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Lyrics & meaning

Thanna Thaana Thalanthana

From Anjatha Nenjangal · 1981

Lyricist
Thooyavan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Anjatha Nenjangal1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thannathaana thalanthaanaaRhythmic beat vocalization (Thannathaana thalanthaanaa)
Thathi thathi aadathaanaTo dance with unsteady, toddling steps
Suthi suthi paadathaanaTo spin around and sing
Female
Thannathaana thalanthaanaaRhythmic beat vocalization (Thannathaana thalanthaanaa)
Thathi thathi aadathaanaTo dance with unsteady, toddling steps
Suthi suthi paadathaanaTo spin around and sing
Female
{Sutti paiyaa matti paiya{Naughty boy, foolish boy
Etti podaa kaali sodaGet lost, you empty soda bottle
Ennagum poongodiWhat will become of this delicate creeper-like girl
Polladha pokkiri} (2)You wicked rogue} (repeat twice)
Female
Oongi valarndha panamaramA tall-grown palmyra tree
Unakku edhukku suyam varamWhy do you need a self-choice marriage ceremony (suyamvaram)?
Oongi valarndha panamaramA tall-grown palmyra tree
Unakku edhukku suyam varamWhy do you need a self-choice marriage ceremony (suyamvaram)?
Yaeni padi yen ippadi aasa paduthooWhy does a ladder step desire like this?
Enna padi vanna kodi maalai idumooHow will a colorful creeper-like girl place a garland on you?
Female
Thannathaana thalanthaanaaRhythmic beat vocalization (Thannathaana thalanthaanaa)
Thathi thathi aadathaanaTo dance with unsteady, toddling steps
Suthi suthi paadathaanaTo spin around and sing
Female
{Kitta vandha patta vaadai{If you come close, there is a smell of liquor
Kattipenaa indha aalaiWill I embrace such a man?
Eppodhum milli thaanAlways drinking alcohol in small measures
Konjaadhu alli thaan} (2)This lily flower girl will not cuddle you} (repeat twice)
Female
Aaru velai theeni thaanGlutton eating six meals a day
Aaana polae maeni thaanA body giant like an elephant
Aaru velai theeni thaanGlutton eating six meals a day
Aaana polae maeni thaanA body giant like an elephant
Ponnai katti pongi poda othu varumaWill it work out to cook and serve gold for you?
Endha ponnum unnai kandaa aasa padumaaWould any girl desire you if she sees you?
Female
Thannathaana thalanthaanaaRhythmic beat vocalization (Thannathaana thalanthaanaa)
Thathi thathi aadathaanaTo dance with unsteady, toddling steps
Suthi suthi paadathaanaTo spin around and sing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playfully mocking song from the 1981 Tamil film Anjatha Nenjangal, written by lyricist Thooyavan, features folk-style teasing directed at a giant, drunken, and unruly man who dreams of finding love. The singer humorously criticizes his massive appetite, constant drinking habits, and rough personality, rejecting any romantic advances. Through lively folk rhythm and colloquial metaphors, the protagonist warns that no maiden would fall for a man who eats six times a day like an elephant and smells of liquor, mockingly comparing him to a tall palmyra tree trying to hold a royal marriage selection ceremony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Aaana polae maeni thaan

Compares the man's large physical body structure directly to an elephant.

Uvagam (Metaphor)

Oongi valarndha panamaram

Metaphorically refers to the tall, lanky man as a palmyra tree to highlight his awkward stature.

Ethirukai (Second letter rhyme)

Sutti paiyaa matti paiya / Etti podaa kaali soda

The second letter 't' (ட்/த்) rhymes in 'Sutti' and 'Etti'.

Anaphora / Repetition

Thannathaana thalanthaanaa / Suthi suthi paadathaana

Rhythmic folk refrains 'Thannathaana' and 'Suthi suthi' create a dance beat through repetition.

Did you know?

Trivia

Anjatha Nenjangal (1981) features playful character-driven folk numbers penned by lyricist Thooyavan. The song employs rhythmic folk syllables like 'Thannathaana' alongside contemporary street slang of 1980s Tamil Nadu like 'kaali soda' (empty soda bottle) and 'milli' (a small peg of liquor).

Keep listening

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