Chella Papa
From Pallandu Vazhga · 1975
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, Chorus
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Pallandu Vazhga1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Chella paappaa | Darling child |
| Unnai ondru ketpaen | I will ask you one thing |
| Sollu paappaa | Tell me, child |
| Nee pirandha naattai | The country you were born in |
| Annaiyaai ninaithu | Considering it as your mother |
| Ennaalum madhithu | Respecting it forever |
| Nalla peyar eduppaayaa | Will you earn a good name? |
| Female | |
| Chella paappaa | Darling child |
| Unnai ondru ketpaen | I will ask you one thing |
| Sollu paappaa | Tell me, child |
| Nee pirandha naattai | The country you were born in |
| Annaiyaai ninaithu | Considering it as your mother |
| Ennaalum madhithu | Respecting it forever |
| Nalla peyar eduppaayaa | Will you earn a good name? |
| Female | |
| O eduppen | Oh, I will! |
| Female | |
| Hmm appadi chollu | Hmm, say it like that! |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thaithai thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female | |
| Ezhaigalai paathaa enna ninaippaai | What will you think when you see poor people? |
| Avar eppodhum sirithida ninaippaayaa | Will you think of making them smile always? |
| Unnidathil kodi selvamirundhaa | If you have wealth worth crores |
| Unnidathil kodi selvamirundhaa | If you have wealth worth crores |
| Vallalai pol alli koduppaayaa | Will you give generously like a philanthropist? |
| Indha vallalai pol alli koduppaayaa | Will you give generously like this philanthropist? |
| Female | |
| O koduppen | Oh, I will give! |
| Female | |
| Pon manasu polae | Like a heart of gold |
| Un manasai paathu | Seeing your pure heart |
| En manasai naanum parikoduthaen | I have given my heart to you |
| Female | |
| Chella paappaa | Darling child |
| Unnai ondru ketpaen | I will ask you one thing |
| Sollu paappaa | Tell me, child |
| Nee pirandha naattai | The country you were born in |
| Annaiyaai ninaithu | Considering it as your mother |
| Ennaalum madhithu | Respecting it forever |
| Nalla peyar eduppaayaa | Will you earn a good name? |
| Chorus | |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female :Thaithai | Female: Thaithai |
| Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female :Thaithai thai | Female: Thaithai thai |
| Chorus | |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female :Thaithai | Female: Thaithai |
| Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female | |
| Edhirigal naattai pidikka vandhaa | If enemies come to capture our country |
| Ellaiyilae ninnu thaduppaayaa | Will you stand at the border and stop them? |
| Female | |
| O thaduppen | Oh, I will stop them! |
| Female | |
| Aayudham yaendhi azhikka vandhaa | If they come to destroy with weapons in hand |
| Aayudham yaendhi azhikka vandhaa | If they come to destroy with weapons in hand |
| Achamindri nimirndhu nadappaayaa | Will you walk erect without any fear? |
| Nee achamindri nimirndhu nadappaayaa | Will you walk erect without any fear? |
| Female | |
| O nadappen | Oh, I will walk! |
| Female | |
| Quick maarch… | Quick march... |
| Left right left right left right | Left right left right left right |
| Left right left right left right | Left right left right left right |
| Vaazhai ilanguruthu | Like a tender banana leaf shoot |
| Veera mugam sirichu | With a brave, smiling face |
| Vandha paghai veezhtha nadakkattumae | Let us march to defeat the invading enemy! |
| Chorus | |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female :Thaithai | Female: Thaithai |
| Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female :Thaithai thai | Female: Thaithai thai |
| Chorus | |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Female :Thaithai | Female: Thaithai |
| Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Chorus | |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
| Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai | [Rhythmic dance syllabic beats] |
செல்லப் பாப்பா
உன்னை ஒன்று கேட்ப்பேன்
சொல்லு பாப்பா
நீ பிறந்த நாட்டை
அன்னையாய் நினைத்து
எந்நாளும் மதித்து
நல்ல பெயர் எடுப்பாயா
Darling child
I will ask you one thing
Tell me, child
The country you were born in
Considering it as your mother
Respecting it forever
Will you earn a good name?
