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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anjali Anjali

From Anjali · 1990

Lyricists
Not listed
Singer
Bhavatharani
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anjali1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anjali anjali anjali chinna kanmani kanmani kanmaniAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, my little darling, darling, darling!
Anjali anjali anjali minnum minmini minmini minminiAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, a glowing firefly, firefly, firefly!
Chorus
{ Ammammaa pillai kaniOh goodness, a sweet child fruit,
Angamdhaan thanga kani } (2)Her body itself is a golden fruit! (Repeated)
Pon mani chinna chinnaLittle golden precious jewel,
Kan mani minna minnaSparkling darling apple of my eye,
Chorus
Konjida konjida oru kan meniA tender body meant to be coddled and caressed,
Poonthamizh sindhida oru pon meniA golden body that spills sweet flower-like Tamil,
Muthamum thandhidum thiru poo meniA divine flower-like body that grants affectionate kisses,
Kanpadum kanpadum indha pon meniThis golden body that attracts everyone's watchful eye!
Chorus
{ Anjali anjali anjali chinna kanmani kanmani kanmaniAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, my little darling, darling, darling!
Anjali anjali anjali minnum minmini minmini minmini } (2)Anjali, Anjali, Anjali, a glowing firefly, firefly, firefly! (Repeated)
Chorus
Aagaayam boomi ellam iraivan undaaki vaithuGod created the sky and the earth,
Aasai thaan theeramalae unnai thandhaan ammaaAnd with unfulfilled desire, He gifted you to us, my child!
Kannae unmel megam thaan panneer thoovi neeraatumMy precious eye, clouds shower rosewater over you to bathe you,
Thulli thaavum maan kutti solli solli thaalaatumA leaping young fawn lulls you to sleep with gentle sounds!
Chorus
Nadakum nadaiyum oru pallaku pallakuHer walking gait is like a royal palanquin,
Sirikum siripum Oru mathapu mathapuHer blossoming smile is like a sparkling firework,
Unadhu azhagukenna rajathi rajathiWhat can compare to your beauty, queen of queens?
Ulagam nadanthu varum KaithattiThe whole world walks alongside you, clapping hands!
Varaamal vandha devadhaiA goddess who arrived unannounced,
Ulaavum indha velli thaaragaiA silver star strolling right among us!
Chorus
Anjali anjali anjali chinna kanmani kanmani kanmaniAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, my little darling, darling, darling!
Anjali anjali anjali minnum minmini minmini minminiAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, a glowing firefly, firefly, firefly!
Chorus
Poo polae kannalethaan pesum singaraveliA beautiful child who speaks through flower-like eyes,
Anthampol nammoduthaan aadu eppothum neeLike a pretty picture, dance with us always!
Vaanam aalum angel thaanAn angel who rules the sky,
Vannapaapa anjalithaanNone other than colorful child Anjali,
Amma nenjil oonjalthaanA swing in her mother's heart,
Aadipaarkum anjalithaanAnjali who sways and plays!
Chorus
Nadanthu nadanthu oru poonchendu poonchenduWalking along like a delicate bouquet of flowers,
Paranthu paranthu oru ponvandu ponvanduFlying around like a golden beetle,
Eduka eduka iru kaikondu kaikonduTo pick up and lift in both hands,
Inika inika oru karkanduA sweet rock candy of joy!
Nilavai polae aadi vaaCome dancing like the full moon,
Nilaamal poda neeyum odi vaaCome running without ever stopping!
Chorus
Anjali anjali anjali chinna kanmani kanmani kanmaniAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, my little darling, darling, darling!
Anjali anjali anjali minnum minmini minmini minminiAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, a glowing firefly, firefly, firefly!
Chorus
{ Ammammaa pillai kaniOh goodness, a sweet child fruit,
Angamdhaan thanga kani } (2)Her body itself is a golden fruit! (Repeated)
Pon mani chinna chinnaLittle golden precious jewel,
Kan mani minna minnaSparkling darling apple of my eye,
Chorus
Konjida konjida oru kan meniA tender body meant to be coddled and caressed,
Poonthamizh sindhida oru pon meniA golden body that spills sweet flower-like Tamil,
Muthamum thandhidum thiru poo meniA divine flower-like body that grants affectionate kisses,
Kanpadum kanpadum indha pon meniThis golden body that attracts everyone's watchful eye!
Chorus
{ Anjali anjali anjali chinna kanmani kanmani kanmaniAnjali, Anjali, Anjali, my little darling, darling, darling!
Anjali anjali anjali minnum minmini minmini minmini } (2)Anjali, Anjali, Anjali, a glowing firefly, firefly, firefly! (Repeated)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Anjali Anjali is a joyful celebration of the innocent charm and precious nature of a young child. The lyricist compares her to a glowing firefly, a divine gift from heaven, and a blossoming flower, capturing the unconditional adoration felt by her family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

Anjali anjali anjali chinna kanmani kanmani kanmani

Words like 'kanmani kanmani' and 'minmini minmini' are repeated sequentially to emphasize affection and rhythmic playfulness.

Upamai (Simile)

Sirikum siripum Oru mathapu mathapu

Comparing the child's smile to a sparkling firework (mathapu) using 'oru'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Ulaavum indha velli thaaragai

Describing the child metaphorically as a silver star (velli thaaragai) wandering among people.

Monai (Alliteration)

Poonthamizh sindhida oru pon meni

Rhyming/alliterative match on initial sounds like 'Poonthamizh' and 'pon'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Anjali (1990) was directed by Mani Ratnam, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Vaali. The song features child actor Shamili in her iconic title role, which earned her a National Film Award for Best Child Artist.

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