Appan Endrum Ammai Endrum
From Gunaa · 1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ooohoooo…oooohoooo..ooooo | Vocal chants |
| Ooohoooo…oooohoooo..ooooo | Vocal chants |
| Male | |
| Appanendrum ammaiyendrum | Calling it father and mother |
| Aanum pennum kotti vacha | Dumped together by a man and a woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Male | |
| Adhu budhanendrum sithanendrum | Becoming a Buddha, an enlightened Siddha |
| Pithanendrum aavadhenna | Or a madman, what is the point? |
| Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu | Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu | Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse |
| Male | |
| Bandha paasa saettril | Into the mud of ties and attachments |
| Vandhu vizhundha dhegam | This body has fallen |
| Endha gangai aattril | In which holy River Ganges |
| Indha azhukku pogum | Will this dirt be washed away? |
| Appanendrum….. | Calling it father... |
| Male | |
| Appanendrum ammaiyendrum | Calling it father and mother |
| Aanum pennum kotti vacha | Dumped together by a man and a woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Male | |
| Kuththam kurai yedhumattra | Without any fault or flaw |
| Jeevan ingu yaaradaa | Who is the living soul here? |
| Suththam endru yaarum illai | There is nobody who is purely clean |
| Paava moottai thaanadaa | Everyone is a bundle of sins |
| Male | |
| Sivan-ai kooda pithan endru | Calling even Lord Shiva a madman |
| Pesugindra ooradaa | This town speaks like that |
| Budhi ketta moodarkkendrum | For fools devoid of sense |
| Gnyaana paarvai yedhadaa | How can there be spiritual vision? |
| Male | |
| Aadhi mudhal andham | From beginning to end |
| Un sondham un bandham | Your relatives and your bonds |
| Nee ullavaraidhaan | Only as long as you exist |
| Male | |
| Vandhu vandhu koodum | Will keep coming and gathering |
| Kooththaadum vittodum | They make a spectacle and run away |
| Or sandhai kadaidhaan | It is just a marketplace stall |
| Male | |
| Idhil nee enna naan enna | In this, what are you and what am I? |
| Vandhaalum sendraalum | Whether one arrives or departs |
| Ennaachu vittu thallu | What does it matter, let it be |
| Appanendrum….. | Calling it father... |
| Male | |
| Appanendrum ammaiyendrum | Calling it father and mother |
| Aanum pennum kotti vacha | Dumped together by a man and a woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Male | |
| Kaiyum kaalum mookum kondu | Blessed with hands, feet, and a nose |
| Aada vandha kaaranam | The reason for coming to play this dance of life |
| Aadithaanae saethu vacha paavam | Is to cleanse the sins accumulated |
| Yaavum theeranum | Through past actions |
| Male | |
| Aada aada paavam serum | As one acts and dances, sins pile up |
| Aadi odum maanidaa | Oh human running wildly |
| Aada naanum maatten endru | Who is the one who said 'I will not dance' |
| Odipponadhaaradaa | And ran away? |
| Male | |
| Thattu kettu odum | Running astray and out of control |
| Thallaadum ennaalum | Stumbling at all times |
| Un ulla kurangu | The monkey inside your mind |
| Male | |
| Kattuppada koodum | Can be brought under control |
| Eppodhum nee podu | Always put on |
| Meignyaana vilangu | The manacles of true divine knowledge |
| Male | |
| Manam aadaamal vaadaamal | Without the mind swaying or wilting |
| Meignyaanam undaaga | As true wisdom dawns |
| Angnyaanam attru vizhum | Ignorance will fall away completely |
| Appanendrum….. | Calling it father... |
| Male | |
| Appanendrum ammaiyendrum | Calling it father and mother |
| Aanum pennum kotti vacha | Dumped together by a man and a woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Male | |
