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Lyrics & meaning

Satti Melatha

From Annanukku Jey · 2018

Lyricist
Gaana Bala
Singer
Gaana Bala
Music director
Arrol Corelli
Details
Annanukku Jey2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Parakka ududaLet it fly,
Paathi kambathula kodiyaThe flag at half-mast,
Koluthi podudaLight it up,
Aayiram vaala vediyaA thousand-cracker Garland strand,
Thiyagi pichai perumal annanodaTo mark Martyr Pichai Perumal brother's
Arasiyal vazhka mudiyaPolitical life coming to an end,
Kanneer anjali poster adichi ottungadaPrint and paste condolence posters,
Namma oorukellaam theriyaSo that the whole town comes to know.
Male
Satti molatha nee kaaichudaHeat up the frame of the funeral drum,
Namma otha adiya vaasidaPlay our unique rhythm,
Ninnu pochu annan moochudaBrother's breath has come to a stop,
Ooru full-ah ivaru pechudaThe whole town is talking about him,
Ooru full-ah ivaru pechudaThe whole town is talking about him.
Male
Ada aalamaran sanjichuAh, the great banyan tree has fallen,
Namma periya thala maanduchuOur great leader has passed away,
Romba amarkalama vazhnthuchuHe lived a very grand life,
Ippo oora vittu pooyiruchuNow he has departed from this town,
Ippo oora vittu pooyiruchuNow he has departed from this town.
Male
Ondriyam thoongiruchuThe union level party unit went to sleep,
Ondiyaa mannukku poyiruchuHe went alone into the earth,
Vattam valarndhiruchuThe ward secretary grew in power,
Athukku maavattam kochikichuAnd the district secretary got jealous of it.
Male
Yezhukku rendu kattila poottuPlace him on a seven-by-two bed,
Annana kalathudaAnd strip brother's old clothes,
Namma e.ma.ve.ka katchi kodiyaOur E.Ma.Ve.Ka party flag,
Mela porthudaDrape it over his body.
Male
Intha mullai nagar oorukullaInside this Mullai Nagar town,
Annana pola yaaruWho can match our brother?
Ivar azhagu mugatha paaruLook at his handsome face,
Perai ketta vanangum ooruThe whole town bows upon hearing his name.
Male
Kodiya pudichikunnuHolding the party flags,
Vanthu nikkum kumbala paarudaLook at the crowd gathered here!
Yezhai jananga mathiyilaAmong the poor common folk,
Annanukku nalla perudaBrother commands a great reputation.
Male
Annana pathi innamum soldrenI will tell you even more about brother,
Kaasa podungadaThrow in some money!
Intha body yaarukkuTo decide who owns
Sonthaminnu thaanThis deceased body,
Toss-eh podungadaGo ahead and toss a coin!
Male
Enga tha.pa..ka katchiyilaIn our Tha.Pa.Ka political party,
Annan thaanda singamBrother is the undisputed lion,
Ithu hall mark-u thangamHe is pure hallmark gold,
Nee pannathada bangamDon't cause any disturbance now.
Male
Kokka langa kuruvi langaKokka langa kuruvi langa,
Langa soap-u daLanga soap-u da,
Vellai sokka pootta picha perumalPichai Perumal wearing a crisp white shirt,
Annan sokku daBrother is pure charm!
Male
Annana thookinu poganum daWe must carry brother,
SudukaattukuTo the cremation ground,
Athukulla muppathu roova kodiyaBefore that, a thirty-rupee flag
Pothuran munnooru oottukkuIs draped across three hundred houses.
Male
Annana thookinu poganum daWe must carry brother,
SudukaattukuTo the cremation ground,
Athukulla muppathu roova kodiyaBefore that, a thirty-rupee flag
Pothuran munnooru oottukkuIs draped across three hundred houses.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Annanukku Jey' is a humorous political funeral song sung in the traditional Gaana genre of Chennai. It narrates the death of a local politician named Pichai Perumal (referred to fondly as 'Annan') and the absurdities surrounding his funeral procession. The song lightheartedly captures local political dynamics, party rivalries, flag-draping rituals, poster culture, and publicity stunts performed by party workers when a politician passes away. Composed and sung in authentic street dialect, the song blends dark comedy with commentary on grass-roots political life in Tamil Nadu. Despite the solemn occasion, the song treats the funeral as a festive spectacle filled with drum beats, political posturing, and money collection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Ada aalamaran sanjichu

Compares the deceased local political leader to a grand, sturdy banyan tree that has fallen.

Satire / Irony

Intha body yaarukku Sonthaminnu thaan Toss-eh podungada

Highlights the absurdity of political parties squabbling over claiming ownership of a dead politician's body for political clout.

Emonai / Rhyme Scheme

Annan thaanda singam / Ithu hall mark-u thangam / Nee pannathada bangam

Uses internal end-rhyming typical of Gaana music (singam, thangam, bangam).

Repetition / Chorus

Ooru full-ah ivaru pechuda

Emphasizes the widespread gossip and impact of the leader's death across the village.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is from the 2018 political satire film 'Annanukku Jey' starring Dinesh and Mahima Nambiar. Written and performed by famous Gaana artist Gaana Bala, the track highlights the distinct Chennai Gaana genre commonly used during funeral processions (Chavvu Kuthu/Saavu Gaana) adapted for political comedy.

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