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Kattu Roja album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Kanni

From Kattu Roja · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kattu Roja
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
10 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Chinna chinna kanni
Enakkenna vendum
Dhevan avan thiruvadi
Nizhal vendum
Chinna chinna kanni
Enakkenna vendum
Dhevan avan thiruvadi
Nizhal vendum
Vanna vanna kanni
Enakkenna vendum
Avan vaasalukku sella oru
Vazhi vendum
Chinna chinna kanni
Enakkenna vendum
Dhevan avan thiruvadi
Nizhal vendum
{Manjalukku vanji andru
Vaadi nindren
Manamangalathai kangalilae
Thaedi nindren} (2)
Thanjamendru nenjamondril
Aadi nindren
Indru thannanthaniyaaga
Nindru vaadugindren
Ammammaa ammammaa ammammaa
Chinna chinna kanni
Enakkenna vendum
Dhevan avan thiruvadi
Nizhal vendum
{Kaattu magal veedu vittu
Naadu sendren
Dheiva kaadhalukku paatteduthu
Paadi nindren} (2)
Naattu makkal vaasal thannai
Naadi nindren
Indru naadum illai kaadum illai
Vaadugindren
Ammammaa ammammaa ammammaa
{Naalai varum paavaiyarkku
Oru vaarthai
Kaadhal naadagathil neengal
Pangupera vendaam}
Kaalaiyarkku kaadhal mozhi
Thara vendaam
Iru kan kalangi vaazhvizhandhu
Keda vendaam
Ammammaa ammammaa ammammaa
Chinna chinna kanni
Enakkenna vendum
Dhevan avan thiruvadi
Nizhal vendum
Vanna vanna kanni
Enakkenna vendum…
Avan vaasalukku sella oru vazhi vendum…
Oru vazhi vendum…
For a simple, young girl like me,
what do I really need?
At the holy feet of my Lord,
I just need shelter.
For a simple, young girl like me,
what do I really need?
At the holy feet of my Lord,
I just need shelter.
For a vibrant, young girl like me,
what do I really need?
To reach the doorstep of his home,
I need a way.
For a simple, young girl like me,
what do I really need?
At the holy feet of my Lord,
I just need shelter.
Longing for bridal turmeric back then,
I stood yearning;
For the blessing of marriage,
my eyes kept searching.
Seeking refuge in someone's heart,
I danced with joy;
But today, left all alone,
I stand and wither in pain.
Ah, alas! Alas! Alas!
For a simple, young girl like me,
what do I really need?
At the holy feet of my Lord,
I just need shelter.
A daughter of the forest, I left home
and came to the town;
Singing songs of divine love,
I raised my voice in song.
Reaching out to the doorsteps of the townspeople,
I sought their goodwill;
Today, I have neither town nor forest,
and I am left grieving.
Ah, alas! Alas! Alas!
To the young women of tomorrow,
here is a word of caution:
In this drama called love,
do not take part!
Words of love to young men,
do not give;
With tearful eyes, losing your life,
do not destroy yourselves.
Ah, alas! Alas! Alas!
For a simple, young girl like me,
what do I really need?
At the holy feet of my Lord,
I just need shelter.
For a vibrant, young girl like me,
what do I really need...
To reach the doorstep of his home, I need a way...
I need a way...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Chinna Chinna Kanni' expresses the deep sorrow and heartbreak of a young maiden who gave up her forest home in search of love and marital bliss in the civilized world. After enduring deception and abandonment, she finds herself belonging neither to the country nor to the forest. Disillusioned with worldly romantic pursuits, she seeks shelter exclusively under God's divine grace and cautions future young women against falling into the tragic trap of romantic love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Chinna chinna kanni / Enakkenna vendum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent lines or words, such as 'Chinna' and 'Enakkenna', or 'Kaattu' and 'Naattu'.

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Manjalukku vanji andru / Manamangalathai kangalilae

Matching second consonants across lines like 'Manjalukku', 'Manamangalathai', and 'Thanjamendru'.

Metaphor

Kaadhal naadagathil neengal pangupera vendaam

Comparing romantic love and its deceptions to a drama ('Kaadhal naadagam').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the 1963 film 'Kattu Roja' features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics written by Kannadasan, famously sung by P. Susheela. It poignantly captures the predicament of a tribal/forest girl coming into urban society and being betrayed.

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