| Adhu budhanendrum sithanendrum | Becoming a Buddha, an enlightened Siddha |
| Pithanendrum aavadhenna | Or a madman, what is the point? |
| Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu | Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu | Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse |
| Male | |
| Bandha paasa saettril | Into the mud of ties and attachments |
| Vandhu vizhundha dhegam | This body has fallen |
| Endha gangai aattril | In which holy River Ganges |
| Indha azhukku pogum | Will this dirt be washed away? |
| Appanendrum….. | Calling it father... |
| Male | |
| Appanendrum ammaiyendrum | Calling it father and mother |
| Aanum pennum kotti vacha | Dumped together by a man and a woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
| Gnyana pennae | Oh wise woman |
| Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu | This body came forth like trash |
ஓஓஓஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
ஓஓஓஓஹோ
ஓஓஓஓஹோ ஓஓஓ
Vocal chants
Vocal chants
அப்பனென்றும்
அம்மையென்றும் ஆணும்
பெண்ணும் கொட்டி வச்ச
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
Calling it father and mother
Dumped together by a man and a woman
This body came forth like trash
Oh wise woman
This body came forth like trash
அது புத்தன்
என்றும் சித்தன் என்றும்
பித்தன் என்றும் ஆவதென்ன
சக்கையாக போகும் கரும்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே சக்கையாக
போகும் கரும்பு
Becoming a Buddha, an enlightened Siddha
Or a madman, what is the point?
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
Oh wise woman
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
பந்த பாச
சேற்றில் வந்து
விழுந்த தேகம்
எந்த கங்கை ஆற்றில்
இந்த அழுக்கு போகும்
அப்பனென்றும்
Into the mud of ties and attachments
This body has fallen
In which holy River Ganges
Will this dirt be washed away?
Calling it father...
அப்பனென்றும்
அம்மையென்றும் ஆணும்
பெண்ணும் கொட்டி வச்ச
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
Calling it father and mother
Dumped together by a man and a woman
This body came forth like trash
Oh wise woman
This body came forth like trash
குத்தம் குறை
ஏதுமற்ற ஜீவன் இங்கு
யாரடா சுத்தம் என்று
யாரும் இல்லை பாவ
மூட்டை தானடா
Without any fault or flaw
Who is the living soul here?
There is nobody who is purely clean
Everyone is a bundle of sins
சிவனைக் கூட
பித்தன் என்று பேசுகின்ற
ஊரடா புத்தி கேட்ட
மூடருக்கு என்றும் ஞானப்
பார்வை ஏதடா
Calling even Lord Shiva a madman
This town speaks like that
For fools devoid of sense
How can there be spiritual vision?
ஆதி முதல்
அந்தம் உன் சொந்தம்
உன் பந்தம் நீ உள்ளவரை
தான்
From beginning to end
Your relatives and your bonds
Only as long as you exist
வந்து வந்து
கூடும் கூத்தாடும்
விட்டோடும் ஓர்
சந்தை கடை தான்
Will keep coming and gathering
They make a spectacle and run away
It is just a marketplace stall
இதில் நீ
என்ன நான் என்ன
வந்தாலும் சென்றாலும்
என்னாச்சு விட்டுத் தள்ளு
அப்பனென்றும்
In this, what are you and what am I?
Whether one arrives or departs
What does it matter, let it be
Calling it father...
அப்பனென்றும்
அம்மையென்றும் ஆணும்
பெண்ணும் கொட்டி வச்ச
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
Calling it father and mother
Dumped together by a man and a woman
This body came forth like trash
Oh wise woman
This body came forth like trash
கையும் காலும்
மூக்கும் கொண்டு ஆட
வந்த காரணம் ஆடித்தானே
சேத்து வச்ச பாவம் யாவும்
தீரனும்
Blessed with hands, feet, and a nose
The reason for coming to play this dance of life
Is to cleanse the sins accumulated
Through past actions
ஆட ஆட
பாவம் சேரும் ஆடி
ஓடும் மானிடா ஆட
நானும் மாட்டேன் என்று
ஓடிப்போனதாரடா
As one acts and dances, sins pile up
Oh human running wildly
Who is the one who said 'I will not dance'
And ran away?
