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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chinnamani

From Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada · 1992

Lyricist
Aabavanan
Singers
B. Sasirekha, Vidya
Music director
Gyan Varma
Details
Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinna chinnamaniLittle gem-like bell,
Singaara poomani yaaroWho is this beautiful flower-like gem?
Aaraaro aariro….Lullaby lullaby...
Thulli thulli varumBouncing and hopping comes
Velli manikkuyil yaaroWho is this silver gem-like cuckoo?
Aaraaro aariro…Lullaby lullaby...
Female
Thaanae porakkuthu paattuA song is born automatically,
Maanae nee poranthathu kettuHearing that you were born, my deer-like child.
Female
Chinna chinnamaniLittle gem-like bell,
Singaara poomani yaaroWho is this beautiful flower-like gem?
Aaraaro aariro…oo….Lullaby lullaby...
Thulli thulli varumBouncing and hopping comes
Velli manikkuyil yaaroWho is this silver gem-like cuckoo?
Aaraaro aariro….ooLullaby lullaby...
Chorus
{Valaththa maram pooththuduchchuThe nurtured tree has blossomed,
Pooththamaram kaachchuduchchuThe blossomed tree has borne fruit,
Kaaikkum vara kaaththiruntha mannavanaeOh king who waited until it bore fruit,
Kani parikkumpothuWhile plucking the fruit,
Kasakkuthunnu sonnavanae} (2)You said that it tastes bitter!
Female
Ponnu poranthathuA girl child was born,
Kannu neranjathu nee paarammaaEyes were filled with happiness, look my dear lady,
Antha mannukullaIn this earth,
Intha ponnu kunangal nee kelammaListen to the virtuous qualities of this woman, my dear lady.
Aaraaro….oo….aaraaro…aariro…Lullaby... lullaby...
Female
Ponnunnaa porumaiyaaTo be a woman means patience,
Poruththavarai VaazhkkaiyammaaLife belongs to those who endure, my dear,
Nee vaazhanum purinju nee vaazhanumYou must live, understand this and live,
Porantha veettu perumaiyellaamAll the honor of your birth home,
Puguntha veettu vaazhkkaiyilthaanReflects in your life at your in-laws' home,
Nee vaazhanum therinju nee vaazhnumYou must live, know this and live.
Female
Chinna chinnamaniLittle gem-like bell,
Singaara poomani yaaroWho is this beautiful flower-like gem?
Aaraaro aariro…oo….Lullaby lullaby...
Thulli thulli varumBouncing and hopping comes
Velli manikkuyil yaaroWho is this silver gem-like cuckoo?
Aaraaro aariro….ooLullaby lullaby...
Chorus
{Karusak kaattu puzhuthiyilaeIn the dust of the dry black-soil field,
Kathirarukka pogaiyilaeWhile going to harvest the grain,
Purushanukku kaaththirunthaa ponnammaThe woman waited for her husband,
Aasai puzhuthiyoda pona maayam ennammaa} (2)What mystery made her desire disappear into the dust, my dear?
Female
Sontha panthamellaamAll relatives and kinsfolk,
Suththiyiruppatha nee paarammaaLook at them surrounding you, my dear lady,
Unna suththiyiruppavarSo that those around you,
Mechchi magizhnthida nee vaazhammaaPraise and rejoice, you must live, my dear lady.
Aaraaro….oo….aaraaro…aariro…Lullaby... lullaby...
Female
Aambalaiyae avasaramthaanMen are hasty by nature,
Anusarippathu pombalathaan nee vaazhanumIt is the woman who adapts and adjusts, you must live,
Purinju nee vaazhnumUnderstand this and live,
Purushanoda perumaiyellaamAll the prestige of a husband,
Pondaatti kaiyilaththaan nee vaazhnumRests in his wife's hands, you must live,
Therinju nee vaazhanumKnow this and live.
Female
Chinna chinnamaniLittle gem-like bell,
Singaara poomani yaaroWho is this beautiful flower-like gem?
Aaraaro aariro….aa….Lullaby lullaby...
Thulli thulli varumBouncing and hopping comes
Velli manikkuyil yaaroWho is this silver gem-like cuckoo?
Aaraaro aariroLullaby lullaby,
Female
Thaanae porakkuthu paattuA song is born automatically,
Maanae nee poranthathu kettuHearing that you were born, my deer-like child.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a traditional Tamil lullaby (Thaalattu) celebrating the birth of a female child. Through poetic metaphors comparing the newborn to a silver cuckoo and a delicate flower, the singer showers affection on the baby while offering deeply rooted cultural guidance on womanhood, patience, family honor, and marital harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Ponnu poranthathu / Kannu neranjathu nee paarammaa

Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines, such as 'Ponnu' and 'Kannu' in lines 20 and 21.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thulli thulli varum

Repetition of the initial consonant sound, as seen in 'Thulli thulli' and 'Chinna chinnamani'.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Velli manikkuyil yaaro

Comparing the newborn girl to a cuckoo bird ('Velli manikkuyil') and a flower-gem ('Poomani').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track belongs to the 1992 Tamil film 'Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada', which was directed and written by Aabavanan, who also penned the lyrics for this soulful lullaby.

Keep listening

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