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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Appane Appane

From Annai Or Aalayam · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Annai Or Aalayam1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Appanae appanaeOh father, oh father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Adangappanae appanaeOh uncontrollable father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Podava thoppu karnam podavaShall I do sit-ups holding my ears as penance?
Naan paadava paattu paadi aadavaaShall I sing a song and dance for you?
Anbu enakku romba irukkuI have so much love within me.
Vambu vazhakku innum yethukkuWhy continue quarrels and arguments anymore?
Male
Adangappanae appanaeOh uncontrollable father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Podava thoppu karnam podavaShall I do sit-ups holding my ears as penance?
Naan paadava paattu paadi aadavaaShall I sing a song and dance for you?
Male
Vaathiyangal ennenna sol vaasikirenTell me what musical instruments to play, and I will play them.
Vaathiyaru endru unnai nesikkirenI affectionally regard you as my master teacher.
Vedikkai viththai ellaam kathukkurenI will learn all entertaining tricks.
Verenna seiya venum othukkurenTell me what else to do, I agree to it all.
Ishtapadi sollu nadakkirenTell me your wishes, I will act accordingly.
Ennai naanae vittu kodukkurenI am yielding and compromising myself for you.
Suttithanam aththanaiyumAll of this mischievous naughtiness,
Vittuvidu raajaGive it up, my little king.
Male
Adangappanae appanaeOh uncontrollable father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Podava thoppu karnam podavaShall I do sit-ups holding my ears as penance?
Female
Paarvathi petrueduthaalGoddess Parvathi gave birth to
Rendu pillaiTwo children.
Baalagan murugano nalla pillaiThe child Murugan is a very good boy.
Nee mattum romba romba chutti pillaiYou alone are a very, very naughty child.
Thaanga villai nee seiyum anbu thollaiI cannot bear the affectionate trouble you cause!
Kaatil unnai kandu eduthavanThe one who rescued you in the forest,
Kaadhal vaithu unnai valarthavanThe one who raised you with deep love,
Unnai pola ullam ulla nalla pillai raajaHe is a good child with a heart just like yours, my king.
Female
Appanae appanaeOh father, oh father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Podava thoppu karnam podavaShall I do sit-ups holding my ears as penance?
Male
Aarattum nenjil ulla thazhumbugalLet the scars in the heart heal.
Pogattum munnam seitha thavarugalLet the past mistakes fade away.
Thaai indri intha pillai thavikkirenWithout a mother, I, this child, am suffering.
Nee indri unthan annai thudikkiraalWithout you, your mother is yearning desperately.
Petha manam pithu pidithathuThe birth mother's heart has gone mad with longing.
Pillai nalam enni kidakkuthuShe lies awake constantly thinking of her child's well-being.
Annai vasam unnai vaithenI have brought you back under your mother's care.
Ennai nambu raajaTrust me, my little king.
Male
Appanae appanaeOh father, oh father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Podava thoppu karnam podavaShall I do sit-ups holding my ears as penance?
Naan paadava paattu paadi aadavaaShall I sing a song and dance for you?
Anbu enakku romba irukkuI have so much love within me.
Vambu vazhakku innum yethukkuWhy continue quarrels and arguments anymore?
Male
Adangappanae appanaeOh uncontrollable father!
Pullaiyaar appanaeOh Lord Ganesha, father!
Podava thoppu karnam podavaShall I do sit-ups holding my ears as penance?
Naan paadava paattu paadi aadavaaShall I sing a song and dance for you?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Appanae Appanae' is an emotionally rich and playful song from the 1979 film 'Annai Or Aalayam'. In the movie's narrative, the protagonist (played by Rajinikanth) affectionately sings to a baby elephant, equating its playful mischief to Lord Ganesha (Pillaiyar). He uses coaxing, playful gestures, and rhythmic pleas to pacify the spirited young elephant, expressing how much love he holds for it while coaxing it to return to its mother. As the song progresses, the tone shifts from lighthearted cajoling to deep emotional resonant pleading. The singer highlights the agony of separation between a mother and her child, drawing parallels to divine relationships and maternal longing. Through poetic verses by Vaali, the song explores themes of filial bond, human-animal affection, and redemptive maternal warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Pullaiyaar appanae

Comparing the baby elephant to Lord Ganesha (Pillaiyar / Adangappanae) due to its elephant visage and playful, unyielding nature.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Anbu enakku romba irukku / Vambu vazhakku innum yethukku

Rhyming of the second consonant character across adjacent lines ('Anbu' / 'Vambu').

Rhyme / Repetitive Refrain

Podava thoppu karnam podava / Naan paadava paattu paadi aadavaa

Rhythmic repetition of 'Podava' and 'paadava' creating a musical, persuasive cadence typical of nursery/coaxing songs.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Petha manam pithu pidithathu / Pillai nalam enni kidakkuthu

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'P' in words ('Petha', 'Pithu', 'Pillai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Annai Or Aalayam' (1979) was a blockbuster Tamil-Telugu bilingual film directed by R. Thyagarajan and produced by Devar Films, famous for featuring trained wild animals. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The song was filmed with Rajinikanth interacting closely with a real baby elephant, making it one of the most iconic human-animal bond songs in Tamil cinema history.

Keep listening

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