தட்டு கேட்டு
ஓடும் தள்ளாடும்
எந்நாளும் உன்
உள்ளக் குரங்கு
Running astray and out of control
Stumbling at all times
The monkey inside your mind
கட்டுப்பட கூடும்
எப்போதும் நீ போடு
மெய்ஞான விலங்கு
Can be brought under control
Always put on
The manacles of true divine knowledge
மனம் ஆடாமல்
வாடாமல் மெய்ஞானம்
உண்டாக அஞ்ஞானம்
அற்று விழும் அப்பன்
என்றும்
Without the mind swaying or wilting
As true wisdom dawns
Ignorance will fall away completely
Calling it father...
அப்பனென்றும்
அம்மையென்றும் ஆணும்
பெண்ணும் கொட்டி வச்ச
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
Calling it father and mother
Dumped together by a man and a woman
This body came forth like trash
Oh wise woman
This body came forth like trash
அது புத்தன்
என்றும் சித்தன் என்றும்
பித்தன் என்றும் ஆவதென்ன
சக்கையாக போகும் கரும்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே சக்கையாக
போகும் கரும்பு
Becoming a Buddha, an enlightened Siddha
Or a madman, what is the point?
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
Oh wise woman
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
பந்த பாச
சேற்றில் வந்து
விழுந்த தேகம்
எந்த கங்கை ஆற்றில்
இந்த அழுக்கு போகும்
அப்பனென்றும்
Into the mud of ties and attachments
This body has fallen
In which holy River Ganges
Will this dirt be washed away?
Calling it father...
அப்பனென்றும்
அம்மையென்றும் ஆணும்
பெண்ணும் கொட்டி வச்ச
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
ஞானப் பெண்ணே
குப்பையாக வந்த உடம்பு
Calling it father and mother
Dumped together by a man and a woman
This body came forth like trash
Oh wise woman
This body came forth like trash
Ooohoooo…oooohoooo..ooooo
Vocal chants
Ooohoooo…oooohoooo..ooooo
Vocal chants
Appanendrum ammaiyendrum
Calling it father and mother
Aanum pennum kotti vacha
Dumped together by a man and a woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Adhu budhanendrum sithanendrum
Becoming a Buddha, an enlightened Siddha
Pithanendrum aavadhenna
Or a madman, what is the point?
Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
Bandha paasa saettril
Into the mud of ties and attachments
Vandhu vizhundha dhegam
This body has fallen
Endha gangai aattril
In which holy River Ganges
Indha azhukku pogum
Will this dirt be washed away?
Appanendrum…..
Calling it father...
Appanendrum ammaiyendrum
Calling it father and mother
Aanum pennum kotti vacha
Dumped together by a man and a woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Kuththam kurai yedhumattra
Without any fault or flaw
Jeevan ingu yaaradaa
Who is the living soul here?
Suththam endru yaarum illai
There is nobody who is purely clean
Paava moottai thaanadaa
Everyone is a bundle of sins
Sivan-ai kooda pithan endru
Calling even Lord Shiva a madman
Pesugindra ooradaa
This town speaks like that
Budhi ketta moodarkkendrum
For fools devoid of sense
Gnyaana paarvai yedhadaa
How can there be spiritual vision?
Aadhi mudhal andham
From beginning to end
Un sondham un bandham
Your relatives and your bonds
Nee ullavaraidhaan
Only as long as you exist
Vandhu vandhu koodum
Will keep coming and gathering
Kooththaadum vittodum
They make a spectacle and run away
Or sandhai kadaidhaan
It is just a marketplace stall
Idhil nee enna naan enna
In this, what are you and what am I?
Vandhaalum sendraalum
Whether one arrives or departs
Ennaachu vittu thallu
What does it matter, let it be
Appanendrum…..
