Kanna Kanna Naan
From Varam · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Varam1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………………. | |
| Male | |
| Kanna kanna naan | Hey my dear, I... |
| Kathu thaaren vaada vaada | will teach you, come on, come on. |
| Indha annan sonna nee | Listen to what this elder brother says, |
| Kettukoda en raja raja | listen to me, my king, my king. |
| Male | |
| Pallikoodam bore adikkum | School will bore you, |
| Puthi kettu poga vaikkum | it will spoil your intellect. |
| Attam aadu thool thool parakkum | Dance and play, dust will fly high, |
| Naalai nalla naal pirakkum | a good day will be born tomorrow. |
| Attam aadu thool thool parakkum | Dance and play, dust will fly high, |
| Naalai nalla naal pirakkum | a good day will be born tomorrow. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………… | |
| Male | |
| Kappiadikka neeyum kathukka | Learn to copy and cheat, |
| Kaasu koduthu passu pannikka | pay money and pass your exams. |
| Vendaandaa padikaadhae | Don't study, it's not needed, |
| Unnai veenaaga keduthukaathae | don't ruin yourself unnecessarily. |
| Male | |
| Sandhai kadaiyil maark vikkudhu | Marks are sold in the market shops, |
| Lanjam kodukka quevil nikkudhu | people are standing in queue to give bribes. |
| Poiyinnu nenaikkadhae | Don't think this is a lie, |
| Poiyinnu nenaikkadhae | don't think this is a lie. |
| Male | |
| Ada aanavum oonavum kathukama | Without even learning the basics of the alphabet, |
| Ingae B.A. vum M.A. vum rombha peru | there are many B.A. and M.A. degree holders here. |
| Ada aanavum oonavum kathukama | Without even learning the basics of the alphabet, |
| Ingae B.A. vum M.A. vum rombha peru | there are many B.A. and M.A. degree holders here. |
| Male | |
| Idhu oorellam naadellam naari pochu | This entire town and country has become rotten, |
| Ada eppodhum poi illa namma pechu | hey, my words are never false. |
| Male | |
| Kanna kanna naan | Hey my dear, I... |
| Kathu thaaren vaada vaada | will teach you, come on, come on. |
| Indha annan sonna nee | Listen to what this elder brother says, |
| Kettukoda en raja raja raja | listen to me, my king, my king, my king. |
| Male | |
| Naatilledhukku katchi ithanai | Why are there so many political parties in this country? |
| Roattil edhukku kodigal ithanai | Why are there so many party flags on the road? |
| Ellamae pozhapaachu | Everything has become a business for survival, |
| Podhu thondellaam verum pechu | public service is just mere talk. |
| Male | |
| Kaasu panathai vaari kottavum | To shower and hoard money, |
| Ooru nelathil veedu kattavum | to build houses on public land, |
| License -eh katchi thannda | a political party is the license! |
| Ippa nadellam kollai thaanda | Now the whole country is being looted! |
| Male | |
| Indha naattukkum kalvikkum othukaathu | Education doesn't suit this country, |
| Idhu naai vaalu eppodhum nimiradhu | this is a dog's tail, it will never straighten. |
| Indha naattukkum kalvikkum othukaathu | Education doesn't suit this country, |
| Idhu naai vaalu eppodhum nimiradhu | this is a dog's tail, it will never straighten. |
| Male | |
| Indha oorodu nee serndhu vesham podu | Blend with this town and wear a mask of disguise, |
| Nee munnaeru poiyaaga kosham podu | raise fake slogans and march ahead! |
| Male | |
| Kanna kanna naan | Hey my dear, I... |
| Kathu thaaren vaada vaada | will teach you, come on, come on. |
| Indha annan sonna nee | Listen to what this elder brother says, |
| Kettukoda en raja raja | listen to me, my king, my king. |
.........................
ஆண்
: கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா
Hey my dear, I...
will teach you, come on, come on.
Listen to what this elder brother says,
listen to me, my king, my king.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு
: கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா
School will bore you,
it will spoil your intellect.
Dance and play, dust will fly high,
a good day will be born tomorrow.
Dance and play, dust will fly high,
a good day will be born tomorrow.
