Ada Uchcham Thala
From Chinna Thambi · 1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hmmm…hmmm..mmm..hmmmm… | Hmmm… hmmm… mmm… hmmmm… |
| Male | |
| Ada uchanthala uchiyila | Hey, at the very crown of the head, |
| Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu | music resides in the intellect within. |
| Idhu appan solli vanthathilla | This didn't come from my father's teaching, |
| Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu | nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather. |
| Male | |
| {Eppadi thaan vanthathunnu | {Who is there to explain |
| Solluravan yaaru | how exactly this song came to be? |
| Idhil thappiruntha ennuthilla | If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault, |
| Saami kitta kelu} (2) | ask God himself} (2) |
| Male | |
| Ada uchanthala uchiyila | Hey, at the very crown of the head, |
| Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu | music resides in the intellect within. |
| Idhu appan solli vanthathilla | This didn't come from my father's teaching, |
| Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu | nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather. |
| Male | |
| Kanmaayi neranjaalum | If the lake overflows, |
| Adhai paaduven | I will sing about it. |
| Nellu kadhir muthi velanchaalum | When paddy grains mature and ripen, |
| Adhai paaduven | I will sing about it. |
| Male | |
| Puliyam poo poothalum | When tamarind flowers blossom, |
| Adhai paaduven | I will sing about it. |
| Pacha pani melae pani thoongum | When dew rests upon the green dew, |
| Adhai paaduven | I will sing about it. |
| Male | |
| Sevvaanatha paartha | Looking at the crimson sky, |
| Chinna chittugala paartha | looking at the little birds, |
| Semmariya paartha | looking at the sheep, |
| Siru sittuerumba paartha | looking at the tiny ant, |
| Male | |
| Ennai kekkaamalae | without even asking me, |
| Pongi varum | it surges forth, |
| Karpanai thaan poothu varum | imagination blooms into expression. |
| Paattu…. tamil paattu | Song… Tamil song. |
| Male | |
| Ada uchanthala uchiyila | Hey, at the very crown of the head, |
| Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu | music resides in the intellect within. |
| Idhu appan solli vanthathilla | This didn't come from my father's teaching, |
| Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu | nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather. |
| Male | |
| Eppadi thaan vanthathunnu | Who is there to explain |
| Solluravan yaaru | how line by line it came to be? |
| Idhil thappiruntha ennuthilla | If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault, |
| Saami kitta kelu | ask God himself. |
| Male | |
| Ada uchanthala uchiyila | Hey, at the very crown of the head, |
| Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu | music resides in the intellect within. |
| Hooo….hooo…ho…. | Hooo… hooo… ho…. |
| Male | |
| Themmaangu kili kanni | Folk genres like Themmangu, Kili Kanni, |
| Thaen sinthu thaan | and honey-sweet Sindhu, |
| Innum thaalaattu thani paattu | plus lullabies, solo melodies, |
| Esappaattu thaan | and call-and-response tunes. |
| Male | |
| En paattu ithu pola | My singing can encompass |
| Pala maathiri | many such variations. |
| Sonna eduppenae padippenae | If asked, I will pick up and sing |
| Kuyil maathiri | just like a sweet cuckoo bird. |
| Male | |
| Thaayaala thaan vanthen | I came into this world because of my mother, |
| Ingu paattala thaan valarnthen | and grew up here solely through music. |
| Veraaraiyum nambi | Relying on no one else, |
| Ingae vallae chinna thambi | Chinna Thambi did not come here. |
| Male | |
| Ingu naan irukkum | As long as I exist |
| Kaalam mattum | in this world, |
| Kettirukkum thikku ettum | my songs will echo across all eight directions. |
| Paattu……….. enthan paattu | Song… my very own song! |
| Male | |
| Ada uchanthala uchiyila | Hey, at the very crown of the head, |
| Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu | music resides in the intellect within. |
| Idhu appan solli vanthathilla | This didn't come from my father's teaching, |
| Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu | nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather. |
| Male | |
| {Eppadi thaan vanthathunnu | {Who is there to explain |
| Solluravan yaaru | how exactly this song came to be? |
| Idhil thappiruntha ennuthilla | If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault, |
| Saami kitta kelu} (2) | ask God himself} (2) |
| Male | |
| Ada uchanthala uchiyila | Hey, at the very crown of the head, |
| Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu | music resides in the intellect within. |
| Hooo….hooo…ho…. | Hooo… hooo… ho…. |
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
Hmmm… hmmm… mmm… hmmmm…
அட உச்சந்தல
உச்சியில உள்ளிருக்கும்
புத்தியில பாட்டு இது
அப்பன் சொல்லி வந்ததில்ல
பாட்டன் சொல்லிதந்ததில்ல
நேத்து
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
music resides in the intellect within.
