Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Pen Jenmam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chella Pillai Saravanan

From Pen Jenmam · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Pen Jenmam
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
15 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chella pillai saravanan
Thiruchendur vaazhum sundharan
Kobathil manathaabathil
Kundram yeri vandhavan
Chella pillai saravanan
Thiruchendur vaazhum sundharan
Oonjalil konjam aaduvaan
Pinbu oodalil konjam aaduvaan
Koondhalil malar soodiyae
Avan kooda naan vara venduvaan
Mayangi na……an
Mayangi naan mella
Thadai solla sinam kolvaan
Chella pillai saravanan
Thiruchendur vaazhum sundharan
Valliyai inba valliyai
Alli konda mannavan
Chella pillai saravanan
Thiruchendur vaazhum sundharan
Maalaiyil oru malligai ena
Malarndhaval indha kannigai
Manmadhan kanai aivagai
Adhil or vagai ival punnagai
Madiyil na….an
Madiyil naan thuyila
Idai thuvala kalai payila
Chella pillai saravanan
Thiruchendur vaazhum sundharan
Kaarkuzhal undhan panjanai
Iru kaigalae undhan thalaiyanai
Male :Velavan konjum pulli maan
Adhan vadivam thaan
Indha valli maan
Arugil na…..an
Arugil naan vandhen
Idhazh senthaen idho thandhen
Saravanan, the beloved child,
The handsome one living in Tiruchendur,
In anger and frustration,
He climbed up the sacred hill.
Saravanan, the beloved child,
The handsome one living in Tiruchendur.
He will sway a little on the swing,
And then play in lovers' sweet quarrels.
Wearing flowers in my hair,
He will ask me to come with him.
Enchanted, I...
Enchanted, when I gently
Hesitate, he will grow upset.
Saravanan, the beloved child,
The handsome one living in Tiruchendur.
Valli, the sweet and charming Valli,
He is the king who gathered her into his embrace.
Saravanan, the beloved child,
The handsome one living in Tiruchendur.
Like a jasmine blooming in the evening,
This young woman has blossomed.
Manmathan (god of love) has five kinds of arrows,
And her smile is one of them.
On her lap, I...
As I rest my head on her lap,
Her waist swaying as we learn love's gentle arts...
Saravanan, the beloved child,
The handsome one living in Tiruchendur.
My dark hair is your soft bed,
And my two arms are your pillow.
The spotted deer caressed by Velavan (Murugan),
In that very form,
Stands this deer-like Valli.
Beside you, I...
I have come close to you,
Offering the sweet honey of my lips.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song weaves mythological references to Lord Murugan (Saravanan) and his divine love Valli into a romantic expressions between lovers. The heroine compares her beloved to the handsome Lord of Thiruchendur, describing his charming moods, romantic sulks, and passionate nature. She portrays herself as a blossoming jasmine flower whose gentle smile acts as one of Manmathan's (Cupid's) romantic arrows, seeking comfort and love in his embrace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Manmadhan kanai aivagai / Adhil or vagai ival punnagai

Compares the heroine's smile to one of the five arrows of Manmathan (Cupid).

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kaarkuzhal undhan panjanai / Iru kaigalae undhan thalaiyanai

Compares dark tresses of hair to a soft mattress, and hands to a pillow.

Emoni (Initial Alliteration)

Maalaiyil oru malligai ena / Malarndhaval indha kannigai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Ma' in sequential words.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Valliyai inba valliyai / Alli konda mannavan

The second consonant sound 'll' rhymes between Valliyai and Alli.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pen Jenmam (1977) features lyrics written by legendary poet Vaali, who seamlessly blends classical Tamil devotional imagery of Lord Murugan from Thiruchendur with sweet, sensual romantic cinema lyrics.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Pen Jenmam

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.