Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Aasai

From Roja · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Minmini
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Roja1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{ Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasaiSmall, tiny desire, a desire that flaps its wings
Muthu muthu aasai mudinthuvaitha aasaiPearl-like desires, desires kept tied up safely
Vennilavu thottu muthamida aasaiA desire to touch and kiss the white moon
Ennai indha boomi sutrivara aasai } (2)A desire to make this earth revolve around me
Female
Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasaiSmall, tiny desire, a desire that flaps its wings
Female
Malligai poovaai maarivida aasaiA desire to transform into a jasmine flower
Thendralai kandu maalaiyida aasaiA desire to garland the gentle breeze
Megangalai ellam thottuvida aasaiA desire to touch all the clouds
Sogangalai ellam vittuvida aasaiA desire to leave behind all sorrows
Kaarkuzhalil uzhagai kattivida aasaiA desire to tie the world in my dark tresses
Female
Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasaiSmall, tiny desire, a desire that flaps its wings
Muthu muthu aasai mudinthuvaitha aasaiPearl-like desires, desires kept tied up safely
Vennilavu thottu muthamida aasaiA desire to touch and kiss the white moon
Ennai indha boomi sutrivara aasaiA desire to make this earth revolve around me
Female
Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasaiSmall, tiny desire, a desire that flaps its wings
Muthu muthu aasai mudinthuvaitha aasaiPearl-like desires, desires kept tied up safely
Male
……………………………[Music Interlude]
Female
Setru vayalaadi naatru nada aasaiA desire to play in muddy fields and plant saplings
Meen pidithu meendum aatril vida aasaiA desire to catch fish and release them back into the river
Vaanavillai konjam uduthikolla aasaiA desire to wear the rainbow like a dress
Panithulikul naanum paduthukolla aasaiA desire for me to sleep inside a drop of dew
Chithirathu melae selai katta aasaiA desire to drape a saree over a painting
Female
Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasaiSmall, tiny desire, a desire that flaps its wings
Muthu muthu aasai mudinthuvaitha aasaiPearl-like desires, desires kept tied up safely
Vennilavu thottu muthamida aasaiA desire to touch and kiss the white moon
Ennai indha boomi sutrivara aasaiA desire to make this earth revolve around me
Female
Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasaiSmall, tiny desire, a desire that flaps its wings
Muthu muthu aasai mudinthuvaitha aasaiPearl-like desires, desires kept tied up safely

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Chinna Chinna Aasai is an iconic track celebrating innocent joy, liberation, and a deep, childlike connection with nature. Sung from the perspective of a free-spirited village protagonist, the song articulates a series of whimsical and imaginative desires—from garlanding the wind and sleeping inside a dewdrop to wearing a rainbow as a garment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodaru (Reduplication)

Chinna chinna aasai... / Muthu muthu aasai...

Repetition of words like 'Chinna chinna' and 'Muthu muthu' to emphasize smallness, preciousness, and rhythmic sweetness.

Iyaibu (Epiphora / End Rhyme)

Chinna chinna aasai siragadikum aasai

The word 'aasai' (desire) repeats systematically at the end of every line, building a strong hypnotic refrain.

Metaphor & Personification

Thendralai kandu maalaiyida aasai / Vaanavillai konjam uduthikolla aasai

Abstract and natural phenomena are given human interactability, such as garlanding the breeze or wearing a rainbow as clothes.

Did you know?

Trivia

This legendary track marked the debut of A. R. Rahman in Tamil cinema. The song was sung by Minmini and bagged A. R. Rahman his first National Film Award for Best Music Direction.

Keep listening

More from Roja