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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Izhai

From Pudhaiyal · 1957

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pudhaiyal1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinna chinna izhaiTiny, fine threads
Pinni pinni varumWoven together closely
Sithira kaithari selaiyadiIt is a artistic handloom saree, my friend
Namma thenaattil ennaalumIn our southern land, always
Kondaadum velaiyadiIt is a garment celebrated, my friend
Female
Chinna chinna izhaiTiny, fine threads
Pinni pinni varumWoven together closely
Sithira kaithari selaiyadiIt is an artistic handloom saree, my friend
Namma thenaattil ennaalumIn our southern land, always
Kondaadum velaiyadiIt is a garment celebrated, my friend
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Chorus
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Female
Annaiyar thanthaiyarMothers and fathers
Vanna kuzhandhaigalColorful children
Punnagai mangaiyar pottri punaindhidumSmiling women who cherish and adorn it
Aadaiyadi seidhumadi podungadiIt is clothing made, go ahead and wear it, my friends
Chorus
Hoo ooo oo oooVocalizing (Hoo ooo oo ooo)
Female
Sindhanai sirppigal dhesa thalaivargalSculptors of thought, leaders of the nation
Senthamil solaiyil pootha kalaingargalArtists who blossomed in the garden of classical Tamil
Mangala maanilamThe auspicious state
Engal mangala maanilamOur auspicious state
Kaakum maravar yaavarumAll the brave warriors who protect it
Female
Puvi vaazhvil uyarum makkal ellorumAll people who rise high in world life
Vaangi magizhum ponnaadaiyadiIt is a golden garment bought and cherished with joy
Vaangi magizhum ponnaadaiyadi ooo …..It is a golden garment bought and cherished with joy...
Chorus
Thaana thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaana thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaana thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaana thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Female
Chinna chinna izhaiTiny, fine threads
Pinni pinni varumWoven together closely
Sithira kaithari selaiyadiIt is an artistic handloom saree, my friend
Namma thenaattil ennaalumIn our southern land, always
Kondaadum velaiyadiIt is a garment celebrated, my friend
Chorus
Thenaattil ennaalumIn the southern land, always
Kondaadum velaiyadiIt is a garment celebrated, my friend
Female
Uzhaithidum eliyavarThe hard-working poor folk
Adikkadi thuvaithu vanthaalumEven if they wash it frequently
Mangaadha paarvaiIts unfading, vivid look
Singaara porvai singaara porvaiIs a beautiful mantle, a beautiful mantle
Panathogai migundhavarThe wealthy people of great fortune
Padithavar peruthavar naadumSought by the educated and eminent
Pachai paattaadaii paarthaal kili jaadaiThe green silk saree looks like a parrot
Chorus :Aaaaa aaaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa(Chorus vocalizing)
Female :Pachai paattaadai paarthaal kili jaadaiThe green silk saree looks like a parrot
Female
Ottrumaiyodu athanai noolumWith unity, if all those threads
Olungaa vanthaa valarumCome together in order, prosperity grows
Ottrumaiyodu athanai noolumWith unity, if all those threads
Olungaa vanthaa valarumCome together in order, prosperity grows
Idhil oru nool arundhaa kularumIf a single thread breaks here, it gets disrupted
idhai ottum ezhai kooturavaalaeThrough the weaver poor folk's cooperation
Uzhagil thozhil valam uyarumIndustrial prosperity rises in the world
Indha ulagil thozhil valam uyarumIndustrial prosperity rises in this world
Ennadi kannama innum solla venumaaWhat, my darling Kannamma, do I need to say more?
Chorus :Aaa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…(Chorus vocalizing)
Female
Valluvarin vazhi vandha perum paniThe great noble work coming from Thiruvalluvar's heritage
Vaazhvil nanmai undaakumWill bring goodness to life
Thanmaanam kaakum..thanmaanam kaakumIt protects self-respect... protects self-respect
Pudhu vagai pudavaigalNew styles of sarees
Vidha vidha paravaigal polaeLike varied species of colorful birds
Nalla niram kaattum…naalum pugazh naattum…Displays pleasant colors... establishes eternal fame...
Nalla niram kaattum…naalum pugazh naattum…Displays pleasant colors... establishes eternal fame...
Female
Chinna chinna izhaiTiny, fine threads
Pinni pinni varumWoven together closely
Sithira kaithari selaiyadiIt is an artistic handloom saree, my friend
Namma thenaattil ennaalumIn our southern land, always
Kondaadum velaiyadiIt is a garment celebrated, my friend
Chorus
Thenaattil ennaalumIn the southern land, always
Kondaadum velaiyadiIt is a garment celebrated, my friend
Chorus
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)
Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaanaRhythmic folk refrain (Thaiya raiyaa thanna thaana)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1957 Tamil film 'Pudhaiyal', penned by the legendary poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, is a vibrant homage to the handloom weaving industry and weaver communities of Tamil Nadu. Using the metaphor of weaving individual threads into a fine handloom saree, the poet delivers a profound message about unity, collective strength, and social welfare. Just as a saree requires each thread to stay intact and united in structure, human society thrives when individuals work cooperatively. The lyrics also evoke the historical legacy of weaving in Tamil culture, tracing its roots to Saint-Poet Thiruvalluvar, himself traditionally believed to be a weaver.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis / Rhythm)

Chinna chinna izhai / Pinni pinni varum

The repetition of words like 'Chinna chinna' and 'Pinni pinni' creates rhythmic flow and emphasizes the intricate, delicate nature of threads.

Metaphor / Social Allegory

Ottrumaiyodu athanai noolum / Olungaa vanthaa valarum

The weaving of individual threads into a cloth serves as a direct allegory for social unity and cooperative effort.

Upamai (Simile)

Vidha vidha paravaigal polae

Comparing the colorful new varieties of sarees to diverse species of birds ('Vidha vidha paravaigal polae').

Alliteration & Monnai (Initial Rhyme)

Pudhu vagai pudavaigal / Vidha vidha paravaigal polae

The repetition of the initial consonant 'P' sound ('Pudhu', 'pudavaigal', 'paravaigal') enhances poetic sweetness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhaiyal (1957) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The song 'Chinna Chinna Izhai' was composed by the legendary musical duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and sung by T. M. Soundararajan along with P. Susheela and Jikki. Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram's lyrics famously highlighted socialist ideas, cooperative movement ideals, and worker pride during the post-independence era.

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