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Enga Mama album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chellakkiligalam Palliyiley Sad

From Enga Mama · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Enga Mama
Movie release year
1970
Lyrics added on
1 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chella kiligalaam palliyilae
Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
Chella kiligalaam palliyilae
Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
{Kandrin kuralum kanni thamizhum
Sollum vaarthai ammaa ammaa
Karunai thaedi alaiyum uyirgal
Urugum vaarthai ammaa ammaa} (2)
Endha manadhil paasam undo
Andha manamae ammaa ammaa
Inba kanavai alli tharavae
Iraivan ennai thandhaanammaa
En pon manigal yen …….
Chella kiligalaam palliyilae
Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae
En pon manigal yen……..
Darling little parrots in their school,
Sweet chrysanthemums in the cradle,
Why haven't my precious treasures fallen asleep?
Darling little parrots in their school,
Sweet chrysanthemums in the cradle,
Why haven't my precious treasures fallen asleep?
The cry of a little calf and the pure Tamil tongue,
Both speak that tender word: mother, mother.
All living souls searching for kindness and love
Melt their hearts calling: mother, mother.
Whichever heart is filled with love and care,
That very heart is a mother, a mother.
To bring you hands full of happy dreams,
God has given me to you, my dear ones.
Why haven't my precious treasures...
Darling little parrots in their school,
Sweet chrysanthemums in the cradle,
Why haven't my precious treasures...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic lullaby from Enga Mama (1970) expresses pure affection and the sacred nature of motherhood. The singer lovingly compares children to cherished parrots and sweet blossoms, wondering why they have not yet fallen asleep. The lyrics emphasize that motherhood is defined not merely by birth, but by the presence of unconditional love and compassion in one's heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Chella kiligalaam palliyilae / Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae”

Children are metaphorically addressed as beloved parrots (Chella kiligal) and chrysanthemum blossoms (Sevvandhi pookkal).

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kandrin kuralum kanni thamizhum / Karunai thaedi alaiyum uyirgal”

The second letter sound pattern rhymes between 'Kandrin' and 'Karunai'.

Epizeuxis (Repetition)

“Sollum vaarthai ammaa ammaa”

The word 'ammaa' is repeated consecutively ('ammaa ammaa') to emphasize emotional resonance and deep affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Enga Mama (1970) starring Sivaji Ganesan was a remake of the 1968 Hindi hit movie Brahmachari. The song was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Kannadasan, famously sung by P. Susheela and T. M. Soundararajan.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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