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Unnaithan Thambi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Thottathil

From Unnaithan Thambi · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Movie name
Unnaithan Thambi
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
7 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mmm….mheem…mm….mmmmhmmm
Mmm….mheem…mm….mmmmhmmm
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Pachai mara kaattradiththu patta maram thazhaikkum
Paal vadiyum mazhalaiyil manitha manam thazhaikkum
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Deivaththukku deepam kaattum kuzhanthai siriththu
Devar kulam odi varum mazhalai azhaiththu
Paavangalil vizhuvathillai pillaigalin manathu
Paavi ennai maattri vittaai vettri unathu
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
En varaiyil neeyallavo en paaramaathmaa
Intha gunam kkondavarthaan gandhi mahathmaa
Un nilaiyai kandathilae thudikkuthu aathmaa
Female :Ondrumillai thavarivittaen
Nee azhalaama nee azhalaamaa
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa
Thaiyathakka thaiyaa thaiyathakka thaiyaa
Thavarai unarnthu thirunthi vittataal thappu illai aiyya
Chinna chinna thottaththil pachai maram ondru
Pachai maram pakkaththil patta maram ondru
Pachai mara kaattradiththu patta maram thazhaikkum
Paal vadiyum mazhalaiyil manitha manam thazhaikkum
Mmm... mm-hmm... mmm... mmm-mm-hmm...
Mmm... mm-hmm... mmm... mmm-mm-hmm...
In a little garden, there is a green tree
Next to the green tree stands a withered tree
When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes
Through the innocent words of a child, the human heart thrives
In a little garden, there is a green tree
Next to the green tree stands a withered tree
A child smiles, like lighting a lamp for God
The gods come running when a little one calls
A child's heart never falls into sin
You transformed a sinner like me; the victory is yours
In a little garden, there is a green tree
Next to the green tree stands a withered tree
As far as I am concerned, are you not my supreme soul?
Mahatma Gandhi was one blessed with such a nature
Seeing your condition, my soul aches with sorrow
Female: It is nothing, I just made a mistake
Should you cry? Should you really cry?
Thaiyathakka thaiyya, thaiyathakka thaiyya
Thaiyathakka thaiyya, thaiyathakka thaiyya
Since you realized your mistake and changed, there is no fault, sir
In a little garden, there is a green tree
Next to the green tree stands a withered tree
When the breeze from the green tree blows, the withered tree flourishes
Through the innocent words of a child, the human heart thrives
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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