Subbanna Sonnaranna
From Thee · 1981
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thee1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Male | |
| Eppannaa vanthathinnaen | I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?" |
| Enakkum theriyallaennaar | He said, "Even I don't know." |
| Eppannaa vanthathinnaen | I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?" |
| Enakkum theriyallaennaar | He said, "Even I don't know." |
| Male | |
| Appannaaa naam innum | Then brother, are we still |
| Adimaigal thaanaa annaa | Just slaves, brother? |
| Chorus :Appannaaa naam innum | Chorus: Then brother, are we still |
| Adimaigal thaanaa annaa | Just slaves, brother? |
| Chorus | |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Male | |
| Thalukku…yae…kulukku…yae…minukku | Style... hey... sway... hey... sparkle! |
| Yae…thalukku yae….alukku kulukku minukku | Hey... style, hey... dirt, sway, sparkle! |
| Thalukku aahaa….haa…haa….ho | Style, ah-ha... ha... ha... ho! |
| Male | |
| Maadi veettai paarththathundu | We have seen multi-storied houses, |
| Maadippadi yaeriyathillae | But have never climbed up their stairs. |
| Maadi veettai paarththathundu | We have seen multi-storied houses, |
| Maadippadi yaeriyathillae | But have never climbed up their stairs. |
| Male | |
| Pootti vaikka note-um illae | We have no cash notes to lock away in safes, |
| Maattikittu muzhichchathillae | So we have never been caught blinking in panic. |
| Pootti vaikka note-um illae | We have no cash notes to lock away in safes, |
| Maattikittu muzhichchathillae | So we have never been caught blinking in panic. |
| Male | |
| Saalaiyilae thundai virippom | We spread a cloth towel on the roadside to sleep, |
| Kaalaiyilae kannai vizhippom | And open our eyes in the morning. |
| Saalaiyilae thundai virippom | We spread a cloth towel on the roadside to sleep, |
| Kaalaiyilae kannai vizhippom | And open our eyes in the morning. |
| Moolaiyilae vaazhvu nadakkuthu | Life goes on in a quiet corner, |
| Pullai porakkuthu vanjanai illaamaa | And children are born without any deceit. |
| Chorus | |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Male | |
| Thaayidaththil paalumillai | The mother has no milk to feed, |
| Thanthai mugam paarkkum pillai | The child looks expectantly at the father's face. |
| Thaayidaththil paalumillai | The mother has no milk to feed, |
| Thanthai mugam paarkkum pillai | The child looks expectantly at the father's face. |
| Male | |
| Kaainthu vitta ponjaathiyai | Looking at his emaciated wife, |
| Kankalangi paarkkum thanthai | The father watches with tearful eyes. |
| Kaainthu vitta ponjaathiyai | Looking at his emaciated wife, |
| Kankalangi paarkkum thanthai | The father watches with tearful eyes. |
| Male | |
| Oor muzhukka vaaduthu appaa | The entire town is wilting in suffering, brother, |
| Onnu rendu vaazhuthu appaa | Only one or two people are thriving, brother. |
| Socialism paadalai ketkirom | We listen to songs about Socialism, |
| Paanaiya paarkkirom | We look inside our cooking pot, |
| Onnaiyum kaanomae | And we see nothing inside at all! |
| Chorus | |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Male | |
| Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa haa haah | Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa haa haah (Rhythmic vocalization) |
| Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa Hae haei | Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa Hae haei (Rhythmic vocalization) |
| Male | |
| Naama oru moochchu vittaa | If we let out a deep sigh, |
| Naadi engo parakkumappaa | Our vital pulse flies away somewhere, brother. |
| Naama oru moochchu vittaa | If we let out a deep sigh, |
| Naadi engo parakkumappaa | Our vital pulse flies away somewhere, brother. |
| Male | |
| Kaalam onnu porakkumappaa | A better time will be born one day, brother, |
| Kaalil vanthu vizhukumappaa | Good fortune will fall at our feet, brother. |
| Kaalam onnu porakkumappaa | A better time will be born one day, brother, |
| Kaalil vanthu vizhukumappaa | Good fortune will fall at our feet, brother. |
| Male | |
| Aanavarai Velai seivom | We will work as hard as we possibly can, |
| Aandavanai vendiyiruppom | And we will pray to the Almighty. |
| Aanavarai Velai seivom | We will work as hard as we possibly can, |
| Aandavanai vendiyiruppom | And we will pray to the Almighty. |
| Nallavargal kettathumillae | Good people have never been ruined, |
| Pattathumillae nampikkai kolvomae | Nor suffered forever; let us keep faith. |
| Male | |
| Suppannaa sonnaarannaa | Brother Subbanna said, |
| Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu | That freedom has arrived. |
| Male | |
| Eppannaa vanthathinnaen | I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?" |
| Enakkum theriyallaennaar | He said, "Even I don't know." |
| Male | |
| Appannaaa naam innum | Then brother, are we still |
| Adimaigal thaanaa annaa | Just slaves, brother? |
| Chorus | |
| Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa | Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa….hoi | Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa....hoi (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa | Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa….ho | Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa....ho (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa | Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa | Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa | Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables) |
| Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa | Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa (Rhythmic syllables) |
கோவை சௌந்தரராஜன்
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?"