ஆண்
: பள்ளிக்கூடம் போரடிக்கும்
புத்தி கெட்டுப் போக வைக்கும்
ஆட்டம் ஆடு தூள் தூள் பறக்கும்
நாளை நல்ல நாள் பிறக்கும்
ஆட்டம் ஆடு தூள் தூள் பறக்கும்
நாளை நல்ல நாள் பிறக்கும்
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு
: கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா ராஜா
Learn to copy and cheat,
pay money and pass your exams.
Don't study, it's not needed,
don't ruin yourself unnecessarily.
.........................
Marks are sold in the market shops,
people are standing in queue to give bribes.
Don't think this is a lie,
don't think this is a lie.
ஆண்
: காப்பியடிக்க நீயும் கத்துக்க
காசு கொடுத்து பாஸூ பண்ணிக்க
வேணான்டா படிக்காதே
உன்னை வீணாக கெடுத்துக்காதே
Without even learning the basics of the alphabet,
there are many B.A. and M.A. degree holders here.
Without even learning the basics of the alphabet,
there are many B.A. and M.A. degree holders here.
ஆண்
: சந்தைக் கடையில் மார்க்கு விக்குது
லஞ்சம் கொடுக்க க்யூவில் நிக்குது
பொய்யின்னு நினைக்காதே
பொய்யின்னு நினைக்காதே
This entire town and country has become rotten,
hey, my words are never false.
ஆண்
: அட ஆனாவும் ஓனாவும் கத்துக்காம
இங்கே பிஏவும் எம்ஏவும் ரொம்ப பேரு
அட ஆனாவும் ஓனாவும் கத்துக்காம
இங்கே பிஏவும் எம்ஏவும் ரொம்ப பேரு
Hey my dear, I...
will teach you, come on, come on.
Listen to what this elder brother says,
listen to me, my king, my king, my king.
ஆண்
: இது ஊரெல்லாம் நாடெல்லாம் நாறிப்போச்சு
Why are there so many political parties in this country?
Why are there so many party flags on the road?
Everything has become a business for survival,
public service is just mere talk.
அட எப்போதும் போய் இந்த நம்ம பேச்சு
To shower and hoard money,
to build houses on public land,
a political party is the license!
Now the whole country is being looted!
ஆண்
: கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா ராஜா
Education doesn't suit this country,
this is a dog's tail, it will never straighten.
Education doesn't suit this country,
this is a dog's tail, it will never straighten.
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா ராஜா
Blend with this town and wear a mask of disguise,
raise fake slogans and march ahead!
ஆண்
: நாட்டிலெதுக்கு கட்சி இத்தனை
ரோட்டில் எதுக்கு கொடிகள் இத்தனை
எல்லாமே பொழப்பாச்சு
பொதுத் தொண்டெல்லாம் வெறும் பேச்சு
Hey my dear, I...
will teach you, come on, come on.
Listen to what this elder brother says,
listen to me, my king, my king.
ஆண்
: காசுப் பணத்த வாரிக் கொட்டவும்
ஊரு நிலத்தில் வீடு கட்டவும்
லைசென்சே கட்சிதான்டா
இப்ப நாடெல்லாம் கொள்ளை தான்டா
ஆண்
: இந்த நாட்டுக்கும் கல்விக்கும் ஒத்துக்காது
இது நாய் வாலு எப்போதும் நிமிராது
இந்த நாட்டுக்கும் கல்விக்கும் ஒத்துக்காது
இது நாய் வாலு எப்போதும் நிமிராது
ஆண்
: இந்த ஊரோடு சேர்ந்து நீ வேஷம் போடு
நீ முன்னேற பொய்யாக கோஷம் போடு
ஆண்
: கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
கண்ணா கண்ணா நான்
கத்து தாரேன் வாடா வாடா
இந்த அண்ணன் சொன்னா நீ
கேட்டுக்கோடா என் ராஜா ராஜா
ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே ஹே.....(3)
………………….
Kanna kanna naan
Hey my dear, I...
Kathu thaaren vaada vaada
will teach you, come on, come on.
Indha annan sonna nee
Listen to what this elder brother says,
Kettukoda en raja raja
listen to me, my king, my king.
Pallikoodam bore adikkum
School will bore you,
Puthi kettu poga vaikkum
it will spoil your intellect.
Attam aadu thool thool parakkum
Dance and play, dust will fly high,
Naalai nalla naal pirakkum
a good day will be born tomorrow.
Attam aadu thool thool parakkum
Dance and play, dust will fly high,
Naalai nalla naal pirakkum
a good day will be born tomorrow.