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
{ எப்படிதான்
வந்ததுன்னு சொல்லுறவன்
யாரு இதில் தப்பிருந்தா
என்னுதில்ல சாமிகிட்ட
கேளு } (2)
{Who is there to explain
how exactly this song came to be?
If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault,
ask God himself} (2)
அட உச்சந்தல
உச்சியில உள்ளிருக்கும்
புத்தியில பாட்டு இது
அப்பன் சொல்லி வந்ததில்ல
பாட்டன் சொல்லிதந்ததில்ல
நேத்து
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
music resides in the intellect within.
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
கண்மாயி
நிறைஞ்சாலும் அதை
பாடுவேன் நெல்லு கதிர்
முத்தி விளைஞ்சாலும்
அதை பாடுவேன்
If the lake overflows,
I will sing about it.
When paddy grains mature and ripen,
I will sing about it.
புளியம் பூ
பூத்தாலும் அதை
பாடுவேன் பச்ச
பனிமேலே பனி
தூங்கும் அதை பாடுவேன்
When tamarind flowers blossom,
I will sing about it.
When dew rests upon the green dew,
I will sing about it.
செவ்வானத்த
பார்த்தா சின்ன சிட்டுகள
பார்த்தா செம்மறிய பார்த்தா
சிறுச் சிட்டெறும்ப பார்த்தா
Looking at the crimson sky,
looking at the little birds,
looking at the sheep,
looking at the tiny ant,
என்னை கேட்காமலே
பொங்கிவரும் கற்பனைதான்
பூத்து வரும் பாட்டு
தமிழ் பாட்டு
without even asking me,
it surges forth,
imagination blooms into expression.
Song… Tamil song.
அட உச்சந்தல
உச்சியில உள்ளிருக்கும்
புத்தியில பாட்டு இது
அப்பன் சொல்லி வந்ததில்ல
பாட்டன் சொல்லிதந்ததில்ல
நேத்து
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
music resides in the intellect within.
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
எப்படிதான்
வந்ததுன்னு சொல்லுறவன்
யாரு இதில் தப்பிருந்தா
என்னுதில்ல சாமிகிட்ட
கேளு
Who is there to explain
how line by line it came to be?
If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault,
ask God himself.
அட உச்சந்தல
உச்சியில உள்ளிருக்கும்
புத்தியில பாட்டு ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
music resides in the intellect within.
Hooo… hooo… ho….
தெம்மாங்கு
கிளிகன்னி தேன்
சிந்துதான் இன்னும்
தாலாட்டு தனி பாட்டு
எச பாட்டுதான்
Folk genres like Themmangu, Kili Kanni,
and honey-sweet Sindhu,
plus lullabies, solo melodies,
and call-and-response tunes.
என் பாட்டு
இது போல பல மாதிரி
சொன்ன எடுப்பேனே
படிப்பேனே குயில் மாதிரி
My singing can encompass
many such variations.
If asked, I will pick up and sing
just like a sweet cuckoo bird.
தாயாலத்தான்
வந்தேன் இங்கு
பாட்டாலத்தான் வளர்ந்தேன்
வேறாரையும் நம்பி இங்கே
வல்லே சின்ன தம்பி
I came into this world because of my mother,
and grew up here solely through music.
Relying on no one else,
Chinna Thambi did not come here.
இங்கு நான்
இருக்கும் காலம்
மட்டும் கேட்டிருக்கும்
திக்கு எட்டும் பாட்டு
எந்தன் பாட்டு
As long as I exist
in this world,
my songs will echo across all eight directions.
Song… my very own song!
அட உச்சந்தல
உச்சியில உள்ளிருக்கும்
புத்தியில பாட்டு இது
அப்பன் சொல்லி வந்ததில்ல
பாட்டன் சொல்லிதந்ததில்ல
நேத்து
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
music resides in the intellect within.
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
{ எப்படிதான்
வந்ததுன்னு சொல்லுறவன்
யாரு இதில் தப்பிருந்தா
என்னுதில்ல சாமிகிட்ட
கேளு } (2)
{Who is there to explain
how exactly this song came to be?
If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault,
ask God himself} (2)
அட உச்சந்தல
உச்சியில உள்ளிருக்கும்
புத்தியில பாட்டு ஹோ
ஹோ ஹோ
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
music resides in the intellect within.
Hooo… hooo… ho….
Hmmm…hmmm..mmm..hmmmm…
Hmmm… hmmm… mmm… hmmmm…
Ada uchanthala uchiyila
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu
music resides in the intellect within.