He said, "Even I don't know."
I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?"
He said, "Even I don't know."
எப்பண்ணா வந்ததின்னேன்
எனக்கும் தெரியல்லேன்னார்
எப்பண்ணா வந்ததின்னேன்
எனக்கும் தெரியல்லேன்னார்
Then brother, are we still
Just slaves, brother?
Chorus: Then brother, are we still
Just slaves, brother?
அப்பண்ணா நாம் இன்னும்
அடிமைகள் தானா அண்ணா.....
குழு :
அப்பண்ணா நாம் இன்னும்
அடிமைகள் தானா அண்ணா.....
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
Style... hey... sway... hey... sparkle!
Hey... style, hey... dirt, sway, sparkle!
Style, ah-ha... ha... ha... ho!
தளுக்கு....ஏ......குலுக்கு...ஏ...மினுக்கு
ஏ...தளுக்கு ஏ...அலுக்கு குலுக்கு மினுக்கு
தளுக்கு ஆஹா.....ஹா....ஹா...ஹோய்......
We have seen multi-storied houses,
But have never climbed up their stairs.
We have seen multi-storied houses,
But have never climbed up their stairs.
மாடி வீட்டைப் பார்த்ததுண்டு
மாடிப்படி ஏறியதில்லே
மாடி வீட்டைப் பார்த்ததுண்டு
மாடிப்படி ஏறியதில்லே
We have no cash notes to lock away in safes,
So we have never been caught blinking in panic.
We have no cash notes to lock away in safes,
So we have never been caught blinking in panic.
பூட்டி வைக்க நோட்டுமில்லே
மாட்டிக்கிட்டு முழிச்சதில்லே
பூட்டி வைக்க நோட்டுமில்லே
மாட்டிக்கிட்டு முழிச்சதில்லே
We spread a cloth towel on the roadside to sleep,
And open our eyes in the morning.
We spread a cloth towel on the roadside to sleep,
And open our eyes in the morning.
Life goes on in a quiet corner,
And children are born without any deceit.
சாலையிலே துண்டை விரிப்போம்
காலையிலே கண்ணை விழிப்போம்
சாலையிலே துண்டை விரிப்போம்
காலையிலே கண்ணை விழிப்போம்
மூலையிலே வாழ்வு நடக்குது
புள்ளை பொறக்குது வஞ்சனை இல்லாம
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
The mother has no milk to feed,
The child looks expectantly at the father's face.
The mother has no milk to feed,
The child looks expectantly at the father's face.
தாயிடத்தில் பாலுமில்லை
தந்தை முகம் பார்க்கும் பிள்ளை
தாயிடத்தில் பாலுமில்லை
தந்தை முகம் பார்க்கும் பிள்ளை
Looking at his emaciated wife,
The father watches with tearful eyes.
Looking at his emaciated wife,
The father watches with tearful eyes.
காய்ந்து விட்ட பொஞ்சாதியை
கண்கலங்கிப் பார்க்கும் தந்தை
காய்ந்து விட்ட பொஞ்சாதியை
கண்கலங்கிப் பார்க்கும் தந்தை
The entire town is wilting in suffering, brother,
Only one or two people are thriving, brother.
We listen to songs about Socialism,
We look inside our cooking pot,
And we see nothing inside at all!
ஊர் முழுக்க வாடுது அப்பா
ஒன்னு ரெண்டு வாழுது அப்பா
சோஷலிச பாடலைக் கேட்கிறோம்
பானையைப் பார்க்கிறோம்
ஒண்ணையும் காணோமே.......
