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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
Movie name
Navarathinam
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
21 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkiren
Andha uthamaraam gaandhiyaiyum
Paarkkiren paarkkiren
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkiren
Gangai nadhi pongi varuum naattilae
Palar kan kalangi vaadugindraar veettilae
Gangai nadhi pongi varuum naattilae
Palar kan kalangi vaadugindraar veettilae
Sila paergal kodi selvam kondanar
Palar theruvoram kodiyilae nindranar
Sila paergal kodi selvam kondanar
Male :Palar theruvoram kodiyilae nindranar
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkiren
Or uyir thaan yaavarukkum ulladhu
Adhu oru murai thaan nammai vittu selvadhu
Or uyir thaan yaavarukkum ulladhu
Adhu oru murai thaan nammai vittu selvadhu
Selvam indru vandhu naalai povadhu
Seidha saevai endrum makkal nenjil vaazhvadhu
Selvam indru vandhu naalai povadhu
Seidha saevai endrum makkal nenjil vaazhvadhu
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkiren
Ezhai kadhai maedaiyilae solluvaar
Avar ettadukku maadi katti kolluvaar
Ezhai kadhai maedaiyilae solluvaar
Avar ettadukku maadi katti kolluvaar
Yaar yenna kuttram seidhaalum kaeladaa
Adhil endrum acham illai endru kooradaa
Yaar yenna kuttram seidhaalum kaeladaa
Adhil endrum acham illai endru kooradaa
Ungalil nam annaavai paarkkiren
In you, I see our Anna,
And that noble Gandhi too,
I see them, I see them.
In you, I see our Anna.
In this land where the River Ganga overflows,
Many people weep in sorrow at home.
In this land where the River Ganga overflows,
Many people weep in sorrow at home.
A few people gathered millions in wealth,
While many stood in misery on the streets.
A few people gathered millions in wealth,
While many stood in misery on the streets.
In you, I see our Anna.
Every person has only one life,
And it leaves us only once.
Every person has only one life,
And it leaves us only once.
Wealth comes today and goes tomorrow,
But the service we do lives forever in people's hearts.
Wealth comes today and goes tomorrow,
But the service we do lives forever in people's hearts.
In you, I see our Anna.
They speak of the poor on public stages,
Yet build eight-storey mansions for themselves.
They speak of the poor on public stages,
Yet build eight-storey mansions for themselves.
Question anyone, no matter what wrong they do,
And declare that you have no fear!
Question anyone, no matter what wrong they do,
And declare that you have no fear!
In you, I see our Anna.
Male
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Did you know?

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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