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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chellakkiliye Male

From Petralthan Pillaiya · 1966

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Petralthan Pillaiya1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Male
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi lolalalaayi…(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi…(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalalalalalalalalalaayi…(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalalalalaayi…(Soothing lullaby humming)
Male
Chella kiliyae mella paesuBeloved parrot, speak softly,
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuGentle breeze, blow softly,
Male
Chella kiliyae mella paesuBeloved parrot, speak softly,
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuGentle breeze, blow softly,
Male
Thoongum mannavan thoongattumaeLet the sleeping king sleep undisturbed,
Thodarum kanavugal thodarattumaeLet his continuing dreams carry on uninterrupted,
Thoongum mannavan thoongattumaeLet the sleeping king sleep undisturbed,
Thodarum kanavugal thodarattumaeLet his continuing dreams carry on uninterrupted,
Male
Chella kiliyae mella paesuBeloved parrot, speak softly,
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuGentle breeze, blow softly,
Male
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi lolalalaayi lolalalaayi…(Soothing lullaby humming)
Lolalalaayi…(Soothing lullaby humming)
Male
Thingal mugameduthuWith a moon-like face,
Sevvaai idhazheduthuWith coral-red lips,
Vellai malar sirippilWith a smile like a pure white flower,
Pillai varuvaanThe child will come,
Male
Thingal mugameduthuWith a moon-like face,
Sevvaai idhazheduthuWith coral-red lips,
Vellai malar sirippilWith a smile like a pure white flower,
Pillai varuvaanThe child will come,
Thathum nadai nadakkaWalking with tiny toddling steps,
Thandai kural kodukkaCalling out with a voice sweet like tinkling anklets,
Sitham kulira vaikka mutham tharuvaanHe will give a kiss to soothe and cool the mind,
Male
Chella kiliyae mella paesuBeloved parrot, speak softly,
Thendral kaattrae mella veesuGentle breeze, blow softly,
Aariraro aariraaro… aariraaro aariraaroTraditional lullaby refrain (Aariraro aariraaro...)
Aariraro aariraaro …aariraaro aariraaroTraditional lullaby refrain (Aariraro aariraaro...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a tender and affection-filled Tamil lullaby wherein a mother (or beloved figure) lulls a child and loved one to sleep. She gently requests nature and surroundings—specifically the parrot and the breeze—to keep quiet and blow softly so that the sleeping loved one is not disturbed from their pleasant dreams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Chella kiliyae mella paesu / Thendral kaattrae mella veesu

Addressing nature and birds directly ('Chella kiliyae', 'Thendral kaattrae') as if they are conscious listeners capable of obeying requests to lower their sound.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagom)

Thingal mugameduthu / Sevvaai idhazheduthu / Vellai malar sirippil

Comparing the child's face to the moon ('Thingal mugam'), lips to coral ('Sevvaai'), and smile to a white flower ('Vellai malar sirippil').

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thoongum mannavan thoongattumae / Thodarum kanavugal thodarattumae

Matching starting sounds across lines, such as 'Thoongum' and 'Thodarum', or 'Thathum' and 'Thandai', creating melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1966 film 'Petralthan Pillaiya' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Vaali, sung beautifully by P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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