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa haa haah (Rhythmic vocalization)
Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa Hae haei (Rhythmic vocalization)
ஐசலக்கா சலக்கா ஐசலக்கா ஹா ஹாஹ்
ஐசலக்கா சலக்கா ஐசலக்கா ஹே ஹேய்.....
If we let out a deep sigh,
Our vital pulse flies away somewhere, brother.
If we let out a deep sigh,
Our vital pulse flies away somewhere, brother.
நாம ஒரு மூச்சு விட்டா
நாடி எங்கோ பறக்குமப்பா
நாம ஒரு மூச்சு விட்டா
நாடி எங்கோ பறக்குமப்பா
A better time will be born one day, brother,
Good fortune will fall at our feet, brother.
A better time will be born one day, brother,
Good fortune will fall at our feet, brother.
காலம் ஒன்னு பொறக்குமப்பா
காலில் வந்து விழுகுமப்பா
காலம் ஒன்னு பொறக்குமப்பா
காலில் வந்து விழுகுமப்பா
We will work as hard as we possibly can,
And we will pray to the Almighty.
We will work as hard as we possibly can,
And we will pray to the Almighty.
Good people have never been ruined,
Nor suffered forever; let us keep faith.
ஆனவரை வேலை செய்வோம்
ஆண்டவனை வேண்டியிருப்போம்
ஆனவரை வேலை செய்வோம்
ஆண்டவனை வேண்டியிருப்போம்
நல்லவர்கள் கெட்டதுமில்லே
பட்டதுமில்லே நம்பிக்கை கொள்வோமே
Brother Subbanna said,
That freedom has arrived.
சுப்பண்ணா சொன்னாரண்ணா
சுதந்திரம் வந்ததின்னு
I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?"
He said, "Even I don't know."
எப்பண்ணா வந்ததின்னேன்
எனக்கும் தெரியல்லேன்னார்
Then brother, are we still
Just slaves, brother?
அப்பண்ணா நாம் இன்னும்
அடிமைகள் தானா அண்ணா.....
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa....hoi (Rhythmic syllables)
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa....ho (Rhythmic syllables)
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
தையக்கா தக்கடித் தக்கா
தந்தரின்னா தக்கடித் திக்கா....ஹோய்...
தையக்கா தக்கடித் தக்கா
தந்தரின்னா தக்கடித் திக்கா....ஹோ...
தையக்கா தக்கடித் தக்கா
தந்தரின்னா தக்கடித் திக்கா....
தையக்கா தக்கடித் தக்கா
தந்தரின்னா தக்கடித் திக்கா....
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Eppannaa vanthathinnaen
I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?"
Enakkum theriyallaennaar
He said, "Even I don't know."
Eppannaa vanthathinnaen
I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?"
Enakkum theriyallaennaar
He said, "Even I don't know."
Appannaaa naam innum
Then brother, are we still
Adimaigal thaanaa annaa
Just slaves, brother?
Chorus :Appannaaa naam innum
Chorus: Then brother, are we still
Adimaigal thaanaa annaa
Just slaves, brother?
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Thalukku…yae…kulukku…yae…minukku
Style... hey... sway... hey... sparkle!
Yae…thalukku yae….alukku kulukku minukku
Hey... style, hey... dirt, sway, sparkle!
Thalukku aahaa….haa…haa….ho
Style, ah-ha... ha... ha... ho!
Maadi veettai paarththathundu
We have seen multi-storied houses,
Maadippadi yaeriyathillae
But have never climbed up their stairs.
Maadi veettai paarththathundu
We have seen multi-storied houses,
Maadippadi yaeriyathillae
But have never climbed up their stairs.
Pootti vaikka note-um illae
We have no cash notes to lock away in safes,
Maattikittu muzhichchathillae
So we have never been caught blinking in panic.
Pootti vaikka note-um illae
We have no cash notes to lock away in safes,
Maattikittu muzhichchathillae
So we have never been caught blinking in panic.
Saalaiyilae thundai virippom
We spread a cloth towel on the roadside to sleep,
Kaalaiyilae kannai vizhippom
And open our eyes in the morning.
Saalaiyilae thundai virippom
We spread a cloth towel on the roadside to sleep,
Kaalaiyilae kannai vizhippom
And open our eyes in the morning.
