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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Poove Sad

From Shankar Guru · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Shankar Guru1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust look with your eyes, that is enough
Thottu thottu pesuTouch and speak to me
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrow will end
Kannae un kai pattaalMy dear, if your hand touches
Kaanja kodi pinju vidumA dried vine will yield young fruit
Patta maram paaloorumA dead tree will yield sweet sap
Paagarkaa thenoorum.. oh..oh..ohoBitter gourd will ooze honey.. oh..oh..oho
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust look with your eyes, that is enough
Thottu thottu pesuTouch and speak to me
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrow will end
Female
Odugira megangalaeO running clouds
Oru nimisham nillungaStop for a minute
Appava paathakkaIf you see my father
Azhudhennu sollungaTell him that I cried
Thaai vecha mai ellaamAll the kohl applied by mother
Kannodu karaigiradhaeDissolves within my eyes
Kanneeru ippoduThe tears now
Karuppaaga irukkiradhaeAre running black
Female
Nee mutham thandhaOn the cheek you once kissed
Kannil indru ratham vandhadhuBlood has come to my eyes today
Nee solli thandha paadal mattumOnly the song you taught me
Nenjil nindradhuRemained in my heart
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust look with your eyes, that is enough
Thottu thottu pesuTouch and speak to me
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrow will end
Female
Appa nee illamalFather, without you
Pasi thookkam vaaradhuNeither hunger nor sleep comes
Puyalodu mazhai vandhaIf rain comes with a storm
Poo mottu thaaladhuThe flower bud cannot endure it
Yen innum varavillaWhy haven't you come yet?
En nenju thaangadhuMy heart cannot bear it
Mul mela thala vechuResting its head on thorns
Mullapoo thoongaadhuA jasmine flower cannot sleep
Female
Iva aalillama noolillamaWithout anyone, without a string
Aadum pattamaaShe is a flying kite
Naan kanneer vittu paadum pattuWill the song I sing shedding tears
Kaadhil ettumaaReach your ears?
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust look with your eyes, that is enough
Thottu thottu pesuTouch and speak to me
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrow will end
Kannae un kai pattaalMy dear, if your hand touches
Kaanja kodi pinju vidumA dried vine will yield young fruit
Patta maram paaloorumA dead tree will yield sweet sap
Paagarkaa thenoorum.. oh..oh..ohoBitter gourd will ooze honey.. oh..oh..oho
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust look with your eyes, that is enough
Thottu thottu pesuTouch and speak to me
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrow will end
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrow will end

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Shankar Guru (1987) depicts the intense longing, sorrow, and innocence of a child separated from her loving father. Addressing her father with tender endearments, she expresses that a single touch or glance from him could perform miracles—turning a withered vine fruitful or bitter gourd into honey—and heal all her deep anguish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Chinna chinna poovae

The words 'Chinna chinna' and 'Thottu thottu' are repeated consecutively to evoke sweetness, tenderness, and strong emotional warmth.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Patta maram paaloorum / Paagarkaa thenoorum

The lyricist exaggerates the touch of the loved one to perform impossible natural miracles, such as making dead wood bleed sweet milk and bitter gourd yield honey.

Apostrophe / Personification

Odugira megangalae / Oru nimisham nillunga

Addressing non-human element (passing clouds) as if they were messengers who can hear, carry a message, and talk to the father.

Metaphor

Iva aalillama noolillama / Aadum pattamaa

The helpless child without guidance or protection is metaphorically compared to a kite flying wildly without a guiding thread or owner.

Did you know?

Trivia

This emotional song from the 1987 action-drama film 'Shankar Guru' (starring Arjun Sarja and Baby Shalini) features music composed by Chandrabose with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song captures the heartfelt father-daughter bond that forms a central emotional core of the film.

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