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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Poove

From Shankar Guru · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Shankar Guru1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Lalla laala laalaaLalla laala laalaa
Lalla laala laalaaLalla laala laalaa
Lalla laala laala laaLalla laala laala laa
Laala lallalaaLaala lallalaa
Aahahaa aahahaaAahahaa aahahaa
Oho ho imhumimOho ho imhumim
Male
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust a glance from your eyes is enough
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust a glance from your eyes is enough
Thottu thottu pesuSpeak touching me gently
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrows will vanish
Kannae un kai pattaalMy precious one, if your hand touches
Kaanja kodi pinju vidumA dried vine will yield young fruit
Patta maram paaloorumA withered tree will flow with milk
Paagarkaa thenoorum.. oh..oh..ohoA bitter gourd will drip with honey.. oh..oh..oho
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust a glance from your eyes is enough
Thottu thottu pesuSpeak touching me gently
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrows will vanish
Male
Ulagathil poovellaamAmong all the flowers in the world
Un pola azhagillaThere is none as beautiful as you
Naanum un ammaavumYour mother and I
Pannaadha thavamillaLeft no penance unperformed to have you
Then paandi mannavanoDid the king of the Southern Pandya land
Muzhugithaan muththeduthaanDive into the sea to gather pearls?
Thaenae un ammaavooMy sweet honey, your mother
Muzhugaama muththeduthaaGathered a pearl without ever diving!
Kannae dheivam kandenMy dear, I found God
Undhan kannil sannidhiIn your eyes lies the divine sanctuary
Un mutham pattu echil pattaaIf blessed by your kiss and tender touch
Konjam nimmadhiI gain a little peace of mind
Male
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust a glance from your eyes is enough
Female
Thottu thottu pesuSpeak touching me gently
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrows will vanish
Male
Paappaa nee illaamaLittle child, without you
Pasi thookkam vaaradhuNeither hunger nor sleep comes to me
Un pecha kekkaamaWithout listening to your sweet voice
Oru naalum vidiyaadhuNo day ever dawns for me
Nee unna paal kinnamA bowl of milk for you to drink
Podhaadhu pon maanaeIs not enough, my golden deer
Nilavennum kinnaththaiA bowl made of the silver moon
Naan kondu varuvenaeI shall fetch and bring for you
Poovum poovum unna paarthuFlower upon flower looked at you
Pesi kondathuAnd whispered among themselves
Indha kaattil odum odai koodaEven the stream flowing through this forest
Un per sonnadhuUttered your sweet name
Female
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust a glance from your eyes is enough
Thottu thottu pesuSpeak touching me gently
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrows will vanish
Male
Kannae un kai pattaalMy precious one, if your hand touches
Kaanja kodi pinju vidumA dried vine will yield young fruit
Patta maram paaloorumA withered tree will flow with milk
Paagarkaa thaenoorum.. oh..oh..ohoA bitter gourd will drip with honey.. oh..oh..oho
Male
Chinna chinna poovaeLittle, tiny flower
Nee kannaal paaru podhumJust a glance from your eyes is enough
Thottu thottu pesuSpeak touching me gently
En thunbam ellaam theerumAll my sorrows will vanish
Thanna naanae naanae naaThanna naanae naanae naa
Naanae naane naaNaanae naane naa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song captures a father's immense love and devotion toward his young child, whom he affectionately addresses as a delicate little flower. He expresses that a mere glance or touch from his child cures all his exhaustion and sorrows, bringing divine peace into his life. He compares her presence to magical miracles, such as a dead tree oozing milk or bitter gourds turning sweet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Chinna chinna poovae

Comparing the young child directly to a tiny flower ('Chinna chinna poovae') to highlight her innocence, softness, and beauty.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Patta maram paaloorum / Paagarkaa thenoorum

Exaggerating the child's touch to demonstrate its miraculous effect, claiming a withered tree will ooze milk and bitter gourds will taste like honey.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Thottu thottu pesu

The rhythmic doubling of words like 'Chinna chinna' and 'Thottu thottu' adds endearment and musical flow to the verse.

Personification

Indha kaattil odum odai kooda / Un per sonnadhu

Attributing human traits like speaking to forest streams and flowers in praise of the child.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chinna Chinna Poovae' is a heartwarming track from the 1987 action film Shankar Guru, starring Arjun Sarja. The music was composed by Chandra Bose with lyrics written by Vairamuthu and sung by K. J. Yesudas.

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