Idhu appan solli vanthathilla
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
{Eppadi thaan vanthathunnu
{Who is there to explain
Solluravan yaaru
how exactly this song came to be?
Idhil thappiruntha ennuthilla
If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault,
Saami kitta kelu} (2)
ask God himself} (2)
Ada uchanthala uchiyila
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu
music resides in the intellect within.
Idhu appan solli vanthathilla
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
Kanmaayi neranjaalum
If the lake overflows,
Adhai paaduven
I will sing about it.
Nellu kadhir muthi velanchaalum
When paddy grains mature and ripen,
Adhai paaduven
I will sing about it.
Puliyam poo poothalum
When tamarind flowers blossom,
Adhai paaduven
I will sing about it.
Pacha pani melae pani thoongum
When dew rests upon the green dew,
Adhai paaduven
I will sing about it.
Sevvaanatha paartha
Looking at the crimson sky,
Chinna chittugala paartha
looking at the little birds,
Semmariya paartha
looking at the sheep,
Siru sittuerumba paartha
looking at the tiny ant,
Ennai kekkaamalae
without even asking me,
Pongi varum
it surges forth,
Karpanai thaan poothu varum
imagination blooms into expression.
Paattu…. tamil paattu
Song… Tamil song.
Ada uchanthala uchiyila
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu
music resides in the intellect within.
Idhu appan solli vanthathilla
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
Eppadi thaan vanthathunnu
Who is there to explain
Solluravan yaaru
how line by line it came to be?
Idhil thappiruntha ennuthilla
If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault,
Saami kitta kelu
ask God himself.
Ada uchanthala uchiyila
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu
music resides in the intellect within.
Hooo….hooo…ho….
Hooo… hooo… ho….
Themmaangu kili kanni
Folk genres like Themmangu, Kili Kanni,
Thaen sinthu thaan
and honey-sweet Sindhu,
Innum thaalaattu thani paattu
plus lullabies, solo melodies,
Esappaattu thaan
and call-and-response tunes.
En paattu ithu pola
My singing can encompass
Pala maathiri
many such variations.
Sonna eduppenae padippenae
If asked, I will pick up and sing
Kuyil maathiri
just like a sweet cuckoo bird.
Thaayaala thaan vanthen
I came into this world because of my mother,
Ingu paattala thaan valarnthen
and grew up here solely through music.
Veraaraiyum nambi
Relying on no one else,
Ingae vallae chinna thambi
Chinna Thambi did not come here.
Ingu naan irukkum
As long as I exist
Kaalam mattum
in this world,
Kettirukkum thikku ettum
my songs will echo across all eight directions.
Paattu……….. enthan paattu
Song… my very own song!
Ada uchanthala uchiyila
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu
music resides in the intellect within.
Idhu appan solli vanthathilla
This didn't come from my father's teaching,
Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu
nor was it taught yesterday by my grandfather.
{Eppadi thaan vanthathunnu
{Who is there to explain
Solluravan yaaru
how exactly this song came to be?
Idhil thappiruntha ennuthilla
If there are mistakes in it, it's not my fault,
Saami kitta kelu} (2)
ask God himself} (2)
Ada uchanthala uchiyila
Hey, at the very crown of the head,
Ullirukkum buththiyila paattu
music resides in the intellect within.
Hooo….hooo…ho….
Hooo… hooo… ho….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Uchanthala Uchiyila' from 'Chinna Thambi' (1991) is a celebratory hymn about the innate, divine gift of music that flows naturally through the protagonist. Expressing his innocent rural roots, the singer explains that his musical ability was not formally learned or inherited from his forefathers; rather, it is a divine spark placed directly in his mind by God. Nature itself—such as brimming lakes, blooming tamarind trees, crimson skies, and tiny ants—acts as his immediate inspiration, causing music and Tamil poetry to spontaneously erupt from his soul.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Adhai paaduven”
The phrase 'Adhai paaduven' ('I will sing about it') is repeated across several consecutive lines to emphasize the singer's endless motivation to sing about nature.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Idhu appan solli vanthathilla / Paattan solli thanthathilla nethu”
The second letter consonant match ('pp') in 'appan' and 'paattan' creates traditional Tamil rhythmic harmony.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Kuyil maathiri”
The protagonist compares his effortless vocal talent to that of a cuckoo bird using 'maathiri' ('like').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, 'Chinna Thambi' was one of the biggest blockbuster albums of 1991. The track 'Uchanthala Uchiyila' features vocals by legendary singer K. J. Yesudas (along with a solo version by Mano) and was instrumental in establishing Prabhu's iconic character as a simple, innocent village singer.
Keep listening
More from Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi
Chinna Thambi