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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Banthangalam

From Koyil Yaanai · 1986

Lyricist
Rajendran
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Koyil Yaanai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinna chinna banthangalaamSmall, little bonds
Saerththu vachcha sonthangalaamRelationships gathered and nurtured
Peru vachchu sonnathellamAll that was spoken with named promises
Verupattu ninnathiyaaEnded up standing in alienation
Pootti vachcha pechhinilae vizhuthaana en manasuMy heart fell trapped inside locked words
Thaedi thaedi oduthaiyaa manasinilae nesam vachchuIt runs searching endlessly, holding affection deep in the mind
Female
Chinna chinna banthangalaamSmall, little bonds
Saerththu vachcha sonthangalaam…Relationships gathered and nurtured...
Male
Oo…..oho….ooo…..oho….Oo... oho... ooo... oho...
Female
Iravae novaathaeOh night, do not ache
Kannaalae nalamae thaedaathaeDo not seek well-being through eyes alone
Iravae novaathaeOh night, do not ache
Kannaalae nalamae thaedaathaeDo not seek well-being through eyes alone
Female
Sumaiyaai aana manamae thaanaeThe mind itself that became a burden
Uravai paadatho…oo….ooo….Won't it sing of love and bonds?... oo... ooo...
Female
Chinna chinna banthangalaamSmall, little bonds
Saerththu vachcha sonthangalaamRelationships gathered and nurtured
Male
Oo…..oho….ooo…..oho….Oo... oho... ooo... oho...
Female
Ninaivae naaegaathaeOh memory, do not suffer
En maethae piraivai kaattaathaeDo not display enmity against me
Ninaivae naaegaathaeOh memory, do not suffer
En maethae piraivai kaattaathaeDo not display enmity against me
Uravaai vaazhaa inimaelthaanaeLiving as a relationship from here on
Vidivai naadaatho….oo….ooo….Won't it seek a new dawn?... oo... ooo...
Female
Chinna chinna banthangalaamSmall, little bonds
Saerththu vachcha sonthangalaamRelationships gathered and nurtured
Peru vachchu sonnathellamAll that was spoken with named promises
Verupattu ninnathiyaaEnded up standing in alienation
Pootti vachcha pechhinilae vizhuthaana en manasuMy heart fell trapped inside locked words
Thaedi thaedi oduthaiyaa manasinilae nesam vachchuIt runs searching endlessly, holding affection deep in the mind
Female
Chinna chinna banthangalaamSmall, little bonds
Saerththu vachcha sonthangalaam…Relationships gathered and nurtured...
Saerththu vachcha sonthangalaam…Relationships gathered and nurtured...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful track from the 1986 Tamil film 'Koyil Yaanai' expresses deep emotional grief over severed ties and fractured family bonds. The protagonist reflects on how relationships that were once tenderly built and promised have eventually grown cold and alienated. Despite the heartbreak, locked emotions, and heavy mental strain, the protagonist's heart continues to search endlessly for pure affection. The lyrics personify the night and memories, pleading with them not to inflict more pain or display enmity. Through these metaphors, the song conveys a sense of longing for reconciliation and the hopeful search for a bright new dawn in relationships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Chinna chinna banthangalaam / Thaedi thaedi oduthaiyaa

The words 'Chinna chinna' and 'Thaedi thaedi' repeat consecutive times to emphasize smallness and intense continuous searching.

Personification

Iravae novaathae / Ninaivae naaegaathae

Addressing the 'Night' (Iravae) and 'Memory' (Ninaivae) directly as entities that can suffer, ache, or hold grudges.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Iravae novaathae ... Uravai paadatho

The second consonant sound 'ra' rhymes across adjacent lines ('Iravae' / 'Uravai').

Metaphor

Sumaiyaai aana manamae thaanae

Comparing the burdened mind ('Sumaiyaai aana manamae') to a heavy physical load.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features lyrics written by lyricist Rajendran for the Vijayakanth-starrer 'Koyil Yaanai' released in 1986. The film explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and family honor, with this song serving as an emotional anchor during a period of sorrow and separation.

Keep listening

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