Chinna Chinna Thottathil
From Unnaithan Thambi · 1974
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. Vijaya Baskar
- Details
- Unnaithan Thambi1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mmm….mheem…mm….mmmmhmmm | [Humming] |
| Mmm….mheem…mm….mmmmhmmm | [Humming] |
| Male | |
| Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru | In a small garden, there is a green tree |
| Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru | Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree |
| Pachai mara kaattradiththu patta maram thazhaikkum | When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes |
| Paal vadiyum mazhalaiyil manitha manam thazhaikkum | In the presence of an innocent child, the human heart blossoms |
| Male | |
| Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru | In a small garden, there is a green tree |
| Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru | Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree |
| Male | |
| Deivaththukku deepam kaattum kuzhanthai siriththu | When the child smiles, it is like lighting a lamp for God |
| Devar kulam odi varum mazhalai azhaiththu | The realm of celestial beings comes running at the call of the child |
| Paavangalil vizhuvathillai pillaigalin manathu | The minds of children do not fall into sins |
| Paavi ennai maattri vittaai vettri unathu | You transformed a sinner like me; the victory is yours |
| Male | |
| Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru | In a small garden, there is a green tree |
| Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru | Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree |
| Male | |
| En varaiyil neeyallavo en paaramaathmaa | As far as I am concerned, are you not my supreme soul? |
| Intha gunam kkondavarthaan gandhi mahathmaa | Mahatma Gandhi was one who possessed such a divine nature |
| Un nilaiyai kandathilae thudikkuthu aathmaa | My soul throbs with anguish upon seeing your condition |
| Female :Ondrumillai thavarivittaen | Female: It is nothing, I slipped and made a mistake |
| Nee azhalaama nee azhalaamaa | Should you cry? Should you cry? |
| Female | |
| Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa | Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa | Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thavarai unarnthu thirunthi vittataal thappu illai aiyya | If one realizes their mistake and corrects oneself, it is no longer a fault, sir |
| Male | |
| Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru | In a small garden, there is a green tree |
| Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru | Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree |
| Pachai mara kaattradiththu patta maram thazhaikkum | When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes |
| Paal vadiyum mazhalaiyil manitha manam thazhaikkum | In the presence of an innocent child, the human heart blossoms |
ம்ம்ம்....ம்ஹீம்....ம்ம்....ம்ம்மம்ஹ்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம்....ம்ஹீம்....ம்ம்....ம்ம்மம்ஹ்ம்ம்
[Humming]
[Humming]
சின்ன சின்னத் தோட்டத்தில் பச்சை மரம் ஒன்று
பச்சை மரம் பக்கத்தில் பட்ட மரம் ஒன்று
பச்சை மரக் காற்றடித்து பட்ட மரம் தழைக்கும்
பால் வடியும் மழலையில் மனித மனம் தழைக்கும்
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes
In the presence of an innocent child, the human heart blossoms
சின்ன சின்னத் தோட்டத்தில் பச்சை மரம் ஒன்று
பச்சை மரம் பக்கத்தில் பட்ட மரம் ஒன்று
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
தெய்வத்துக்கு தீபம் காட்டும் குழந்தை சிரித்து
தேவர் குலம் ஓடி வரும் மழலை அழைத்து
பாவங்களில் விழுவதில்லை பிள்ளைகளின் மனது
பாவி என்னை மாற்றி விட்டாய் வெற்றி உனது
When the child smiles, it is like lighting a lamp for God
The realm of celestial beings comes running at the call of the child
The minds of children do not fall into sins
You transformed a sinner like me; the victory is yours
சின்ன சின்னத் தோட்டத்தில் பச்சை மரம் ஒன்று
பச்சை மரம் பக்கத்தில் பட்ட மரம் ஒன்று
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
என் வரையில் நீயல்லவோ என் பரமாத்மா
இந்த குணம் கொண்டவர்தான் காந்தி மகாத்மா
உன் நிலையை கண்டதிலே துடிக்குது ஆத்மா
ஒன்றுமில்லை தவறி விட்டேன்
நீ அழலாமா நீ அழலாமா
As far as I am concerned, are you not my supreme soul?