Calling it father...
Appanendrum ammaiyendrum
Calling it father and mother
Aanum pennum kotti vacha
Dumped together by a man and a woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Kaiyum kaalum mookum kondu
Blessed with hands, feet, and a nose
Aada vandha kaaranam
The reason for coming to play this dance of life
Aadithaanae saethu vacha paavam
Is to cleanse the sins accumulated
Yaavum theeranum
Through past actions
Aada aada paavam serum
As one acts and dances, sins pile up
Aadi odum maanidaa
Oh human running wildly
Aada naanum maatten endru
Who is the one who said 'I will not dance'
Odipponadhaaradaa
And ran away?
Thattu kettu odum
Running astray and out of control
Thallaadum ennaalum
Stumbling at all times
Un ulla kurangu
The monkey inside your mind
Kattuppada koodum
Can be brought under control
Eppodhum nee podu
Always put on
Meignyaana vilangu
The manacles of true divine knowledge
Manam aadaamal vaadaamal
Without the mind swaying or wilting
Meignyaanam undaaga
As true wisdom dawns
Angnyaanam attru vizhum
Ignorance will fall away completely
Appanendrum…..
Calling it father...
Appanendrum ammaiyendrum
Calling it father and mother
Aanum pennum kotti vacha
Dumped together by a man and a woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Adhu budhanendrum sithanendrum
Becoming a Buddha, an enlightened Siddha
Pithanendrum aavadhenna
Or a madman, what is the point?
Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu
Like sugarcane reduced to crushed bagasse
Bandha paasa saettril
Into the mud of ties and attachments
Vandhu vizhundha dhegam
This body has fallen
Endha gangai aattril
In which holy River Ganges
Indha azhukku pogum
Will this dirt be washed away?
Appanendrum…..
Calling it father...
Appanendrum ammaiyendrum
Calling it father and mother
Aanum pennum kotti vacha
Dumped together by a man and a woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Gnyana pennae
Oh wise woman
Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu
This body came forth like trash
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Appanendrum Ammaiyendrum' from the movie Gunaa (1991), composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Kamal Haasan with lyrics by Vaali, is a philosophical track written in the distinct style of Tamil Siddhar poetry. Addressed to a symbolic 'Gnyana Pen' (wise woman), the song contemplates the impermanence of the human body, describing it as trash brought together by mortal parents that eventually ends up crushed like spent sugarcane bagasse. The lyrics tackle philosophical concepts such as karma, human flaws, and spiritual liberation. Vaali highlights how society judges everyone—even calling Lord Shiva a madman—and compares the restless human mind to a monkey that must be bound with the 'fetters of spiritual wisdom' (Meignyaana vilangu) to achieve enlightenment and break free from the cycle of suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu”
Compares the human physical body to trash ('Kuppaiyaaga vandha udambu') and spent sugarcane ('Sakkaiyaaga pogum karumbu') to emphasize physical impermanence.
Siddhar Paadal Form (Refrain Motif)
“Gnyana pennae”
Employs the classic Tamil spiritual convention of addressing a 'Gnyana Pennae' (wise woman) as an archetype to convey philosophical truths.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kuththam kurai yedhumattra / Suththam endru yaarum illai”
Consonant agreement on the second letter across lines, such as 'Kuththam' and 'Suththam'.
Imagery & Metaphor
“Un ulla kurangu / Kattuppada koodum / Eppodhum nee podu / Meignyaana vilangu”
Describes the mind as a restless monkey ('Un ulla kurangu') and true knowledge as fetters or manacles ('Meignyaana vilangu').
Did you know?
Trivia
This track was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Kamal Haasan himself. Vaali purposefully modeled the lyrics after ancient Tamil Siddhar poetry (specifically the style of Kudambai Siddhar, who addresses 'Kudambaiye'). The song serves as a psychological window into the protagonist Gunaa's complex, troubled, and philosophically inclined mind.
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