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Lyrics & meaning

Ungalil Nam Annaavai Paarkiren

From Navarathinam · 1977

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Details
Navarathinam1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkirenI see our leader Anna in you,
Andha uthamaraam gaandhiyaiyumAnd I also see that virtuous Gandhi,
Paarkkiren paarkkirenI see, I see,
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkirenI see our leader Anna in you.
Male
Gangai nadhi pongi varuum naattilaeIn a land where the river Ganges overflows with abundance,
Palar kan kalangi vaadugindraar veettilaeMany people weep and wither away in their homes.
Female
Gangai nadhi pongi varuum naattilaeIn a land where the river Ganges overflows with abundance,
Male
Palar kan kalangi vaadugindraar veettilaeMany people weep and wither away in their homes.
Sila paergal kodi selvam kondanarA few people accumulated crores of wealth,
Palar theruvoram kodiyilae nindranarWhile many stood destitute on the streets.
Female
Sila paergal kodi selvam kondanarA few people accumulated crores of wealth,
Male :Palar theruvoram kodiyilae nindranarWhile many stood destitute on the streets.
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkirenI see our leader Anna in you.
Male
Or uyir thaan yaavarukkum ulladhuEvery human has only one life,
Adhu oru murai thaan nammai vittu selvadhuAnd it leaves us only once.
Female
Or uyir thaan yaavarukkum ulladhuEvery human has only one life,
Male
Adhu oru murai thaan nammai vittu selvadhuAnd it leaves us only once.
Selvam indru vandhu naalai povadhuWealth comes today and goes away tomorrow,
Seidha saevai endrum makkal nenjil vaazhvadhuBut the service rendered lives forever in the hearts of the people.
Female
Selvam indru vandhu naalai povadhuWealth comes today and goes away tomorrow,
Male
Seidha saevai endrum makkal nenjil vaazhvadhuBut the service rendered lives forever in the hearts of the people.
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkirenI see our leader Anna in you.
Male
Ezhai kadhai maedaiyilae solluvaarThey preach about the plight of the poor from the stage,
Avar ettadukku maadi katti kolluvaarWhile building eight-story mansions for themselves.
Female
Ezhai kadhai maedaiyilae solluvaarThey preach about the plight of the poor from the stage,
Male
Avar ettadukku maadi katti kolluvaarWhile building eight-story mansions for themselves.
Male
Yaar yenna kuttram seidhaalum kaeladaaQuestion whoever commits a crime, my friend,
Adhil endrum acham illai endru kooradaaDeclare that there is never any fear in doing so, my friend.
Female
Yaar yenna kuttram seidhaalum kaeladaaQuestion whoever commits a crime, my friend,
Male
Adhil endrum acham illai endru kooradaaDeclare that there is never any fear in doing so, my friend.
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkirenI see our leader Anna in you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film Navarathinam (1977) pays homage to iconic leaders like C. N. Annadurai (Anna) and Mahatma Gandhi while serving as a sharp social commentary on economic disparity and political hypocrisy. The lyrics highlight the tragic irony of a prosperous nation where many suffer in poverty while a privileged few hoard immense wealth. It emphasizes the impermanence of material riches and reminds the audience that true legacy lies in selfless public service.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Paarkkiren paarkkiren

The word 'Paarkkiren' is repeated consecutively to emphasize deep perception and devotion.

Antithesis (Contrast)

Sila paergal kodi selvam kondanar / Palar theruvoram kodiyilae nindranar

Contrasts the small number of people who hoard vast wealth ('Sila paergal kodi selvam') with the vast majority who suffer on the streets ('Palar theruvoram').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Selvam indru vandhu... / Seidha saevai endrum...

The sound 'Se' is repeated at the beginning of words in adjacent lines to create rhythmic harmony.

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Trivia

Navarathinam (1977) was M. G. Ramachandran's 125th film and uniquely featured nine lead actresses representing characters from different regions of India. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung prominently by T. M. Soundararajan, reinforcing MGR's political image during that era.

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