Mahatma Gandhi was one who possessed such a divine nature
My soul throbs with anguish upon seeing your condition
Female: It is nothing, I slipped and made a mistake
Should you cry? Should you cry?
தையத்தக்க தைய்யா தையத்தக்க தைய்யா
தையத்தக்க தைய்யா தையத்தக்க தைய்யா
தவறை உணர்ந்து திருந்தி விட்டால் தப்பு இல்லை ஐயா
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
If one realizes their mistake and corrects oneself, it is no longer a fault, sir
சின்ன சின்னத் தோட்டத்தில் பச்சை மரம் ஒன்று
பச்சை மரம் பக்கத்தில் பட்ட மரம் ஒன்று
பச்சை மரக் காற்றடித்து பட்ட மரம் தழைக்கும்
பால் வடியும் மழலையில் மனித மனம் தழைக்கும்
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes
In the presence of an innocent child, the human heart blossoms
Mmm….mheem…mm….mmmmhmmm
[Humming]
Mmm….mheem…mm….mmmmhmmm
[Humming]
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
Pachai mara kaattradiththu patta maram thazhaikkum
When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes
Paal vadiyum mazhalaiyil manitha manam thazhaikkum
In the presence of an innocent child, the human heart blossoms
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
Deivaththukku deepam kaattum kuzhanthai siriththu
When the child smiles, it is like lighting a lamp for God
Devar kulam odi varum mazhalai azhaiththu
The realm of celestial beings comes running at the call of the child
Paavangalil vizhuvathillai pillaigalin manathu
The minds of children do not fall into sins
Paavi ennai maattri vittaai vettri unathu
You transformed a sinner like me; the victory is yours
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
En varaiyil neeyallavo en paaramaathmaa
As far as I am concerned, are you not my supreme soul?
Intha gunam kkondavarthaan gandhi mahathmaa
Mahatma Gandhi was one who possessed such a divine nature
Un nilaiyai kandathilae thudikkuthu aathmaa
My soul throbs with anguish upon seeing your condition
Female :Ondrumillai thavarivittaen
Female: It is nothing, I slipped and made a mistake
Nee azhalaama nee azhalaamaa
Should you cry? Should you cry?
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thavarai unarnthu thirunthi vittataal thappu illai aiyya
If one realizes their mistake and corrects oneself, it is no longer a fault, sir
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
In a small garden, there is a green tree
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Beside the green tree, there is a withered tree
Pachai mara kaattradiththu patta maram thazhaikkum
When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes
Paal vadiyum mazhalaiyil manitha manam thazhaikkum
In the presence of an innocent child, the human heart blossoms
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song uses the allegory of a lush green tree reviving a withered tree standing beside it to illustrate how an innocent child can reform a hardened or sinful adult. The green tree symbolizes the untainted purity of childhood, while the withered tree represents an adult burdened by guilt and past wrongdoings. Through the child's divine influence and pure innocence, the adult's heart is transformed and revitalized.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru / Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondruTok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok numeric over ton that occurs sequentially in”
Contrast (othographic antilogy / Muranually)
“Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru”
The concepts of 'Pachai maram' (green, living tree) and 'Patta maram' (withered, dead tree) are contrasted against each other to highlight the contrast between innocent youth and sin-laden adulthood.
Adukkuthodar (Repetition)
“Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru”
The words 'Chinna chinna' are repeated back-to-back to add rhythmic, childish rhythm and emphasize the smallness of the garden and child.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thavarai unarnthu thirunthi vittataal thappu illai aiyya”
The second letter 'va' is rhyming across consecutive lines ('Thavarai' and 'Thirunthi'), enhancing the phonetic rhythm of the lyrics.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Unnaithan Thambi' (1974) features music composed by the veteran Kannada film composer K. Vijaya Bhaskar, who composed for a select few Tamil films. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan with lyrics by Vaali, the song is well known for its deeply moral and philosophical message presented through simple child-centric metaphors.
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