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Petralthan Pillaiya album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chellakkiliye Female

From Petralthan Pillaiya · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Petralthan Pillaiya
Movie release year
1966
Lyrics added on
16 Dec 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chella kiliyae mella paesu
Thendral kaattrae mella veesu
Chella kiliyae mella paesu
Thendral kaattrae mella veesu
Thoongum mannavan thoongattumae
Thodarum kanavugal thodarattumae
Chella kiliyae mella paesu
Thendral kaattrae mella veesu
Nenjil kudiyirukka nitham koluvirukka
Kenjum kumari pennin vaasal varuvaan
Kannil kodi valarthu kaadhal malar parithu
Pennin kuzhal mudikka vannam tharuvaan
Chella kiliyae mella paesu
Thendral kaattrae mella veesu
Ooraar palar irundhum
Uttraar silar irundhum
Vaeror idathil ennai tharavillaiyae
Unnai ninaivil vaithu
Ninaivai manadhil vaithu
Manadhai koduthum sugam peravillaiyae
Chella kiliyae mella paesu
Thendral kaattrae mella veesu
Aariraro aariraro aariraro aariraro…
Sweet little parrot, speak softly,
Gentle breeze, blow softly.
Sweet little parrot, speak softly,
Gentle breeze, blow softly.
Let my sleeping king rest on,
Let his flowing dreams continue.
Sweet little parrot, speak softly,
Gentle breeze, blow softly.
To live in my heart and reign there every day,
He will come to the doorstep of this sweet young woman.
Growing a vine in his eyes and plucking a flower of love,
That generous man will give it to adorn her hair.
Sweet little parrot, speak softly,
Gentle breeze, blow softly.
Though there were many people in town,
And some relatives close by,
They did not give me away to anyone else.
Holding you in my thoughts,
And keeping those thoughts deep in my heart,
Even after giving my heart, I found no joy.
Sweet little parrot, speak softly,
Gentle breeze, blow softly.
Aariraro, aariraro, aariraro, aariraro...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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Malare Malare1961
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Thane Paduthe1988
Kan Simittum NeramLongingTender
Vaa Maa Vaa1992
SuyamariyadhaiRomantic UnionLonging
Aagasa Panthalile Aayiram1964
Amma EngeDevotionRomantic Union
Vaada Malar Thenen1960
ThozhanDevotionTender
Nenjodu Nee Female2024
DeArLongingTender

From the same album

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Nalla Nalla Pillaigalai1966
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Nalla Nalla Pillaigalai Male1966
Petralthan PillaiyaHopeful
Kannan Piranthaan1966
Petralthan PillaiyaJoyful
Chellakkiliye Male1966
Petralthan PillaiyaTender
Yaaro Thavamirundhu1966
Petralthan PillaiyaMournful
Chakkara Katti1966
Petralthan PillaiyaRomantic

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