- Lyricist
- Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
- Singer
- Shoba Chandrasekar
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Neethikku Thandanai
- Movie release year
- 1987
- Lyrics added on
- 3 Feb 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
Did you know?
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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