செல்லப் பாப்பா
உன்னை ஒன்று கேட்பேன்
சொல்லு பாப்பா
நீ பிறந்த நாட்டை
அன்னையாய் நினைத்து
எந்நாளும் மதித்து
நல்ல பெயர் எடுப்பாயா
Darling child
I will ask you one thing
Tell me, child
The country you were born in
Considering it as your mother
Respecting it forever
Will you earn a good name?
ஓ எடுப்பேன்
Oh, I will!
ஹ்ம் அப்படிச் சொல்லு
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை தைதை
Hmm, say it like that!
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
What will you think when you see poor people?
Will you think of making them smile always?
If you have wealth worth crores
If you have wealth worth crores
Will you give generously like a philanthropist?
Will you give generously like this philanthropist?
ஏழைகளைப் பாத்தா என்ன நினைப்பாய்
அவர் எப்போதும் சிரித்திட நினைப்பாயா
உன்னிடத்தில் கோடி செல்வமிருந்தா
உன்னிடத்தில் கோடி செல்வமிருந்தா
வள்ளலைப் போல் அள்ளிக் கொடுப்பாயா
இந்த வள்ளலைப் போல் அள்ளிக் கொடுப்பாயா
Oh, I will give!
ஓ கொடுப்பேன்
Like a heart of gold
Seeing your pure heart
I have given my heart to you
பொன்மனசு போலே
உன் மனசைப் பாத்து
என் மனசை நானும் பறிகொடுத்தேன்
Darling child
I will ask you one thing
Tell me, child
The country you were born in
Considering it as your mother
Respecting it forever
Will you earn a good name?
செல்லப் பாப்பா
உன்னை ஒன்று கேட்பேன்
சொல்லு பாப்பா
நீ பிறந்த நாட்டை
அன்னையாய் நினைத்து
எந்நாளும் மதித்து
நல்ல பெயர் எடுப்பாயா
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female: Thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female: Thaithai thai
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை
குழு :
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை தை
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female: Thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை
குழு :
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
If enemies come to capture our country
Will you stand at the border and stop them?
எதிரிகள் நாட்டைப் பிடிக்க வந்தா
எல்லையிலே நின்னு தடுப்பாயா
Oh, I will stop them!
ஓ தடுப்பேன்
If they come to destroy with weapons in hand
If they come to destroy with weapons in hand
Will you walk erect without any fear?
Will you walk erect without any fear?
ஆயுதம் ஏந்தி அழிக்க வந்தா
ஆயுதம் ஏந்தி அழிக்க வந்தா
அச்சமின்றி நிமிர்ந்து நடப்பாயா
நீ அச்சமின்றி நிமிர்ந்து நடப்பாயா
Oh, I will walk!
ஓ நடப்பேன்
Quick march...
Left right left right left right
Left right left right left right
Like a tender banana leaf shoot
With a brave, smiling face
Let us march to defeat the invading enemy!
க்யுக் மார்ச்.....
லெஃப்ட் ரைட் லெஃப்ட் ரைட் லெஃப்ட் ரைட்
லெஃப்ட் ரைட் லெஃப்ட் ரைட் லெஃப்ட் ரைட்
வாழை இளங்குருத்து
வீரமுகம் சிரிச்சு
வந்த பகை வீழ்த்த நடக்கட்டுமே
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female: Thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female: Thaithai thai
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை
குழு :
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை தை
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female: Thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
தைதை
குழு :
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
தகதக தைதை தகதக தைதை
கை தட்டல்கள் :
...................................
Chella paappaa
Darling child
Unnai ondru ketpaen
I will ask you one thing
Sollu paappaa
Tell me, child
Nee pirandha naattai
The country you were born in
Annaiyaai ninaithu
Considering it as your mother
Ennaalum madhithu
Respecting it forever
Nalla peyar eduppaayaa
Will you earn a good name?