Moolaiyilae vaazhvu nadakkuthu
Life goes on in a quiet corner,
Pullai porakkuthu vanjanai illaamaa
And children are born without any deceit.
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Thaayidaththil paalumillai
The mother has no milk to feed,
Thanthai mugam paarkkum pillai
The child looks expectantly at the father's face.
Thaayidaththil paalumillai
The mother has no milk to feed,
Thanthai mugam paarkkum pillai
The child looks expectantly at the father's face.
Kaainthu vitta ponjaathiyai
Looking at his emaciated wife,
Kankalangi paarkkum thanthai
The father watches with tearful eyes.
Kaainthu vitta ponjaathiyai
Looking at his emaciated wife,
Kankalangi paarkkum thanthai
The father watches with tearful eyes.
Oor muzhukka vaaduthu appaa
The entire town is wilting in suffering, brother,
Onnu rendu vaazhuthu appaa
Only one or two people are thriving, brother.
Socialism paadalai ketkirom
We listen to songs about Socialism,
Paanaiya paarkkirom
We look inside our cooking pot,
Onnaiyum kaanomae
And we see nothing inside at all!
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa haa haah
Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa haa haah (Rhythmic vocalization)
Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa Hae haei
Aisalakkaa salakkaa aisalakkaa Hae haei (Rhythmic vocalization)
Naama oru moochchu vittaa
If we let out a deep sigh,
Naadi engo parakkumappaa
Our vital pulse flies away somewhere, brother.
Naama oru moochchu vittaa
If we let out a deep sigh,
Naadi engo parakkumappaa
Our vital pulse flies away somewhere, brother.
Kaalam onnu porakkumappaa
A better time will be born one day, brother,
Kaalil vanthu vizhukumappaa
Good fortune will fall at our feet, brother.
Kaalam onnu porakkumappaa
A better time will be born one day, brother,
Kaalil vanthu vizhukumappaa
Good fortune will fall at our feet, brother.
Aanavarai Velai seivom
We will work as hard as we possibly can,
Aandavanai vendiyiruppom
And we will pray to the Almighty.
Aanavarai Velai seivom
We will work as hard as we possibly can,
Aandavanai vendiyiruppom
And we will pray to the Almighty.
Nallavargal kettathumillae
Good people have never been ruined,
Pattathumillae nampikkai kolvomae
Nor suffered forever; let us keep faith.
Suppannaa sonnaarannaa
Brother Subbanna said,
Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu
That freedom has arrived.
Eppannaa vanthathinnaen
I asked, "Brother, when did it arrive?"
Enakkum theriyallaennaar
He said, "Even I don't know."
Appannaaa naam innum
Then brother, are we still
Adimaigal thaanaa annaa
Just slaves, brother?
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa….hoi
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa....hoi (Rhythmic syllables)
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa….ho
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa....ho (Rhythmic syllables)
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa
Thayakkaa thakkadi thakkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa
Thaththarinnaa thakkadi thikkaa (Rhythmic syllables)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Suppannaa Sonnaarannaa is a social satire song from the 1981 film Thee starring Rajinikanth. Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan and composed by M. S. Viswanathan, the song uses conversational folklore and street-music rhythms to highlight the plight of the urban poor and working class in post-independence India. The characters question whether true independence has ever benefited them, pointing out that political slogans like socialism have left their cooking pots empty while wealth remains concentrated among a privileged few. Despite the harsh realities of poverty and starvation, the song ultimately delivers a message of resilience, work ethic, and faith that honest people will eventually see better days.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Suppannaa sonnaarannaa / Sudhanthiram vanthathinnu”
Repetition of the initial 'Su' sound across consecutive lines.
Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Saalaiyilae thundai virippom / Kaalaiyilae kannai vizhippom”
Matching of the second consonant 'lai' sound across lines.
Irony / Social Satire
“Socialism paadalai ketkirom / Paanaiya paarkkirom / Onnaiyum kaanomae”
Contrasting lofty political promises ('Socialism') with the stark reality of hunger ('looking into an empty pot').
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Aanavarai Velai seivom / Aandavanai vendiyiruppom”
Matching action verbs at line endings creating a balanced folk rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Thee (1981) is the official Tamil remake of the 1975 Hindi blockbuster Deewaar. This song serves as a localized working-class street song showcasing Rajinikanth's character among laborers, composed in a energetic folk style by M. S. Viswanathan.
Keep listening
More from Thee
Thee
Thee