………………………
Kappiadikka neeyum kathukka
Learn to copy and cheat,
Kaasu koduthu passu pannikka
pay money and pass your exams.
Vendaandaa padikaadhae
Don't study, it's not needed,
Unnai veenaaga keduthukaathae
don't ruin yourself unnecessarily.
Sandhai kadaiyil maark vikkudhu
Marks are sold in the market shops,
Lanjam kodukka quevil nikkudhu
people are standing in queue to give bribes.
Poiyinnu nenaikkadhae
Don't think this is a lie,
Poiyinnu nenaikkadhae
don't think this is a lie.
Ada aanavum oonavum kathukama
Without even learning the basics of the alphabet,
Ingae B.A. vum M.A. vum rombha peru
there are many B.A. and M.A. degree holders here.
Ada aanavum oonavum kathukama
Without even learning the basics of the alphabet,
Ingae B.A. vum M.A. vum rombha peru
there are many B.A. and M.A. degree holders here.
Idhu oorellam naadellam naari pochu
This entire town and country has become rotten,
Ada eppodhum poi illa namma pechu
hey, my words are never false.
Kanna kanna naan
Hey my dear, I...
Kathu thaaren vaada vaada
will teach you, come on, come on.
Indha annan sonna nee
Listen to what this elder brother says,
Kettukoda en raja raja raja
listen to me, my king, my king, my king.
Naatilledhukku katchi ithanai
Why are there so many political parties in this country?
Roattil edhukku kodigal ithanai
Why are there so many party flags on the road?
Ellamae pozhapaachu
Everything has become a business for survival,
Podhu thondellaam verum pechu
public service is just mere talk.
Kaasu panathai vaari kottavum
To shower and hoard money,
Ooru nelathil veedu kattavum
to build houses on public land,
License -eh katchi thannda
a political party is the license!
Ippa nadellam kollai thaanda
Now the whole country is being looted!
Indha naattukkum kalvikkum othukaathu
Education doesn't suit this country,
Idhu naai vaalu eppodhum nimiradhu
this is a dog's tail, it will never straighten.
Indha naattukkum kalvikkum othukaathu
Education doesn't suit this country,
Idhu naai vaalu eppodhum nimiradhu
this is a dog's tail, it will never straighten.
Indha oorodu nee serndhu vesham podu
Blend with this town and wear a mask of disguise,
Nee munnaeru poiyaaga kosham podu
raise fake slogans and march ahead!
Kanna kanna naan
Hey my dear, I...
Kathu thaaren vaada vaada
will teach you, come on, come on.
Indha annan sonna nee
Listen to what this elder brother says,
Kettukoda en raja raja
listen to me, my king, my king.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kanna Kanna Naan' from the 1989 movie Varam is a satirical social commentary song delivered as advice from an elder brotherly figure to a younger child. The speaker sarcastically discourages formal education, claiming that academic degrees are sold like market commodities and obtained through bribes and cheating without genuine learning. He argues that trying to be honest in a corrupt system is pointless. The song extends its criticism to politics, questioning the purpose of numerous political parties and flags, portraying them as licenses for corruption, land grabbing, and personal gain under the guise of public service. Concluding that reforming society is as impossible as straightening a dog's tail, he cynicism-fueled advice encourages the listener to adapt to society's hypocrisy by putting on a facade and shouting false slogans to get ahead in life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverb / Idiom (Pazhamozhi)
“Idhu naai vaalu eppodhum nimiradhu”
Uses the popular Tamil proverb comparing a hopeless, irredeemable situation or system to a dog's tail that cannot be straightened.
Irony / Satire
“License -eh katchi thannda / Ippa nadellam kollai thaanda”
Employs sharp political irony stating that forming or joining a political party serves as a legal license to loot the country.
Monai (First Letter Harmony / Alliteration)
“Naalai nalla naal pirakkum”
Repetition of the 'Na' sound across consecutive words creates a pleasing rhythmic flow.
Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Naatilledhukku katchi ithanai / Roattil edhukku kodigal ithanai”
The second consonant 't' (ட்) rhymes between 'Naat' and 'Roat' across adjacent lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by Mano, 'Kanna Kanna Naan' showcases Vairamuthu's signature knack for sharp street-smart political satire. The song reflects the growing disillusionment with the education system and political opportunism in Tamil Nadu during the late 1980s.
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