Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinna Veedu (Sad)

From Marumagal (1953) · 1953

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singers
A. M. Raja, P. A. Periyanayaki
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Marumagal (1953)1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu kattiBuilding small houses and beautiful houses,
Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu kattiBuilding small houses and beautiful houses,
Onnaaga aadinom munnaalaeWe played together in the past,
Onnaaga aadinom munnaalaeWe played together in the past.
Namathu sontham innaalilWill our relationship today,
Povatho ponnaalaeBe lost despite these golden days?
Male
Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu kattiBuilding small houses and beautiful houses,
Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu kattiBuilding small houses and beautiful houses,
Onnaaga aadinom munnaalaeWe played together in the past,
Onnaaga aadinom munnaalaeWe played together in the past.
Namathu sontham innaalilWill our relationship today,
Povatho ponnaalaeBe lost despite these golden days?
Female
Mann veettai kattiyapothuWhen we built mud houses in childhood,
Manakkottai kattiya vaazhvuOur life was like building castles in the air,
Mann veettai kattiyapothuWhen we built mud houses in childhood,
Manakkottai kattiya vaazhvuOur life was like building castles in the air,
Arivoottum pettror vaarththaiyinaalGuided by the enlightening words of parents,
Aagalaamo thaazhvuHow could our lives suffer a decline?
Kootturavu thaeivatho panaththaalaeIs unity eroding because of money?
Kootturavu thaeivatho panaththaalaeIs unity eroding because of money?
Namathu sontham koodaamal povatho puvi melaeWill our relationship fail to unite on this earth?
Female
Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu kattiBuilding small houses and beautiful houses,
Onnaaga aadinom munnaalaeWe played together in the past.
Male
Thondru thottu nermiyinaal vantha nesamThe affection born out of integrity since time immemorial,
Ondrupattu vaazhaamal seivathae mosamIs betrayed by failing to live together in unity.
Thondru thottu nermiyinaal vantha nesamThe affection born out of integrity since time immemorial,
Ondrupattu vaazhaamal seivathae mosamIs betrayed by failing to live together in unity.
Nandri ketta perkal seigaiyaalaeBecause of the deeds of ungrateful people,
Nandri ketta perkal seigaiyaalaeBecause of the deeds of ungrateful people,
Namathu sontham indruWill our family bond today,
Kettu povatho porulaalaeBe ruined by material wealth?
Male
Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu kattiBuilding small houses and beautiful houses,
Onnaaga aadinom munnaalaeWe played together in the past.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song reflects nostalgic longing and deep sorrow over fractured family relationships. The speakers fondly recall their innocent childhood days when they built toy mud houses and played together in harmony. They contrast that innocent past with the painful present, where greed, money, and ungrateful people threaten to tear apart lifelong family bonds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Chinna chinna veedu katti singaara veedu katti

The phrase 'Chinna chinna' repeats the word 'chinna' to emphasize the smallness and innocence of childhood playhouses.

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Mann veettai kattiyapothu / Manakkottai kattiya vaazhvu

The second letter 'n' matches in 'Mann' and 'Manakkottai', creating rhythmic harmony across lines.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Thondru thottu nermiyinaal vantha nesam

The initial sound 'Th' repeats in 'Thondru' and 'thottu'.

Metaphor

Manakkottai kattiya vaazhvu

'Manakkottai' (castles in the mind/dreams) is used metaphorically to describe the hopeful dreams imagined while building simple mud houses.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features music composed by the legendary C. R. Subbaraman. Following Subbaraman's sudden death during the production of Marumagal (1953), his assistants M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy completed the background score and remaining music work, marking an important early milestone in their careers before officially pairing up as Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy.

Keep listening

More from Marumagal (1953)