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Isaimozhi
Enga Mama album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chellakkiligalam Palliyiley

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
3 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Laalaala laalalaala laa
Laalaala laalalaala laa
Lala laalalalaa… laa laalalalaa…
Chella kiligalaam palliyilae
Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
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 thoongavillai
Chella kiligalaam palliyilae
Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
Thandhai oruvan andha iraivan
Avanum annai illaadhavan
Thannai thaedi yengum pillai
Kannil urakkam kolvaanavan
Poovum ponnum porundhi vaazhum
Mazhalai ketten thandhaanavan
Naalai ulagil neeyum naanum
Vaazhum vazhigal seivaanavan
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
Chella kiligalaam palliyilae
Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
En pon manigal yen thoongavillai
La la la, la la la la, la
La la la, la la la la, la
La la, la la la la... la, la la la la...
Precious little parrots in their bed,
Chrysanthemum flowers in the cradle,
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
The calf's cry and the sweet Tamil tongue
Both call out the word: "Mother, Mother."
Living beings wandering in search of kindness
Melt their hearts crying: "Mother, Mother."
Whichever heart is filled with pure love,
That very heart is a mother, a mother.
To shower you with joyful dreams,
God gave me to you, my dear little ones.
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
Precious little parrots in their bed,
Chrysanthemum flowers in the cradle,
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
That God above is the one true Father,
And He too has no mother of His own.
For the child longing and searching for Him,
He is the one who brings peaceful sleep to their eyes.
Precious like flowers and gold,
I asked for little children, and He gave them to me.
In tomorrow's world, for you and me,
He will show the way to live.
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
Precious little parrots in their bed,
Chrysanthemum flowers in the cradle,
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
Why haven't my golden darlings fallen asleep?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant lullaby from the movie Enga Mama (1970) expresses profound affection and maternal care for young children. The song meditates on the universal essence of motherhood, emphasizing that motherhood is not merely a biological relationship, but defined by any heart filled with unconditional love and compassion. It draws sweet comparisons from nature—such as a calf calling out—and exalts Tamil itself for carrying the sacred word 'Amma'. In the latter half, the lyrics reflect deep spiritual devotion, acknowledging God as the ultimate parent who provides solace, grant children, and oversees their future. Through gentle soothing rhythms, the singer reassures the sleepless little ones of safety, divine care, and everlasting affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Chella kiligalaam palliyilae / Sevvandhi pookkalaam thottililae”

Children are metaphorically addressed as 'Chella kiligal' (darling parrots) and 'Sevvandhi pookkal' (chrysanthemum flowers), highlighting their innocence and preciousness.

Alliteration (Moni / Edukai)

“Poovum ponnum porundhi vaazhum”

Use of matching phonetic sounds like 'Poovum' and 'Ponnum' enhances the musicality typical of Kannadasan's lyrics.

Refrain / Anaphora

“En pon manigal yen thoongavillai”

The line 'En pon manigal yen thoongavillai' is repeated as a comforting lullaby refrain throughout the song.

Personification / Spiritual Imagery

“Kandrin kuralum kanni thamizhum / Sollum vaarthai ammaa ammaa”

The call of a newborn calf and the Tamil language itself are personified as calling out 'Amma', exalting the word's universal sacredness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Enga Mama (1970) starring Sivaji Ganesan is the Tamil remake of the hit 1968 Hindi film Brahmachari. The music for the film was composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kannadasan, and this iconic lullaby was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan.

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