!
Indha oorellaam en oorunnaaIf this whole town is my town,
Adha odanae nee kaali pannu daaThen vacate it immediately, man!
Oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daa yen thambiDo not trust anyone, my younger brother,
Onna mattum nambi irudaa aamaaTrust only yourself, yes!
Oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daa yen thambiDo not trust anyone, my younger brother,
Onna mattum nambi irudaa doiTrust only yourself, hey!
Male
Venaayaa yovNo way, man, hey!
Male
Ada venaannaaHey, if I say no...
Male
Kovam varum enakkuI will get angry!
Male
Koozhukkum kanjikkum vaadudhuWithering away for basic porridge and meal,
Ezhaikku yaetram illaeThere is no progress for the poor.
Aatchigal ethana marudhuSo many governments change,
Namba vaazhkkaiyil maatram illaeYet there is no change in our lives.
Avanavanin vaela avanavanukkirukkuEveryone has their own work to attend to,
Onna evan paappaan poda poWho is going to look after you? Go away!
Unnudaiya vaazhvu un uzhaippil irukkuYour life lies in your own hard work,
Onna nambi melae vaadaa vaaTrust yourself and rise up, come on!
Mela vandhaa indha oouru olagamIf you rise up, this town and world,
Ada jae jae podum paattu kooda paadumWill cheer victory for you and even sing songs!
Male
Idhaanae venaanguradhuThis is precisely what I said I do not want!
Male
Konjam irungadaa daeiHold on a moment, guys!
Enakkedhukku jae jaeWhy do I need praise and cheers of victory?
Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee cheeI do not like it at all, gross!
Male
Sondhangal illae samsaari thaanI have no relatives, I am just a common man,
Oorundu olagam unduThere is a town and a world around,
Bandhangal undu anaadhai naanThere are relations everywhere, yet I am an orphan,
Yaarundu yevanum illaeWho is truly there for me? Nobody is there!
Annanoda baaram platforam thaanThe elder brother's resting place is just the platform,
Kan muzhichu paaru roattoramOpen your eyes and see by the roadside!
Thatti kekkum veeram enneram thaanThe courage to question wrongdoing is always present,
Kattikkira maatten samsaaramI will not get married and settle into domestic life!
Naethu illa indha koottam enakkuThis crowd was not there for me yesterday,
Enna thol mel thookki jae jae podumToday they lift me on their shoulders and cheer victory!
Male
SabaashBravo!
Male
Aiyae ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee cheeHey, I do not like it at all, gross!
Male
Kovam varum adhu enakkedhukku chee cheeI will get angry, why do I need that? Gross!
Male
Adha odanae nee kaali pannu daa doiVacate the place immediately, man!
Male
Naan paaduren irungadaaI am singing, wait guys!
Ada oruthanaiyum nambaadhae daaHey, do not trust anyone,
En thambi onna mattum nambi irudaaMy brother, trust only yourself!
Male
Adichaennaa paaruWatch out or I will hit you!
Male
Vaaya moodungadaa somberingalaaShut your mouths, you lazy fellows!
Enakkedhukku jae jaeWhy do I need praise and cheers of victory?
Ennakkadhu pudikkavillae chee chee cheeI do not like it at all, gross gross gross!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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