Chella paappaa
Darling child
Unnai ondru ketpaen
I will ask you one thing
Sollu paappaa
Tell me, child
Nee pirandha naattai
The country you were born in
Annaiyaai ninaithu
Considering it as your mother
Ennaalum madhithu
Respecting it forever
Nalla peyar eduppaayaa
Will you earn a good name?
O eduppen
Oh, I will!
Hmm appadi chollu
Hmm, say it like that!
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thaithai thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Ezhaigalai paathaa enna ninaippaai
What will you think when you see poor people?
Avar eppodhum sirithida ninaippaayaa
Will you think of making them smile always?
Unnidathil kodi selvamirundhaa
If you have wealth worth crores
Unnidathil kodi selvamirundhaa
If you have wealth worth crores
Vallalai pol alli koduppaayaa
Will you give generously like a philanthropist?
Indha vallalai pol alli koduppaayaa
Will you give generously like this philanthropist?
O koduppen
Oh, I will give!
Pon manasu polae
Like a heart of gold
Un manasai paathu
Seeing your pure heart
En manasai naanum parikoduthaen
I have given my heart to you
Chella paappaa
Darling child
Unnai ondru ketpaen
I will ask you one thing
Sollu paappaa
Tell me, child
Nee pirandha naattai
The country you were born in
Annaiyaai ninaithu
Considering it as your mother
Ennaalum madhithu
Respecting it forever
Nalla peyar eduppaayaa
Will you earn a good name?
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female :Thaithai
Female: Thaithai
Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female :Thaithai thai
Female: Thaithai thai
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female :Thaithai
Female: Thaithai
Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Edhirigal naattai pidikka vandhaa
If enemies come to capture our country
Ellaiyilae ninnu thaduppaayaa
Will you stand at the border and stop them?
O thaduppen
Oh, I will stop them!
Aayudham yaendhi azhikka vandhaa
If they come to destroy with weapons in hand
Aayudham yaendhi azhikka vandhaa
If they come to destroy with weapons in hand
Achamindri nimirndhu nadappaayaa
Will you walk erect without any fear?
Nee achamindri nimirndhu nadappaayaa
Will you walk erect without any fear?
O nadappen
Oh, I will walk!
Quick maarch…
Quick march...
Left right left right left right
Left right left right left right
Left right left right left right
Left right left right left right
Vaazhai ilanguruthu
Like a tender banana leaf shoot
Veera mugam sirichu
With a brave, smiling face
Vandha paghai veezhtha nadakkattumae
Let us march to defeat the invading enemy!
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female :Thaithai
Female: Thaithai
Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female :Thaithai thai
Female: Thaithai thai
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Female :Thaithai
Female: Thaithai
Chorus :Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
Chorus: [Rhythmic dance beats]
Thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Thakathaka thaithai thakathaka thaithai
[Rhythmic dance syllabic beats]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Chella Paappaa' is an uplifting dialogue song from Pallandu Vazhga (1975) that frames moral and civic duty as a playful Q&A session between an elder mentor and a young child. The song lays out core virtues essential for a good citizen: showing devotion and respect to one's motherland, demonstrating empathy towards the poor, practicing open-handed philanthropy when wealthy, and displaying unwavering bravery at the borders to defend the nation against external threats.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Personification
“Nee pirandha naattai / Annaiyaai ninaithu”
Compares one's birth country to a mother, instilling patriotism through filial piety.
Simile
“Vallalai pol alli koduppaayaa”
Uses 'pol' (like) to compare giving generously to the ideal trait of a legendary philanthropist (Vallal).
Simile
“Pon manasu polae”
Compares a pure, unblemished human heart to precious gold.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Annaiyaai / Ennaalum”
The second consonant 'n' ('nn') rhymes across adjacent lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Pallandu Vazhga' (1975) is a Tamil remake of V. Shantaram's acclaimed Hindi film 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath'. The music for this film was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and the lyrics were penned by Pulamaipithan, who frequently wrote moral and reformist songs for M. G. Ramachandran.
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