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Lyrics & meaning

Chinna Chiru Kiliye (Sad)

From Neethikku Thandanai · 1987

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
Shoba Chandrasekar
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Neethikku Thandanai1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Chinnajchiru kiliyae kannammaaMy tiny little parrot, Kannamma!
Selva kalanjiyamae….ae…O treasure trove of wealth!
Chinnajchiru kiliyae kannammaaMy tiny little parrot, Kannamma!
Selva kalanjiyamae….ae…O treasure trove of wealth!
Female
Ennai kali theerththae ulagilTo relieve me of my sorrow in this world,
Yaetram puriya vanthaaiYou came to bring me exaltation.
Ennai kali theerththae ulagilTo relieve me of my sorrow in this world,
Yaetram puriya vanthaaiYou came to bring me exaltation.
Female
Pillai kaniyamuthae kannammaMy sweet nectar-like child, Kannamma!
Pesum porchiththiramae…ae…O speaking golden portrait!
Pillai kaniyamuthae kannammaMy sweet nectar-like child, Kannamma!
Pesum porchiththiramae…ae…O speaking golden portrait!
Alliyanaiththidavae en munnaeTo gather you in my embrace,
Aadi varum thaenae….You come dancing before me, sweet honey!
Thaenae….aadi varum thaenae….O honey... dancing sweet honey!
Female
Chinnajchiru kiliyae kannammaaMy tiny little parrot, Kannamma!
Selva kalanjiyamae….ae…O treasure trove of wealth!
Ennai kali theerththae ulagilTo relieve me of my sorrow in this world,
Yaetram puriya vanthaai….You came to bring me exaltation.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an excerpt from Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar's iconic poem celebrating parental affection and devotion towards a child, addressed as Kannamma. The poet pours out pure love using various rich metaphors, comparing the child to a little parrot, a treasure trove, a speaking golden painting, and sweet dancing honey. The presence of the child is described as a divine gift that wipes away all earthly distress and elevates the soul with pure happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Chinnajchiru kiliyae kannammaa / Selva kalanjiyamae….

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Pesum porchiththiramae…ae…

Compares the child to a 'speaking golden painting' (Pesum porchiththiram), contrasting static art with living beauty.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pillai kaniyamuthae kannamma / Pesum porchiththiramae…ae…

Repetition of consonant and vowel sounds at the beginning of words in lines such as 'Pillai' and 'Pesum' creating melodic resonance.

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Trivia

Written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar in the early 20th century, 'Chinnanchiru Kiliye' is one of the most famous child-praise poems in Tamil literature. Though composed as a classical poem, it has been widely adapted into Carnatic concerts and Tamil film soundtracks, including the 1987 film 'Neethikku Thandanai' scored by M. S. Viswanathan.

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