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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chellakkiliye Female

From Petralthan Pillaiya · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Petralthan Pillaiya1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chella kiliyae mella paesuDear pet parrot, speak softly
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuO gentle breeze, blow softly
Chella kiliyae mella paesuDear pet parrot, speak softly
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuO gentle breeze, blow softly
Female
Thoongum mannavan thoongattumaeLet the sleeping king continue to sleep
Thodarum kanavugal thodarattumaeLet the continuing dreams carry on
Female
Chella kiliyae mella paesuDear pet parrot, speak softly
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuO gentle breeze, blow softly
Female
Nenjil kudiyirukka nitham koluvirukkaTo reside in the heart and sit enthroned daily
Kenjum kumari pennin vaasal varuvaanHe will come to the doorsteps of the pleading maiden
Kannil kodi valarthu kaadhal malar parithuRaising a vine in her eyes and plucking the flower of love
Pennin kuzhal mudikka vannam tharuvaanHe will give colors to adorn the woman's hair
Female
Chella kiliyae mella paesuDear pet parrot, speak softly
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuO gentle breeze, blow softly
Female
Ooraar palar irundhumThough there are many villagers around
Uttraar silar irundhumThough there are a few relatives around
Vaeror idathil ennai tharavillaiyaeThey did not give me away to any other place
Unnai ninaivil vaithuKeeping you in my memory
Ninaivai manadhil vaithuKeeping those memories in my heart
Manadhai koduthum sugam peravillaiyaeEven after giving my heart, I have not attained joy
Female
Chella kiliyae mella paesuDear pet parrot, speak softly
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuO gentle breeze, blow softly
Aariraro aariraro aariraro aariraro…Lullaby sounds (Aariraro aariraro aariraro aariraro...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a gentle, soothing lullaby sung by a woman for her beloved who is fast asleep. She appeals to nature—specifically a parrot and the soft breeze—to keep quiet and blow gently so as not to disturb his peaceful sleep and sweet dreams. She reflects on her deep devotion, reminiscing how he holds the central place in her heart and thoughts, while subtly expressing the bittersweet longing and unfulfilled desire that accompanies her total surrender to love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Chella kiliyae mella paesu

The repetition of the second consonant 'lla' in 'Chella' and 'mella' creates a soft internal rhyme typical of classic Tamil poetry.

Personification

Chella kiliyae mella paesu / Thendral kaattrae mella veesu

Addressing the parrot and the wind directly, asking them to modify their actions out of care for the sleeping beloved.

Metaphor

Kannil kodi valarthu kaadhal malar parithu

Comparing love to a flower plucked from a vine grown within her eyes ('Kannil kodi valarthu kaadhal malar parithu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Petralthan Pillaiya (1966) features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi in lead roles. The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with iconic lyrics written by Vaali.

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